NHLEG Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I was reading my Autoweek and there was a letter about last weeks Pontiac Solstice article. In the article, it talked about the front license plate and how it ruined the front end (which it would). Well, in a letter this week, a person pointed out that most states have an exception for cars that are not manufactured with a bracket for a front plate. I live in NH so I just did a little search and found this: Saf-C 515.03 Location of Plates. (a) All registration plates shall be securely affixed to the vehicle and shall be mounted so that the characters appear right-side up. (b) If 2 registration plates are issued, one each shall be placed on the front and rear of the vehicle in the spaces provided by the manufacturer. © Notwithstanding (b) above, if the vehicle does not have a manufacturer's space provided or if the vehicle has a snowplow mounted which would obscure the manufacturer's mounting bracket, the following shall apply: (1) The registration plates shall be affixed in a clearly visible location which permits easy identification; and (2) The rear plate shall be affixed so that it is illuminated by the white license plate light whenever the headlamps or parking lights are illuminated. (d) If one registration plate is issued, it shall be affixed on the rear of the vehicle in the space provided by the manufacturer, unless the vehicle does not have a manufacturer's space provided, in which case it shall be affixed pursuant to ©(2) above. Are we exempt? Does the LGT have a "manufacturer's space provided"? Is this a gray area that will get my a$$ pulled over by every cop I pass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b4wantab Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Here in IL you have to have both plates mounted. We had a neighbor with a ferrarri 308 and it didn't have a front bracket. The cops gave him tickets all the time. b. says that if the state issues two plates, then one has to be in front one in the rear. 1. says you can put anywhere you want as long as it is clearly visible. Where else on the front would you want to put it? Peace, Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tintinet Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 In Maine, FWIW, a front plate is required for inspection, but I never got pulled over for driving around without one. Did this for years in my Miata. Currently I'm front plateless, also, but only got the car 2 weeks ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windex Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Here in Ontario, front plates are also required, and you will get puled over without one (had it happen). Given that the front plate bracket is readily available for a legacy/OB, I doubt local law enforcement officials will buy the "there's no place to put it" argument... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LIZARD Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 b) If 2 registration plates are issued, one each shall be placed on the front and rear of the vehicle in the spaces provided by the manufacturer. © Notwithstanding (b) above, if the vehicle does not have a manufacturer's space provided or if the vehicle has a snowplow mounted which would obscure the manufacturer's mounting bracket, the following shall apply: (1) The registration plates shall be affixed in a clearly visible location which permits easy identification; and (2) The rear plate shall be affixed so that it is illuminated by the white license plate light whenever the headlamps or parking lights are illuminated. Are we exempt? Does the LGT have a "manufacturer's space provided"? Is this a gray area that will get my a$$ pulled over by every cop I pass? Looks like a gray area, call the RMV and inquire b/c you just bought a car w/no front mount plate bracket and see what they say. Worth a try. Personally I think it looks tons better w/out front plate. Stage2.5376, TDC ProTune,blah blah blahhhh and....Alky/H20 injection Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
executor485 Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Just be thankful your not in Texas, its required to have a front license plate, I have seen a couple of people with them in the front window, or that have special mounting brackets in the bumper behind a mesh grille, but I dont know if those are quite legal. I definately think that no plate on the front is HAWT. FWIW, if you dont have the holes for the front bracket, you might just put it on the dashboard. But Im not sure on the legality of that. Also, I bought the chrome license plate bracket that says "Legacy" on the bottom, it makes that front license plate look a LOT better and more tolerable. It only cost $10, so I bought 2 for $20. I have one on the front and a spare. I will try and get a pic of it later for you to see. It really does make it look better imo. If I pass you on the right, I'm flipping you off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drakuun Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Michigan = FTW, Bring it home to the birthplace baby- No one knows better about keeping cars pretty than the birthplace- We don't ugly up your cars just so the PoPo have an easier time harassing you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilh Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Michigan = FTW, Bring it home to the birthplace baby- No one knows better about keeping cars pretty than the birthplaceBirthplace of what? Don't say the automobile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilT Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Birthplace of what? Don't say the automobile. :lol: Double Award Winning Legacy GT Wagon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-2.5-GT Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I ran without a front plate on my old car here in NH. I was never pulled over, but it IS required for both inspection and driving. Each state is different Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdisco Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 CT - 2 plates issued haven't mounted the front one yet until someone tells me I have to. 1) ruins look of car 2) restricts airflow to radiator 3) heard thats where popo aim radar/lazer (why make it ez) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drakuun Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Birthplace of the industry And the first car might not have been invented here- but we do got one thing... No Front mounted License plates. Enjoy your brackets and putting holes in your bumpers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDTURBO Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 In MD I've been pulled over three times with no front plate. Even if you put it in your window, it's still not clearly visible. The verbage of your states law is like most others, if you cant see it centered on the bumper, mount it somewhere else as long as it's visible from the front. PA and a few other states don't require a front tag... lucky dogs. 2012 Forester XT. Stage 2+ Retired from Racing. I used to build FMIC and more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilh Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Enjoy your brackets and putting holes in your bumpers. Hey, I've got my MA plate from the 1980s back when MA had a single plate. I have no holes or brackets on my front bumper and am very glad of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammydog Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I'm with MDTURBO. Been pulled over 3 times without the plate. First time I told him the car did not have a front license plate location ( I didn't let the dealer drill the holes) but he said go back to the dealer and they have to have a bracket because it is the law. After paying $300 in tickets I gave in and put the plate on. I was also told I was speeding 2 of the times I got pulled over, but I didn't get any speeding tickets, just the front plate ticket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EL PAALO Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Just be thankful your not in Texas, its required to have a front license plate, I have seen a couple of people with them in the front window, or that have special mounting brackets in the bumper behind a mesh grille, but I dont know if those are quite legal. I definately think that no plate on the front is HAWT. FWIW, if you dont have the holes for the front bracket, you might just put it on the dashboard. But Im not sure on the legality of that. Also, I bought the chrome license plate bracket that says "Legacy" on the bottom, it makes that front license plate look a LOT better and more tolerable. It only cost $10, so I bought 2 for $20. I have one on the front and a spare. I will try and get a pic of it later for you to see. It really does make it look better imo. haven't run front plates in years. you can get pulled over for it and ticketed, but generally they pull people over for no front plate just because it's a valid reason to get you on the side of the road and look for serious violations like DWI or drugs. if you have more serious reasons to not get pulled over, run a front plate in TX. if you are an upstanding citizen who speaks to officers in a polite manner then it's no bid deal if you do get pulled over every now and then. btw, 10 years or so ago I had plates stolen twice in six months and was advised by the local PD to just keep the front plate somewhere inside the car. obviously, they don't care that much about front plates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f1anatic Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I cut mine out so it looks like an Euro-spec plate. I mounted it on the bumper so that it does not affect the air flow. That being said...I just had my front bumper repainted so now I don"t have it mounted. Should do it...it"s been a week already and the paint should be as dry as it will ever be...by now. And yeah it is the law...but I am yet to hear about anyone being pulled over for missing front plates. I am not saying it doesn"t happen though...but just about every3 cars out of 10 that I see do not have front plates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BDII Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 NHLEG, they are required on all vehicles in the state of NH. Need forum help? Private Message legGTLT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vahkil Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I cut mine out so it looks like an Euro-spec plate. I mounted it on the bumper so that it does not affect the air flow. I'd like to see a pic of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EL PAALO Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I'd guess the chopped plate would draw much more attention and get you pulled over more often here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedzola Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Got pulled over for not having front plate in my civic once. Not really "pulled over," it was a DUI check and the cop said "you need to get a front plate" but let me go. I didn't want the front plate on my legacy, but between finishing the final paperwork and walking to the car somebody had already decided to take the initiative and drill holes in my bumper to attach the plates. I was like NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! (he was halfway through the second hole when I walked out and saw the car). So I just deal w/it... front plate is so fugly. Oh well. =( Hello consumer. And I say unto you, please use exact change. This is my shark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prodriver1 Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 in Minnesnowta its required but mine is all smashed in so you cant see it (nothing stops the Outback) and I never get pulled over 4 it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sl10002001 Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I think in MA it depends on what plates you have; my old "green" plate was only in the rear and I was actually stopped once for not having a front plate - as soon as the cop saw the color, he said "no prob, you have a green plate"....when I got my new plates (red) you have to have both. I'm sure this is spelled out somewhere but I think thats how it works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NatesGr8 Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I'm in CT, haven't had a front plate ever. Have been pulled over for other stuff, but never for no front plate. The cops didn't even bring it up. Maybe i'm just lucky. Some of my friends put their front plate up in the front window in the top corner on the passenger side with suction cups. Also, my dealer said they couldn't let me drive off the lot w/o the front plate on, i tried to prevent them from screwing into the bumper but they did anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f1anatic Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 I'd like to see a pic of this. http://www2.uic.edu/~bcatal1/etcetera/subaru/subaru.pix/DSCF4807.BW%20%28Small%29.jpg RCLARK had the brilliant idea one day of posting a link to other pictures that I host on the net. Then I had the brilliant idea of adding a blank index.htm file to resrict access to the directory. And now I am unable to remember the name of the folder which has pcitures. This is all I could find on another website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.