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Just an interesting story I thought I would share, after getting a thousand parking tickets at university as a result of no front plate, parking 5 minutes over the hour restriction, and stupid other reasons I had never had an issue with the front euro plate until the city and county of Denver (where I commute to) had an issue with it under their parking guidelines. Started planning my days better so I can now park on university property rather than fascist Denver streets.
So I am coming back from the range the other day and find myself near my suburb where the cops truly have nothing to do. A cop is behind me in traffic and lights me up, as I pulled into the mall area I was infuriated that I was being pulled over for nothing (yes I know the euro plate is technically not legal under the Colorado revised statute they would cite me on, but it has been a non-issue for years now and didn't think the cop saw the front of my car).
Finally, he comes up to my car and asks me if this was my car and I told him yes, and he said the reason he pulled me over was I had two different plates on the car. I told him that I had the same numbers (many of you know what my plate is, as I don't really hide it lol) front to back and he said they are not the same. So we argued about it for a good few, then he finally reread the plate on the front and said "Oh, my bad," but was wondering where I got the plate. I informed him I don't answer any questions, and he said I was all good to go. A 30 second traffic stop because he thought it was a legitimate euro plate on the front and was confused as to why I had two different plates on the car.
A few things learned: the cop, as uncooperative as I was with him, was actually really cool for not giving me a ticket or pestering me about the issue any further while only taking a minute or two of my time. If you are courteous but assertive they will generally not give you any trouble. If you have the Colorado flag on your euro form factor plate and the same numbers they really don't seem to care which has always been the case for me. Euro plates are becoming more popular in my area, I like to think I am the cause of this . And finally, I have no idea how he saw the front plate on my car being behind me in traffic for what I am sure was the entire time he was aware of my presence.
I'm going to be a jerk anyway and post this because I laughed at it:
Last edited by AMGAffalterbach; 02-12-2015 at 01:49 AM.
I've always wondered why people put european plates on their car? Here is mine and I tried to get italy to give me a rectangular rear plate but they insisted in giving me the square instead.
Last edited by Duc1098E500; 02-12-2015 at 11:09 AM.
To be honest I would not run any front plate but they already drilled my bumper so I have to run something up there. The Colorado front plates are square, green/white, and super ugly so I wanted to run a euro form factor plate. We only get one option here in the US
The wife got pulled over the other day for "no front plate". It's in the windshield. Usually when I point it out or explain MD has a law that if there is no mount, I am not forced to devalue the car by drilling holes in it. But...she didn't say anything and got a $70 ticket.
We usually get pulled over for tint, tinted taillights, painted headlights, etc. LEOs here really have nothing better to do. Most of the stops come in town or on 495 in Baltimore.
The wife got pulled over the other day for "no front plate". It's in the windshield. Usually when I point it out or explain MD has a law that if there is no mount, I am not forced to devalue the car by drilling holes in it. But...she didn't say anything and got a $70 ticket.
We usually get pulled over for tint, tinted taillights, painted headlights, etc. LEOs here really have nothing better to do. Most of the stops come in town or on 495 in Baltimore.
It's not about the LEO not having anything to do at all. If you are issued two license plates then you have to follow the rule and mount those plates. Perhaps you need to read up on your state law to prevent any further harassment from the LEO.
It's not about the LEO not having anything to do at all. If you are issued two license plates then you have to follow the rule and mount those plates. Perhaps you need to read up on your state law to prevent any further harassment from the LEO.
Have a nice day!
I got pulled over before just for having an old plate. The old plate doesn't require a front plate, but the new plates have front plates. Somewhat annoying as I had no idea why I got pulled over at the time. Then he walked up to me and told me I could go as he didn't realize I had the old plate til he saw it once I pulled over. He was in front of me when I got pulled over.
Well you also need to prove to the LEO or the court of law that this vehicle left the factory without a front plate mount.
Pretty sure the absence of one on the car would be compelling evidence in court. Front plate mounts are dealer installed, and the burden of proof is on the prosecution in the USA.
Originally Posted by boardboy330
and got a $70 ticket.
If you don't like the rule - break it and pay the fine. $70 isn't that much. I would also suggest exercising your due process and make the government work for that money (especially if you are within the the law with your sticker/factory bumper). If it isn't cost/time effective to write the tickets they might stop.
Pretty sure the absence of one on the car would be compelling evidence in court. Front plate mounts are dealer installed, and the burden of proof is on the prosecution in the USA.
If you don't like the rule - break it and pay the fine. $70 isn't that much. I would also suggest exercising your due process and make the government work for that money (especially if you are within the the law with your sticker/factory bumper). If it isn't cost/time effective to write the tickets they might stop.
Glad I live in a state with more freedoms.
No matter because if the law required both plates then you need both plates.
Last edited by Duc1098E500; 02-13-2015 at 02:45 PM.
Okay here is the deal... we can debate what the law is and the wording of the law but generally if you aren't using the state issued plate it IS illegal. I am not a proponent of breaking any laws but, sheeple, just because a law is in place doesn't make it right or necessary. If you think about it, a branch of our government here in the US - as in most places - is paid simply to pass new laws and budgets all the time. Where will it end?
Now I understand complaining about getting pulled over for breaking the law is a bit silly, hence the bit of sarcasm and humor in my post. The hilarious part to me was the fact that he did not cite me for the plate but rather thought I had two different plate NUMBERS on there.
I am of the belief that only a rear plate is necessary, and it would be nice not to have to drill into my damn car because the government says I have to for some reason that is only necessary in some states and not in others.
It's not about the LEO not having anything to do at all. If you are issued two license plates then you have to follow the rule and mount those plates. Perhaps you need to read up on your state law to prevent any further harassment from the LEO.
Have a nice day!
I had a very long response typed out, but I am not interested in a forum argument with someone most likely not even in the US. I follow the law. The problem isn't the law, it's LEOs who write tickets in direct violation of the law or don't know the law and write tickets based on assumptions. Yeah I didn't have to pay the ticket, but it took time out of my day to drive 2 hours one way to have it inspected. So I lost $400 in time just because a LEO doesn't like how my car looks. Sure I could pay the ticket, but then my insurance goes up.
I had a very long response typed out, but I am not interested in a forum argument with someone most likely not even in the US. I follow the law. The problem isn't the law, it's LEOs who write tickets in direct violation of the law or don't know the law and write tickets based on assumptions. Yeah I didn't have to pay the ticket, but it took time out of my day to drive 2 hours one way to have it inspected. So I lost $400 in time just because a LEO doesn't like how my car looks. Sure I could pay the ticket, but then my insurance goes up.
Born and raised and California, lived in Hawaii, Virginia, Chicago, and Europe. I'm also not interested in arguing with someone over the net. Anyways, do what you want it's your car and your time. Just saying if the law stated that you need front plates and you don't have it then a cop have the right to pull you over and issue a ticket. It is now up to you to prove to the judge that you don't need it mounted because of so and so. Whatever!
02-12-2015, 01:44 AM
. And finally, I have no idea how he saw the front plate on my car being behind me in traffic for what I am sure was the entire time he was aware of my presence. 
