Busted by CHP (sort of) - no front plate.

[Moses]

The famous MikeZ solution!

[Bill Douglas]

Yup, that was it Speeder. In our country cops don't even carry guns (well they do, but under their jackets), and me being a sweet, and a bit niave , farm boy at the age of 18 - it gave me a bit of a suprise when all I'd done was run a red light LOL.

[Zeke]

Technically, you can't modify, duplicate or fail to use anything but what they give you. I would put it on for a while anyway.

We go in waves in CA. For some periods of time, there is little or no enforcement on a particular issue. Then all of a sudden, it's a priority. Years ago, we went thru the same thing with the plates and then it fell off with all the newer cars and the smooth plastic front bumpers.

Harleys get to have loud pipes......for now. There is only sporatic enforcement. It will never make any sense, and as a result, I have very little respect for the system.

But, that's what you have to do, Colin, just work the system.

[gerard vaglio]

The cop, who lives next door, told me they really don't care about the front license plate and only use it as a reason to stop a car that "looks" like it might yeild a drug bust or other suspected infraction. If the only thing about a car is a missing front plate, that car does not generally get stopped.

If your getting stopped for not having a front plate there might be something about the car (or the driver) that's making them look twice.

So, if your transporting a large boulder of cocaine, for god sakes, put that front plate on!

[RSBob]

I used a version of the Mike Z approach, sans holes. I placed the plate in a vice and carefully bent the top and botton edges of the plate around the back to present more of a Euro look. I know it is not legal, but I figure it is more legal than those completely without. If I get a rash, then I can unbend the edges to restore to normal.

[aigel]

In Germany the DMV will supply sticker "plates" for high line exotic cars that do not have a standard license plate mount. Beats drilling holes, but having to stick a 4 x 14 sticker on you 400 thousand dollar Lamborghini probably really sucks!

George

[ScottKelly911]

To me this is the most bogus law!!! A perfect example of what is wrong with this state. It has absolutely nothing to do with safety, only to draw revenue. It's a form of taxation, I've been hit with it twice. Paid the fine and moved on. Here's a big ***** YOU to state Legislators...well maybe not, they did get my money. Since I know there are cops on this site, I challenge you to look the other way on this law because it not only is such a pointless law that many states choose not to have it on their books, but it also (in my mind anyway) compromises the respect and integrity of the position that you hold.

[turbocarrera]

My province has just moved to no front plate. I'm soooo happy! As far as mounting a front plate on that gorgeous car, don't do it. Take your chances.

Many motor vehicle laws are created for the sole purpose of generating revenue - parallels between the gov't and the mafia are many.

[cowtown]

Originally posted by gerard vaglio
If your getting stopped for not having a front plate there might be something about the car (or the driver) that's making them look twice.

That was my thought too, especially since he radared me first. The car looks like it should be speeding, and he really wanted a speeder.

RSBob and Moses, thanks for those pictures. If I can bend just 1.5 inches total from the top and bottom, it might fit. I just hope a modified plate doesn't draw even more attention than a missing one.

[MotoSook]

Take a picture of you plate (or scan your plate on a scanner), then print the picture on static cling vinyl that you can buy at Office Depot or such places...trim it and stick it on the inside of your windshield.

Or you can print it on a sticker type of paper, and stick it on your f-glass bumper...you can reprint it anytime you want..after the bugs and rocks boogger it up good.

No drilling...and it'll make the light weight junkies proud

[Randy Webb]

"you can't modify, duplicate or fail to use anything but what they give you"
-- Well, that depends -- there is a case in one state where the owner blanked out the state slogan or some icon but left the ID part alone. He won after being fined for doing it. The 1st amendment will trump any mere state law - tho I don't see how you are going to argue that if you leave the whole plate off.

It is not really a bogus law (tho its enforcement may be). The reason is to catch red light runners with automated cameras. These morons endanger pedestrians and bicyclists. I've kicked several such cars over the years. Someday I will get a plate number and sue his ass until his ears bleed (citizens can enforce the vehicle code here). I am very concerned about the proliferation of cameras run by Big Brother (as well as his relative, Big Nanny) but there is a clear safety problem. Check the stats of pedestrian injuries ....


Souk - I like the vinyl idea....

BTW, anybody who is transporting a big boulder of coke should be driving a DeLorean....

[Chris Lovell]

Attach the plate to the underside of the air scoop and fold flat back underneath. "Sorry Officer, musta been pushed back by the parking lot pilon." Worth a try and should lower the anxiety. After all, your plate is there!

[bigrubberjeep]

I would just keep it handy, if you get pulle dover for it, say you willput it on ASAP, pay the FIx it Ticket $10 and then make your decision as to if it worth removing it again.

$10 with the odds on my favor is worth it.

[goat]

I saw someone weld magnets to the plate.
Then they could just slap it on or off.
But you don't have any metal up on the front
of your car.
Very nice car, even without the front plate.

[Carrera3.5L]

This might be a dumb question, but what do the pop rivet cars (er, Corvettes) do? There isn't even a provision for a front license plate on most of the 80's and on models from what I can tell (It's hard to see in my rear view mirror). Maybe somebody (not me!) should lurk in a Corvette BBS and see what they do?

Ralph

[jyl]

I looked up the California Vehicle Code on the web and found these sections. My comments are in bold. Looks to me like you could put the plate on your windshield, where it doesn't obstruct your view, and is in plain sight. Warning: don't ask me to pay for your ticket if the officer disagrees! If it were me, I'd rig up some quick-release mount for the bumper (Dzus fasteners?) and take the plate off for pics - after all, you don't see it when you're driving.

"Size of Plates

4852. __(a) License plates issued for motor vehicles, other than motorcycles, shall be rectangular in shape, 12 inches in length and six inches in width. The number and letter characters on the plates shall have a minimum height of two and three-quarter inches, a minimum width of one and one-quarter inches, and a minimum spacing between characters of five-sixteenths of an inch.

(b) Motorcycle license plates shall measure seven inches in length and four inches in width, and the characters on the plates shall have a minimum height of one and one-half inches and a minimum width of nine-sixteenths inches, and shall have a minimum spacing between characters of three-sixteenths of an inch."

So no cutting down a plate. May be arguable whether you can bend a plate.

Devices in Lieu of Plates

4853. __The department may issue one or more stickers, tabs, or other suitable devices in lieu of the license plates provided for under this code. Except where the physical differences between the stickers, tabs, or devices and license plates by their nature render the provisions of this code inapplicable, all provisions of this code relating to license plates may apply to stickers, tabs, or device

the DMV could issue stickers or euro-type plates if they wanted to. Never heard of them doing so, though.

Positioning of Plates

5201. __License plates shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle for which they are issued so as to prevent the plates from swinging , (_)1 shall be mounted in a position so as to be clearly visible, and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible. The rear license plate shall be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 60 inches from the ground, and the front license plate shall be mounted not more than 60 inches from the ground, except as follows:

sounds like the plate doesn't have to be on the bumper. It could be attached to the hood, the windshield, the roof, the air dam, etc. No specific requirement that it be upright although too much of an angle might make it not "clearly visible". Doesn't actually say the plate has to be mounted to the outside of the car, but taping it to the inside of the windshield might make it not "clearly legible" (reflections?).

(a) The rear license plate on a tow truck may be mounted on the left-hand side of the mast assembly at the rear of the cab of the vehicle, not less than 12 inches nor more than 90 inches from the ground.

(b) The rear license plate on a tank vehicle hauling hazardous waste, as defined in Section 25117 of the Health and Safety Code, or asphalt material may be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 90 inches from the ground.

(c) The rear license plate on a truck tractor may be mounted at the rear of the cab of the vehicle, not less than 12 inches nor more than 90 inches from the ground.

(d) The rear license plate of a vehicle designed by the manufacturer for the collection and transportation of garbage, rubbish, or refuse (_)2 that is used regularly for the collection and transportation of that material by any person or governmental entity employed to collect, transport, and dispose of garbage, rubbish, or refuse may be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 90 inches from the ground.

(e) The rear license plate on a two-axle livestock trailer may be mounted 12 inches or more, but not more than 90 inches, from the ground.

(f) No covering (_)3 may be used on license plates except as follows:

wonder if a windshield is considered a "covering"?

(1) The installation of a cover over a lawfully parked vehicle to protect it from the weather and the elements does not constitute a violation of this subdivision. Any peace officer or other regularly salaried employee of a public agency designated to enforce laws, including local ordinances, relating to the parking of vehicles may temporarily remove so much of the cover as is necessary to inspect any license plate, tab, or indicia of registration on a vehicle.

(2) The installation of a license plate security cover is not a violation of this subdivision if the device does not obstruct or impair the recognition of the license plate information, including, but not limited to, the issuing state, license plate number, and registration tabs, and the cover is limited to the area directly over the top of the registration tabs. No portion of a license plate security cover shall rest over the license plate number. (_)4

(g) No casing, shield, frame, border, or other device that obstructs or impairs the reading or recognition of a license plate by a remote emission sensing device, as specified in Sections 44081 and 44081.6 of the Health and Safety Code, shall be installed on, or affixed to, a vehicle.

ah ha, no covers designed to defeat ticket cameras.

(h) (1) It is the Legislature's intent that an accommodation be made to persons with disabilities and to those persons who regularly transport persons with disabilities, to allow the removal and relocation of wheelchair lifts and wheelchair carriers without the necessity of removing and reattaching the vehicle's rear license plate. Therefore, it is not a violation of this section if the reading or recognition of a rear license plate is obstructed or impaired by a wheelchair lift or wheelchair carrier and all of the following requirements are met:

(A) The owner of the vehicle has been issued a special identification license plate pursuant to Section 5007, or the person using the wheelchair that is carried on the vehicle has been issued a distinguishing placard under Section 12511.55.

(B) (i) The operator of the vehicle displays a decal, designed and issued by the department, that contains the license plate number assigned to the vehicle transporting the wheelchair.

(ii) The decal is displayed on the rear window of the vehicle, in a location determined by the department, in consultation with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, so as to be clearly visible to law enforcement.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a decal is displayed pursuant to this subdivision, the requirements of this code that require the illumination of the license plate and the license plate number do not apply.

(3) The department shall adopt regulations governing the procedures for accepting and approving applications for decals, and issuing decals, authorized by this subdivision.

(4) This subdivision does not apply to a front license plate.