Not having front license plate attached by dealer

[OUR72GTO]

You tell him the wife forgot to put it back up after the last car show.

[Rockies4]

levi1922.

My first impression would to mount it slightly off to the left from center.

It's hard to start guessing without actually seeing what you can mount to.

[jmargaglione]

In case any of y'all get pulled over for having the plates on the dash, you can fight it and win in Texas.

Here is the case law to support the assertion that you do not actually need your license plate attached to the front of the car. The plate DOES need to be in the windshield of the car though.

Note this does not mean you're not asking to get pulled over anyway, because most of the police are not aware of this.

But the cases are:
State v. Losoya, 128 S.W.3d 413 (2004)
U.S. v. Salinas, 2008 WL 2571866 (W.D. Tex) - This one is too recent to be officially published yet.

Disclaimer: IANALBMWI (I am not a lawyer but my wife is)

But for the record, I'm a big wuss and I hate getting pulled over, so the plates are going on. If anybody knows of a stylish plate holder that matches the IOM exterior, I'm all ears. Neon blue lights do not meet the WAF (wife acceptance factor). The hideaway ones look nice, but I would always forget to put it up until I'm on the road, and at that point putting it up would probably rip it off.

I still remember doing 130mph in a 1977 Pontiac Phoenix and almost wiping out when the hood ornament went flying off the hood and bouncing off the windshield.

I told my dad that somebody stole the hood ornament. As if the Phoenix had the cache of a BMW.

[Brokinarrow]

Originally Posted by levi1922

hahaha i have though of this, but, i dont think i would do it. the cop probably wouldnt respond well to it.
im going to get a manual one anyway, just because its 130 dollars cheaper than motorized. and if i forget to pull it out, i will tell him i forgot. and if he doesnt like this i suppose i will pay the 30 dollar ticket for forgetting

I'm not sure that those motorized plates are meant to be under the car when driving at speed. From what I understand they are meant more for car shows and such. Having it under while driving may damage it or it may just get ripped off completed from the air flow... sorry to rain on any parades, but better to figure that out now than after you pay the $180 or so right?

[Inspector 17]

Here are a few test fitting shots of one mounting bracket option. This is on a V6 and we are working to do some modifications to make it fit a little cleaner and not rub the fascia above the opening. Please note that this is a prototype bracket hence the rough welds. The production model will be much cleaner.

We are also working on test fitting on a V8 model and I will post those pictures as soon as they are available. [Thanks very much to the little "birdie" who is doing all the test fitting work! You rock! ]

[Myssi]

I live in MD where front plates are required. I bought my 2002 SS from a dealer in Michigan and it had the nice SS front grill from SLP. There was NO WAY I was going to ruin that nice grill or replace it just to install a front plate. I've had it since 2005, and (knock on wood) haven't been pulled over. I only drive it once a week or so, but I have the tag in the hatch, and if I get pulled over I just plan to explain that it is too pretty to have a front tag :o)

[ravensjeff]

My dealer installed the front plate bracket because he said he forgot to tell them not too. I wasn't that happy at first, but they threw in a Chrome Camaro SS plate frame (For the Back). And probably saved me many hassles with the Maryland State Troopers who are all over our town. And they pull you over for ANYTHING. It doesn't look as bad as I thought. The car is soooooooooo nice looking, people just overlook that.

[michelle ann]

Originally Posted by Myssi

I live in MD where front plates are required. I bought my 2002 SS from a dealer in Michigan and it had the nice SS front grill from SLP. There was NO WAY I was going to ruin that nice grill or replace it just to install a front plate. I've had it since 2005, and (knock on wood) haven't been pulled over. I only drive it once a week or so, but I have the tag in the hatch, and if I get pulled over I just plan to explain that it is too pretty to have a front tag :o)

I was pulled over once in my 98 in 10 yrs, i knew the cop so he let me off. I just told my dealer yesterday not to put a bracket on my new one. What a stupid law!!

[Steeler NY]

Camaropete, looks good fro prototype I hate the front LP and will not let the dealer drill holes in MY NEW CAMARO!!!! keep the Pictures coming

[SIK07GTSTANG]

I'm just leaving the front plate off...I've left it off my Mustang for about 6 months and have never been bothered about it. I live in VA and the front plate is a requirement.

[BrianGriffin78]

I am keeping my front plate in the glove compartment. If I do get pulled over will just hand over the plate with my insurance card and registration and say it fell off. I think I will be have to be doing something else wrong for them to even pull me over. Don't think they will just for that. Oh well, it is not a moving violation and is like a parking ticket. No biggie.

[Katie.Gilmour]

I live in WI now and they require it (hopefully not by July)...I asked my dealer not to put it one and he didn't. He gave me the front bracket and I have it in my trunk along with the other plate. I do not want it on my car, but its there if I get pulled over and the cops ask about it. I see people driving around all over without it. But, I was reading articles about them trying to get rid of the front plate here and it said the reason for the front plate is so cops can spot stolen cars or something like that. But anyways, If you dont want it...don't put it on!

[BrianGriffin78]

Originally Posted by Katie.Gilmour

I live in WI now and they require it (hopefully not by July)...I asked my dealer not to put it one and he didn't. He gave me the front bracket and I have it in my trunk along with the other plate. I do not want it on my car, but its there if I get pulled over and the cops ask about it. I see people driving around all over without it. But, I was reading articles about them trying to get rid of the front plate here and it said the reason for the front plate is so cops can spot stolen cars or something like that. But anyways, If you dont want it...don't put it on!

Back plates are more important. Even with Traffic cams. The cam is not going to be able to get the front plate since after you moved through the toll or intersection, it will take a back shot. My dad got a ticket for passing a red light and it took the back of his car, not the front. Common sense. Someone hits and runs they are not going to be fleeing in reverse, lol. There really is no purpose of a front plate.

[MaroSS]

Originally Posted by New2010CamaroLover

So i understand you can ask your dealership not to put the front license plate on your car and i fully plan on doing this.... I know there have been a few that have started petitions but i doubt this will have an effect. Personally i hate the look of the front license plate, especially on such a beautiful car. But I live in Cali and they require the front license plate to be attached. For those that live where they mandate this what do yo plan on doing? I've heard of people creating a hide-a-plate, sounds too complicated to me, I'm a simple man. LOL........... But what other options are there other than flat out being stubborn and not putting it on and just begging to be pulled over?

My pops got a C6 Corvette and he drives without his front license plate all the time and hasnt been pulled over about it. Also I heard the fine is like $20 ... but if you are very worried about it, I dont think you will be in trouble for having the license plate showing out of your front windshield. But im choosing not to have a front license plate at all, and drive slow when i see a cop. Plus alot of people in Cali are doing it now so I dont think they even care anymore to be honest lol.