Leos vs Front Plates
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 764
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Leos vs Front Plates
I was wondering if anyone was noticing any increased action from leos with respect to no front license plate. In Calif. where they were suppose to be cracking down I have had no problem. At a recent car show I'd say front plates were 1 out of 10. I even had a CHP looking over and complementing my car in a parking lot and no mention of the lack of plate. Do you cops out there put that much importance on this issue?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,220
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From: St. Robert Missouri
Not a big issue with me, but very low priority. I have a front plate on my Vette, which I HATE, but I have to "set an example", and be a good little boy in observing law.
I often think about petitioning my representative to exempt certain vehicles from the requirement, or do away with it all together. However it sometimes helps in identifying a suspect in some cases.
From what I've seen of the C6 - It will look even worse.
I often think about petitioning my representative to exempt certain vehicles from the requirement, or do away with it all together. However it sometimes helps in identifying a suspect in some cases.
From what I've seen of the C6 - It will look even worse.
CF Enhanced Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Section 326 Row A!! Finally. Go STARS!!
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St. Jude Donor '06
I got my second ever warning (see sig) from a DPS Trooper during the last cruise we went on....I was running tail so she got me "for the group". At least catching back up was fun. 
BTW - The first one I got was in '82. I had a '79 6.6 and didn't have a plate on the front.
BTW - The first one I got was in '82. I had a '79 6.6 and didn't have a plate on the front.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
I pushed a B&W for 5 yrs, and I gotta say ... It's ALL Officer discretion. It's great probable cause to stop a car, but I NEVER wrote one.
The front plate law is for better identification, but IMO a way for the State to make money (Through citations) and it's something for our friends in those big concrete and iron bird cages, to do with their day.
Hope this helps.
The front plate law is for better identification, but IMO a way for the State to make money (Through citations) and it's something for our friends in those big concrete and iron bird cages, to do with their day.
Hope this helps.
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Haven't noticed any increase in enforcement in Missouri, but then again I run my front plate. Even though I would like to run without the front plate, I see no sense giving them a reason to stop me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,386
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From: Just a little outside San Antonio, Texas
Front plates are just like the state inspection and county tax stickers they place on our cars -- just another mandated evil that permits you to operate your car on public roads.
Between all the state, county, government, and business requirements, I've got so many "mandatory" stickers on my windshield right now that I'm surprised I have been cited for my windshield being "obstructed."
Between all the state, county, government, and business requirements, I've got so many "mandatory" stickers on my windshield right now that I'm surprised I have been cited for my windshield being "obstructed."
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 1
From: Longview Texas
I haven't seen any increase in "stops" in my area. I too, dislike the front plate, but I keep it on. I dislike inspection stickers too, but I think there's a value with them. Some of the cars / trucks I've seen running down the roads in states that don't require inspections are scary.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,050
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From: Oxnard CA
St. Jude Contributor
I am really considering putting my front plate on. Not many people know, but driving without a front plate is a moving violation in California. Also, having your front windows tinted is a moving violation.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
In IL it's law, you must have front plates....I never had em on my Z28 but was stopped 3 times in 3 years and each time the LEO made mention of it ,, like where is it but wouldn't ticket me for that, rather speeding,, or local village sticker, etc..I guess I was lucky.
Been pulled over in my Vette only 1 time (knock knock) in one year, and that was for a DUI road block where everyone had to go through that was set up Labor Day weekend, they checked my license and inusrance,, shinned the nice red laser light in my eye said i was ok to go but get a front plate or I'll get a ticket...
Been pulled over in my Vette only 1 time (knock knock) in one year, and that was for a DUI road block where everyone had to go through that was set up Labor Day weekend, they checked my license and inusrance,, shinned the nice red laser light in my eye said i was ok to go but get a front plate or I'll get a ticket...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
Too bad we all can't get together like the Bike riders did with the Helmet Law and put an end to the out dated front tag laws. I be interested as to how many states don't require them. Unfortunately, Texas does. Maybe, we can Gee Dub on our side.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 774
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From: Grand Prairie Texas
Originally Posted by srchief100
Not a big issue with me, but very low priority. I have a front plate on my Vette, which I HATE, but I have to "set an example", and be a good little boy in observing law.
I often think about petitioning my representative to exempt certain vehicles from the requirement, or do away with it all together. However it sometimes helps in identifying a suspect in some cases.
From what I've seen of the C6 - It will look even worse.
I often think about petitioning my representative to exempt certain vehicles from the requirement, or do away with it all together. However it sometimes helps in identifying a suspect in some cases.
From what I've seen of the C6 - It will look even worse.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 1
From: Kemah Texas
My 95 black Impala SS has never had a front plate, my wife has gone through three dark colored cars in ten years with no front plate (Z28, GTP, black Firebird conv). Never a comment from any police officers. Had my TR 04 Coupe for five weeks and got two warnings. I guess it matters what is more visible, (sigh) put the front plate on last week end.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 764
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Originally Posted by leonm47
I'm like you I have a front plate on my CE for the first time with two others Vettes I didn't, but I felt it was sort of hypocritical. I personally don't enforce the no front plate got too much other stuff to worry about, like kids w/ no seat belts or school zones.
I kinda think most CHP officers in Calif. f
eel the same way as you two. It's a good reason to pull someone over if need be but if they're driving ok there are bigger fish to fry. I'd rather see some legislation on the use of cell phones while driving which in Calif. is a big problem. Thanks for the honest replys. You guys obviously have your priorities in good order.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,419
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From: Arroyo Grande CA
Never been pulled over in California, and I live here and don't run a front plate.
But, for the states that require front plates, they should be made in the "mirror image" so the LEOs or whomever, can read them in their rear-view mirror.
But, for the states that require front plates, they should be made in the "mirror image" so the LEOs or whomever, can read them in their rear-view mirror.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Rochester MN
CI 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
NCM Ambassador
Since we're on the subject, for those of you in MN there is a petition to eliminate front plates - find it at http://www.petitiononline.com/mnplate/petition.html
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 241
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From: NoVa/DC
Originally Posted by jrose7004
Gee I'am glad we don't have this issue in Oklahoma!
I also heard that the front plate issue isn't really an issue for American muscle cars. I remember at one meet that had both American muscle and Tuner cars, we were all inside getting some coffee and when we cameout, all the tuner cars got ticketed for not having front plates while none of the American muscle cars did. I was one of the lucky few that did not require a front plate.
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
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Well this is my first post here. I have been reading the forums here for quite some time. Thought I do not yet have a vette I am presently searching for the one I like.
As far as the front plate goes, I live in Maryland and have no front plate on my daily driver. I have gotten 2 warnings in the past 3 years for it so I just dont worry about it. I do think the vettes (all years) look funny with a front plate it just really screws up the body lines of a gorgeuos car.
As far as the front plate goes, I live in Maryland and have no front plate on my daily driver. I have gotten 2 warnings in the past 3 years for it so I just dont worry about it. I do think the vettes (all years) look funny with a front plate it just really screws up the body lines of a gorgeuos car.