How to drive without front plate legally?
08-26-2015, 11:15 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
How to drive without front plate legally?
well, I hope you agree that corvette with front plate looks ugly.
Washington State law says that I must have front and rear plates on my car.
However I saw ~10 corvettes on the road in this month and all of them didn't have front plate, how is that possible, is it legally?
Washington State law says that I must have front and rear plates on my car.
However I saw ~10 corvettes on the road in this month and all of them didn't have front plate, how is that possible, is it legally?
08-26-2015, 11:20 AM
#2
Team Owner
well, I hope you agree that corvette with front plate looks ugly.
Washington State law says that I must have front and rear plates on my car.
However I saw ~10 corvettes on the road in this month and all of them didn't have front plate, how is that possible, is it legally?
Washington State law says that I must have front and rear plates on my car.
However I saw ~10 corvettes on the road in this month and all of them didn't have front plate, how is that possible, is it legally?
08-26-2015, 11:24 AM
#3
Drifting
NY as well requires 2 plates, I also do not run a front plate, 5 summers so far with no issues. I am always checking my rearview when passed by either local, county or state leo's, have not been through any checkpoints yet, I also drive responsibly most of the time.
08-26-2015, 11:25 AM
#4
Melting Slicks
The only legal way to drive without a front plate is to live in a state that doesn't require one.
That said, it's a very low enforcement priority in most jurisdictions, and typically rather cheap as traffic tickets go, on a par with a broken tail-light lens.
That said, it's a very low enforcement priority in most jurisdictions, and typically rather cheap as traffic tickets go, on a par with a broken tail-light lens.
08-26-2015, 11:37 AM
#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
Corvettes have a plate mount spot, but they get a pass.
I work with the former head of the Washington State Patrol training academy. I asked him about the front plate business and he said he handed out exemptions all of the time, and that all you need to do is provide a reasonable excuse as to why you can't put a plate on the front.
I work with the former head of the Washington State Patrol training academy. I asked him about the front plate business and he said he handed out exemptions all of the time, and that all you need to do is provide a reasonable excuse as to why you can't put a plate on the front.
08-26-2015, 11:38 AM
#6
Here in New Jersey they require a front plate. I got the car from Delaware with no front plate and a cop at a work zone asked where it was then saw the Delaware reg and said ok. But I put the front plate on and I agree it looks like butt. My buddy has been driving his Vette for years with out one and never got pulled over. Guess it depends on where you live. Have had tint tickets and front headlight black out tickets with other cars I have had. But my F250 tinted out has never been stopped (knock on wood). I think some cars they key I'm on. Try it out with the filler just be careful if you have a beer with dinner as that could be a easy way to catch a dui.
08-26-2015, 11:47 AM
#7
I didn't run a front plate on my CTS Coupe, my 335i, and I don't intend to run one on the Z. I have been lucky so far, but I will just pay the fine and move on if need be.
Shakey
Shakey
08-26-2015, 12:08 PM
#8
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well, I hope you agree that corvette with front plate looks ugly.
Washington State law says that I must have front and rear plates on my car.
However I saw ~10 corvettes on the road in this month and all of them didn't have front plate, how is that possible, is it legally?
Washington State law says that I must have front and rear plates on my car.
However I saw ~10 corvettes on the road in this month and all of them didn't have front plate, how is that possible, is it legally?
08-26-2015, 12:09 PM
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
in addition got from ferrari forum: that some cars could go legally w/o front plate if it officially been DENIED waivers:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/nor...#post138072078
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/nor...#post138072078
"Law enforcement will oppose doing away with all front plates on all cars. He said they need them mainly for vehicle identification. The law, RCW 46.16.240 requires the front plate. It is a $124 fine and first/primary offense if you do not have one. About 9 states do not require a front plate he said. There are about 6 million registered cars in WA..
State law provides an exemption to the front plate requirement on a case by case basis. Attached below is a list of successful and unsuccessful applicants for an exemption. Evidently I was mistaken about the Viper but it appears that at least one model of Ferrari has been exempted. To apply for an exemption contact:
Melissa VanGorkom
360.596.4017
melissa.VanGorkom@wsp.wa.gov
She's the equipment specialist at WSP and can help anyone who needs to file an application for an exemption to the front license plate requirement.
Vehicles issued front license plate waivers are listed below.
1972 Italian DeTomaso Pantera
1974 Jaguar E-Type
2000 Panoz
1971 DeTomaso Pantera
2000 Plymouth Prowler
2000 Jaguar XK8
Caterham/Lotus Super 7
1984 Ferrari 512 BBI
1967 Ford Cobra
Vehicles denied waivers for attaching a front license plate include:
Toyota MR 2
Porsche 928
Corvette
Mini Cooper
Ford SVT Cobra
Lotus Elise
Ford Escort
Nissan 30ZX
BMW Z8
Dodge Viper
Mercedes-Benz
Mazda Miata
Maserati."
State law provides an exemption to the front plate requirement on a case by case basis. Attached below is a list of successful and unsuccessful applicants for an exemption. Evidently I was mistaken about the Viper but it appears that at least one model of Ferrari has been exempted. To apply for an exemption contact:
Melissa VanGorkom
360.596.4017
melissa.VanGorkom@wsp.wa.gov
She's the equipment specialist at WSP and can help anyone who needs to file an application for an exemption to the front license plate requirement.
Vehicles issued front license plate waivers are listed below.
1972 Italian DeTomaso Pantera
1974 Jaguar E-Type
2000 Panoz
1971 DeTomaso Pantera
2000 Plymouth Prowler
2000 Jaguar XK8
Caterham/Lotus Super 7
1984 Ferrari 512 BBI
1967 Ford Cobra
Vehicles denied waivers for attaching a front license plate include:
Toyota MR 2
Porsche 928
Corvette
Mini Cooper
Ford SVT Cobra
Lotus Elise
Ford Escort
Nissan 30ZX
BMW Z8
Dodge Viper
Mercedes-Benz
Mazda Miata
Maserati."
Last edited by synca; 08-26-2015 at 12:13 PM.
08-26-2015, 12:27 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
Here in BC I think the fine is $109. I'll get a filler plate one day and take my chances, as the front plate just doesn't fit well in the "designated" spot.
The RCMP for the most part don't look for reasons to pull people over IME. If they do pull me over I'll just be honest, usually the best policy.
Mine will be a DIY screened mod filler plate (such as many here have done). I think it looks even better than a blank panel, and the extra air can't hurt.
Edit/P.S. I don't know how they (WA state; above post) can justly waive certain cars, particularly models that are not that old, but not others. A 2000 Prowler is OK, but a Corvette needs one!??
The RCMP for the most part don't look for reasons to pull people over IME. If they do pull me over I'll just be honest, usually the best policy.
Mine will be a DIY screened mod filler plate (such as many here have done). I think it looks even better than a blank panel, and the extra air can't hurt.
Edit/P.S. I don't know how they (WA state; above post) can justly waive certain cars, particularly models that are not that old, but not others. A 2000 Prowler is OK, but a Corvette needs one!??
Last edited by grantv; 08-26-2015 at 12:30 PM.
08-26-2015, 12:27 PM
#11
Instructor
I would love to go without the front plate, but to me it's not worth giving a small-town cop the joy of writing an easy ticket. Not to mention coughing up $124 that I'd rather put into the Vette.
08-26-2015, 01:12 PM
#13
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
It's a ticket - I just pay it, only had to pay once in 18 years, the other two stops were just warnings...
Just have to pony up some $$$
Regards
Chip
Just have to pony up some $$$
Regards
Chip
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08-26-2015, 01:24 PM
#14
Racer
Not worth running without one on a C5 if the front plate is required in your state IMHO. The C5 at least has a spot for it and looks ok, C6 and C7 do not look good with the front plate.
08-26-2015, 01:55 PM
#15
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well, I hope you agree that corvette with front plate looks ugly.
Washington State law says that I must have front and rear plates on my car.
However I saw ~10 corvettes on the road in this month and all of them didn't have front plate, how is that possible, is it legally?
Washington State law says that I must have front and rear plates on my car.
However I saw ~10 corvettes on the road in this month and all of them didn't have front plate, how is that possible, is it legally?
08-26-2015, 04:29 PM
#16
Melting Slicks
in addition got from ferrari forum: that some cars could go legally w/o front plate if it officially been DENIED waivers:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/nor...#post138072078
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/nor...#post138072078
Too many Vettes on the road to win this one - give one an exemption, and pretty soon they will all want one......
Best you can do is get one of the clear covers, and get busy with masking tape and a spray can. I am lucky, I live in a no front license plate state. When we moved here, putting the front cover plate in place was very high on the priority list (along with removing the front license plate holder completely from the front bumper of my truck). Where I used to live, some of the local LEO's were open in that they did not bother to pull vehicles over for things like no front plate or a bulb out - UNLESS they wanted to use it as an excuse to search the vehicle, check the driver for DUI, etc., etc. Or I suspect DWB or DWH....
Last edited by jackthelad; 08-26-2015 at 04:38 PM.
08-26-2015, 04:47 PM
#18
Instructor
Thread Starter
any pics? interesting how it looks like.
08-26-2015, 05:12 PM
#19
Drifting
Member Since: Apr 2006
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IMHO C5s don't look bad with a front plate, although I'd rather go without, but it's the law in Kalifornia. (and technically my clear cover is illegal too)
It's the law that needs to be changed.
.
08-26-2015, 05:16 PM
#20
Team Owner
I had an '85 Firebird, bought new, never ran a front plate. Got a ticket once. After that, I had a '96 Z/28. Owned it from September '95 until a couple of months ago. Never ran the front plate. Got my '01 C-5 in July of '01. The front plate is actually on the car, but with the OE "fill plate" over it......
(knock on wood)