I was just curious how many of us are NOT using their front plates. I just took mine off and the front looks much better. I drove my GS400 for 40 months w/o a front plate and never got pulled over, so I will try again.

 

Florida does not issue a front plate just a rear so I always have the front plate bracket removed from my vehicles. I agree that the front end looks much cleaner without the front plate.

------------------
'02 Acura TL-S
Satin Silver/Ebony, w/out NAV

 

Took mine off, risking arrest!

:-jon

 

Me too shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

I also took mine off. It didn't look too clean. It is covered with dead bugs everyday...

Ming

 

same here..just because they didn't send me the license plate yet...i will decide when they come..hmm...should i leave it off??

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one with dead bugs all over the front of the car. And, I never leave the city!

------------------
'02 TL-S WDP/Parchment NAV

 

Took mine off as soon as I got the car home. Not only does the car look better, but it's also harder for cops to hit you with a laser gun - they need a perpendicular surface to bounce the laser off, and most of them are trained to aim at the front license plate.

 

Took mine off two weeks ago.

Couldn't get it to align right anyway. ;-)

 

Hey all of you "no front license plate" rebels out there. I was wondering if anyone knows how much a "no front license" ticket is? Or is it only a fix-it ticket?

Inquiring minds want to know. (So that when I get my TL-S I can join the rebellion! )

Later,

V.

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by vperkins2 on June 06, 2001 @ ]</font>

 

I know without the license plate on the front looks much cleaner. But the cops in my area are all d*cks! So, I am not taking the risk of pulling over. Hmm... if I do, I will bet you that they will give one for my blue corner lights, my tint, hmm... my fogs!! It ain't worth it. For those ppl who lives in states that doesn't require front plates, LUCKY YOU!!

------------------
2002 Black on Black TL TypeS

 

illegal in texas ? isn't it?

 

i took mine off the first day i got my ride.


------------------
98 Lexus LS400
2002 Satin Silver TL-S W/Nav
-Ebony interior wood kit
-Ebony wood/leather steering wheel
-20% tint
-Boston Acoustic speakers+tweeters
-Kenwood 12" tube
.......more to come

 

Yes, but I've not had a front plate on my last 3 cars for about a decade. Never pulled over for that, and the times I got pulled over for other stuff never a plate ticket. never heard of anyone else getting ticketed, either, but that could change.



------------------
'01 White Diamond Pearl 3.2TL
-Wing, tint, wood and Whistler

 

Not having a front license plate is only a fix it ticket since it falls under a machanical violation. I've done lots of reseach about this topic. Just make sure that if you get pulled over that the cop doesnt look at your front end. This is the very same reason why I didn't tint my front windows lower than 55%, since anything lower would look waay too obvious. As for city lights on fogs...well...you'll get pulled over for that too. It would definitely suck to get pulled over with city lights/ tinted windows/ no plates/ and a radar detector. Talk about trouble!

I'll go as far as tinted windows and no plate cover, but the city lights are asking for it. I want to the cops NOT to notice me. (It would be sweet having city lights for fogs though)

------------------
2002 3.2 TL Type S with Navigation
Exterior: Aegean Blue Pearl
At 3% over invoice, who can complain?

 

I've been successful in keeping my single green/white MA plate for over 16 years, transferring from car to car as I buy new ones. MA started issuing and requiring two plates several years ago, and I absolutely hate the look of a front plate on a sports car. Pickup truck, not bad. Sports car, definitely not. Fortunately, MA grandfathered those of us with one plate. If I ever give it up (or even if it gets stolen) and I have to get new plates I get two of the new ones. Blaaaaah...

Don't forget, when you guys post about how much a fix-it ticket is (or any motor vehicle violation) make sure you mention to which state you are referring. Just about every state has different laws covering motor vehicle infractions. MA doesn't have fix-it tickets. For example, in MA, not displaying a front plate is a $35 civil infraction and does *not* cause your insurance to go up. Of course, if you're only issued one (like me) then you only have to display the one in the back.

A friend of mine lived out in Stockton, CA for over a year and only had one plate on her car (she drove her MA car to CA and registered it there, but didn't have the front license plate bracket on the car in MA because she was a "one-plater" like me). She never once got stopped for it. Of course, YMMV.

Matt

 

I took mine off the 2nd day I got it. But regret taking off so late because the plate holder caused a light scratch and indentation on my bumper. Not too noticeable, luckily. So, for those who haven't already gotten their new car and want to remove the front plate, have the dealer remove it before you drive your car off the lot. That way you will for sure have a scratch free front bumper.

 

Wait a minute, you can get pulled over for having a radar detector?? Why would they do that and have them available to be sold??


As for the plate, take a look at the pic in my sig.
------------------
June 10, 11AM - N. Cali / Bay Area Meet - Click Here!
<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/phanthavong/mytl.html" TARGET=_blank>


</A>2001 SSM. 02 tails, 02 vent trim, burlwood knob.

Mods? What mods? I can't afford mods, I'm getting married!!
Vin says 2001, but it's really a 2000 with an upgraded cupholder!!

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by Edub-TL on June 06, 2001 @ ]</font>

 

This is for the So Cal drivers..

I also posted this in the TL forum but I heard on the ABC news (Channel 7) that LAPD started a crack down on cars with no front license plate. ABC news reported that LAPD gave out 207 tickets just in one day today (6/5/01). I'm not sure how long this crack down campaign will last... but since the cops are now actively enforcing the front license plate law, you might want to rethink the no front license plate mod. Just a friendly warning.

And yes, it is a fix-it ticket that costs 10 bucks. It's a no biggie but think about the time lost while the cop is issuing you the ticket.

------------------
Y2K SiLVeR TL, non-navi
SLVR TL Homepage

SoCal TL meet on June 9th, 2001 at 3pm

 

Took off the front plate, and agree, it looks MUCH better w/out front bracket. Front plates are required in Vancouver, BC. Though I haven't had a problem yet(fingers crossed).

Fix-it or ticket depends on what the cop's mood is. 6/10, you can simply put the front plate back on, and get away with it. But in the most un-fortunate, ticket should be some where in between $80 - $120 CDN

Andy Kuo

------------------
'92 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
Pearl Grey/Black

'02 Acura TL-S
Satin Silver/Ebony, w/out NAV

 

In Delaware no front plate is issued or required. In fact, you can post anything you there.

 

Took mine off as soon as I got the car home.

------------------
2002 Acura TL Type S
w/out NAV
Nighthawk Black Pearl
Parchment Leather
Spoiler
Mud Guards
Wood Package
Wood Steering Wheel

 

Not required in North Carolina. They only give you one plate, anyway. I certainly like the look of the car without the front plate.

I actually ended up with two sets of front brackets. I'll keep one around just in case I ever move or the car does.

 

It's not illegal, but it's definitely frowned apon. If you ever get pulled over, I seriously suggest taking off the radar detector fast.

------------------
2002 3.2 TL Type S with Navigation
Exterior: Aegean Blue Pearl
At 3% over invoice, who can complain?

 

Front plates are not required in Georgia. I asked my salesman prior to delivery if I could have the car without it. He agreed not to put it on. I like the cleaner look without it.

------------------
2002 TL Type S
Nighthawk Black Pearl
Black interior

 

I wouldnt do it if you park on the streets in Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, or Brooklyn. Those traffic enforcement cops (you know the ones who double park everywhere screwing up traffic) would hone in on your car. I live in Nassau and park i my garage and park in a lot at work, so its ok, I have my plate in my trunk with the 2 screws which I can hand tighten, so its no big deal to put it on when needed. I also padded the holder or else it will scratch the bumper a bit.

 

LA Times today confirm's SLVR TL's report that LAPD is cracking down on no front license plates. Yesterday they concentrated on Laurel Canyon at Victory. Today? Its because of all the money they are losing on people running reds at photo enforcement intersections.

 

I presently do not have my front license plate installed... I still have yet to receive them. Front license plates are required by law in the state of California. If cited, it is only a "fix-it" ticket. No $ penalty or points if corrected in allowed time.

On my last vehicle I took mine off had no problem for many years. But it eventually caught up to me. In my younger days I used to go up to the City (San Francisco) for restaurants, bars, clubs, etc. I was pulled over one late evening because I did not have a front license plate. The police officer used that as a reason to see if I had been drinking. Luckily, I had not and was given a fix-it ticket. Some years later I had damaged my front license plate hitting a curb while parking. I removed it and did not replace it. Again, I was driving home late one evening and was pulled over because of no front license plate. Same routine, cited with fix-it.

Moral of story... In California you are giving the police a legal reason to pull you over. If you have nothing to hide no problem, otherwise watchout.

 

I guess I'm a little different, because I actually think most cars look BETTER with a front plate and bracket. Even if you don't want a standard license plate up there, it's a small but clean way to personalize your vehicle by putting the plate of your choice on the front. Anyone else agree with me, or am I a minority of one on this issue?

------------------
Why doesn't everybody make cars as well as Acura?

 

In CT you only had to have one plate for years, then two years ago the state issued new plates to everyone and mandated two plates - yawn.

I'd say at least half the cards on the road only have one plate, and I've never heard of anyone being pulled over for it. I took mine off as soon as I got the car home.

If you get pulled over for speeding, the cop may tack on another fine for the plate, but they really don't seem to care.

 

I've had my single green-n-white plate for only 13 years, beginning on my '88 Integra. The Integra got rear-ended during the "Perfect Storm" and the plate was thoroughly crumpled (I suffered nearly as much as those fishermen! But did they make a movie about me??) But I had the body shop straighten it as best they could. I took a light hammer to it when we got the TL, and its dents are partially hidden by a nice black plate frame now...

Hey, it's still much better than a front plate!

------------------
David

Black-on-Black non-NAV 2000

 

When I got my speeding ticket for 55 in a 45, the cop issued me 4 tickets. One for speeding, no front license plate, blue parking lights (although it's superwhite), and modified exhaust. What an a$$hole!! My exhaust is 50 state legal too. FU*K it, once I have them signed off the ticket, I'm taking off my front plate and put on my superwhite signals.

------------------
'00 Taffeta White TL w/NAV
-Weapon-R intake
-Piaa 1700x and Polarg M-14 bulbs
-white acura emblems and custom clear headlights
-NEX Coilovers ( For sale $800 + shipping)
-Tanabe Hyper Medallion Dual Exhaust
-18" Racing Hart C-5 3-piece +50 offset with P7000SS 225-40-18 (sold, ridding on stocks!
-A'pexi V-AFC
-Inspire Tails

My Ride

 

not me, not required in Kansas.

 

Anyone know if its illegal to take out the front license plate in NYC?

 

Took mine off the first day i got it. Had no front plate on 2 of my previous cars... I did however hear people gettig tickets for it. Cops usually pick on people wiht modified cars and leave the rest alone.

 

I took mine off about 1 week after I got it. I was looking for an Acura front plate and couldn't find one so I took the whole bracket off.

BTW,
Indiana does not have a front plate.

 

I took mine off, and keep it in the back with the bolts and wrench. That way, I can play dumb and say I took it off to wash/wax the car and "must of forgotten to put it back on". If he doesn't fall for it, I will get his badge number, put the plate on while he is there, and just get the ticket removed in court, telling the judge the cop saw me put it on.
Why aren't cops out preventing robberies and rapes instead of harassing tax paying citizens (even if there is a stupid law in some states)?

 

it's very illegal here in NYC
but i take a chance anyway...

------------------
98 Lexus LS400
2002 Satin Silver TL-S W/Nav

• Ebony interior wood kit
• Ebony wood/leather steering wheel
• 20% tint
• Boston Acoustic speakers+tweeters
• Kenwood 12" tube
• OEM Body Kit

.......more to come

 

I like the idea of just keeping your plate (in its bracket) in the trunk of your car. You can then tell the cops that the shop just did some work on your front bumper and they must have "forget" to put the plate back on. Hopefully, most cops will leave you alone then. I don't drive in LAPD territory any more. CHP does not seem to care. I have them in front of me all the time and it is easy for them to see in their mirror that I don't have a front plate. I just think the CHP could care less about no front plate (except maybe on an old suspicious looking car).

 

Around Beverly Hills, Hollwood, West Hollywood, the cops are going crazy with citing people without front plates.

Hmmmm.... what could the reason be?

Answer -- All of the communities are using Photo Radar for red light runners.

I would say that the tricks here are very clever, but my borther-in-law, (who is now enjoying the Maui sun for the rest of his life) kept getting pulled over for lack of front plate. He even kept the citation with him, and they just hassled him more. (And he wasn't a kid -- ok)

The place that sold him the car, said they had the plate around, and would get it to him. Well, they never did, and this started to become a daily police ritual -- so, my brother-in-law returned the vehicle, and is quite glad to be rid of that whole hassle.

The plate in the trunk ploy is getting figured out -- you may get around it in some areas, but consider yourself lucky if you do.

They are really on a revenue collection kick ...