Unfortunately, I live in a state (Washington) that requires plates on front and back. I saw a MINI in my neighborhood that boldly displayed no plate! I thought, "How cool. A rebel!"

Does anyone know if a plate can be displayed on the dash in lieu of the front bumper. I REALLY don't want to mess up her front end, you know? Has anyone gone without one successfully? Has anyone out there been fined?

 

I told my dealer that I'd kill them if they put a liscence plate on the front, heehee. Its illegal in my state, too... but I'll take my chances. Its all a game of luck, any cop on here will tell you that. Some care more than others.

 

I have not been hassled in MA since I got my car in November and my dealer didn't mind not putting it on. When I got my inspection sticker, I duct taped it to the front of the car.

 

I live in Wasington also and was wondering the same thing. I don't have my plates yet but I was thinking about having it in the car at all times. That way if I do get stopped I can make up some kind of story.

 

No front plate on mine (breaking the law, breaking the law!) But in reality, the car sticks out so much its hard for a cop to even notice the plate missing, let alone care about it!

Motoring since june, no problems! (16,800 miles) some in other states.

 

"the car sticks out so much" ???

I've been driving a 4x4 pickup for two years without a required front plate. It's right behind the drivers seat if ever needed. No problems so far...depends on the police officer.

 

i got pulled over for no front plate (not in my "S&quot
no ticket, just a warning....if they want to pull you over, they will (front plate or not)

 

Been cruising around Oregon for over 10 years with no front plate on various cars. It's only a fix-it ticket....meaning if they pull you over for the offense, or tack it onto another (ie speeding) you need only put the plate on the car, take a picture and send the check and the picture to the court. They will send you the check back. I've had to do that once, several years ago..but that was in my "rice" phrase driving a heavily modified SI thru downtown at 2am.

R

 

Clearly the theme established is "do this at your own risk"...but just to give you a taste of what can happen if your luck runs out, I can relate my wife's experience of getting her truck pulled off the road once for an expired state inspection sticker, and me getting my car impounded for forgetting to display my current plate sticker. In both cases, we were stopped by what MA calls "Registry Cops" -- i.e., officers who troll around ONLY looking for these sorts of infractions.

In my case, the guy pulled the plates OFF MY CAR and called a wrecker. I then had to hoof it (fortunately this was in-town and I wasn't far from public transportation) back home for my sticker. But, since he'd taken my actual plate I THEN needed to go to the registry, pay a fine, and pay for NEW number plates, go back to the towing company and pay THEIR fee. A true pain in the a$$. Then to add insult to injury, I later found that this incident cost me 2 points on my insurance (for "DMV Violation&quot. That's actually the real injury, since those two points will end up costing me about a grand (that's $1000) over the 3 years that they stay on my record.

Yeah, I can appeal it, but point of fact is that I was in error. I was driving "operating with improperly displayed number plates," and my only hope is to get a judge to feel sorry for me.

So, check out your local laws and find out just what the penalties are for driving without a front plate in YOUR state. Then, ask yourself, just how lucky do you feel

 

>>Unfortunately, I live in a state (Washington) that requires plates on front and back. I saw a MINI in my neighborhood that boldly displayed no plate! I thought, "How cool. A rebel!"
>>
>>Does anyone know if a plate can be displayed on the dash in lieu of the front bumper. I REALLY don't want to mess up her front end, you know? Has anyone gone without one successfully? Has anyone out there been fined?


I live in WA also, and I drove a 1997 Dodge Avenger ES (Black with dark tinited windows) for three years without a front license plate. I got stopped a few times for speeding and they never commented on the front license plate being gone. My son drove the car for year after me and never got stopped also.

I plan to not install the front license plate and get a British Plate made up to mount on the the front.

My neighbor is a State Trooper and we have had discussions in length about this, his thoughts are the following;

1. He will not stop someone for not having the front plate because he gets "Well, I do not know what happened to it. It was there yesterday" Or it must have been stolen. I had my front plate stolen off my SUV.

2. If he issues ticket and you have never been issued a ticket for the front plate all he can issue is 'FIX IT' ticket that only carries a fine if you do not fix it.

3. He has better things to do than waste his time on a front license plate.

IMHO - it is a choice of each owner. I think the risk is minimual and am not to worried about. If I get stopped and they comment on it or issue a ticket I will consider it.

my 2 cents worth.....

Mini-Rolls

 

Greetings,
Move to Florida. Everyone else is!
Kind Regards,
Ron

Motoring since 2-1-03 WOW!!! Awesome!
'03 MCS PS/B

 

I've never understood the requirements for front license plates to begin with? I mean why do the states even bother? I would bet any cop that copies down your tag number will be behind not in front of you. Since most people pull into parking spaces instead of backing in to them (I'm weird at work I prefer to back in but that's another story) the rear of the vehicle with it's tag is normally presented to the isle not the front.

Better yet, since most if not all states are complaining about tight budgets (so tight here in VA that they have actually closed some DMV offices and others are closed one extra day a week resulting in 5 hour waits!) you would think that something as simple as eliminating front license plates would be something the state would consider for budget reasons. Heck that alone would reduce registration costs per vehicle by 50%.

Hmmm, maybe I'll write a letter....

 

>>I've never understood the requirements for front license plates to begin with? I mean why do the states even bother? [clip}

I heard it was to help the cops aim their laser "radar" guns. That could be nonsense, but it was one of the reasons floated when MA switched over to 2 plates about 5 years ago. (shrug)

 

I'm in Illinois (2 plates required), and I'm driving without my front plate attached. My MINI sales guy actually suggested it! He's a true miniac, and didn't want to mess up the lines on my MCS.

If you go this route, then you should be aware that some municipalities may also require that front plate for parking on the street. I bought my previous car with no front plate bracket, and just put the plate on the dash. The city of Chicago gave me a parking ticket for an improperly displayed front plate. $50 - and I couldn't protest it like a "fix-it" ticket, since it *was* improperly displayed at the time of tickeing. I have a friend who got nailed for this too.

From what I've read in the auto mags, the main reason for front plates is so parking ticket cops don't have walk to the back of your car to check the tags. I think we should do what Italy does: regular plate on the back, and a mini plate on the front. That way the car stays beautiful, and the cops don't have to walk the extra 12 ft (although Chicago cops could use it - we have the fattest police department in the nation ).

_________________


::Hermione - Indi Blue/White/White MCS, All 3 packages::

 

A couple points. In some states it isn't a fix-it ticket anymore but an actual fine....do check with your local laws for specifics in your area to be sure.

Additionally those that don't want to mess up the front of their S should look at the aero kit license plate holder. It will fit on a stock bumper just fine but looks tons better.

 

Ive driven my GTI around MA with no front plate for the past 3 years with no trouble. In addition, I've been pulled over plenty of times for other things and the cops never commented on the plate.

I told my dealer not to drill. They told me theyd zip tie it on

daMatta, any more info on that plate holder? e.g. part number or pic?

 

>> Can you get away with not having a front license plate?

Sure, move to AZ, don't need them here.

 

My thoughts on this is that the great state of IL can go pound it. I absolutly refuse to drill holes in my bumper where there are none. Hell I won't even put the thing on my jeep its Ugly *** hell. I haven't had a front plate on my jeep in the 5 1/2 years I've owned it. I've been caught with no plate 4 times, twice I got away telling them i had to take it off for safe keeping because of my snow plow. Other times i got busted and paid 75 bucks. For me, its worth it to not have the plate. When i get my mini however, I plan on taking it to the judge and having him force me to mutilate my car.

 

For those in Ohio, take a look at this....

http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/B...HB_31_I_N.html

I'm not a lawyer, but it looks like this bill would repeal the need for a front license plate starting 01/01/04.

Bill

 

I'm going to take a chance and not put it on mine. Not that I have money to burn, but it's worth the mild risk in order to avoid defiling my S. If I start getting ticketed with any kind of frequency, then I'll probably submit.

 

Here is a pic of the frame on the aero kit - should fit the standard bumper as well.

 

I don't think that it is a state issue. I believe thath it is a federal law that all states are bound by.

 

What isn't a state issue? There is no federal law mandating the use of a front license plate...that is left up to the state....so why would the feds have a particular law saying what the penalty is for not running a plate if your state requires it. I know for a fact that some states are just fix it tickets and others are actual tickets.

 

For 15 years while driving in California, 4 cars - no front plates..very lucky.
However, unlucky for speeding. Once, almost a felony speeding ticket because by the time the CHP turned on his radar gun an caught up, I was well below triple digits. Mr. CHP gave me stern scolding.
When my MINI arrives in Hawaii this month, I told the dealer no drilling or front plates.....until my europlate that says MINIAC arrives.

 

It's not a Federal Law, the individual states make that call. That's why PA, CT, FL, NC, and several other states don't require them.