[Danglerb]

Sunday my son went to a driving class, and part of it included Q&A with a traffic safety officer and a highway patrol officer, so after the main group was done I walked up and talked to them a bit about front license plates. These were both senior guys used to talking to the public and they did look up the current vehicle code section, but as always, YMMV.

Have there been any recent changes in enforcement of the front plate laws?

Both said no. One of them had heard of the connection to red light cameras, but he added the cameras take a pict of both the front and back of the vehicle. Concern with front plates included thieves removing the front plate, use on a different car, and use of a car without a front plate to commit a crime. The CHP officer said its often an individual preference, some officers will cite you and some won't.

Whats the code requirement for the front plate?

Less than 60" from the ground with no minimum in the front (rear has min), solid mounting (no swinging flap), and no lamination or obstruction.

I think I may wait for the first ticket, but I am already "thinking" about the best below the bumper location.

*** Cuffed and stuffed
Both officers said they didn't go by any specific speed, like 85 mph, to decide between cite and impounding the car. CHP said he had written tickets without impound as high as 115 mph, and that is was a combination of speed, driving conditions, and driving behavior.

*** Exhibition of speed.
Both claimed broad authority for issuing a citation, even if its just you and a cop you don't see. Tire slip is accepted as a "loss of control", but I kinda wonder if it stands up to expert scrutiny.