Front License Plates

AaronRS · 06-18-2000, 03:16 PM

I wanted to know if you have to have a front licesne plate in your area. I recently got a ticket for running no front plate. When I called the DMV they said that it has to do with the photo-enforced traffic lights. They need to be able to see your plate in the photo. I have noticed that there are a few policemen on the board and I would appreciate any feedback. Is this rule enforced in all states? I see tons of people without their fronts on.
AaronRS

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CNC84 · 06-18-2000, 03:25 PM

I am pretty sure we are supposed to have front plates but I don't run with mine on so I guess it's not heavily enforced in my area I even park in a police station parking lot everyday and have never gotten any flack for it even when I have gotten pulled over I haven't had any problems with the cops. He was probably a stikler. Was that the only thing he pulled you over for?

Strepto · 06-18-2000, 03:27 PM

CO requires a front plate. Some cops let you get away with it, but some won't

Strepto · 06-18-2000, 03:28 PM

when I lived in TX it wasn't a law to have fronts. Maybe that's changed, but that was only 4 years ago (maybe it's local gov. thing?)

CNC84 · 06-18-2000, 03:35 PM

My reasons for thinking we had to have one was because I have a few friends that work at the PD and they all told me to put the plate back on but I don't really know for sure.

Faraz · 06-18-2000, 03:52 PM

In pa we don't have that... I have about 5 front plates all REAL euro plates: Czech republic, France, Iran, and 2 UK. I change them once in a while or don't even put one on.... i think NY and NJ makes you have them.

[This message has been edited by Faraz (edited June 18, 2000).]

HomerJay · 06-18-2000, 05:33 PM

The law in California is that if you received two plates in the mail you put two plates on your car. So, for a trailer, you'll only get 1 plate, but with any car, you'll get two. I only put one on though because I have never had problems from cops

. Let's hope nobody says anything.

Ender · 06-18-2000, 08:20 PM

I put both stacked on the back, that way, if the cop really goes off on it, I can just pull the front and put it back on.

06-18-2000, 08:24 PM

In wisconsin you have to have front plates.

wagonman · 06-18-2000, 08:32 PM

NC only requires one tag, but mine will soon have a firefighter tag on the front, imagine, a sport wagon with red/ white lights!

Jeff
93' sport wagon

wagonman · 06-18-2000, 08:32 PM

NC only requires one tag, but mine will soon have a firefighter tag on the front, imagine, a sport wagon with red/ white lights!

Jeff
93' sport wagon

8Complex · 06-18-2000, 08:34 PM

You have to have front plates here in Illinois... I've even gotten stopped for it before. I just took my front plate and modified it a little bit. Bent the useless section at the bottom over the backside (kind of a hem) and then bent it just below where it mounts so it leans way back into my bumper. Haven't had a cop say anything to me yet. *shrug*

Andrew · 06-18-2000, 08:36 PM

I got two plates in the mail, only put the one on in the back. No problems with cops yet and they look at me all the time. My neighbor has an Aurora and has had no front plate on for years and has never had any problems. Just leave it off and if they ask why its not on, say someone stole one of the screws and you can't drive with only one screw on the plate.

jasony · 06-18-2000, 08:37 PM

Ohio requires two plates. About 1 to 3 percent of the perople don't use them anyway though... You can get a ticket, but probably only if you get pulled over for something else like speed.

I think tinted license plate covers are illegal here too, but a lot of people use those...

Paisan · 06-18-2000, 08:49 PM

In ny they are required front a rear, plastic covers of any kind are illegal. Usually you won't be pulled over for it, but the meter maids will ticket you for not displaying the front plate. Cops will use it as an "add on item" if you mouth off to him when he pulls you for another vioaltion. I put clear covers cause I have custom plates and don't want em getting scratched up (@$25 a pop for the plate + $25/year)

-mike

rschwarzwalder · 06-18-2000, 08:56 PM

PA does require only one, although I hear that's soon to change. NY and NJ both require two.
In any state that requires both front and rear registration plates to be displayed, a violation of that statute is considered a "primary offense", which means you can be stopped and cited just for that violation.
As an example, in PA the seatbelt law (for adults) is considered a "secondary offense", which means an adult not wearing a seatbelt cannot be stopped just for that, but they may be written a citation for it if stopped for another reason (speeding, red light, etc.) However, a child not wearing a seatbelt is a primary offense, with the citation going to the driver. (No, we don't write citations to children!

)

JEFFR555 · 06-18-2000, 09:07 PM

I know in MD it's required to have both plates. Found out the hard way right in front of my old house! The officer was cool about it though and insisted I put one on. Yes I put it on

Boy the car looks so much cleaner without a front plate though...

harpy · 06-19-2000, 04:54 AM

In MA need a front plate if you've got red & white plates, but if you have an older green & white plate you're ok for just the back one

Opie · 06-19-2000, 05:20 AM

You only need the rear one in Florida

Rick Buckner · 06-19-2000, 05:39 AM

U only need the rear in WV.

Rick
http://roads.to/ricksrides

DuneHopper · 06-19-2000, 07:08 AM

Only one rear plate required in Delaware. The front spot is needed for the Beach Vehicle Access plate for surf fishing!

Yotsuya · 06-19-2000, 07:25 AM

Enforcement is spotty. When my folks moved from PA to Colorado, their spare car didn't have holes drilled for the front plates, and they never got in trouble. Later when I got the car and moved to Illinois, I drove around for over a year with the front plate under my seat. Never got in any trouble for it.

I think it's the sort of thing they'll use if they get you for something else or need as a pretext to check out your car.

Hucker · 06-19-2000, 07:51 AM

In Canada, you need both.....Every province I think...

SubaruDriver · 06-19-2000, 07:55 AM

TX State Law Requires one on the front and rear of the car.

Rick Buckner · 06-19-2000, 08:01 AM

Just remembered watching COPS about a year ago and they were in NY. Pulled a guy over because of no license plate on the front of his car or a rear tire. (Front wheel drive cars don't need both rear tires.) Anyway the guy had both plates on the back, because he said they didn't supply him enough screws for the front and back. Gave him a nice ticket for both.

Rick
http://roads.to/ricksrides

[This message has been edited by Rick Buckner (edited June 19, 2000).]

06-18-2000, 03:16 PM	#1
AaronRS Scooby Newbie Member#: 1362 Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: San Francisco, CA Vehicle: 99 2.5 RS Silver	Front License Plates I wanted to know if you have to have a front licesne plate in your area. I recently got a ticket for running no front plate. When I called the DMV they said that it has to do with the photo-enforced traffic lights. They need to be able to see your plate in the photo. I have noticed that there are a few policemen on the board and I would appreciate any feedback. Is this rule enforced in all states? I see tons of people without their fronts on. AaronRS * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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06-18-2000, 03:25 PM	#2
CNC84 Scooby Newbie Member#: 642 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: AUSTIN, TX	I am pretty sure we are supposed to have front plates but I don't run with mine on so I guess it's not heavily enforced in my area I even park in a police station parking lot everyday and have never gotten any flack for it even when I have gotten pulled over I haven't had any problems with the cops. He was probably a stikler. Was that the only thing he pulled you over for?

06-18-2000, 03:27 PM	#3
Strepto Scooby Specialist Member#: 252 Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: San Antonio, TX Vehicle: 2001 Arctic White Camaro SS #1800	CO requires a front plate. Some cops let you get away with it, but some won't

06-18-2000, 03:28 PM	#4
Strepto Scooby Specialist Member#: 252 Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: San Antonio, TX Vehicle: 2001 Arctic White Camaro SS #1800	when I lived in TX it wasn't a law to have fronts. Maybe that's changed, but that was only 4 years ago (maybe it's local gov. thing?)

06-18-2000, 03:35 PM	#5
CNC84 Scooby Newbie Member#: 642 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: AUSTIN, TX	My reasons for thinking we had to have one was because I have a few friends that work at the PD and they all told me to put the plate back on but I don't really know for sure.

06-18-2000, 03:52 PM	#6
Faraz What?... Do they speak English in What? Moderator Member#: 1459 Join Date: May 2000 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Allentown Vehicle: 2008 WRX 5door MT WR Blue	In pa we don't have that... I have about 5 front plates all REAL euro plates: Czech republic, France, Iran, and 2 UK. I change them once in a while or don't even put one on.... i think NY and NJ makes you have them. [This message has been edited by Faraz (edited June 18, 2000).]

06-18-2000, 05:33 PM	#7
HomerJay Scooby Specialist Member#: 1135 Join Date: Mar 2000 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: BAICED Vehicle: 2005 WRX WAGON Silver	The law in California is that if you received two plates in the mail you put two plates on your car. So, for a trailer, you'll only get 1 plate, but with any car, you'll get two. I only put one on though because I have never had problems from cops . Let's hope nobody says anything.

06-18-2000, 08:20 PM	#8
Ender Scooby Newbie Member#: 1528 Join Date: May 2000 Location: Lakewood, CO	I put both stacked on the back, that way, if the cop really goes off on it, I can just pull the front and put it back on.

06-18-2000, 08:24 PM	#9
M a t t Guest Member#:	In wisconsin you have to have front plates.

06-18-2000, 08:32 PM	#10
wagonman Scooby Specialist Member#: 971 Join Date: Feb 2000 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Morganton, NC	NC only requires one tag, but mine will soon have a firefighter tag on the front, imagine, a sport wagon with red/ white lights! Jeff 93' sport wagon

06-18-2000, 08:34 PM	#12
8Complex Moderator Member#: 922 Join Date: Feb 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Schaumburg, IL Vehicle: 04 FXT Red	You have to have front plates here in Illinois... I've even gotten stopped for it before. I just took my front plate and modified it a little bit. Bent the useless section at the bottom over the backside (kind of a hem) and then bent it just below where it mounts so it leans way back into my bumper. Haven't had a cop say anything to me yet. shrug

06-18-2000, 08:36 PM	#13
Andrew Scooby Specialist Member#: 1170 Join Date: Mar 2000 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: San Jose, CA Vehicle: 2005 STi White	I got two plates in the mail, only put the one on in the back. No problems with cops yet and they look at me all the time. My neighbor has an Aurora and has had no front plate on for years and has never had any problems. Just leave it off and if they ask why its not on, say someone stole one of the screws and you can't drive with only one screw on the plate.

06-18-2000, 08:37 PM	#14
jasony Scooby Newbie Member#: 1238 Join Date: Apr 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Westerville, OH Vehicle: 1996 Explorer XLT Red	Ohio requires two plates. About 1 to 3 percent of the perople don't use them anyway though... You can get a ticket, but probably only if you get pulled over for something else like speed. I think tinted license plate covers are illegal here too, but a lot of people use those...

06-18-2000, 08:49 PM	#15
Paisan Tri-State Track Instructor Moderator Member#: 197 Join Date: Aug 1999 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Edgewater, NJ & Caroga Lk, NY Vehicle: 335i Charity Liason Jag XJ http://48hrs.info	In ny they are required front a rear, plastic covers of any kind are illegal. Usually you won't be pulled over for it, but the meter maids will ticket you for not displaying the front plate. Cops will use it as an "add on item" if you mouth off to him when he pulls you for another vioaltion. I put clear covers cause I have custom plates and don't want em getting scratched up (@$25 a pop for the plate + $25/year) -mike

06-18-2000, 08:56 PM	#16
rschwarzwalder Scooby Newbie Member#: 29 Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: NJ, USA Vehicle: 2005 Baja Satin White Pearl	PA does require only one, although I hear that's soon to change. NY and NJ both require two. In any state that requires both front and rear registration plates to be displayed, a violation of that statute is considered a "primary offense", which means you can be stopped and cited just for that violation. As an example, in PA the seatbelt law (for adults) is considered a "secondary offense", which means an adult not wearing a seatbelt cannot be stopped just for that, but they may be written a citation for it if stopped for another reason (speeding, red light, etc.) However, a child not wearing a seatbelt is a primary offense, with the citation going to the driver. (No, we don't write citations to children! )

06-18-2000, 09:07 PM	#17
JEFFR555 Scooby Newbie Member#: 1533 Join Date: May 2000 Location: Towson, MD	I know in MD it's required to have both plates. Found out the hard way right in front of my old house! The officer was cool about it though and insisted I put one on. Yes I put it on Boy the car looks so much cleaner without a front plate though...

06-19-2000, 04:54 AM	#18
harpy Scooby Newbie Member#: 1012 Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Boston, MA, USA	In MA need a front plate if you've got red & white plates, but if you have an older green & white plate you're ok for just the back one

06-19-2000, 05:20 AM	#19
Opie Floresbian Moderator Member#: 470 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Riverview, Florida - U.S.A. Vehicle: 2013 BRZ, 2011 Forester, '04 Chev 2500HD	You only need the rear one in Florida

06-19-2000, 05:39 AM	#20
Rick Buckner Scooby Specialist Member#: 320 Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Charleston, WV, US Vehicle: 1999 Impreza 2.5 Silverthorn	U only need the rear in WV. Rick http://roads.to/ricksrides

06-19-2000, 07:08 AM	#21
DuneHopper Scooby Newbie Member#: 1249 Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Newark, DE USA Vehicle: 2000 OBS White	Only one rear plate required in Delaware. The front spot is needed for the Beach Vehicle Access plate for surf fishing!

06-19-2000, 07:25 AM	#22
Yotsuya Scooby Guru Member#: 935 Join Date: Feb 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: ಠ_ృ Vehicle: Tony Pond Fan Club	Enforcement is spotty. When my folks moved from PA to Colorado, their spare car didn't have holes drilled for the front plates, and they never got in trouble. Later when I got the car and moved to Illinois, I drove around for over a year with the front plate under my seat. Never got in any trouble for it. I think it's the sort of thing they'll use if they get you for something else or need as a pretext to check out your car.

06-19-2000, 07:51 AM	#23
Hucker Scooby Specialist Member#: 1272 Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada	In Canada, you need both.....Every province I think...

06-19-2000, 07:55 AM	#24
SubaruDriver Scooby Newbie Member#: 490 Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Bedford, TX Vehicle: 99 2.5 RS	TX State Law Requires one on the front and rear of the car.

06-19-2000, 08:01 AM	#25
Rick Buckner Scooby Specialist Member#: 320 Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Charleston, WV, US Vehicle: 1999 Impreza 2.5 Silverthorn	Just remembered watching COPS about a year ago and they were in NY. Pulled a guy over because of no license plate on the front of his car or a rear tire. (Front wheel drive cars don't need both rear tires.) Anyway the guy had both plates on the back, because he said they didn't supply him enough screws for the front and back. Gave him a nice ticket for both. Rick http://roads.to/ricksrides [This message has been edited by Rick Buckner (edited June 19, 2000).]