Mother of all front license plate polls

danimal · 04-14-2007, 04:07 PM

I live in Socal and just received my plates in the mail. The dealership didn't install a front bracket, but my CA said I could come back anytime to get it installed. So, now I'm debating what to do. I know the front plate is considered uncool, but I don't want to increase my chances of getting pulled over or have to pay much if I do.

Edit: If you had to pay $30 or more, could you please post how much? Also, helpful to know where you got pulled over/ticketed (what city, state, etc.). Thanks!

Fester · 04-14-2007, 04:17 PM

Don't install it. Cops will only stop you if you break any law.

danimal · 04-14-2007, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fester

Don't install it. Cops will only stop you if you break any law.

Is that your experience in TX or does it apply to all states (I'm in CA)?

Thx,

-Dan

snareman · 04-14-2007, 04:42 PM

I've talked to some cop friends here and they said that I'd probably be fine with it and they at I'd probably only maybe get a ticket if I got pulled over for something else and the cop wanted to nitpick things. Although I do have a friend that apparently got pulled over just for not having the plate.

just0307 · 04-14-2007, 04:43 PM

I live in Socal too. So far, no problem at all

. I don't think they will pull u over for no front plate tho...and none of my friends got pulled over for no front plate.

850CSi · 04-14-2007, 04:46 PM

It's required here in Illinois, but I've never had any trouble. Dealership never mounted the bracket.

cm3rc · 04-14-2007, 04:46 PM

dont put front plate on. you'll regret it.. i kno i did.

mds82 · 04-14-2007, 05:01 PM

in connecticut - cops dont care at all

Couch · 04-14-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fester

Don't install it. Cops will only stop you if you break any law.

Dude, that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

You are technically breaking a law as is. It's a retarded law at that.

I've been in a situation coming home from Austin that my friend was pulled over specifically for no front license plate. I know this because he said, "The reason I pulled you over was b/c of no front license plate." While that was the case the patrolman was a TOP NOTCH guy. If all cops/sheriffs had his attitude and demeanor the hate for them would be different. If my friend had his front plate he wouldn't have gotten arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Well that and if he had listened to me and not bring the shit. Anyways I'm OT going on a rant.

Back OT, currently I am running a front plate. Planning on getting the holes filed and running a custom setup. I'll probably run something similar as what's been done here, but I'm looking at other avenues. Although I haven't figured out any new ways.

themonotron · 04-14-2007, 05:42 PM

never ran a front plate on my a4 for 2 years in orange county. I've only been pulled over for tints, and that was a $10 fix it ticket for each occasion.

Raider · 04-14-2007, 05:44 PM

One of the guy i know got pulled over for no front tag, then got hit with a D.U.I when cops caught him...

themonotron · 04-14-2007, 05:48 PM

Having no plates is a good excuse for a bored cop to pull you over at night to check you for other violations i.e. drunk driving. You should't be drinking and driving anyways.

Jay_328 · 04-14-2007, 05:51 PM

It is required in Va, however I have not installed a front plate in over 5 years and encounterd no problems.

Jay_328 · 04-14-2007, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raider

One of the guy i know got pulled over for no front tag, then got hit with a D.U.I when cops caught him...

he deserves it

Quote:

Originally Posted by themonotron

You should't be drinking and driving anyways.

+1

e92sam · 04-14-2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danimal

I live in Socal and just received my plates in the mail. The dealership didn't install a front bracket, but my CA said I could come back anytime to get it installed. So, now I'm debating what to do. I know the front plate is considered uncool, but I don't want to increase my chances of getting pulled over or have to pay much if I do.

I have been pulled over just one time in the last 18 years, by the Sheriffs in Poway, for a tail light. It was actually a fixit-ticket trap in a residential neighborhood about 2 blocks from home. He walked around the car and added the "no front license plate". I went to the San Diego Police Traffic Division in Kearny Mesa to clear up the fixit-ticket. Walked in and approached the cop at the desk (he was on "desk duty" with his arm in a sling, and looked bored to death) and handed him the ticket. He asked me if I fixed the tail light and put the front plate on the car, I said yes. He signed it off, and I think I ended up paying a $10 admin fee. He never looked at my car.
So if I were you, I would put the front plate on. I'm not going to put it on my car, so that will balance things out in San Diego County!

bartman32 · 04-14-2007, 06:13 PM

I'm in So Cal. Didn't have a problem for years and years until... I live near the toll road. Now with so many traffic cameras around on the toll road or on traffic lights they want you to have a front plate. They pulled me over on the toll road because the cop didn't "see" my fast track (it was there) so he gave me a fix it ticket for the front license plate. Don't remember how much it was.

lvwirelessguy · 04-14-2007, 07:02 PM

I would never install a front license plate on any car that I own

Ascension · 04-14-2007, 07:28 PM

It makes a HUGE difference when you have a badge

dhmilosr · 04-14-2007, 07:57 PM

I was pulled over my a MD State Trooper for no front plate on my Mustang. When I got my 335i, the dealer had already put on the front tag bracket. But it looks so nice without the tag.

danimal · 04-15-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Couch

...currently I am running a front plate. Planning on getting the holes filed and running a custom setup. I'll probably run something similar as what's been done here, but I'm looking at other avenues. Although I haven't figured out any new ways.

If you plan to keep using a front plate, why would you fill the holes?

-Dan

danimal · 04-15-2007, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92sam

So if I were you, I would put the front plate on. I'm not going to put it on my car, so that will balance things out in San Diego County!

LOL...But it's so easy to wash the front of my car now. I've been paying attention lately to whether people have front plates or not. The most common cars not to have them are BMWs, Infinitis, MB, Lexus, and, odd man out, mod'd Civics. In total, maybe 5-10% are running w/o front plate, just from casual observation.

-Dan

E90330iS · 04-15-2007, 08:29 PM

Having no front plate probably won't get you pulled over. But having tint with it is pushing it. I have both so I get ultra paranoid every time I see a cop.

View Poll Results: Which best describes your situation? (note: fined under $30 could be a fix-it ticket)
Front plate mounted	87	38.67%
No front plate -- not required in my state/region/locale	54	24.00%
No front plate -- required but never had problem	69	30.67%
No front plate -- pulled over for something else but fined under $30	2	0.89%
No front plate -- pulled over for just plate and fined under $30	0	0%
No front plate -- pulled over for something else but fined $30 or more	2	0.89%
No front plate -- pulled over for just plate and $30 or more	4	1.78%
No front plate -- got fined under $30 for plate while illegally parked	0	0%
No front plate -- got fined under $30 for plate while legally parked	0	0%
No front plate -- got fined $30 or more for plate while illegally parked	1	0.44%
No front plate -- got fined $30 or more for plate while legally parked	6	2.67%
No front plate -- multiple incidents or other	0	0%
Voters: 225. You may not vote on this poll

04-14-2007, 04:07 PM	#1
danimal Captain 50 Rep 755 Posts Drives: '14 228i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 228i [10.00] 2007 BMW 328i Sedan [0.00]	Mother of all front license plate polls I live in Socal and just received my plates in the mail. The dealership didn't install a front bracket, but my CA said I could come back anytime to get it installed. So, now I'm debating what to do. I know the front plate is considered uncool, but I don't want to increase my chances of getting pulled over or have to pay much if I do. Edit: If you had to pay $30 or more, could you please post how much? Also, helpful to know where you got pulled over/ticketed (what city, state, etc.). Thanks! __________________ 2014 228i alpine white \| sport line \| 6-speed manual \| lighting package \| driver assistance package interior - black Sensatec \| aluminum & red trim Last edited by danimal; 04-14-2007 at 06:06 PM..
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04-14-2007, 04:17 PM	#2
Fester Major 27 Rep 1,129 Posts Drives: '13 Porsche 911 (991) 4S Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Silicon Valley, CA iTrader: (0)	Don't install it. Cops will only stop you if you break any law. __________________ 2013 911 4S ...GT Silver/Espresso custom build w/ lots of options and all alphabets soup! 2007 335i Coupe ...TiAg/Grey custom build...Sold!
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04-14-2007, 04:42 PM	#4
snareman Leave the gun. Take the Canoli. 9180 Rep 7,748 Posts Drives: ///M8 & X3 ///M40 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	I've talked to some cop friends here and they said that I'd probably be fine with it and they at I'd probably only maybe get a ticket if I got pulled over for something else and the cop wanted to nitpick things. Although I do have a friend that apparently got pulled over just for not having the plate. __________________ Current: 2023 Santorini Blue ///M8 \|\|\| 2023 X3 M40 --> 2025 X5 M60 (ordered) Retired: 2021 Enzian Blue ///M4 \|\|\| 2018 ///M4 \|\|\| 2017 ///M4 \|\|\| 2014 435i \|\|\| 2009 335i Coupe \|\|\| 2007 335i Coupe
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04-14-2007, 04:43 PM	#5
just0307 New Member 2 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 06 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I live in Socal too. So far, no problem at all . I don't think they will pull u over for no front plate tho...and none of my friends got pulled over for no front plate.
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04-14-2007, 04:46 PM	#6
850CSi 16 years and counting... 101 Rep 471 Posts Drives: '06 325i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (2)	It's required here in Illinois, but I've never had any trouble. Dealership never mounted the bracket. __________________ E90 325i 6MT + E61 530xiT 6AT = N52B30*2
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04-14-2007, 04:46 PM	#7
cm3rc Colonel 85 Rep 2,221 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ferndale MI iTrader: (8) Garage List 06 325i [0.00]	dont put front plate on. you'll regret it.. i kno i did. __________________ www.socale90.com
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04-14-2007, 05:01 PM	#8
mds82 Major General 364 Rep 5,842 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Central Connecticut iTrader: (40) Garage List 2006 325xi Snow Pics [0.00] 2006 BMW 325xi [0.00]	in connecticut - cops dont care at all
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04-14-2007, 05:42 PM	#10
themonotron Private First Class 2 Rep 163 Posts Drives: 09 E92 M3 AW Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	never ran a front plate on my a4 for 2 years in orange county. I've only been pulled over for tints, and that was a $10 fix it ticket for each occasion.
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04-14-2007, 05:44 PM	#11
Raider Panties Sniffer 34 Rep 688 Posts Drives: Stealthy 335Ci Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Isengard iTrader: (0)	One of the guy i know got pulled over for no front tag, then got hit with a D.U.I when cops caught him... __________________ Nash for MVP
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04-14-2007, 05:48 PM	#12
themonotron Private First Class 2 Rep 163 Posts Drives: 09 E92 M3 AW Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Having no plates is a good excuse for a bored cop to pull you over at night to check you for other violations i.e. drunk driving. You should't be drinking and driving anyways.
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04-14-2007, 05:51 PM	#13
Jay_328 Lieutenant Colonel 121 Rep 1,595 Posts Drives: 07 e92 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 07 E92 328 [0.00]	It is required in Va, however I have not installed a front plate in over 5 years and encounterd no problems. __________________
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04-14-2007, 06:13 PM	#16
bartman32 Colonel 103 Rep 2,317 Posts Drives: F87 M2 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The OC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 M2 [0.00]	I'm in So Cal. Didn't have a problem for years and years until... I live near the toll road. Now with so many traffic cameras around on the toll road or on traffic lights they want you to have a front plate. They pulled me over on the toll road because the cop didn't "see" my fast track (it was there) so he gave me a fix it ticket for the front license plate. Don't remember how much it was.
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04-14-2007, 07:02 PM	#17
lvwirelessguy Captain 30 Rep 955 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3, 2012 Golf TDI Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 702 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2005 M3 [0.00]	I would never install a front license plate on any car that I own
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04-14-2007, 07:28 PM	#18
Ascension Major 87 Rep 1,032 Posts Drives: 2006 330i & 2010 535i Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sunnyvale/Tracy, Ca iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW 535i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	It makes a HUGE difference when you have a badge Attached Images __________________ 2006 330i Jet Black w/ Beige Leather/Sport/Prem/Step/Shades/Xenon/Logic 7
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04-14-2007, 07:57 PM	#19
dhmilosr Private First Class 1 Rep 106 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Montego Blue Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	I was pulled over my a MD State Trooper for no front plate on my Mustang. When I got my 335i, the dealer had already put on the front tag bracket. But it looks so nice without the tag.
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04-15-2007, 08:29 PM	#22
E90330iS Major General 143 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Having no front plate probably won't get you pulled over. But having tint with it is pushing it. I have both so I get ultra paranoid every time I see a cop. __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
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