Front license plate law in WA

asdflkijd · 08-09-2007, 05:07 PM

Anyone know the details of the front license plate law in WA?? I really dont want to put holes on my car but if i must.. i will but i heard somewhere that if the factory didnt come with hoes on the bumper then it isnt required to have it on the front???

MakoBimmer1 · 08-09-2007, 05:28 PM

Its WA state law to have a front license plate fixed to the front of the vehicle. The dealership was kind enough to not violate or molest my bumper...yeah!

I risk getting a ticket daily, but its only a $101 dollar ticket Ive been told.

asdflkijd · 08-09-2007, 05:36 PM

haha nice one

hmm couldnt we just put it on the windshield like most teens with hondas and acuras do when they give us the fix it ticket??

scollins · 08-09-2007, 08:08 PM

Well, from my research, it should be a $42 ticket based on the state fee schedule. However, I spoke with a police officer friend of mine and he said in Lynnwood it is $112. So I think local cities can add additional fees to the state base. I'd budget at the high end for it.

He also said you aren't likely to get pulled over for no front plate unless you are otherwise being an a$$hole. His exact quote:

Quote:

Now, in the real world...its pretty rare to get stopped for no front plate in a new car if you're not otherwise being an asshole. Its rarer still to actually get a ticket for it.

But if its the middle of the night, you got an '82 Olds Cutlass, a car full of dirtbags, and you give the cop a shitty look, it may be grounds for the stop.

Again, that is a Lynnwood perspective, and not a Bellevue, Newcastle, Renton prespective (where I spend most of my time driving.)

I'll neither confirm nor deny whether my car has a front plate, or doesn't have a front plate. I plead the Fifth!!!

plugboots · 08-09-2007, 11:06 PM

My wife got pulled over in our small town for no front plate, so we have to put it on or else get the ticket next time. If I was in Seattle and parked off street, I wouldn't do it.

HPIA4v2 · 08-10-2007, 12:34 AM

Well, I've been running 1 car w/o front license for 2 years, after my wife hit a dumpster and broke off the holder. So now I am running my 535i w/o it either. Cross my fingers.

8oh8 · 08-10-2007, 08:45 AM

I have a friend who got pulled over in his stock cooper s on petrovisky ave in renton for no front license plate....got off with a warning

alistair · 08-10-2007, 11:14 AM

I've been thinking on this one too - my guess is that if you're speeding a *tiny bit* over the limit (!), *and* have no front plate, you're more likely to get pulled over.

I'm starting to think it's worth sucking it up, having the plate, and reducing the odds even if just a little bit.

Obviously I could not speed too, but that's less likely

toofasttooslow · 08-10-2007, 11:25 AM

I see about 50% of the drivers each day without front plates. I agree that a cop is more likely to use it as an excuse to pull you over, do a field sobriety test, search for drugs etc than to actaully give you a fix-it-ticket for it.

normtrum · 08-10-2007, 10:19 PM

I have no intention of putting a front plate on my car, although I agree that it is a risk. I actually keep my front plate in my back seat all the time, thinking it might help me if I get pulled over (meaning maybe I can talk my way into a warning).

TTG · 08-13-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8oh8

I have a friend who got pulled over in his stock cooper s on petrovisky ave in renton for no front license plate....got off with a warning

There is a motorcycle cop in Renton who LOVES pulling people over for no plates or Euro plates.....

My gf got a ticket for having a Euro Plate on her cooper S
My buddy got the same type of ticket from the same cop....all in Renton

His questions are: -is your car registered in England? (my GF had british plates)
-did you sign the part of the registration where it says "front Plate is still required"?

my GF was trying to explain how it was just a vanity plate.....

And here is my story.....:
I did ED:
The car came and I left the ZOLL plates on and drove the car to work (Renton) knowing this guy would get me in a day or two.....

On my 1st day I got pulled over and he started giving me the whole run down.

And I told him that the car was legally registered in Germany and I have the registrattion and all shipping docs with me..... He looked at them and said I was free to go. He also told me that in 19 years of his career this is the 1st time he has seen a car that was actually registered in Europe. He was really cool about it and I told him I would be happy to pull the plate off if there was a problem. his response was:

-It is clearly registered to your name and you don't need to take it off.

The moral of the story is that this guy will get you if you are in Renton. I've never heard of people getting pulled over for no front plate anywhere else....

I also never had a front plate in any of my cars since 1994..... No problems so far.

vAnt826 · 08-13-2007, 03:28 PM

Never had a front plate in the Newcastle, Bellevue, Renton area.

I got pulled over once but that was in Kent on a Saturday night at around 2AM

Johnny3 · 08-13-2007, 03:37 PM

i don't have a front plate, but i'm trying to think of a way to stick one on temporarily if the situation calls for it. It's not likely that you're going to get pulled over, but it is more likely if it's a late night and that's the time when you may have had a couple drinks. I in no way condone (spelling?) drunk driving, but it's a fine line. I got pulled over a couple of months ago after having dinner which included a bottle of wine that i shared with my date. i passed the test with flying colors, blowing a .05, but still, it wasn't a sure thing.

normtrum · 08-13-2007, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny3

i don't have a front plate, but i'm trying to think of a way to stick one on temporarily if the situation calls for it. It's not likely that you're going to get pulled over, but it is more likely if it's a late night and that's the time when you may have had a couple drinks. I in no way condone (spelling?) drunk driving, but it's a fine line. I got pulled over a couple of months ago after having dinner which included a bottle of wine that i shared with my date. i passed the test with flying colors, blowing a .05, but still, it wasn't a sure thing.

This also happens to be my number 1 concern. Giving wsp (or local) an excuse to pull you over late on a Fri or Sat night is not a good idea.

toofasttooslow · 08-13-2007, 11:13 PM

There's a place that sells license plate holders that have adapters that fit into your front tow hook. I am spacing on the name of the place but I'm sure if you search the forums you can find it.

MakoBimmer1 · 08-14-2007, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gum5h03

There's a place that sells license plate holders that have adapters that fit into your front tow hook. I am spacing on the name of the place but I'm sure if you search the forums you can find it.

Dont bother...it looks like ass and just begs for someone to mess with it.

Johnny Lin · 08-14-2007, 01:50 AM

I dont have front licence plate on my E90 for 2 yrs already and nothing happen to me. Guess the police here does not really care about it, but it is require to have one. I like without it, so I am going to take the risk of it. GL!

Johnny3 · 08-14-2007, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakoBimmer1

Dont bother...it looks like ass and just begs for someone to mess with it.

doesn't matter what it looks like, it's just for when you need to be technically "unstoppable."

i wouldn't leave it on

Getter · 08-14-2007, 03:22 AM

Even if you are willing to suck up a ticket, it just gives them a reason to pull you over. I know guys that have blown a .05 (about one microbrew) and still been arrested and had to go to court with an expensive lawyer. They got out of it, but it cost $$$.

A few years ago I used to roll without a front plate and got pulled over twice until I decided to throw it on. Once was in Vancouver, BC and they were not very sympathetic. The other time was Washington State Patrol on Snoqualmie Pass. I had to pay that ticket, though I forget what it cost.

K335i · 08-14-2007, 12:57 PM

I got away without a front plate on my 330i ZHP for nearly 4 years and am doing fine without one on my 335i. The only time I was asked why I don't have a front plate was when I was crossing the border on my way back down to Seattle from Vancouver. I told the customs agent that I had an appointment with the dealer to get it installed and that we were just waiting for the bracket to arrive.

It's extremely unlikely that you'll get pulled over for not having a front plate. You'll generally only be issued a "fix-it" ticket if you're being pulled over for something else.

asdflkijd · 08-14-2007, 04:43 PM

My friend is a member of the Subi forum www.iwsti.com and he told me that there is some kind of special permit that you can get at a local fire department to allow you to not have a front license plate, he said it was about $15 or so.. does anyone know about this??

He wasnt very clear when he was explaining it to me and couldnt remember specifically where it was.

normtrum · 08-14-2007, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asdflkijd

My friend is a member of the Subi forum www.iwsti.com and he told me that there is some kind of special permit that you can get at a local fire department to allow you to not have a front license plate, he said it was about $15 or so.. does anyone know about this??

He wasnt very clear when he was explaining it to me and couldnt remember specifically where it was.

I've never heard of anything like this. Can you check with your friend and get some more info?

08-09-2007, 05:07 PM	#1
asdflkijd Aberry is a scammer 556 Rep 5,507 Posts Drives: SGM E92 335i, AM E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (14) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [10.00] 2007 E90 335i (Reti ... [9.00]	Front license plate law in WA Anyone know the details of the front license plate law in WA?? I really dont want to put holes on my car but if i must.. i will but i heard somewhere that if the factory didnt come with hoes on the bumper then it isnt required to have it on the front???
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08-09-2007, 05:28 PM	#2
MakoBimmer1 Booyakasha! 40 Rep 413 Posts Drives: '13 Mini Cooper S Coupe' Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kihei, HI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 Mini Cooper S ... [0.00]	Its WA state law to have a front license plate fixed to the front of the vehicle. The dealership was kind enough to not violate or molest my bumper...yeah! I risk getting a ticket daily, but its only a $101 dollar ticket Ive been told. __________________ '08 M Coupe--AW/IR--SOLD!--My M Coupe Obsession '13 Mini Cooper S Coupe - My Maui Mobile '13 Mini Cooper S Paceman- My Maui 'Stuff Hauler'
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08-09-2007, 05:36 PM	#3
asdflkijd Aberry is a scammer 556 Rep 5,507 Posts Drives: SGM E92 335i, AM E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (14) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [10.00] 2007 E90 335i (Reti ... [9.00]	haha nice one hmm couldnt we just put it on the windshield like most teens with hondas and acuras do when they give us the fix it ticket??
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08-09-2007, 11:06 PM	#5
plugboots Nude Member 6 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 2011 328 xit, 2012 Golf R Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	My wife got pulled over in our small town for no front plate, so we have to put it on or else get the ticket next time. If I was in Seattle and parked off street, I wouldn't do it.
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08-10-2007, 12:34 AM	#6
HPIA4v2 Major 254 Rep 1,391 Posts Drives: F80, F86 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Washington iTrader: (3)	Well, I've been running 1 car w/o front license for 2 years, after my wife hit a dumpster and broke off the holder. So now I am running my 535i w/o it either. Cross my fingers.
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08-10-2007, 08:45 AM	#7
8oh8 Enlisted Member 3 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 06' E90 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Unincorporated King County iTrader: (0)	I have a friend who got pulled over in his stock cooper s on petrovisky ave in renton for no front license plate....got off with a warning __________________ 8oh8 '06 325XI
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08-10-2007, 11:14 AM	#8
alistair First Lieutenant 18 Rep 386 Posts Drives: 2013 X5 ///M Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: WA, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW X5///M [0.00]	I've been thinking on this one too - my guess is that if you're speeding a tiny bit over the limit (!), and have no front plate, you're more likely to get pulled over. I'm starting to think it's worth sucking it up, having the plate, and reducing the odds even if just a little bit. Obviously I could not speed too, but that's less likely
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08-10-2007, 11:25 AM	#9
toofasttooslow Galactic Emperor 75 Rep 801 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: WA iTrader: (3)	I see about 50% of the drivers each day without front plates. I agree that a cop is more likely to use it as an excuse to pull you over, do a field sobriety test, search for drugs etc than to actaully give you a fix-it-ticket for it.
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08-10-2007, 10:19 PM	#10
normtrum Colonel 52 Rep 2,225 Posts Drives: e90 335i, e46 330i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: PNW iTrader: (1)	I have no intention of putting a front plate on my car, although I agree that it is a risk. I actually keep my front plate in my back seat all the time, thinking it might help me if I get pulled over (meaning maybe I can talk my way into a warning). __________________ 07 335i sedan \| Steptronic \| Black saphire \| Terra \| ZPP \| ZSP \| Cold Weather \| CA \| PDC \| Nav \| OEM Alarm
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08-13-2007, 03:28 PM	#12
vAnt826 Major 63 Rep 1,417 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Seattle iTrader: (3)	Never had a front plate in the Newcastle, Bellevue, Renton area. I got pulled over once but that was in Kent on a Saturday night at around 2AM
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08-13-2007, 03:37 PM	#13
Johnny3 Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 294 Posts Drives: Black Sapphire 335i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bellevue, WA;;;San Diego, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	i don't have a front plate, but i'm trying to think of a way to stick one on temporarily if the situation calls for it. It's not likely that you're going to get pulled over, but it is more likely if it's a late night and that's the time when you may have had a couple drinks. I in no way condone (spelling?) drunk driving, but it's a fine line. I got pulled over a couple of months ago after having dinner which included a bottle of wine that i shared with my date. i passed the test with flying colors, blowing a .05, but still, it wasn't a sure thing.
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08-13-2007, 11:13 PM	#15
toofasttooslow Galactic Emperor 75 Rep 801 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: WA iTrader: (3)	There's a place that sells license plate holders that have adapters that fit into your front tow hook. I am spacing on the name of the place but I'm sure if you search the forums you can find it.
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08-14-2007, 01:50 AM	#17
Johnny Lin Lieutenant General 832 Rep 11,307 Posts Drives: AW E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (42)	I dont have front licence plate on my E90 for 2 yrs already and nothing happen to me. Guess the police here does not really care about it, but it is require to have one. I like without it, so I am going to take the risk of it. GL!
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08-14-2007, 03:22 AM	#19
Getter New Member 1 Rep 23 Posts Drives: '08 335xi, MT, ED.. Delivered! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Even if you are willing to suck up a ticket, it just gives them a reason to pull you over. I know guys that have blown a .05 (about one microbrew) and still been arrested and had to go to court with an expensive lawyer. They got out of it, but it cost $$$. A few years ago I used to roll without a front plate and got pulled over twice until I decided to throw it on. Once was in Vancouver, BC and they were not very sympathetic. The other time was Washington State Patrol on Snoqualmie Pass. I had to pay that ticket, though I forget what it cost.
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08-14-2007, 12:57 PM	#20
K335i Private 0 Rep 59 Posts Drives: '09 E92 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Redmond, WA iTrader: (0)	I got away without a front plate on my 330i ZHP for nearly 4 years and am doing fine without one on my 335i. The only time I was asked why I don't have a front plate was when I was crossing the border on my way back down to Seattle from Vancouver. I told the customs agent that I had an appointment with the dealer to get it installed and that we were just waiting for the bracket to arrive. It's extremely unlikely that you'll get pulled over for not having a front plate. You'll generally only be issued a "fix-it" ticket if you're being pulled over for something else.
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08-14-2007, 04:43 PM	#21
asdflkijd Aberry is a scammer 556 Rep 5,507 Posts Drives: SGM E92 335i, AM E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (14) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [10.00] 2007 E90 335i (Reti ... [9.00]	My friend is a member of the Subi forum www.iwsti.com and he told me that there is some kind of special permit that you can get at a local fire department to allow you to not have a front license plate, he said it was about $15 or so.. does anyone know about this?? He wasnt very clear when he was explaining it to me and couldnt remember specifically where it was.
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