Just came from Cali and I am wondering about the front license plate law in Boston area. How many do not have one? Have you ever been pulled over? How much was a ticket?

Thanks. It just does not look right with the front license plate

 

I keep it in the trunk. Haven't been pulled, but people do... just a matter of time until I do.

 

Any idea about the fine? I was told by a mechanic that it is $50 fine and moving violations (points?).

 

I have mine on...as much as i hate looking at the plate I don't feel like risking it. I drive around the city most of time and don't think i'd make it very far before being pulled over.

 

The fine is not a moving violation last time I checked, but you should ask someone other than the mechanic. I checked the list of violations in the SDIP reference and the front plate issue was not there.

I am risking it now (no front plate on) because I had the car recently waxed and been too lazy to put the plate back on. However, I have relocated the plate to the side, like in this photo (there's a DIY on the site), and I will put that back on after I detail my car this weekend or if I get pulled over for not having it on.

Since I had the plate off for several days, I've been avoiding pushing the envelope or my luck around town, just because I don't want to **** off the police and give them another reason to pull me over.

It really depends on your area... for example, if you live in Worcester, most cops are busy fighting real crime and don't really care to pull you over for no front plate, unless you do something stupid. However, if you live in Natick or somewhere like that, the cops will pull you over for no front plate because they have nothing better to do and need to raise some more revenue. So I'm extra careful around places like that. But essentially it's a matter of time, since it's difficult to drive the RX-8 like a grandma...

 

Or do what I did... throw stickers and decals over the car and they don't notice the front plate missing... :D

 

My insurance guy told me it was 2 points plus the fine so I’m not risking it. I lowered it and put a tinted cover on it.

Bob

 

That sucks if it is true

 

I've been running with it off for almost 2 years. I've only gotten pulled over for it once, but it was in Western MA (Sturbridge/I-84 interchange off the pike). I got a warning then. I've been pulled over 3-4 other times and the cop has not even noticed the front plate. I've never had a problem in the boston area. I think you will be fine.