I surrender ...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles CA
I surrender ...
When I complained to the meter maid who was writing my second citation for no front license plate, he informed me that rather than attach it to the front bumper all I had to do was leave it on my dash board so that it was clearly visible.
2 citations later (now a total of four) I called the Parking Bureau for clarification and they told me that the information was incorrect and that the plate had to be attached to the bumper.
Not only that, they told me the citations can be written every 8 hours.
Much as it pains me, I ordered a frame kit from Top Flight today.
I think this is total
2 citations later (now a total of four) I called the Parking Bureau for clarification and they told me that the information was incorrect and that the plate had to be attached to the bumper.
Not only that, they told me the citations can be written every 8 hours.
Much as it pains me, I ordered a frame kit from Top Flight today.
I think this is total
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Well, we have no front plate requirement in Louisiana, but the roads here are like a 3rd world country. At least you guys have decent roads to drive on in California.
At least you guys have decent roads to drive on in California.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,633
Likes: 2
From: Evans Colorado
I find this amazing.
Colorado requires a front plate. I don't run one. I've only ever once been ticketed and The officer told me blatently that they were on orders to look for anything and everything that night, but that under normal circumstances they wouldn't bother.
This of course was with a previous car that owned.
Colorado requires a front plate. I don't run one. I've only ever once been ticketed and The officer told me blatently that they were on orders to look for anything and everything that night, but that under normal circumstances they wouldn't bother.
This of course was with a previous car that owned.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: MN
I am a little confused here - the "meter maid" wrote you a citation for no front plate. Are "meter maids" in CA licensed peace officers? Is there some kind of provision in CA that allows a "meter maid" to write anything other than a parking ticket? Here in MN, a "meter maid" cannot do anything other than issue a parking ticket unless he/she is a licensed peace officer. I've never heard of such a thing. This just goes to show you the total associated with the front plate thing.
BTW - the CA roads are nothing special, either. And, you should see the roads here in MN - one season's snow removal, and we have potholes the size of trucks up here!
associated with the front plate thing.BTW - the CA roads are nothing special, either. And, you should see the roads here in MN - one season's snow removal, and we have potholes the size of trucks up here!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 38
From: O.C. CA
St. Jude Donor '08
When I complained to the meter maid who was writing my second citation for no front license plate, he informed me that rather than attach it to the front bumper all I had to do was leave it on my dash board so that it was clearly visible.
2 citations later (now a total of four) I called the Parking Bureau for clarification and they told me that the information was incorrect and that the plate had to be attached to the bumper.
Not only that, they told me the citations can be written every 8 hours.
Much as it pains me, I ordered a frame kit from Top Flight today.
I think this is total
2 citations later (now a total of four) I called the Parking Bureau for clarification and they told me that the information was incorrect and that the plate had to be attached to the bumper.
Not only that, they told me the citations can be written every 8 hours.
Much as it pains me, I ordered a frame kit from Top Flight today.
I think this is total
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles CA
The ticket is $25 in LA, with the caveat that continued lack of compliance can result in higher fees.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 167
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Top flight bracket for me. I was stopped twice in the first week I owned the car as I waited for the dealership to order a front bracket for me. The next day I ordered the Topflight bracket, had it in one day, drop shipped to work and installed in the parking lot. No more problems 
Paul
Paul
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles CA
I am a little confused here - the "meter maid" wrote you a citation for no front plate. Are "meter maids" in CA licensed peace officers? Is there some kind of provision in CA that allows a "meter maid" to write anything other than a parking ticket? Here in MN, a "meter maid" cannot do anything other than issue a parking ticket unless he/she is a licensed peace officer. I've never heard of such a thing. This just goes to show you the total associated with the front plate thing.
associated with the front plate thing.In LA the DOT is responsible for parking tickets, traffic flow, equipment violations, and probably a few other things I don't know about. They are not directly affiliated with Police Department. In fact, I think the service may be contracted out privately and not part of the "government".
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: MN
Ok....so how then is a non-police officer issuing a criminal citation for non-compliance with a state law? Is there some special law in CA that allows them this kind of authority?
Here in MN, the no front plate law is a criminal offense, but it's considered a "petty misdemeanor," meaning there is no jail time or points on a license. The fine is $100 each time.
Here in MN, the no front plate law is a criminal offense, but it's considered a "petty misdemeanor," meaning there is no jail time or points on a license. The fine is $100 each time.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 309
Likes: 16
From: Thousand Oaks CA
What about the bracket from the Corvette Museum. It sits under the front air intake so you can only see the bottom half of the plate, but it is mounted and hardly noticeable. Anyone know if there are any issues with this placement in SoCal?
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: San Jose California
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
When I complained to the meter maid who was writing my second citation for no front license plate, he informed me that rather than attach it to the front bumper all I had to do was leave it on my dash board so that it was clearly visible.
2 citations later (now a total of four) I called the Parking Bureau for clarification and they told me that the information was incorrect and that the plate had to be attached to the bumper.
Not only that, they told me the citations can be written every 8 hours.
Much as it pains me, I ordered a frame kit from Top Flight today.
I think this is total
2 citations later (now a total of four) I called the Parking Bureau for clarification and they told me that the information was incorrect and that the plate had to be attached to the bumper.
Not only that, they told me the citations can be written every 8 hours.
Much as it pains me, I ordered a frame kit from Top Flight today.
I think this is total
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 26,900
Likes: 2
From: Bann Camp & N.Y.C.
St. Jude Donor '08
When I complained to the meter maid who was writing my second citation for no front license plate, he informed me that rather than attach it to the front bumper all I had to do was leave it on my dash board so that it was clearly visible.
2 citations later (now a total of four) I called the Parking Bureau for clarification and they told me that the information was incorrect and that the plate had to be attached to the bumper.
Not only that, they told me the citations can be written every 8 hours.
Much as it pains me, I ordered a frame kit from Top Flight today.
I think this is total
2 citations later (now a total of four) I called the Parking Bureau for clarification and they told me that the information was incorrect and that the plate had to be attached to the bumper.
Not only that, they told me the citations can be written every 8 hours.
Much as it pains me, I ordered a frame kit from Top Flight today.
I think this is total
I left my plate on the dash, and I got 2 tickets in NYC, 1. No front plate 2. Improper display of plate $55 a piece
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Not to highjack this thread, but for the reasons you have mentioned, I have considered moving to Tennessee. (I work overseas)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,566
Likes: 2
From: Goleta CA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I know a guy who used to get tagged for no front plate by the meter maids all the time, but he was a cop so he would always get out of them. Must be nice, huh?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,796
Likes: 0
From: Columbus Georgia
When I complained to the meter maid who was writing my second citation for no front license plate, he informed me that rather than attach it to the front bumper all I had to do was leave it on my dash board so that it was clearly visible.
2 citations later (now a total of four) I called the Parking Bureau for clarification and they told me that the information was incorrect and that the plate had to be attached to the bumper.
Not only that, they told me the citations can be written every 8 hours.
Much as it pains me, I ordered a frame kit from Top Flight today.
I think this is total
2 citations later (now a total of four) I called the Parking Bureau for clarification and they told me that the information was incorrect and that the plate had to be attached to the bumper.
Not only that, they told me the citations can be written every 8 hours.
Much as it pains me, I ordered a frame kit from Top Flight today.
I think this is total
Don't believe what the IRS tells you either! You will be up the creek without a paddle.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,110
Likes: 0
From: upstate new york
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: MN
I questioned the legitimacy of a "meter maid" issuing criminal citation because, here in MN (and just about everywhere else) a non-LEO cannot issue a criminal citation. Here in MN, the traffic code is a criminal code, not merely an administrative function. If, in CA, a non-LEO can issue a ticket because its either (a) not a criminal act to not have a front plate, or (b) the "meter maid" is given some special kind of authority out there, that would explain it. But, here in MN, a pure "meter maid" cannot issue a criminal citation - a cop must do it. In some places, a "meter maid" is a sworn officer, so it's legit. I was just wondering, that's all.
Bottom line - front plate laws are a joke. I highly recommend that everyone join their state's petition to repeal these stupid laws and contact their representatives to urge the same. They are pointless, money-grabbing laws, nothing more. There is absolutely no "public safety" issue here - it's just a money grab.
Bottom line - front plate laws are a joke. I highly recommend that everyone join their state's petition to repeal these stupid laws and contact their representatives to urge the same. They are pointless, money-grabbing laws, nothing more. There is absolutely no "public safety" issue here - it's just a money grab.