General MINI Talk Shared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Texas Owners--Front Plate Deletion?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 01:15 PM
  #1  
daffodildeb's Avatar
daffodildeb
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
Texas Owners--Front Plate Deletion?

Here's a petition to end the front plate requirement, which has been the bane of so many Texas MINI drivers. If you agree, please sign it, and pass the link around. I'm #18,000.

http://www.petitiononline.com/txplate/petition.html
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 01:19 PM
  #2  
atn57's Avatar
atn57
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Originally Posted by daffodildeb
Here's a petition to end the front plate requirement, which has been the bane of so many Texas MINI drivers. If you agree, please sign it, and pass the link around. I'm #18,000.

http://www.petitiononline.com/txplate/petition.html

Done but I don't put my front plate on anyways.....
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 01:33 PM
  #3  
NashvilleMiniStan's Avatar
NashvilleMiniStan
5th Gear
iTrader: (6)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
I live in TN now and we don't have a front plate, however when I lived in Ohio we did and I never put one on in 6 years. Never go caught nor did I get a ticket.
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 01:50 PM
  #4  
Fig Faun's Avatar
Fig Faun
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Originally Posted by atn57
Done but I don't put my front plate on anyways.....
You're just playing the lottery in terms of finding a cop who'll give you a ticket, then.

I got pulled over for an out of date inspection, and he gave me a second ticket for not having a front license plate.
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 01:52 PM
  #5  
k-huevo's Avatar
k-huevo
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 7
From: Pipe Creek, Texas
According to the bill shown in post #6 https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=128816 the law has been amended with provisions. I’ve not been able to locate an application form and my local county tax office is not willing to help. If any of you can find the form be sure to share please.
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 02:33 PM
  #6  
F13rc3dr4g0n's Avatar
F13rc3dr4g0n
Not short, fun size!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 0
From: USA
signed it... evil cop made me put holes in Coop and I cried when i did it
but because i had the plate and agreed to screw the plate on right there, i just got a verbal and written warning
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 02:42 PM
  #7  
dickdavid's Avatar
dickdavid
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 1
From: Richardson, Texas
Originally Posted by Hammerette
signed it... evil cop made me put holes in Coop and I cried when i did it
but because i had the plate and agreed to screw the plate on right there, i just got a verbal and written warning
I would have taken the ticket, bought a no-holes plate holder and ask for a dismissal once you show proof of the 'repair'. Most Texas courts will do this.

It's happened to me and a few other folks.
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 03:35 PM
  #8  
jvanlee1's Avatar
jvanlee1
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
I never used to put them on until I tried to get a Marine Corps base registration sticker. Since California requires a front plate, the Marines wouldn't issue a sticker until I installed the plate.
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 08:36 PM
  #9  
gjhsu's Avatar
gjhsu
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
I don't put my front plate on... and I refuse to drill into my car, so if I get a ticket, I'll just have to tape it on there, and show the judge
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 08:39 PM
  #10  
noraa's Avatar
noraa
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
whats weird is, my MA said a police officer came into the dealership and told him that you dont need a front plate. This has also happened at my friends store, but my other friend still get pulled over.... so is this a law that is used obeyed by some?
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 09:26 PM
  #11  
houstonviper1's Avatar
houstonviper1
HoustonTxRx
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
Awesome i just did it, I'm # 18028
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 10:44 PM
  #12  
RhinoBob's Avatar
RhinoBob
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: Arlington, TX
Done. But I still plan to get one of those "hole-less" mounting brackets in the mean time. Figure it's just good insurance.
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 11:12 PM
  #13  
daffodildeb's Avatar
daffodildeb
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
I've known people who have gotten tickets--money tickets, not warnings--for not having a front plate. I remember hearing that if you do not want the dealer to drill the bumper before delivery, you have to sign some sort of waiver. Don't ask me to quote who, what dealer, if Texas, etc. It's been long ago and I just don't remember. It might just be a rumor.
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 11:53 PM
  #14  
WC50 408's Avatar
WC50 408
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
I signed it a couple of months ago, most police wont pull you for not having the front plate but it does give them reasonable cause to stop you and check for among otherthings illegal mods, ie exhaust, and to check and see if you had an adult beverage with dinner.
 
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 12:21 AM
  #15  
daffodildeb's Avatar
daffodildeb
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
Originally Posted by Gmann2369
I signed it a couple of months ago, most police wont pull you for not having the front plate but it does give them reasonable cause to stop you and check for among otherthings illegal mods, ie exhaust, and to check and see if you had an adult beverage with dinner.
What the other drivers have reported is that they were pulled over for speeding, and this was the icing on the cake. This, of course, in speed trap areas.

But then again, we all know MINI drivers don't speed, right? So they'd never be pulled over.
 
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 04:20 AM
  #16  
dickdavid's Avatar
dickdavid
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 1
From: Richardson, Texas
Originally Posted by Gmann2369
I signed it a couple of months ago, most police wont pull you for not having the front plate but it does give them reasonable cause to stop you and check for among otherthings illegal mods, ie exhaust, and to check and see if you had an adult beverage with dinner.
I totally agree. It's usually a speed violation that gets you pulled over and the rest is just kicking you when you're down.
 
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 04:43 AM
  #17  
rhawth99's Avatar
rhawth99
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ
Having always lived in states that had front license plates, I don't get the fuss about it. But hey, whatever floats your boat!
 
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2008 | 09:51 AM
  #18  
Tymon's Avatar
Tymon
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
I drove a Porsche for 6 years with no front license plate.
I only got asked about it once and I popped the bonnet and pulled it out.
Told him I forgot to put it back on after cleaning and I got a warning.
I am considering stashing the mini plate under the passenger seat so I have it handy.

Ty
 
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2008 | 07:50 PM
  #19  
daffodildeb's Avatar
daffodildeb
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
Originally Posted by Tymon
I drove a Porsche for 6 years with no front license plate.
I only got asked about it once and I popped the bonnet and pulled it out.
Told him I forgot to put it back on after cleaning and I got a warning.
I am considering stashing the mini plate under the passenger seat so I have it handy.

Ty
You've been lucky, what can I say? I have friends who haven't been. Who knows why you didn't get caught, but they have? Wife wouldn't give him any that morning? Cleaners ruined his best shirt? The speeder he pulled over smirked?

Life's a gamble. I don't go to Vegas--why bother? I have rotten luck. I also have a front plate on my car, but I wish I didn't have to...

PS. I'd also like to avoid cameras alongside the road.
 

Last edited by daffodildeb; Mar 28, 2008 at 07:53 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2008 | 08:18 PM
  #20  
AstroBlackS's Avatar
AstroBlackS
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 945
Likes: 4
From: CT
18066

Front plates look horrible. They ruin the flow of the car. Most cars are not designed with a front plate in mind, and are just drilled on afterward. No reason whatsoever for it to be a law.
 
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2008 | 09:42 PM
  #21  
daffodildeb's Avatar
daffodildeb
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
Originally Posted by AstroBlackS
18066

Front plates look horrible. They ruin the flow of the car. Most cars are not designed with a front plate in mind, and are just drilled on afterward. No reason whatsoever for it to be a law.
What's the number? It's not a VIN--looks like a production number to me.

The ONLY defense of the front plate I can make (and remember, I started the thread), is that they did stop a kidnapping in progress that a friend of a friend had. I don't know the particulars, but she said someone saw the plate and was able to tell the police what was going on. The friend who told me this is not a fan of front plates, either. I guess there may be a few instances where they might be useful, but if they were statistically that important, I think the 20+ states would reinstate their laws.
 
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2008 | 10:33 PM
  #22  
nabeshin's Avatar
nabeshin
Functioning Lunatic
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,237
Likes: 6
From: Lincoln, NE
I need to start or find a petition to end this in my state. I got a written warning for not having it on once.
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2008 | 12:54 AM
  #23  
daffodildeb's Avatar
daffodildeb
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
Originally Posted by nabeshin
I need to start or find a petition to end this in my state. I got a written warning for not having it on once.
I'll bet you could use a format similar to this one--you might also check to see if there's one that's already being circulated. I would guess that other car clubs or the internet could help you find out.

Good luck--we've got over 18,000 signatures, and nothing yet! I can't find out how long it's been going on. Also, I found this link--haven't a clue if it will help you, but it was at the bottom of the bottom of the page.

http://www.petitiononline.com/petition.html
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2008 | 06:24 AM
  #24  
gokartride's Avatar
gokartride
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 38,578
Likes: 2
I can see more compelling reasons for having a front plate than for not, so I'm not in on this one. Fortunately, this is my second MINI that looked better w/ a front plate than without...if it were otherwise I'd perhaps feel differently.
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2008 | 01:37 PM
  #25  
daffodildeb's Avatar
daffodildeb
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
Originally Posted by gokartride
I can see more compelling reasons for having a front plate than for not, so I'm not in on this one. Fortunately, this is my second MINI that looked better w/ a front plate than without...if it were otherwise I'd perhaps feel differently.
Please share your reasons with us--I'd really like to know.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:42 AM.