Hello everyone. This is my first new thread, so let me know if I did anything inappropriate or incorrect.

My friend owns a sign shop and made me this custom front license plate since they are required in California. It lasted 6 months, and received a ton of compliments, even from law enforcement. But one day a local motorcycle cop took it upon himself to threaten me with a $1000 fine and a felony if I didn't remove it immediately (his partner even said it looked nice). I wasn't even driving it at the time, it was parked outside of the office where I work. The local chp, and police stations said they were unclear on the law; and one guy at the dmv said I am required to have two "metal" plates. All I found in the California code is that I am required to have to correct size, reflective plates (this one was an exact replica and reflective; he made if out of the same stuff he uses for ambulances and fire trucks). I just used silicone to place my real plate over the vinyl plate since I didn't want to upset any local law enforcement. Here is what it looked like before I covered it up; I think it is a great idea if you live somewhere where you won't get harassed over it.

Let me know what you think.
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...on%20GSR/6.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...on%20GSR/5.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...on%20GSR/4.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...on%20GSR/3.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...on%20GSR/2.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...on%20GSR/1.jpg

 

not bad...i'd rock it. is it a vanity plate that has something cleaver or funny written?

 

It is a scanned copy of my real license plate; that way I didn't have to make any changes to my car, and it was perfect for aerodynamics.

 

I think it is a great idea. Looks really good. I thought it was just a regular piece of paper at first but since it is reflective I don't think there are any problems with it.

 

i like it, but now i dont

 

You should look at the law with regards to manufacturing your own plate versus size, shape, location, etc.

I'm sure you will find that the motorcycle officer threatened you with a felony related to making a license plate.

I like the way it looks, it's a great idea, but unless your sporting a white outfit with black stripes and a ball and chain ankle bracelet you can't DIY license plate.

 

Ive seen something similiar to this and i wish that i did this before i drilled into my bumper. The 1 i saw that was similiar was magnetic, the guy took it off during car shows and other events and put it on when he was back on the street

 

Damn that looks trick!! Too bad Johnny Law got a bug up his ***!! Oh well, thanks for sharing!

 

Maybe if you carry the real liscense plate that you are supposed to have with you in the car it would make it better?

 

Thanks everyone for the comments, they are always appreciated. I had my 2nd real plate in my car; the officer asked to see it but still made me cover the vinyl one. Wasn't much I could do, and another cop made me take off my tinted rear plate cover; at least I haven't been ticketed for anything.

The day I installed my turbo back exhaust I was pulled over by local police and the officer said he liked the way it sounded; some police appreciate our cars, and I am thankul for that.

 

mind you, appreciating cars and replicating objects of identification are two different topics. it may look nice to you, but the real danger to them is that it promotes the idea that you can make your own license plate and actually flaunt it without repercussions. you'd be surprised how many people have their license plates stolen for reasons stretching from covering up crimes to avoiding registration taxes.

 

meh i kinda rather the front side mounted plate, just looks more natural

 

Great minds think alike, I was going to do this in the spring time when it was warm enough to take my plate off, now I don't have to worry how it will look at least, looks good dude.

 

I think it looks cool but I could see why the LEO would have a problem with it. I hate front plates and this is much nicer, its too bad its not legal. ha

 

I think the stock mount looks ok,; I'm just not big on drilling holes into my bumper. Thanks to everyone for the comments, even those that don't like it.

replies to:

cbr1000 - I was threatened with a felony for fraud, which is probably dependant of the interpretation of the law and the purpose of the law. Also, I read somewhere that some states may switch to plastic or even vinyl plates in the future.

MAKK7 - great minds indeed

RiG, Kasaper - I agree, too bad

endGameXIII - I removed it because they said to, and I agree that those problems exist, but given the facts that I had the authentic license plate on the back of my car, and the other authentic one in my car, it wouldn't take 30 seconds to realize that it was a copy of my own plate.

Also, with all of the drunk drivers, people that text and drive, and 10% of vehicles not having front license plates I think the traffic police could find something more useful to do with their time. The Yuba City/Marysville area is consistenly ranked one of the worst places to live in the United States; it is full of drug users (a lot of meth), child molesters, gang members (mostly wannabe losers), and everything else nobody wants to live around, but a very small portion of our officers (most of them are great) are worried about petty stuff like this.

With all of that being said, I did have the plate covered within a few hours of my warning, because I follow laws regardless of how I feel about them (and I don't want to give law enforcement a reason to dislike me). I do appreciate your opinion though.