BTL05

hey guys...great forum..learned alot from here b4 purchasing my 05 TL but I wish there were more DIY pages...but heres the thing...how many of you have chosen not to have the front lisence plate on? In the 4 years I was driving my 330CI with no front liscence plate I was only ticketed once...my dilemma is when the TL comes in..should I keep the car "clean" or place the lisence plate? Thanks

Oh if you have pictures please post especially abyss blue quartz...

Brewmaster

No dilemma here, I live in Delaware no front plate necessary. HOw much was the fine for not having a front plate?

J RIDE 81

My plate is off, I take the risk, I think it's worth it.

JT3

In my state, front plates aren't required UNLESS you have vanity plates. A lot of people I know with vanity plates still get away without a front plate, because the police officer would have to see the car from both ends to figure out that the front plate was missing, and even then, the officer would have to notice. That doesn't happen very often.

Even so... I don't think it detracts from the beauty of the car too bad, so I have my front plate installed (yes, I have vanity plates). Others, I'm sure, disagree, but to me, it's not worth the fine. You may differ. However, in a state that requires a front plate for everyone, you're MUCH more likely to be noticed, so you're MUCH more likely to get a ticket.

BTL05

80 bucks I think it was a couple of years back..still have the ticket in the car tho

Spryster

No Way, Leave the front lic plate off of the TL it looks way to good with no plate on the front. Worth the risk of ticket if you ask me.

TLover

That's why I leave the new-car registration you get when you first buy a car in my front window. It'll at least fool the cops who are driving toward you.

da_illist_onE

Just received a ticket this past friday for not having a front plate. It's going to cost me $70.
I'm thinking of just putting the plate on now. I know the car looks much better with the plates off, but having the peace of mind that I won't get pulled over for something so little appeals to me more now.

TL Boris

I've never EVER put the front plates on any of my cars in Connecticut - although it is the law - just looks much better an almost all cars. Don't do it. I got stopped for speeding and the occifer never checked

ResearchFreak

We put the plate on the front. It really doesn't look all that bad and why give the cops a reason to pull you over? All they need is one little reason and no front plate could do it here in California. Don't know what the fine is, but when you hear the stupid reason's people tell the cops for not having the plate installed, it just makes me laugh.

madehtsobi

im in texas and i think its required to have front license plates

my girlfriends has an 02 rsx and has never put on her front plates and (knock on wood) hasnt gotten a ticket for no front plates and shes been pulled over in it and so have i!!

when i picked up my 05 wdp tl the dealer guy asked me if i was going to put on the front plates and i said no and he got me two two little circular clips to hid the license plate holder holes

and i think it looks alot better w/o the plates...

BTL05

wait so they have plugs for the holes...so when I go for inspection...I can put em on and take em off again after?????

ResearchFreak

I thought Texas was one of the states that didn't require front plates?!

bluenoise

My 04TL has a front plate and I'm always jealous of those that don't. I never had a front plate on my previous car for 10 years, so I'm leaning toward taking it off. I never got a ticket with the previous car, so maybe I'll be lucky with the TL, too.

Flippie

It doesn't look that bad. Not worth the ticket.

Pro Stock John

Illinois requires the front plate.

Here is a pic of my low 10 second Formula with the front plate on:
http://www.ls1tech.com/moderators/psj/p9150016.jpg

I have never gotten any tickets in the car other than speeding tickets, whereas it's predecessor got a few !plate ones.

In Chicago, they will write tickets for !plate even in parking lots.

Sigwill24

Where can you get the plugs for the holes? IMO , no front license plate looks better. But in So Cal is the norm to not have a front license plate. :wink: . Plus the plate covers up the "ACURA" engraving on the bumper. I think the TL bumper was designed not to be used with front license plates!

jhan1102

In Los Angeles, if you park on the street and if you dont have the front plate... you'll get a $70 ticket. Also, Cop loves to pull you over for this crap! I have 5 tickets... =(

1hottl

The dealer can give you the caps that go on. Check in your glove box, some dealers put it in there. If not, ask them to get ones off a new vehicle that is in for PDI. They should not charge you for this since most people get the plate put on. BTW my =no plate!

crazymjb

Can a crown vic keep up with a TL ?

BTL05

Dont have the car yet. They are looking for it.
So these caps can be put on and taken off whenever I have to go for inspection (in NJ there is car inspection every few years)?

TL Boris

Their radios can.

Jput

All of my cars are plateless in the front. Adding the license plate will just screw up the flow of the lines on the car.

If your really worried about getting a ticket just stick your plate in the front window like the civics do!!!

If all else fails blame it on the dealership or play dumb.

terse

is it with the 04-05 TL? or some other car? and what city have you gotten your tickets?

Dr.Murdock

I keep my plate on, i dont think its really that worth it, to get ticketed many times for it. It is actually better, since people who dont know how to park sometimes bump into your front bumper when parking, but ur licence plate protects you from damage and makes a hole in their bumper. When they leave, you let all the air out all 4 of their tires.

johnstl

If you are a "Goody Two Shoe" and never break the law, dont put it on, although, if at times you may do something in your car that may not be legal and dont want to give the cops a reason, leave it off.
No, I am not talking about drinking and driving either....I'll leave that to your imagination

crazymjb

I am not sure of the laws in MA, I do know my dad has had 1 plate for 15 years and no ticket yet. If someone bumped into the front of our new TL, Id put a rock through there windo. LOL. Boston has the worst drivers in the country.

jhan1102

I got jacked in my Accord EXV6 4DR, BMW X5.....

1hottl

The caps in theory could be popped out and put back in. My concern would be damaging the caps or scratching the bumper while doing it. Then the license plate frame has 2 screws that go in to the bumper, which is what the caps cover. Hope this helps...

srhewes

Are the vast majority of TL owners independently wealthy or have gobs of cash laying around? Why would you pay $70 or $80 or whatever it is in your state for not having your license plates displayed on the front if they are required? Hey -- if you got any more spare cash laying around, let me know. It's tax time (for those of us who have to prepare our taxes).

jefffree

While front plates are required here in Washington State, I have routinely driven behind the constabulary without incident.

My plates were actually designed to be front mounted - URWOHIH - but after a couple of weeks I took them off. Much cleaner looking front - especially in WDP.