Front plate in Texas . . . What if you don't have one?

[G.E.]

So I read in a post that its not like a permanent thing on your record/moving violation... Just a fine. How much is this fine? Also they say you really don't get pulled over for it, incidences occur few far and in between, true?

[jstein]

So far I have been making trips from East Houston to Huntsville about every other weekend since August and I haven't been pulled over. I think eventually Texas will do away with the front plates in a couple years.

[CUPRA]

I got pulled over twice... once for having a chrome plate on the front with the vehicles emblem on it, and then another time in a different car for not having a plate at all.

Both times I was able to talk my way out of a ticket (thankfully being British and still having my accent helped me out of it!).

I currently have a UK license plate on the front of my vehicle, I was pulled over and given a ticket for speeding last Thursday (New Years Eve), but the State Trooper said nothing about my front license plate at all. He was more concerned with my 80 in a 70... which he had every right to do. I was in the wrong.

It is so tough to drive at 70 on an empty road through West Texas though... [sigh].

[SSE 4 2SS]

I've had several police officers and troopers look at my car from the front and all I've gotten so far are thumbs up's. Austin PD, Tx DPS, local City police officers, etc... I do not believe it's a moving violation, just an improper equipment ticket, but I'm not a police officer so I'll keep any opinions about that to myself....

At the same time, a friend of mine had a no front plate ticket tacked on to about four others that a cop gave him. It was obviously a bad day ticket as that particular cop was looking for something else to write up... Possibly a case of Camaro jealuosly..

I've decided that I'll take the risk rather than deface the front of my car...

There is a petition you can sign on the Texas page to try to repeal the front plate law in Texas

[Sevn86]

my dad hasn't had one on his car for 9 years no problems so far, same with my moms jeep no plates on front just the dealer thing and my camaro isnt gonna ever have a front plate either...ive passed cops hundreds of times no problems so far... hoping it stays that way...i go from Sugar Land to downtown houston everyday and havent been pulled over yet...

[nickmccally]

I saw a cool mod from someone of another country here. He put double sided tape on it and bent the place to form the curve of the bumper. No screws, and it looked cool just floating there. Do that if you are worried.

[Sir Nuke]

there is another thread about front plates.....there are a couple of nice mountings which do NOT drill any holes in the car at all. they are on ebay. here is a link to the thread: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59144

I have one of the mountings on my car, NO HOLES were drilled in my car, and no tape is used either.

[Legend]

Sir Nuke...have you noticed any increase in engine temps with the plate mounted?

[CLEAN]

Originally Posted by Legend

Sir Nuke...have you noticed any increase in engine temps with the plate mounted?

Can't say so far w/ the Camaro, because I haven't mounted a front plate yet, but I have a similar set up as that on my C6, and coolant temps are unaffected.

[wullger]

Most cops just seem to use it for probable cause, in case you're doing something else stupid. Generally they're after bigger fish, especially if you're not speeding.

[C4]

i believe my ticket was like $130.00 or $140.00

[Sir Nuke]

Originally Posted by Legend

Sir Nuke...have you noticed any increase in engine temps with the plate mounted?

ZERO change........I ran about a week before I got it and had recorded the temps to make sure. as the area that is "covered" is only the size of HALF a plate.

[1SSLOW]

To my understanding....by law you SHOULD have front plates...but its a minor detail, that cops dont really care for. Now if you get pulled over and the cop is being a jerk (or you were being a jerk and the cop just wants to f*** you over), the cop will most likely write you up for the front plates.

Also, coming from the "import scene"...having your plates in the inside of your windshield, stuck betweet the dashborard and window....doesnt count. You can still get a ticket for not having the plates on the front bumper.

[rolnslo]

I run with the front plate on mine. I made a cheap ($10) no-holes bracket that attaches to the lower grille and holds the plate about an inch away from the body. I've had it on there for 6000+ miles and have had no problems with it whatsoever.

Unfortunately for me, I have an HPD officer and a Brazoria County Sheriff that live on my street and both had warned me up front that I couldn't get away with not running with the front plate. My car is a daily driver (40-50 miles/day) so I'd rather not mess with getting a ticket.