Busted By the Cops
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: BINGHAMTON NEW YORK
I live in a stat that require a front plat but i dont have one and never been bugged to put one on. its in the car behind the seat.and you need to look into you local laws ny state its also illegal to cover the plate with anything even if its clear.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
Originally Posted by Runum
Texas not only requires front tags but it also will not allow any covers over the tags, front or rear. They also don't allow tag frames. This cover and frame thing kicked in a couple of years ago. I had a clear cover over my rear plate and no tag on front. Got pulled over and reprimanded. My compromise was to pull the rear cover off but I never have put the front tag on, yet. 
Oh yeah, no sniffer on the exhaust anymore too
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
I trimmed the front tag to fit under the cover. If I get pulled over, just pop the cover off! Viola! No tickey!
Sorry officer, just left a car show and forgot to pull off the cover.....
Sorry officer, just left a car show and forgot to pull off the cover.....
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 300
Likes: 5
From: the Netherlands
Originally Posted by Jet-Jock
That's not a bad alternative for those of you in states that require it. Does the regulating forces accept that as legal?
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
Originally Posted by carriker
Well I got my second warning in the last month for no front license plate. (It's a law in Texas) So it seems I am going to have to break down and put the plate on, much to my disgust. How do I get the front license plate cover off of my car. I glanced at it this morning but wasn't sure. Will it just pop out or are there screws? Thanks for the help.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
From: Lovettsville VA
Virginia also has the front plate rule. I got stopped and talked with the Sherrif that I keep it off due to appearence and that I show the car. He wasn't thrilled with that answer but told me all I had to do is keep the other plate with me so if I get stopped again I can prove the front plate isn't being used on another car (that's why they have that law). They just want to make sure you're not using the same plate on two vehicles.
So keep the stock look and carry the plate with you. works so far for me. Most of all remember to smile. They like that.
So keep the stock look and carry the plate with you. works so far for me. Most of all remember to smile. They like that.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: College Station Texas
I had the front plate with me, it didn't matter to him. I did smile and was very respectful also. He was a really nice cop which made it that much easier.
The other cop that gave me a warning was really nice also. They almost seemed sorry that they had to give me warnings. The first guy started asking me about my horsepower, torque, mpg, 0-60, 1/4 mile etc. I think he was just looking for any reason to pull me over so he could check out the vette.
The other cop that gave me a warning was really nice also. They almost seemed sorry that they had to give me warnings. The first guy started asking me about my horsepower, torque, mpg, 0-60, 1/4 mile etc. I think he was just looking for any reason to pull me over so he could check out the vette.
Last edited by carriker; Jul 26, 2006 at 12:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: College Station Texas
Originally Posted by Casethecorvetteman
If its the law to wear a front plate, wear it or wear the fine. Simple. Its a very simple law, and really isnt a big deal until you make it one.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
From: Lovettsville VA
sometimes that's how the cookie crumbles. saw the same thing happen with a hotrod the other day. cop pulled him over just so he could see it and tak about it. the guy was pissed but obliged...of course. just let us drive y'all.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 35
From: Lecanto Florida
No plate issued or required here in Florida but I came from Maryland. As it was already noted, the clear plastic cover from the aftermarket which follows the contours of the body take some of the flat nosed appearance away but another idea (which I did) was to get some matching body spray paint and "lightly" put a mist of the color inside the clear cover before you put it on. Don't hide the plate, but it gives the cover a tint of the whole car and IMHO looks pretty good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,475
Likes: 2
From: Austin TX
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by carriker
Well, I just took off the cover and put the plate on. It makes me sad, but at least I won't get hassled over it anymore. The good news is the cover does look kind of cool hanging on the wall in my house now. Oh well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by carriker
Yes, I know the law, it is Simple enough. Sorry I didn't know that me venting would upset you.
You didnt upset me at all so the only reason you have to be sorry is sorry you didnt follow the law!!! 
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Pflugerville Texas
I live in Texas, got stopped twice because of no front plate on my 99 hardtop by the State Troopers. Both times I got off with a warning. I spoke to a friend of mine who is an officer and he says most times they stop you on a small violation like that to see if you squirm. This is especially true in South Texas (where I was stopped). They are fishing for drugs or smuggling illegal aliens (though how you could smuggle illegal aliens in a corvette is beyond me, though they can prolly figure out a way). Both times the officer asked me to step out of the vehicle and both times after they gave me the warning started asking about the car, giving complements. Asking about how good it was on gas, how fast it goes (never answer that one), how it handles, what the maintenence is like, etc. Deep down everybody is a 'vette fan.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Originally Posted by Runum
Texas not only requires front tags but it also will not allow any covers over the tags, front or rear. They also don't allow tag frames. This cover and frame thing kicked in a couple of years ago. I had a clear cover over my rear plate and no tag on front. Got pulled over and reprimanded. My compromise was to pull the rear cover off but I never have put the front tag on, yet.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/traffic/texasplate.asp
Most agencies in TX no longer enforce the law regarding frames, etc. unless the violation is something crazy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
This is a bit of a jack, and a bit off subject, but hopefully not bad enough that anybody gets offended.
Last summer as we were bringing the Vette home through Mississippi after purchase in Lousiana, I got pulled over by a Ms trooper. "She Who Must Be Obeyed" was following in her Accord UNTIL I got pulled over, 'kay?
He says he pulled me over because they stop all cars like Vettes with temporary tags due to the high number of thefts. Cool.
Sooo...I show him the title, my driver's license, FedEx bus card, the whole bit. He's cool, then he says, "Sir, is the Lady (who's nowhere in sight by now) in the black Honda with you?"
Whereupon, I say, "Well, for thirty-four years I thought she was, but I sure ain't too sure now."
He chuckles and says "Have a nice trip."
Been followed a lot, but that's the only time I've been pulled over in the Vette.
Last summer as we were bringing the Vette home through Mississippi after purchase in Lousiana, I got pulled over by a Ms trooper. "She Who Must Be Obeyed" was following in her Accord UNTIL I got pulled over, 'kay?
He says he pulled me over because they stop all cars like Vettes with temporary tags due to the high number of thefts. Cool.
Sooo...I show him the title, my driver's license, FedEx bus card, the whole bit. He's cool, then he says, "Sir, is the Lady (who's nowhere in sight by now) in the black Honda with you?"
Whereupon, I say, "Well, for thirty-four years I thought she was, but I sure ain't too sure now."
He chuckles and says "Have a nice trip."
Been followed a lot, but that's the only time I've been pulled over in the Vette.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by AILERON
..... then he says, "Sir, is the Lady (who's nowhere in sight by now) in the black Honda with you?"
Whereupon, I say, "Well, for thirty-four years I thought she was, but I sure ain't too sure now."
Whereupon, I say, "Well, for thirty-four years I thought she was, but I sure ain't too sure now."