I just got my new RX-8 and the dealer told me that they didn't put the front license plate bracket on because some people don't want it on and once they put them on they can't take it off. I have heard that in some states if a car does not come with a mounting bracket for the front plate they do not have to have a plate on the front. I am curious if everyone in Illinois has their front plate on and if not if they have had any problems? Thanks

 

I don't have the front licence plate on my car. Half of the Chicago group dosn't run with the front plate. I have been stopped, by the police for other reasons. Most of the time, they don't notice. If they do, I tell them that the dealer didn't install the bracket, the plate is in the trunk if they want to see it. No problems yet.
In the Chicago area, they have started using photo radar in construction zones. Going over the 45 mph limit gets you a ticket. No front plate, no way to identify your car.

 

I got a warning the second week I owned the car. I think it was "improper display of license plates or some bs. I leave mine on cuz my Ipass is mounted to it

 

Down here in ST. Louis, things are similar - I've had my RX8 for almost two years and have had the front plate and bracket in the trunk. I've never been pulled over and never had to explain that to anyone. Even though front plates are required.
I really like the car's look without it.

 

depends on where you live. i live in chicago and spend a lot of time where cops walk around and give tickets for meters and other stuff. so i have my plates on even on my kit. better than paying fines.

 

I've gotten a ticket for not having a front plate while parked. Technically you have to have it. Most don't care because it's pointless anyway...well,as far as I'm concerned.

A long time ago I had gotten pulled over for speeding and the cop had asked where my front plate was. I indicated that I didn't have a bracket for it. He responded with you better get a bracket.

 

I keep my front plate on. I just don't think it is worth the hassle of potentially getting pulled over, or ticketed while parked for an issue like that.

 

I have gotten two tickets for not having a front plate. I was pulled over in Oak Brook when I had my 350Z. I also got a ticket while my Jeep was parked and my front plate was stolen overnight. Both $75. Went to court for the first one and got it reduced to $35, but spent half a day doing it. I contested by mail the second one and have yet to hear back.

 

no plate, no ticket. Tho I have the advantage of playing dumb ... but officer, there was no way to mount it on the front? Little does he know I took that bracket off myself the day I bought her!!!

I have also been to many a meet where people get out the screw driver to remove their plate once they see that most of us don't have one.

 

Oh and anyone who wants to join EVOLV-Chicago just PM me and I'll get you signed up!

 

I may put the bracket on just so I can put a Confererate Flag plate there. Yahoo!

 

Back in Jacksonville, on some of the trucks with the confederate flags you'll see a sign bumper sticker that says:

"You Don't Like It: Take I-95 North"

 

Took mine off when I lived in California...and didn't put it back on until they did a 30 day "enforcement" for improper plates/registration. Still have it on, but probably will take it off this spring....moral of the story, you can put the bracket on and take it off whenever you want. Don't let the dealer decieve you!

 

So much for not having a front plate - just got a ticket this morning from an IL State Trooper for no front plate (and I even said it didn't come with a mounting bracket and I had the plate in the trunk...no luck) He was just itchin' to give me a ticket - don't think my radar detector helped matters either...gotta look into a hidden detector set-up - and put the stupid plate on the front...sigh...

 

Sorry to hear that. Where were you? Near Rockford?

 

Yeah I was heading toward I90 at the Riverside onramp - I pulled up next to him at a stop light, and all of a sudden my radar detector starts screaming...I'm sitting there going - uh oh...it was obvious that he saw my detector after he saw the front of my car and turned on the radar to let me know he was there, light turns green and he slides behind me with the lights goin...never had a prayer with this one...now I'm looking at $75, plus $30 for traffic school if I want it off my record - wouldn't have mattered if I was speeding or whatever, they have narrowed down the ticketing to "moving violation - $75" I really don't want to put the plate on, but getting another ticket doesn't sound good either...

 

How about requesting "Supervision" without going to drivers school? School seems so useless for a plate ticket.

 

Go to court. They will probably throw it out. I was just in court last week (as the driver of a friend ... nope, not another ticket for me!) and watched the judge dismiss almost all of the 30 tickets of the people who showed up. They didn't even have a chance to say anything, he just dismissed them.

If you do have a chance to say something, tell them you were unaware and you have installed the plate (bring a picture). Oh, and you may have to really install the plate too

 

How do you do that?

 

He must have had a hang-over.

 

2 bolts and 1 screw...remove them and take the bracket off. On mine anyway.

 

I know in Texas you are required to have a plate that is viewable from the front. So it doesn't have to be on the front-end of the car, it could be on your dash and displayed through the windshield. That's just a hassle for me so I leave it on.

Most likely you won't get a ticket for not having a front plate, unless you run into a cop that doesn't like you or just likes to throw his weight around.

The other reason I keep mine on is because it's probable cause for an officer to pull you over. So maybe you weren't doing anything bad but it's an excuse for them to hassle you if they want.

Wish it weren't so. The car looks so much better without it.

 

LOL, i think he must have just gotten laid. To dismiss all those tickets? He just made them all disappear ... POOF!

 

So maybe someone should make a "James Bond" plate mount that hides/unhides the plate on demand by remote. Cut out a segment of the grill and flip it over or a rotating mount that swings it out and up from under the bumper or a slot in the grill. Could be a moneymaker if it works well and is easily mounted.

 

I want one! I want one!! We can bundle it with the trunk monkey!!!!