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Interesting topic - to us who live in Iowa. I'm in Coralville. I had a blue 2005 C7 until Summer 2013. NEVER was stopped in that - never had a front plate. Obtained C7 in December 2013 - was stopped once in 2015 and once in 2016. Never a ticket - just an obnoxious pseudo-lecture from a overzealous officer. Still haven't put a plate on. OF INTEREST - legislation was introduced in 2016 that would exempt select "sports cars" in Iowa from running a front plate. Sports car defined as a vehicle from the factory capable of sustained speeds of 130 mph or greater, 2 seater from the factory, and front bumper is 8 inches or less from the ground. Not many vehicles will meet those criteria - but a Corvette will. Bill passed the house in 2016, it's in the Senate Transportation committee right now pending review. Of course - the state's LEO contingent is "opposed" - total BS. I for one am very hopeful it passes - I'll print a copy of the legislation, keep it in my glovebox, and be happy to "educate" the LEO that pulls me over.
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Originally Posted by familyman's C7
I feel bad for you owners in states that require a front plate. Totally ruins the looks of todays cars.
It's all a matter of opinion. While it would be nice if a front plate was not required, I can live with the looks of one on my C5. For the C6, I agree that the tacky front plate holder looks terrible - no clue what GM was thinking when they came up with no recessed location for mounting the plate. At least with the C7, the aero plate holder looks decent and follows the lines of the car.
I'll be visiting Iowa (Burlington, New London) this summer and I plan to drive my C-7. Tennessee doesn't require a front plate, I hope I don't find a need to prove that to some cop.
Seems to me I always get caught by state troopers mostly. I also have tinted windows......which is a no no in Iowa. So right off the bat they see me coming with two violations
Here in VA, the Gestapo will stop & (often) cite you for not displaying a front tag. While it does look silly on a Corvette to have one, it is the law and you subject yourself to a fine if you drive sans plate.
Anyway, I have the 60-day temporary tag from MD (where they require a front plate but NOT on temps) until April 1st and I'll probably run with it as long as I can. My VA plates have not arrived yet anyway.
With the C7, the black plastic 'Corvette' sign comes out and the front tag bolts right in........so it will be easy to do when the day comes. Also, I'll have to get the car inspected here in VA before I affix my license plates.
Probably the only thing I miss about PA is not having to mount a front tag to my cars.
MN is a front-license plate state, but they seem to be giving breaks to sports cars. I made one season so far with no problem. Just in case, I do keep the front plate in the trunk mounted on one of the Zip removable holders. (BTW, the Zip holder is pretty nice in itself) http://www.zip-corvette.com/14-16-re...ate-mount.html
Interesting topic - to us who live in Iowa. I'm in Coralville. I had a blue 2005 C7 until Summer 2013. NEVER was stopped in that - never had a front plate. Obtained C7 in December 2013 - was stopped once in 2015 and once in 2016. Never a ticket - just an obnoxious pseudo-lecture from a overzealous officer. Still haven't put a plate on. OF INTEREST - legislation was introduced in 2016 that would exempt select "sports cars" in Iowa from running a front plate. Sports car defined as a vehicle from the factory capable of sustained speeds of 130 mph or greater, 2 seater from the factory, and front bumper is 8 inches or less from the ground. Not many vehicles will meet those criteria - but a Corvette will. Bill passed the house in 2016, it's in the Senate Transportation committee right now pending review. Of course - the state's LEO contingent is "opposed" - total BS. I for one am very hopeful it passes - I'll print a copy of the legislation, keep it in my glovebox, and be happy to "educate" the LEO that pulls me over.
Interesting topic. Currently 19 states don't require a front plate. I live in South Dakota, but grew up in Iowa. Currently 18 or 19 states don't require a front plate. I would ask Iowa LEO why they can't figure out how to deal with no front plants when LEO in other states can deal with it. SD recently passed a law for certain types of cars that for an additional fee, not front plate is required, but you must drive the car only so many miles/year. It was actually the Sioux Falls Corvette club that sponsored the idea.
. OF INTEREST - legislation was introduced in 2016 that would exempt select "sports cars" in Iowa from running a front plate. Sports car defined as a vehicle from the factory capable of sustained speeds of 130 mph or greater, 2 seater from the factory, and front bumper is 8 inches or less from the ground. Not many vehicles will meet those criteria - but a Corvette will. Bill passed the house in 2016, it's in the Senate Transportation committee right now pending review. Of course - the state's LEO contingent is "opposed" - total BS. I for one am very hopeful it passes - I'll print a copy of the legislation, keep it in my glovebox, and be happy to "educate" the LEO that pulls me over.
Originally Posted by Red08
SD recently passed a law for certain types of cars that for an additional fee, not front plate is required, but you must drive the car only so many miles/year. It was actually the Sioux Falls Corvette club that sponsored the idea.
My opinion (not worth much , is, try not running one until you get stopped. If you get stopped, be polite, courteous, and if he says it's for the plate, say it's a "sunday driving car" that hardly gets used. If he gives you a ticket, decide if it's worth the fine to keep it off or put it on...
Interesting topic - to us who live in Iowa. I'm in Coralville. I had a blue 2005 C7 until Summer 2013. NEVER was stopped in that - never had a front plate. Obtained C7 in December 2013 - was stopped once in 2015 and once in 2016. Never a ticket - just an obnoxious pseudo-lecture from a overzealous officer. Still haven't put a plate on. OF INTEREST - legislation was introduced in 2016 that would exempt select "sports cars" in Iowa from running a front plate. Sports car defined as a vehicle from the factory capable of sustained speeds of 130 mph or greater, 2 seater from the factory, and front bumper is 8 inches or less from the ground. Not many vehicles will meet those criteria - but a Corvette will. Bill passed the house in 2016, it's in the Senate Transportation committee right now pending review. Of course - the state's LEO contingent is "opposed" - total BS. I for one am very hopeful it passes - I'll print a copy of the legislation, keep it in my glovebox, and be happy to "educate" the LEO that pulls me over.
Yep, HF 540. I've written my representatives both Senate and House, asking for their support of this bill. Both have said they support and will vote to pass.
I've known two Corvette owners who have been stopped and ticketed by Iowa Highway Patrol for no front license plate.... $85-$100 fine.
I live in NY and a front plate is required. However, I have never used a front plate on my C4 and above Corvettes. I did get a ticket once back in '85 but it was for speeding and the State Trooper added the no front plate ticket too. Most Vettes I see on the road in NY have the front plate missing.....I think the local and state police are now using a blind eye toward it.
Most Vettes I see on the road in NY have the front plate missing.....I think the local and state police are now using a blind eye toward it.
It's true out West too.
Very few Vettes (regardless of gen) on the road with a plate on the nose.
Judging by the amount of retired cops on this forum, it seems the Corvette is a very popular car among LEOs.
The Aero Panel that should come in all cars that require a front plate is a nice looking way to mount a front plate on a C7. It is also easily removable when you want to run the car hard on a track and need the added cooling air. The panel molds the plate right into the center of the grille and looks very similar to some of the aftermarket removable plate kits that were available for the C6. I think the GM version is much better.
Live in Davenport,Iowa. No front plate since Dec 2012. Never stopped for it. I do make a point of of giving a hand up (not quite a wave) to every LEO I see. Maybe that throws them off? In Illinois I put my plate in the front window.
02-17-2017, 08:34 PM
, is, try not running one until you get stopped. If you get stopped, be polite, courteous, and if he says it's for the plate, say it's a "sunday driving car" that hardly gets used. If he gives you a ticket, decide if it's worth the fine to keep it off or put it on...
