Time to go to court...
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Time to go to court...
My court date (well sort of court date) is approaching during which I am to show an official police officer that I have applied a license plate to the front of my car and I have removed all tint on my front windows. Many have told me to use 3M double sided tape for the license plate. This is curious because if an officer were to inspect my vehicle and see that the license plate was taped on, he would surely not write it off as acceptable/legal. Right? Also, if the officer just inspects the vehicle from a distance, maybe I can put some of that crappy do-it-yourself tint on my rear windows to make them appear darker than my front ones, while leaving my sunroof open to let more light into the car. This one's a longshot, but who knows, I've never done this before! 
Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Canada
2004 E500 / 2001 C240
I am not trying to be difficult and agree you should be able to do what you want.. But it seems you would have a better time in your area if you just put the plate on and put less tint on your windows. Unless you want to spend the money in court..
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Arizona
2015 C63 AMG 507
As far as the front plate, do you have the 4 predrilled holes in the bumper. or spots where they can be punched out? Mine had a plate frame on it in Colorado, AZ does not require or issue front plates so I asked them to remove it. They put these black plugs in the holes and it looks just fine. I can find out where they got the plugs, prolly less than $100 for the four plugs, they are Mercedes plugs after all, J/K, couple bucks max. Also, is front tint illegal altogether?
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,664
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From: SoCal
W221
I just used alot of double sided tape. The officer just kinda of looked at it and was like which license did you put on. I was thinkin is this a joke? So I jus happen to tell her to go look at my rear one because that one was the one I was missing (When in fact I was missing the front) The funny thing was I met her in front of my car and she was lookin at the license plate in the front the whole time. I don't think they will go to the hassle of making sure it's on. Don't take my word for it but usually they jus make sure it's there and they jus sign it off. Best of luck!~!
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atssystems: You have a point. Its just that I spent a lot of money getting my windows done, I don't want to spend more to have it taken off. I know I can do it myself, but I dont want to mess with it. Also, I am planning on just removing my stuff, I'm just looking for an easy way out before I do 
Nordeline: Actually, I do still have the holes in my bumper where the plate was drilled in. I went to a hardware store and got some plugs (the smallest ones they had) but they were still too big and I didnt want to bore out the holes any more just because I didnt want to make it any worse. If it comes to it, I'll just re-install the front plate temporarily. Also, do you know, for instance, if I were to remove my plate again after I had it inspected and I got enother ticket, would it show up on my record that I had previously committed this offense? And yes, any tint on the windshield or front windows whatsoever is 100% illegal (in California at least).
BenzoBoi: Thanks for the tip, I'll consider that. You might have just been lucky though!
Thanks for all the help guys
Nordeline: Actually, I do still have the holes in my bumper where the plate was drilled in. I went to a hardware store and got some plugs (the smallest ones they had) but they were still too big and I didnt want to bore out the holes any more just because I didnt want to make it any worse. If it comes to it, I'll just re-install the front plate temporarily. Also, do you know, for instance, if I were to remove my plate again after I had it inspected and I got enother ticket, would it show up on my record that I had previously committed this offense? And yes, any tint on the windshield or front windows whatsoever is 100% illegal (in California at least).
BenzoBoi: Thanks for the tip, I'll consider that. You might have just been lucky though!
Thanks for all the help guys
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 533
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
2016 GLC300 sport
I had the same ticket, and then some for my cobra. It cost me $10 to have the tint on the front windows removed, $40 to put tint on later, and I two way taped my license plate on. Just make sure the tape is a couple inches down, so it doesn't appear to be taped on.
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Arizona
2015 C63 AMG 507
EO, on the plugs, check with your dealer, mine are shiney black to match the car, they should have color coded plugs for all cars I would imagine.
As far as showing up on your record, I would imagine it would. If you get pulled over, they get on the computer, and your whole history comes up. Stinkin plates on the front are ugly, you should move to AZ, or register somehow in AZ then you wouldnt need to worry, half joking there.
As far as showing up on your record, I would imagine it would. If you get pulled over, they get on the computer, and your whole history comes up. Stinkin plates on the front are ugly, you should move to AZ, or register somehow in AZ then you wouldnt need to worry, half joking there.
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Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 118
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From: Las Vegas
2005 E55 AMG
I had to go to the CHP for a no front plate ticket about a year ago with my supra. I was not going to drill holes into my bumper, so i used a couple of zip ties to hold it on. The cop looked at it and his only problem was that he said it was too low to the ground but i made him realize its a low sports car and it can't go any higher lol. As long as the plate is attached to the car somehow you should be fine.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 533
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
2016 GLC300 sport
Originally Posted by Eleanor Owner
Won't they notice that there are no screws holding the plate on? Or did you just cut off some screw heads and stick em in there?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,393
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From: Pasadena
2004 E55
when i had to have my license plate checked, my car was parked way out in the driveway. the cop was sitting in his little office, looked out the window and saw that my license plate was on the car. that was it. he signed it, i paid and left.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Treasure Coast
2018 Mclaren 720s, 2021 Aston Martin DBX
Why not attach the front plate to the mesh under the bumper? Get some nylon drywall anchors and screw them in tight. They will fall away when you take the plate off and have no holes in the bumper.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,783
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From: San Diego
2004 E320
If you know someone who is friends with a cop, ask them if they could write your ticket off for you. I got popped for tinted front windows earlier this year and had my friend write off my ticket w/o even looking at my truck. He didn't care if my windows were still tinted. Turned my ticket into traffic court and paid the $10 processing fee.
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 139
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From: Wisconsin
2004 E55 tectite grey/charcoal
When I got ticketed for too much side window tint the cop actually had a little light meter that he placed up to my window to measure the amount of light coming through.
Administrator
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: THE Orange County, California
2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
I have had the CHP write off probably the last 5 tickets I have got for no front plate. The Sheriff's Dept. where I live charges a 10 dollar inspection fee while the CHP is free but the court does charge a processing fee to dismiss.
I dont think there is an exact law on mounting a front license plate. I have had 2 tickets with my E55 and both times I used double stick tape from my buddies boat shop which is about 2 miles from the CHP station. Just mount and get it signed off. Every time, the officer came out and looked at the plate and then signed off the ticket. If you are worried about the plate falling off just use some plastic tie downs and attach the plate to the wire mesh on the front spoiler with the double stick tape to cushion it.
I dont think there is an exact law on mounting a front license plate. I have had 2 tickets with my E55 and both times I used double stick tape from my buddies boat shop which is about 2 miles from the CHP station. Just mount and get it signed off. Every time, the officer came out and looked at the plate and then signed off the ticket. If you are worried about the plate falling off just use some plastic tie downs and attach the plate to the wire mesh on the front spoiler with the double stick tape to cushion it.
