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Front license plate, or no front license plate.... That, is the question!

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Old 02-21-2012 | 07:36 PM
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Front license plate, or no front license plate.... That, is the question!

Should I remove my front license plate on my 8 or should I leave it on? I've already taken a look at it and it won't take more than 5 minutes to remove and looks BADASS without it on. However I live in Texas and it is the law to have one. So what I'm really asking is, risk it with the popo in the name of sexy cars, or keep completely legal and a still damn good looking car? (I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket for not having a front license plate where I live, but first time for everything)
Old 02-21-2012 | 07:44 PM
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I don't have mine on and it's required where I live as well.
Depends on sheer luck and the local law enforcement whether they care or not. I was lucky so far, in over 8 years wasn't pulled over and the only time I got a ticket was from a meter maid when my meter expired and I was also hit with a no front plate ticket. I shrugged and just paid it, chalking it up as beauty tax

Last edited by Tamas; 02-21-2012 at 08:02 PM.
Old 02-21-2012 | 07:55 PM
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Yeas ago I got pulled over in my Jetta 2 days in a row by the same cop in the same spot for running no front plate. I didn't have a bracket for it so the first day he gave me a warning but was an *** about it. day 2 I put it in the front window on the dash and he gave me a ticket. I was pissed and ended up screwing it right into the plastic bumper cover.

As of now I have a front plate but its not a Connecticut plate. Its an Aruba plate that I got on my honey-moon. I think I haven't gotten any **** about it because it looks like the old solid blue CT plates from a few years back
Old 02-21-2012 | 08:15 PM
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Been running with no front plate for 2 years now, passing cops on a regular with no problems ... maybe i look innocent?
Old 02-21-2012 | 08:17 PM
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In Texas there is a loophole in the law as of the last legislative session. As of this year you are required to have a front plate. The law however omits language that mentions the $200 fine for violating the law. This omission makes the law difficult to enforce, simply because there is no mention of the fine, although you can still be cited. Am informed citizen or decent traffic attorney can surely get you out of it though. Although it may be a hassle. In addition this in no way stops the law from pulling you over. If nothing else you have given them probable cause. I have never put mine on and I live in Dallas. I have never been pulled over for it either. I say go for it. Just be sure all of your business is in order. Registration, Insurance, License, all lights work, you get where I'm going. Yes...The car looks much better without it.
Old 02-21-2012 | 08:19 PM
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I have heard of people in Texas getting a ticket. It's a fix it ticket. So if you don't mind talking to the cops run without it. Mine is in the top, passenger side windshield. Never been harassed about it.
Old 02-21-2012 | 08:26 PM
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In Missouri we have front tags, I always throw it in the rear floor tho. Lived here a few years with no trouble, but if i get stopped for it I have the screws and a driver to put it on. Can't imagine gettin a ticket if your cool and let them know you will put it on right then...for awhile! I used to have very dark plate covers years ago, I would get pulled over for it, but I always asked if I could take it off right then. Never got a ticket. The front of our cars look to great to cover with a tag.
Old 02-21-2012 | 10:17 PM
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Thanks everybody for all the advice! I will soon be posting pictures of her without a front plate. I will take my chances with the police, maybe the fact that I look 15 will help! I've only been pulled over once for an illegal U-turn (left turn only lanes implies no U-turn, may all be forewarned!) and he let me go in literally 1 minute.
Old 02-21-2012 | 10:19 PM
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Originally Posted by kevinande
In Texas there is a loophole in the law as of the last legislative session. As of this year you are required to have a front plate. The law however omits language that mentions the $200 fine for violating the law. This omission makes the law difficult to enforce, simply because there is no mention of the fine, although you can still be cited. Am informed citizen or decent traffic attorney can surely get you out of it though. Although it may be a hassle. In addition this in no way stops the law from pulling you over. If nothing else you have given them probable cause. I have never put mine on and I live in Dallas. I have never been pulled over for it either. I say go for it. Just be sure all of your business is in order. Registration, Insurance, License, all lights work, you get where I'm going. Yes...The car looks much better without it.
Mind elaborating upon this loophole theory of your's?
And I live in Denton so its much smaller than Dallas, so they might nit-pick about this sorta thing...?
Old 02-22-2012 | 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Gingernator
Mind elaborating upon this loophole theory of your's?
And I live in Denton so its much smaller than Dallas, so they might nit-pick about this sorta thing...?
It's not theory it is fact. If you wish to look up the actual law please feel free to do so. There is a wealth of information on google. Here is the result of one search near the top.

http://dallasattorney.com/blog/114-n...ng-key-element

That pretty much sums it up. There is a very good chance if you are cited in any county in the state of Texas, you can get it tossed out. Again however I do stress this. WITH NO FRONT PLATE YOU GIVE AN OFFICER PROBABLE CAUSE TO MAKE A TRAFFIC STOP. Whether you are cited for the offense or not.
Old 02-22-2012 | 09:03 AM
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I couldn't stand the front plate so I took it off the second I got home from picking up my 2007 grand touring from the dealer. I have been stopped 3 times. The 1st two times the police officer didn't mention (didn't notice) no front plate. The 3rd officer gave me a warning and told me I had to put it on. Never did. That was over a year ago. I have passed many cops since then (1 just about 20 minutes ago) and haven't been pulled over since. The RX-8 looks so much better without a front plate.
Old 02-22-2012 | 10:49 AM
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im so glad that pa doesnt require a front plate. if it did i would still not put it on. i think they look stupid besides if a cop wants to pull me over he can bust my ***** for several other things. gl
Old 02-22-2012 | 11:14 AM
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I ran with it on my windshield when I was in Texas and only one cop stopped me. He told me that it was a safety hazard because if I was to get in a car accident, the license plate could come loose and decapitate me. I'm sure glad he was forward looking enough to look out for me. I would hate to drive around without a head.
Old 02-22-2012 | 11:17 AM
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i haven't even seen my front license plate since i took it off about 6 years ago.
Old 02-22-2012 | 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by lordagrabah
I ran with it on my windshield when I was in Texas and only one cop stopped me. He told me that it was a safety hazard because if I was to get in a car accident, the license plate could come loose and decapitate me. I'm sure glad he was forward looking enough to look out for me. I would hate to drive around without a head.
I do that but I have the bottom stuck down in the dash and suction cups holding the top in place.
My Jeep, it is going to mounted to the bottom of the front bumper on a hing so is swings up at speed.
Old 02-22-2012 | 02:35 PM
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Originally Posted by paimon.soror
Been running with no front plate for 2 years now, passing cops on a regular with no problems ... maybe i look innocent?
Thats how I feel too. A week ago I stopped to get gas and parked right near 5 or 6 cops sitting there just chatting and they didn't seem to care. The nose of the car was pointed at them so they could see it pretty clearly.

@OP I bet if you start looking at cars driving past you you would notice that quite a few have no front plates.
Old 02-22-2012 | 03:20 PM
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I don't plan to put mine on. I keep it under my seat instead

However, it is law here in NY as well.
Old 02-22-2012 | 03:49 PM
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I live in Texas and I was pulled over for my taillights being tinted.he also advised me to put front plate on the front of car not in windsheild..where i had it did not give ma a ticket for that but gave me one for the taillights being tinted..that being said tailights back to stock and license plate on the front.

Last edited by blakem2008; 02-22-2012 at 03:53 PM.
Old 02-22-2012 | 05:40 PM
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Yeah, it sucks getting pulled over for such a minor front plate issue. I got tagged twice in one week over it here in texas, but I have a dreamstorm project Im working on and its going to be the **** when I get it prefected and installed.
Attached Thumbnails Front license plate, or no front license plate.... That, is the question!-big-shark.jpg  
Old 02-22-2012 | 06:47 PM
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I lived in Denton for 3 years with no front plate on any of my cars and I was never given a warning or ticket. You will be fine.
Old 02-22-2012 | 09:40 PM
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I bought both of my cars here in Nevada, and both of them don't even have front license plate holes on it. I never been stopped by a cop because i don't have front license plate. Anyway, i think it looks better without it, and without holes.
Old 02-22-2012 | 10:45 PM
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Thank you everybody for all the input! I think tomorrow I'll take it off and post pictures! And I think it also improves airflow since right behind the license plate is open grille, not filled in grille-like plastic.
Old 02-23-2012 | 04:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Atilla


i haven't even seen my front license plate since i took it off about 6 years ago.
Are you in California? They don't require front plates?
Old 02-23-2012 | 01:13 PM
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Wish I could go without a front plate. There's a cop that does "rounds" everyday where I live. And I've seen him giving tickets to other cars with no front plates, lol
Old 02-23-2012 | 02:51 PM
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I took my plate off the front, Idaho requires one, my friends get pulled over all the time for it, even taking it as far as watching them put it on right there and if they don't have brackets and it is multiple times making them use screws in there bumpers! I just assume since my car looks like they don't make one for it and it is nice and sporty looking, they don't bother me. Plus being active duty Army and not being home might help my chances...


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