Kaliken

running naked since November last year.. I have been staying away from LAX and other areas where I would likely get pulled over.

Napboy

Not sure what the fine is yet, if any, because it doesn't state on the ticket. The cop said only that I had to take it in to a sheriff or CHP office to have it written off. He said also that it gets wiped clean... no points, no insurance, etc.

As for the CA code, I read that the license plate must be no more than 60 inches off the ground. I didn't see a minimum height off the ground.

I've read tons of things, but there seems to be no consensus on 2nd offenses. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET YOUR SECOND FIX-IT TICKET IN CALIFORNIA??? I'm looking for truth, not heresay. Examples of what I've heard or read: $250 fine, 1 point on your license, $600 fine, nothing happens. Can someone please clarify?

Rob Tomlin

Interesting question. When I got my ticket, it wasn't considered a "fix it" ticket, just a fine.

pixartist

No front plate either. BUT, I've heard that the SF meter maids (god bless their nothing else to do with their lives little souls) have been watching for missing plates on the streets - lesson 1 - park in the garages

Napboy

i have to visit a chp office in the next few days anyway so i'll ask about the fine and 2nd offenses.

Rob Tomlin

Cool. Please report back here regarding what you were told.

thew

here's my 2 cents..
Its a stupid law, but the cops have it as a tool. They see you with no front plate they will stop you and check out everything else about you. This may be fine until that one day you have one beer before driving home from work. You get stopped for the front plate and spend the night in the drunk tank for being over the limit. Yes in CA 1 beer can put some people over the limit. Anyway then you have to pay to get your newly dented and scratched 8 out of the Police impound yard. ITS NOT WORTH IT...

My car has 95% tint on the back 3 windows. Also 15% on the fronts (drivers, Passenger door) This is not legal in CA. So I have cops looking at me all the time cause the legal windows are so dark that my front look that dark to. They pull up , around and then pass by to see if they can stop me .. They always look at the front of my car for a plate. !!

clem

I just got a fix it ticket today. I've been driving without front plates since I brought the car home in January. Does anyone know what the fine is if you get caught a 2nd time? I think my velocity red is more likely to be noticed by cops than other colors.

Napboy

stay tuned for my report after i take my car to the police station in a few days. i'll ask about the second offense.

Fleche

Confirmed about SF meter maid, I had 3 no-front plate tickets in the first 6 month of owning the car. All while parked on the streets.

Aratinga

I've got three cars (two Miatas and the 8), none of which have ever worn front plates. I was okay for fourteen years, and then last month I got pulled over in the old Miata for speeding. The FIRST THING the CHP officer did was walk right past me to the front of my car to see if there was a front plate on. Of course, there wasn't; so I got the fix-it ticket along with the speeding ticket.

He never saw my car from the front before he pulled me over, so he obviously knew that Miatas are notorious for not having front plates. All I can say is, the CHP is now enforcing the front plate law.

clem

Put my front plate back on a few days ago... this is NOT the look of the car I fell in love with! I think as soon as I get the fix-it ticket signed I'll be taking that sucker off again.

Would be nice to know what the consequences are for getting caught a 2nd time though. Anyone have experience with that?

thew

when i am driving my 8 i cant see my front plate.. so it stays on

Get overit and keep the thing on.. you will only become a ticket magnet without it..

Rob Tomlin

Using that logic, you can only see what, less than 10% of your car when you are driving, so why worry about what color it is, what it looks like, etc.

I know you were just trying to make a point, but I think it is obvious that we all care about the looks of our car. Like most cars, the 8 looks better without a front license plate. Probably more than most.

ivyrose

Heh, I haven't put either of my plates on yet (I think I've had them for about a month now), though I still have the dealer thing stuck on my windshield. Maybe I'll put the rear on this weekend and just leave the front one in the trunk or something. I risk the ticket ... I'm clean so I doubt one will hurt

Razz1

IT'S THE LAW!

Any minor violation while driving with 3 beers in you will attract the attention of the Police.

That minor infraction wil get you pulled over.

Then you can talk with the officer with 3 beer breath.

Rob Tomlin

Oh, so it's not ok to drive without a front license plate, but it IS ok to drink and drive?

clem

Well, I just got my courtesy notice from the San Diego Superior Court. It explains that the charge will be dismissed if "proof of compliance is submitted to the court" with a $10.00 check for "transaction fee". At the top of the notice it states that total bail is $112.00! I'm assuming that I would have to pay this figure for a second offense. Too rich for my blood- I don't think I'll be taking that thing back off after my "proof of compliance" is fullfilled!

Rob Tomlin

Yeah, $112.00 is pretty steep.

The $10.00 I could handle!

Napboy

Well, I told you I would give an update on the no front plate ticket here in the Los Angeles area. I went today down to the courthouse to get it inspected and paid for. The inspector from the sheriff's office comes out to the parking lot every half hour to inspect cars. There's a sheriff's office in all the courthouses out here. So the guy comes out, looks at my front plate, asks me if my car if fast, then tells me to go into the office to pay. I had to pay $15 for the inspection. The print out a certificate of correction. The I walk across the hall to pay $10 to the court.

So I ask the lady what it costs for the second infraction of the same type. She says its $10. So from her, there is no cost for the second offense. My plate is coming tonight!

PaulTran

i see people drive around with the front license plate on the dash. is it legal to do that instead of putting it on the bumper? cuz well it is in the front of the car....

mikeb

on the dash is still illegal

Napboy

and it looks ghetto

Rob Tomlin

Double Ditto.

Apophis

OK, so here's one for you... are any of you YOUNG, BLACK MEN tooling around LA in your shiny new sports car w/o front plates? F*** "to be or not to be", THAT is the question!