California front license plate
06-23-2005, 01:23 AM
#1
2nd Gear
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California front license plate
I'm a new Corvette owner and am being told multiples of stories of California requirements for the front license plate. Anyone have the real skinny??
06-23-2005, 01:32 AM
#4
Drifting
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Yes you have to have it, main reason being the photo enforcement intersections that are popping up all over CA.
I have had my last 3 vehicles in a row without front plates though without any issue. The police usually use it as a reason to pull you over if you are causing trouble (IE ricers that run around revving anyone who is next to them at a stop light and starting trouble, etc).
I have had my last 3 vehicles in a row without front plates though without any issue. The police usually use it as a reason to pull you over if you are causing trouble (IE ricers that run around revving anyone who is next to them at a stop light and starting trouble, etc).
06-23-2005, 01:39 AM
#5
Racer
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CALIFORNIA CODES
VEHICLE CODE
SECTION 5200-5206
5200. (a) When two license plates are issued by the department for
use upon a vehicle, they shall be attached to the vehicle for which
they were issued, one in the front and the other in the rear.
(b) When only one license plate is issued for use upon a vehicle,
it shall be attached to the rear thereof, unless the license plate is
issued for use upon a truck tractor, in which case the license plate
shall be displayed in accordance with Section 4850.5.
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, 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: bla bla bla
VEHICLE CODE
SECTION 5200-5206
5200. (a) When two license plates are issued by the department for
use upon a vehicle, they shall be attached to the vehicle for which
they were issued, one in the front and the other in the rear.
(b) When only one license plate is issued for use upon a vehicle,
it shall be attached to the rear thereof, unless the license plate is
issued for use upon a truck tractor, in which case the license plate
shall be displayed in accordance with Section 4850.5.
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, 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: bla bla bla
06-23-2005, 02:06 AM
#6
Got pulled over in downtown LA during day time after waiting at a red light next to an officer. When the light turned green, he got behind and pulled me over a block later to write me a no front plate ticket (speed was also written, 20mph in 25mph zone).
He kept explaining/assuring me it is a non-moving violation (fix a ticket).
I explained my car came without front mount
, and he explained all cars sold in America has a front mount, and advised "even a Ferrari must have front plates" (he had just ticketed a Ferrari recently for no front plate).
Anyway, Law is a law, so after days of checking out front mount options on the internet and wondering at how much ridicule I would get for being the only vette with a front plate, decided to just bite the bullet and use the stick on GM front bracket, which magically appeared in the trunk storage bin.
After mounting it, actually felt pretty good that there will be no more worries about getting a ticket. The look is actually not too bad, although yes the front face no longer has the clean smooth look. And I actually like the side view of it adding a little mass where there used to be pointy upper/lower beaks protruding.
Sure, no front plate looks best, but I drive around downtown LA multiple times daily visiting customers, so there is no other option for me.
Went to the local police station to get the ticket signed off ($15), then went to Metro court to provide evidence to finish off (must pay another $10 court clerk fee). Total damage = $25 + many nights spent staring at the front end before mounting + maybe an hour spent at police station&court "cashier" line.
If you see the only black C6 with a front plate in southern Cal, please try not to point and ridicule too much.
He kept explaining/assuring me it is a non-moving violation (fix a ticket).
I explained my car came without front mount
, and he explained all cars sold in America has a front mount, and advised "even a Ferrari must have front plates" (he had just ticketed a Ferrari recently for no front plate).Anyway, Law is a law, so after days of checking out front mount options on the internet and wondering at how much ridicule I would get for being the only vette with a front plate, decided to just bite the bullet and use the stick on GM front bracket, which magically appeared in the trunk storage bin.
After mounting it, actually felt pretty good that there will be no more worries about getting a ticket. The look is actually not too bad, although yes the front face no longer has the clean smooth look. And I actually like the side view of it adding a little mass where there used to be pointy upper/lower beaks protruding.
Sure, no front plate looks best, but I drive around downtown LA multiple times daily visiting customers, so there is no other option for me.
Went to the local police station to get the ticket signed off ($15), then went to Metro court to provide evidence to finish off (must pay another $10 court clerk fee). Total damage = $25 + many nights spent staring at the front end before mounting + maybe an hour spent at police station&court "cashier" line.
If you see the only black C6 with a front plate in southern Cal, please try not to point and ridicule too much.
Nada for me too!! But hey you got to do what you got to do!!! 
06-23-2005, 11:37 AM
#10
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: San Clemente CA
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The City of Los Angeles give's no front plate tickets by meter maids in city owned parking lots, LAX and on parked car's on the street. They say it is a money issue.
06-23-2005, 01:07 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
Originally Posted by jabez
Won't see it on my cars.
06-23-2005, 01:21 PM
#12
Originally Posted by mforman42
Don't park in Campbell! They patrol parking lots and write tickets for no front plates. Had it happen to me some years ago.
for 4 years in the Bay Area before I got my C6 and neither
car had (has) a front plate.
My guess is 99% of law enforcement types just don't care.
Pat
06-23-2005, 06:25 PM
#14
Melting Slicks
Originally Posted by paralizer
City of San Francisco, $100 ticket issued by DPT. Reason, to facilitate red light photo enforcement. 
06-23-2005, 11:37 PM
#16
Melting Slicks
Yes it is required, but almost no one puts it on these cars. I have yet to see a C6 with a front plate on (mine included). If I get pulled over I am going to be totally honest in saying that I purposely and knowingly did not put the plate on. I have zero intention of ever putting the plate on (I will withhold saying that though).
06-23-2005, 11:48 PM
#17
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Apr 2001
Location: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
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I have not had a front license plate since my first Vette in 1984, nor on my NSX for six years between Vettes, and only got one ticket for it during those 21 years. If I can remain that lucky, I'll be happy.
Though it's never happened to me, the only problem I can see is it's being used to pull someone over for another reason...for instance, maybe someone who isn't obviously drunk leaving a bar but who they might want to check out, etc.
Though it's never happened to me, the only problem I can see is it's being used to pull someone over for another reason...for instance, maybe someone who isn't obviously drunk leaving a bar but who they might want to check out, etc.
