New Plates?
04-02-2007, 03:38 PM
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New Plates?
I've been wondering about this for some time now, and I've read three threads here about license plates--so it must be a sign for me to post. 
My neighbor has a Mustang that he bought brand new. He's had it for a couple of months now and was asking my other neighbor if he should mount his front plates.
My neighbor with the Mustang told my other neighbor that he always leaves the plates off and instead, leaves the dealer "VIN" sticker on the front windshield. He said, that way, if he ever gets pulled over cops cannot give him a ticket for having no front license plate. This sounded like a really good idea and if he should ever run a camera light, there's no plate to take a pic of...
DISLCAIMER: I am not endorsing any illegal activities whatsoever!
My question, then, becomes when a cop pulls someone over...does it say on their little computers or whatever if license plates were ever assigned? Also, if my neighbor should say that he never received his plates (in the event a cop should pull him over) is there any way a cop can verify this?
The reason I ask is because my other neighbor's tint is really dark. The other day, he was driving one way and a cop going the other way stopped (in moving traffic) and gave my neighbor's car a really creepy look. You know, that "I'll ge'cha boi" look, Roscoe P. Coletrain gives them "Duke Boys." So, after he broke his neck to stare at my neighbor's car, my neighbor drove into the first shopping center parking lot he could find and hid (just like Bo and Luke would've done). As my neighbor was hiding (he parked his car and ducked in some bushes), he saw the same cop. The cop, must've turned around cause he was circling the parking lot like a damn vulture! (Note: this took place on March 31--so there may be some truth to the whole cops and ticket quotas urban legend)
Well, needless to say my neighbor's little outlaw adventure has got him on the lookout for cops--everywhere. He does not want to get caught DWB (driving while brown) in a tinted sports car with no plates yet he doesn't want to drill holes (his car requires you to drill holes in the front bumper to mount the front plate or you can buy something for $100 to mount the plate in the grille) in his front bumper or buy an expensive bracket. His son usually rides shotgun so he doesn't want to put the plate on the dash--a la ricer--either.
Would my "neighbor's" technique work? Could he ride around with no plates and say they never came in the mail? More importantly, would cops be able to tell if his plates were ever issued?
--BTW, I live in Antartica so if any cop members of this forum should go looking for my neighbor's car--that's where he rolls. For those members who would like a little more info to give me advice, the laws here in Antartica are similar to those in California, I think. But I am neither confirming nor denying any knowledge of California's vehicle laws prior to my post. The post herein and contained above is strictly hypothetical and any names, places, or dates may be ficticious and used for entertainment purposes only. Any likeness or descriptions that may be familiar is coincidental and no animals were harmed during the posting of this message.
My neighbor has a Mustang that he bought brand new. He's had it for a couple of months now and was asking my other neighbor if he should mount his front plates.
My neighbor with the Mustang told my other neighbor that he always leaves the plates off and instead, leaves the dealer "VIN" sticker on the front windshield. He said, that way, if he ever gets pulled over cops cannot give him a ticket for having no front license plate. This sounded like a really good idea and if he should ever run a camera light, there's no plate to take a pic of...
DISLCAIMER: I am not endorsing any illegal activities whatsoever!
My question, then, becomes when a cop pulls someone over...does it say on their little computers or whatever if license plates were ever assigned? Also, if my neighbor should say that he never received his plates (in the event a cop should pull him over) is there any way a cop can verify this?
The reason I ask is because my other neighbor's tint is really dark. The other day, he was driving one way and a cop going the other way stopped (in moving traffic) and gave my neighbor's car a really creepy look. You know, that "I'll ge'cha boi" look, Roscoe P. Coletrain gives them "Duke Boys." So, after he broke his neck to stare at my neighbor's car, my neighbor drove into the first shopping center parking lot he could find and hid (just like Bo and Luke would've done). As my neighbor was hiding (he parked his car and ducked in some bushes), he saw the same cop. The cop, must've turned around cause he was circling the parking lot like a damn vulture! (Note: this took place on March 31--so there may be some truth to the whole cops and ticket quotas urban legend)
Well, needless to say my neighbor's little outlaw adventure has got him on the lookout for cops--everywhere. He does not want to get caught DWB (driving while brown) in a tinted sports car with no plates yet he doesn't want to drill holes (his car requires you to drill holes in the front bumper to mount the front plate or you can buy something for $100 to mount the plate in the grille) in his front bumper or buy an expensive bracket. His son usually rides shotgun so he doesn't want to put the plate on the dash--a la ricer--either.
Would my "neighbor's" technique work? Could he ride around with no plates and say they never came in the mail? More importantly, would cops be able to tell if his plates were ever issued?
--BTW, I live in Antartica so if any cop members of this forum should go looking for my neighbor's car--that's where he rolls. For those members who would like a little more info to give me advice, the laws here in Antartica are similar to those in California, I think. But I am neither confirming nor denying any knowledge of California's vehicle laws prior to my post. The post herein and contained above is strictly hypothetical and any names, places, or dates may be ficticious and used for entertainment purposes only. Any likeness or descriptions that may be familiar is coincidental and no animals were harmed during the posting of this message.
Last edited by Phantom Menace; 05-09-2007 at 07:02 PM.
05-09-2007, 01:58 PM
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Just tell him to say there's no way to mount the liscense plate in the front with out doing structural damage to the vehicle, that's what I do with the FD(no mounting bracket as well). Also, he can't really say his plates never came if he has one on the back of the car, can he.
05-09-2007, 02:38 PM
#4
I should think having no plates at all is a big no-no. That's a clear "I stole this car" give off even if you didn't. The dealer stickers should have 30 day expirations on them or something. If you have no plates on your car after 6 months of ownership, you are getting a ticket or a warning.
I'm actually having this same debate myself. I was stopped at the top of my street yesterday morning on the way to work. A cop rolled by. He pulled over in a parking lot down the street as I drove by. He then pulled out after me and a minivan had passed. I knew I was getting pulled over for tint or possibly no front plate. I had rolled my windows down after he passed me but it's pretty obvious my front windows are tinted. He pulled me over and gave me a warning for having my front plate mounted in the windshield (not just tossed up on the dash) as improper display. I don't really want to put the plate up front but I don't want to start racking up tickets.
I'm actually having this same debate myself. I was stopped at the top of my street yesterday morning on the way to work. A cop rolled by. He pulled over in a parking lot down the street as I drove by. He then pulled out after me and a minivan had passed. I knew I was getting pulled over for tint or possibly no front plate. I had rolled my windows down after he passed me but it's pretty obvious my front windows are tinted. He pulled me over and gave me a warning for having my front plate mounted in the windshield (not just tossed up on the dash) as improper display. I don't really want to put the plate up front but I don't want to start racking up tickets.
05-09-2007, 03:58 PM
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I have the mazdaspeed bumper and there is no place to put the plate without drilling holes...so i zip-tied the front plate on the front grill...i already had 3 front plate tickets and i didn't want to keep spending 50 dollars a month 
damn NJ...thats the cheapest and best solution in my opinion
damn NJ...thats the cheapest and best solution in my opinion
05-09-2007, 04:04 PM
#6
I know it sucks to have to spend your time (and $$ in some cases) on a front plate solution... but is it really such a big deal??? I don't like mine being on there, but it is easier to suck it up and put it on that deal with cops or even be worried about it, why fight city hall?
05-09-2007, 04:11 PM
#7
Depends on your state...in TX its law to have it displayed at the front and back of the vehicle. Because of the wording its up to the court/officer's interpretation of the law. So putting your plate in the windshield does not count as the officer will say its not at the *very* front of the car. When you go to court for it the judge will side with the officer before they side with you.
05-10-2007, 01:39 AM
#8
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Speaking from experience....in California, city cops/sheriffs/CHP don't really seem to be concerned with no front plates. If they pulled over everybody with no front plate, that would take up their entire day and there still would be lots of people to ticket. Even when I have been pulled over for speeding and ticketed, I have never ever received a fix-it for the front plate from the cop.
I have been cited twice in 13 years for not having a front plate from the parking meter Gestapo. One was a fine and the other was a fix-it.
I keep my front plate in the trunk in case I get pulled over and someone wants to see it. I think putting it in the front window just makes it look more obvious.
I have been cited twice in 13 years for not having a front plate from the parking meter Gestapo. One was a fine and the other was a fix-it.
I keep my front plate in the trunk in case I get pulled over and someone wants to see it. I think putting it in the front window just makes it look more obvious.
05-10-2007, 07:23 AM
#9
^ Ditto on that. Knock on wood. I think it depends on the county, city, jurisdiction, or whatever. I live in Ca. as well and haven't been cited for this. I do know people who have are usually but they have been "riced" out. By this I mean that the car looks suspect in the first place it's not a very clean look to it. Slammed to the ground with real funky paint jobs sitting on Dayton rims etc. If anyone puts Dayton's on the 8 deserves to be pulled over IMO.
I too live in Antartica. LOL
I too live in Antartica. LOL
05-10-2007, 09:20 AM
#10
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My girlfriend's family lives in San Diego. Her older brother bought an SLK back in 99. He lived in the Bay Area, LA, and San Diego and was never once pulled over for not having a front plate (he never put one on).
But to me, the handful of $$ that is required to install a front plate is worth it to avoid the hassle of dealing with a police officer and the municipal court system. Same reasoning behind a radar detector, which usually costs a lot more than mounting a front plate.
But to me, the handful of $$ that is required to install a front plate is worth it to avoid the hassle of dealing with a police officer and the municipal court system. Same reasoning behind a radar detector, which usually costs a lot more than mounting a front plate.
05-10-2007, 11:58 AM
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My girlfriend's family lives in San Diego. Her older brother bought an SLK back in 99. He lived in the Bay Area, LA, and San Diego and was never once pulled over for not having a front plate (he never put one on).
But to me, the handful of $$ that is required to install a front plate is worth it to avoid the hassle of dealing with a police officer and the municipal court system. Same reasoning behind a radar detector, which usually costs a lot more than mounting a front plate.
But to me, the handful of $$ that is required to install a front plate is worth it to avoid the hassle of dealing with a police officer and the municipal court system. Same reasoning behind a radar detector, which usually costs a lot more than mounting a front plate.
Most cars today look awful with the front license plates and the RX-8 is one of them.
I agree that cops in California are more likely to cite you if you have something more to draw their attention like too dark of tint or over-ricey bits.
05-11-2007, 10:24 AM
#12
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It has nothing to do with the money, but everything to do with the aesthetics.
Most cars today look awful with the front license plates and the RX-8 is one of them.
I agree that cops in California are more likely to cite you if you have something more to draw their attention like too dark of tint or over-ricey bits.
Most cars today look awful with the front license plates and the RX-8 is one of them.
I agree that cops in California are more likely to cite you if you have something more to draw their attention like too dark of tint or over-ricey bits.
Side Story:
When my dad bought and LS430 (he lives in GA where no front plate is required) the car shipped in from a TX dealer who had already drilled the holes for the front plate. He was very upset to see 2 holes in his brand new $60,000 vehicle and complained until the dealer principle agreed to plug the holes and repaint his front bumper cover. He ended up just leaving them in there (why put inferior paint on the bumper, fenders, and hood) and accepting $1,000 from the dealer in compensation. Crappy situation for sure
05-12-2007, 08:33 PM
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Front plates are TOTALLY retarded! Motorcycles don't require them, so why should cars? When are you ever going to be behind someone who needs to see your plates?
Agreed! Aesthetically, front plates are just plain wrong.
Agreed! Aesthetically, front plates are just plain wrong.
05-13-2007, 12:40 AM
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Why you asking so many questions, man...you a cop?
Cause if you are...you have to tell me, you are...
You wearin' a wire, man?! Cause I smell bacon!
05-13-2007, 07:30 AM
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Thank god we don't have that law in Florida, because I don't think I would put one on either!
Last edited by Mazurfer; 05-13-2007 at 07:32 AM.
05-13-2007, 07:52 AM
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05-13-2007, 05:42 PM
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Big Brother is everywhere! BTW, you guys don't have front plate laws in FL? I hate you.
05-13-2007, 05:51 PM
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05-13-2007, 07:02 PM
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The Blue Hairs at Publix(Food Store) can be just impossible, they think they own the place. My favorite trick is to put various items in their shopping carts when they aren't looking. Strange stuff..........Condoms, itch cream, bad fruit, magazines, .........whatever.