I searched and found some older threads on the subject, so decided to open a new one.

I finally got my MINI from Matson, but now I have to register it, which means the inspection sticker. Putting it on the bumper is a no go because I will be leaving in three years and dont want to have to deal with the after effects of the sticker after three years of the car in the nice Hawaiian sun. I bought one of the plates but I think putting it on the trim under the bumper will make it hang too low.

I was thinking about taking the black insert out of the bumper on that side and mounting the plate to that some how, but have never taking the bumper apart so am not sure if it would work.

Any ideas that I havent thought of.

Where do you have yours?

 

Just be aware you can get a ticket if it isn't on the bumper itself.

 

First,
You need the safety sticker each year. Mounting on the lower right bumper is standard and you can peel or remove the sticker each year when replacing it. It's simple with a flat safety blade- safety sticker shops know how to do it. That way the old sticker doesn't get too stuck but it can be removed in any event.

See
http://archives.starbulletin.com/200...kokualine.html

Plates can be lower than the lower rear bumper valence like you suggest or be mounted on the right or the rear license plate using a metal plate. Designs vary. Sometimes stores like Don Quiote or tuner shops and wheel shops will have them for sale.

Mount the plate to the plastic valence with some screws. You don't really need to take the valence off the car. You can jack up the rear and put stands under it for more clearance or use rhino ramps in the rear.

 

I put mine on a metal bracket on my black trim and it does not hang too low. I have a Cooper with the Sport Suspension Plus (which means its not lowered). It looks better than the sticker on the bumper..

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I ended up just putting it on the bumper.

 

I found the metal brackets at Ron's Performance on Nimitz about $11-13 each.
Easy to mount on the bottom of the rear bumper.

The one that mounts on the side of the license plate won't work as good unless the mounting plate uses both upper bolts not just one- due to it being easy to swivel around the one mounting point.

 

Bottom of bumper mounting plate (room for 3 or 2 stickers available)

 

do u have to drill for the bottom mounted 1

 

Yes, there are small screws to fasten then metal plate bent at an angle.
Not difficult and you can't see the screws.

At the Coffee gathering you can also see the license plate mount that many of us have but we have custom ones that allow for a more rigid design that fastens on both of the top screws for the license plate. Any mounting plate that uses only one screw might rotate and loose it's position.

 

Interesting, is this a Hawaii only type thing?

 

Hawaii requires you have a safety inspection every year, and when you pass they put a sticker on the bumper, if you get the plate, you can keep them from putting it on the bumper.

 

You can move to Hawaii and get one of your own and leave it on.

Anyone from Hawaii will recognize the stickers and know where they came from.

We also have recon stickers in case you own a private vehicle and want to modify it. If you mod your car (not just wheels) such as for lowering, to be legal in case stopped by police, you need a valid and up to date recon sticker. Otherwise you can leave your car stock. Cosmetic differences, interior and audio upgrades don't count. The majority of owners that need recon stickers don't bother to get them and normally do OK except if they get stopped for some other reason.

Also if you have out of state plates in Hawaii you are required (within 30 days) to get a special blue (out of state) sticker that allows you to use the out of state plate until registration expires or 12 months for $5. Safety sticker is still required.

 

So a safety sticker is in addition to a normal state inspection? Or does it the place of a state inspection sticker?

 

It is the state inspection sticker for Hawaii. Those states that require inspection stickers seem to want to make sure it is not in the same place as any other state.