license plate laws
Evolved Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 660
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA
I took my front plate mount off the day I bought the Evo and haven't put it on since (two years ago). I've never been ticketed for it, however a few days ago I had a CHP officer sign off on my tint ticket and he remarked that I may want to consider putting my front plate on. "Not having one is probable cause for an officer to pull you over." "Really?", I asked. "Well then I'll consider getting that taken care of". For now, the idea of a front plate has been considered and, sadly, has been found wanting 
Evolving Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Spokane Washington
I live in Washington where front plates are required but I never use one because my Evo came with no holes drilled in the bumper and the front bracket is sealed in a bag and the front end just looks way nicer without it. I have never got pulled over for not having yet and hopefully I never will but If I do I will just say this is how Evo's come. 
Evolving Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere...
With my M3, it wasn't bad as the plate was centered on the bumper and had a decent bracket. The Evo's on the other hand is off-centered.
You can see it here:
Haven't gotten a ticket yet. Although a cop did ask me once why it wasn't mounted. Told him I never got the front bracket. He didn't say anything else... so meh.
Evolving Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Santa Monica, California
Yeah you could do that, but it looks so completely stupid and ruins the look of the car!!!!!!!! Your chances of getting a ticket are small due to one of many facts, that they have to view you coming towards them or making a left hand turn infront of them (other ways im sure but highly unlikely). Either way not only would they have to notice your front bumper, but they would have to make a U turn and chase you down.
Dont get me wrong its happened to me, but usually playing stupid, they just verbally warn you or if thier ****, write a warning, or ticket you which is rare, esp. to happen on more than one occasion.
(All of this is out the window if your driving record is bad because they will look your licence up. But if its clean they are not going to give you a ticket (most of the time), even then its not a moving violation and does not go on your record if you pay it and is far less than a speeding ticket if you decide not to go to court.
And most importantly: A FRONT LICENCE PLATE INCREASES YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING A SPEEDING TICKET!! Cops are trained to aim Laser (Lidar) Guns, at the front plate because it refelects easily!!!!!!!!!!! So pic your poison, personally their is no way I am putting that thing on my bumper!
Dont get me wrong its happened to me, but usually playing stupid, they just verbally warn you or if thier ****, write a warning, or ticket you which is rare, esp. to happen on more than one occasion.
(All of this is out the window if your driving record is bad because they will look your licence up. But if its clean they are not going to give you a ticket (most of the time), even then its not a moving violation and does not go on your record if you pay it and is far less than a speeding ticket if you decide not to go to court.
And most importantly: A FRONT LICENCE PLATE INCREASES YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING A SPEEDING TICKET!! Cops are trained to aim Laser (Lidar) Guns, at the front plate because it refelects easily!!!!!!!!!!! So pic your poison, personally their is no way I am putting that thing on my bumper!
hmm....
I just moved to Iowa where a front plate is required. Had to drill 3 holes in my front bumper and put a plate up there. <sarcasm>I didn't flinch, the car didn't squeal, and it's probably only lost 10-20 hp due to the mod, so YAY! For some reason I haven't lost any sleep over it.</sarcasm>
I think I was more concerned with having an Iowa license plate anywhere on my car... I bought this car to drive, not worry about when and if the next cop that sees my ginormous wing decides to give me crap over whatever he can find to knit-pick about.
I just moved to Iowa where a front plate is required. Had to drill 3 holes in my front bumper and put a plate up there. <sarcasm>I didn't flinch, the car didn't squeal, and it's probably only lost 10-20 hp due to the mod, so YAY! For some reason I haven't lost any sleep over it.</sarcasm>
I think I was more concerned with having an Iowa license plate anywhere on my car... I bought this car to drive, not worry about when and if the next cop that sees my ginormous wing decides to give me crap over whatever he can find to knit-pick about.
hmm....
I just moved to Iowa where a front plate is required. Had to drill 3 holes in my front bumper and put a plate up there. <sarcasm>I didn't flinch, the car didn't squeal, and it's probably only lost 10-20 hp due to the mod, so YAY! For some reason I haven't lost any sleep over it.</sarcasm>
I think I was more concerned with having an Iowa license plate anywhere on my car... I bought this car to drive, not worry about when and if the next cop that sees my ginormous wing decides to give me crap over whatever he can find to knit-pick about.
I just moved to Iowa where a front plate is required. Had to drill 3 holes in my front bumper and put a plate up there. <sarcasm>I didn't flinch, the car didn't squeal, and it's probably only lost 10-20 hp due to the mod, so YAY! For some reason I haven't lost any sleep over it.</sarcasm>
I think I was more concerned with having an Iowa license plate anywhere on my car... I bought this car to drive, not worry about when and if the next cop that sees my ginormous wing decides to give me crap over whatever he can find to knit-pick about.
Originally Posted by matyb
the only thing, PLEASE dont flame! in no way do i recommend or condone drinking and driving! say you leave your friends house and you had say two beers. are you drunk? no. but by law your intoxicated! your more than fine to drive and you even forgot that you even had a drink! getting pulled over for a stupid reason sucks and would really suck if you had a beer or two and get a DUI out of a front tag!?!?!
Turns out I had an outstanding warrant and I spent a night in the slammer.
The front plate has made its way back on. Karma is a *****.
you guys from N.J. and other states thats require you to mount a front license plate by LAW can clearly see that its a crappy spot. got a few questions for some of the people that it is driving nuts just like me!
1- can you cut the license plate by LAW so that it is still visible and not defacing, so you could get better airflow to the intercooler? anything larger than stock length is getting limited air flow on the left side and it really bugs me!
2- does anyone make a different mount or bracket, maybe one that puts it in another (better) spot. i saw the beatrush bracket but i think its for a ix only??
3- is there maybe a hidden law or way around running a front tag at all
with out putting it up on the dash in the front windscreen area( not aloud to do anyway)
input please, ideas are totally welcome and discussion is also welcome
thanks in advance guys, this one driving me nuts!!!
1- can you cut the license plate by LAW so that it is still visible and not defacing, so you could get better airflow to the intercooler? anything larger than stock length is getting limited air flow on the left side and it really bugs me!
2- does anyone make a different mount or bracket, maybe one that puts it in another (better) spot. i saw the beatrush bracket but i think its for a ix only??
3- is there maybe a hidden law or way around running a front tag at all
with out putting it up on the dash in the front windscreen area( not aloud to do anyway)input please, ideas are totally welcome and discussion is also welcome
thanks in advance guys, this one driving me nuts!!!
They require front plates in NH, but I've been running no front plate for almost 2 years now between the Evo and my previous car and no issue... KNOCK ON WOOD.. I'll probably be on the side of the road today.
Evolving Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: NY
im in NY as well. obviously its required.. there were no holes drilled in my bumper cover when i bought the car recently , and i dont plan on drilling any holes.. im going to have to figure something out as i dont want to give the police any excuse to pull me over. a big wing, and tinted windows is enough of a reason here. this is the first car ive had since i was about 17 without a front plate (33 now)..
although i dont trust a magnet system to hold a plate on if i decided to blast off to 150mph one day.. the last thing i want is to see my plate bouncing off my hood and roof because the magnets didnt hold..
although i dont trust a magnet system to hold a plate on if i decided to blast off to 150mph one day.. the last thing i want is to see my plate bouncing off my hood and roof because the magnets didnt hold..
Evolving Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Spokane Washington
I think cops have seen enough Evo's and Sti's to no that we have stock cars with agressive front ends and tall wings. When they first came out they probably thought they were highly modified cars but they should no now and hopefully they wont pull us over just because our cars look fast.
im in NY as well. obviously its required.. there were no holes drilled in my bumper cover when i bought the car recently , and i dont plan on drilling any holes.. im going to have to figure something out as i dont want to give the police any excuse to pull me over. a big wing, and tinted windows is enough of a reason here. this is the first car ive had since i was about 17 without a front plate (33 now)..
although i dont trust a magnet system to hold a plate on if i decided to blast off to 150mph one day.. the last thing i want is to see my plate bouncing off my hood and roof because the magnets didnt hold..
although i dont trust a magnet system to hold a plate on if i decided to blast off to 150mph one day.. the last thing i want is to see my plate bouncing off my hood and roof because the magnets didnt hold..