Hey everybody,
I just bought a brand new silver Pr5 on Saturday (7/27/02). I love it!

I'm wondering if anybody here knows whether or not I have to use the front license plate? I'd prefer to not use it, as I think it looks better off. But if it were to cause me to get pulled over or something like that, I'd be inclined to leave it on.

Does anybody have any insight on this? I live in California, so I assume it's part of state law, and not Federal law.

 

Ya that is state/provincial law. Every one is different, in sask front plates are required; however our neighbours to the west in alberta don't need it. Not sure about Cali though...

 

Easy answer, look around your neighbourhood and if all the cars have front plates then you need it.

 

not to mention if the dealer has already installed the plate holder....well NOW you have two nice screw holes in your front bumper anyway....

but unless they have changed the law in Ca. reacently....YES you have to run a front plate.

all you ever have to do with questions like this...is contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles.

 

It did come with a plate holder in front, and I hadn't looked behind it to see how it was attached, but I would imagine it might leave two holes if removed.

I'll probably just leave it, especially if it's mandated by CA law that I have a front plate.

BTW- you have a very lively forum here! Thanks for the swift responses.

 

Mine came with a front plate holder too. In FL we don't need front plates. I took mine off and found lovely holes in my front bumper. If you look at the pix below, you will see I got some covers from Discount auto parts for $3 and put them on. I like it.

 

It is definitely required in CA, at least it's a reason to get pulled over out here. I never run with a front plate on any of my cars, but I have been pulled over for not having one. It's a $10 ticket and you can always put it on when you get it inspected. You can always be like the Honda boyz and put it in your windshield, but then again, they'll still pull you over since it's mounted too high. I'm looking for some rubber plugs that I can match the paint so I don't have those unsightly holes in the bumper.

 

yeah its required in California to have it up front. I dont have it there though.I got a ticket for speeding a while back and CHP took the time to tac that on my ticket also. Its just a fix it ticket though. BTW the front license plate doesnt fit without that mounting that the dealer gives you.


Hey both of you guys are in S.D. Aug.18th we are going to have a meet in Oceanside, send me an e-mail if you would like to come.

 

I had the same doubt before. I live at LA, CA and I took mine off anyway, and so far I don't have any problem, haven't got pulled over for warning or anything..

 

Yes you are required to have a front plate. On the two trucks I had before my P5 I never had front plates. I got pulled over once for the 1st one. It's a $10 fix-it ticket. Never put in on my second truck and never got a ticket (I always back into parking spaces, too). A friend of mine drove his BMW around without a front plate for years with no problem, but got a ticket last month. *shrug* Sometimes you get lucky and won't get a ticket. Sometimes you will. I do not know what the penalty is if you get a ticket a 2nd time for the same car.

Whether or not you get a ticket really just depends on the cop when he sees you without it. Most don't bother, but if you live in areas with those traffic light photo-ticket-thingies you'll probably have a higher chance of getting a ticket since a plate is required to give a ticket.

 

in cali it is required but i took mine off the first day i got it and and in place of the two ugly holes, i just bought a set of license plate bolt covers from pep boys and painted them the same color as my car...looks better IMO than havin two holes or a licence plate...

 

Rod,
I was just down in SD this afternoon. DG to be exact. I picked up the wing and front lip spoiler for my P5. I'd love to meet up with you guys, but I'm in the LA area. Email me the details.