Shadow5501

Texas has fixed the gap in their vehicle code and there is now a rather nasty penalty in place for not having a front plate. For that reason and because I'm just not that into offering probable cause, it's time to look into getting a plate on the front of the E55.

Has anyone used this plate mount available through Amazon -
It appears that with some work it could be mounted to the lower wire mesh grille and hold the plate in front of the bumper. Or, worst case, the mounting holes could be put in the bottom of the bumper, out of normal view.

Like everyone else, I'd prefer not to punch holes in the front bumper.

cnterline

Is there a screw in tow hook on the front of your car ,that's where I put mine 03 sl55 ,they sell them on e bay,screw in aluminum shaft that a plate mounts to ,then you mount lic plate to that

HeissRod

What is this gap that has been fixed and this new nasty penalty?

55fanatic

probably a giant fine.

Shadow5501

Texas rewrote the vehicle code ~2 years ago to update and clean it up. In the rewrite a front plate is required, but no penalty was specified for not having one. Hence we got pretty much a free ride on the holes-in-the-front-bumper thing.

Starting last September 1st, the vehicle code was amended to include a $200 penalty for not displaying a front plate. Given that lack of a front plate is both probable cause for an officer to pull the car over and a not-painless fine, it's time to display a front plate.

HeissRod

So it's still legal to display in the front window, then?

Shadow5501

No, not as I understand it. Some googling came with a 2006 court case in Amarillo in which it was determined that displaying a license plate in the front window is not sufficient: http://www.cca.courts.state.tx.us/OP...PINIONID=20044

That said, the new vehicle code specifies the DMV may specify where and how the front and rear plates must be displayed, but it appears that no guidance has been issued.

I'm thinking putting a plate in the window isn't going to cut it.

1cerberus4u

I keep the front plate tucked by my front seat and if stopped, toss it up into the front window.....

No rule as to where it should be in the front, then it can be anywhere as long as its visible

3BNick

So the case you cited was an appeal for when the vehicle operator was pulled over after leaving a known drug house and initially cited for no front plate or improper mounting of plate which was in the windshield. Suspect was found to have cocaine during a weapons pat down. I think appealing citation for no front plate was the least of his problems.

Moral of the story, folks? Drugs are bad. Mmmkay? Don't hang out at drug houses without a front plate on.

I also keep my front plate next to my passenger seat. It has been there for over a year and I have yet to have an issue. As long as your vehicle or your driving doesn't offer other incentive for you to get pulled over, I don't think they are just going to actively chase down folks with no tags. Bigger fish to fry and bigger offenses to write up.

biggking

Im debating whether or not to remove my front plate here in CA. I mean I'm white and drive an E class so I shouldn't get pulled over right?

Found another article, appears like you need to have the front plate on your bumper.

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairba...es_cocaine.php

dbworld4k

Sounds like Onrario's no front plate law: a bull**** $120 fine.

I've gotten two NFP tickets in the last 3 years. **** the police, I'm not slapping that ugly **** on my car.

E55Greasemonkey

Why not use the 3M double-sided automotive trim tape to hold the bracket on your front bumper, no holes to worry about..

StarvingArtist

I did 3M double stick tape and a couple dabs of clear silicone for insurance. No problems with it after a year.

WANTED!!

Is there any difference in the thread size/pitch on the tow hooks on a w212 and a w211? If not, godspeed makes a decent looking front plate mount.

Shadow5501

That's a good idea, I will look into it. I expect the challenge will be that there isn't a lot of area to use the tape. Only the four indentations where the mounting screws are intended to go look like good candidates. Other than that, only the thin edge of the bracket touches the bumper.