Front plate - to be, or not to be?

[jwzimm]

Originally Posted by M.a.r.k.u.s

I've been running without a front plate on my E90 for about 2 1/2 years and have never been pulled over in the car, although I'm expecting it to be a matter of time. Because of that I always have my excuse prepped "someone backed into me while the car was parked and the body shop just replaced the bumper but the license plate holder is back ordered"...not sure if it would work or not but hopefully I don't have to find out.

Given that I ordered my F80 in Sakhir Orange, I figure it'll be smart to have a front plate as the car is already flashy enough and I don't want to give cops a reason to pull me over. My CA suggested I get the plate printed as a vinyl sticker and put it on. I've seen these on exotics in Europe but never over here and was curious if that is even legal here. Does anyone on here know?

Looks like this Porsche has a Vinyl front plate http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y20...o/IMG_0086.jpg

Nope, Vinyl plate is not legal. Per RCW46.16A.200 Section 7 only the plate that is issued is acceptable for display.

http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.16A.200

That said, it may get you out of a ticket if the cop is on the fence but the way I figure it, I would rather not even give them a reason to pull me over.

Originally Posted by Shanh81

I work on Willows RD in Redmond and most evenings I see these cops parked on the street or hiding off to the site on the buildings leading up to the roads. Have escaped tickets thus far. Got the sto n sho box in the trunk. Haven't bothered to install until I get busted at least once

Yeah, my mom has a VW Golf R and she drives across the Willows Valley every morning for work. She has been getting tickets lately for no front plate. Probably going to pick up a US Millworks plate mount for her.

[M.a.r.k.u.s]

Originally Posted by jwzimm

Nope, Vinyl plate is not legal. Per RCW46.16A.200 Section 7 only the plate that is issued is acceptable for display.

http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.16A.200

But it also says this:

"The director may adopt types of license plates to be used as long as the license plates are legible."

[jwzimm]

Originally Posted by M.a.r.k.u.s

But it also says this:

"The director may adopt types of license plates to be used as long as the license plates are legible."

Yep, but you are not the director. They are referring to the director of the DOT.

[M.a.r.k.u.s]

Originally Posted by jwzimm

Yep, but you are not the director. They are referring to the director of the DOT.

Hahahaha don't worry, I'm not that delusional and was aware of that

I put a call in to WA State Patrol to see what they say or who I need to track down to get something like that approved (or not).

[jwzimm]

Originally Posted by M.a.r.k.u.s

Hahahaha don't worry, I'm not that delusional and was aware of that

I put a call in to WA State Patrol to see what they say or who I need to track down to get something like that approved (or not).

Neat. If you make any headway that could be interesting.

[M.a.r.k.u.s]

Originally Posted by jwzimm

Neat. If you make any headway that could be interesting.

Got this response from State Patrol:

Washington State law does require that a vehicle have a front license plate be attached to the vehicle and clearly visible at all times.

RCW 46.16A.200 (4)(b) referenced below is under the authority of the Director of the Department of Licensing who issues license plates in the state of Washington. You will need to check with them directly to determine whether or not an alternative plate such as the one you describe would be authorized. DOL can be contacted directly at (360) 902-0120 or titles@dol.wa.gov.

The Washington State Patrol only determines whether or not compliance is impossible as outlined under (5)(b) which states in part, “(5)(b) The Washington state patrol may grant exceptions to this subsection if the body construction of the vehicle makes compliance with this section impossible." This determination is made based on whether or not there is a license plate bracket or way to affix the plate to your vehicle. If there is a bracket for the vehicle or a way to affix the plate to the vehicle, then the request for the waiver will be denied.



Already sent an email to the address they provided...we'll see what happens.

[Djpraise]

I got a speeding ticket on Mercer Island and was not written up for no front plates.

Be careful about speeding on Mercer Island especially around the I90 onramps. I see cops there frequently. Didn't follow my own advise and got a silly ticket.

[dv8pdx]

I really really didnt want a front plate and didnt have the dealer install the bracket. I dont have an issue right now since I have a temp on the back but Portland really seems to be cracking down. Several people have got hit with the $80 ticket. Since Im getting custom plates "HOT M4" it might not hurt my preferance as much putting it on the front with a nice black chrome frame. I just cant get into the tow hook ones. I guess I'll make the dreaded decision when the plates arrive.

[schnazzy]

Getting a waiver for a modern car is going to be impossible. Very clearly the excuse that you don't want to drill holes will not fly. All they have to do is call the dealer and ask if there is a mounting bracket, which there is, and your request will be denied.

In 2011 and 2012 there was a bill presented to give motorists the ability to request only 1 plate for privacy reasons. It never went out of the discussion phase.

Either you are going to have to wait until your car is 30 years old, take the tickets as they come or figure out how much it would cost to put a lobbying effort in place and do a go-fund-me type campaign. Funny enough it'd probably be less than how much is written in tickets a year. I am not volunteering.

[pdx_m3r]

Easy solution for a smart state would be to allow Euro plates as a "specialty" plate. I would bet many f8x owners wouldn't run without a front plate because they look so cool!

[schnazzy]

An easy solution would be to just print rear plates instead of 2 plates unless:
you have a purple heart (I think this is one plate)
30 year old car
can get through WSP's requirement for no front plate (mostly ferrari lambo)

[Shanh81]

Got pulled over in Redmond for no front plates. Officer said I had till end of today to get the plates installed and wants a picture of it. He decided it was worth pulling a U-Turn for it.

[AYTifosi]

Well shit snacks. Were you doing donuts in the middle of the intersection to catch his attention? Or, just looking cool?

It had to be where I live too.. I bought the tow hook thingee - it works great and of course, isn't permanent. I guess I have to find it and put it on.

Thanks for the heads up.

[Shanh81]

Was turning left and driving 34 mph when he decided to pull me over for no front plates. Didn't say a word about speed etc.

I bought the Sto N Sho but never installed it. For now, I am going to just use some tape to hold the plates up for pictures to send to him today. Will figure out what to do afterwards.

I wish I had recorded him when he pulled out after giving me the warning. He almost drove into a car pulling another U-turn. Def deserved a ticket for his own driving

[Xerxes480]

Originally Posted by Shanh81

Got pulled over in Redmond for no front plates. Officer said I had till end of today to get the plates installed and wants a picture of it. He decided it was worth pulling a U-Turn for it.

Well that sucks ass. May I ask where in Redmond?

-X-

[Shanh81]

Originally Posted by Xerxes480

Well that sucks ass. May I ask where in Redmond?

-X-

Near the QFC/Coho restaurant area.

[Vetkin]

Originally Posted by Shanh81

Near the QFC/Coho restaurant area.

I really want to take off my tow hook plate but I drive through this area all the time. It looks like numerous people have been ticketed for no front plate around there.

[Shanh81]

Originally Posted by Vetkin

I really want to take off my tow hook plate but I drive through this area all the time. It looks like numerous people have been ticketed for no front plate around there.

Police station is near and at times they have nothing better to do

[schnazzy]

Originally Posted by Shanh81

Got pulled over in Redmond for no front plates. Officer said I had till end of today to get the plates installed and wants a picture of it. He decided it was worth pulling a U-Turn for it.

Is his name Alex Chavykin and he drives a a fully blacked out dodge with no markings?

Did he tell you he bought a brand new (whatever it is this time car) and he had to put plates on it?

Where you speeding down 90th or Willows and he didn't care about that but gave you the plate ticket?

I just avoid Redmond and shop and eat elsewhere.

[Shanh81]

Originally Posted by schnazzy

Is his name Alex Chavykin and he drives a a fully blacked out dodge with no markings?

Did he tell you he bought a brand new (whatever it is this time car) and he had to put plates on it?

Where you speeding down 90th or Willows and he didn't care about that but gave you the plate ticket?

I just avoid Redmond and shop and eat elsewhere.

Lol yes it was Alex Chavykin in the car described. Wasn't speeding or anything. He literally just pulled me over the front plates but just gave a warning as long as I sent him a picture with the front plates installed by end of day. I sent a picture in and he was satisfied. Just have to hope he doesn't pull me over again . He didn't mention anything about his car story.

I work in Redmond on willows so stuck in that area for lunch.

[schnazzy]

Go up willows and then 124th. Up by the ford store is a taco bell, jack/box, 3 teriyaki places, thai, pizza, etc.I stopped driving south on willows past where I work. He usually hides on Willows somewhere in the AM and sits on the side of the road in the PM and pulls multiple over. Otherwise he is between the AMPM on willows and the Soho Cafe (usually on that road around lunch). This isn't 100% accurate but I have seen him many many time.

I think just about all he does is plates and a large number of BMWs are pulled over.