I haven't had a front plate on the car since I bought it a year ago. I think the bumper was replaced prior to my purchase and there was no bracket.

I was finally pulled over just down the street from my house on the way home the other day for my lack of plates and it was the quickest conversation I've ever had with the a cop. I presented my DL, told him I had the plate on the backseat (which I did) and told him it hadn't been put back on since the car was painted (which is technically true with a bit of omission.)

Before I could even get my proof of insurance or say anything else he just handed my DL back and said have a good evening. No warning, no get it fixed, no nothing.

I do live in a heavily patrolled area with lots of criminal activity (San Leon for those who know TX), so in thinking about it I wonder if my lack of plate was just a good excuse to see who I was. Once it was confirmed that I live down the street, all was fine. I thought it as kinda weird.

I started paying attention to the cars going by today and I'd say a surprising number of cars didn't have front plates. Some out of state, lots of newer Vettes and other sports cars were missing their front plate.

I ordered a bracket so I'll be legal by the end of the week. Does anyone else in TX drive around without a front plate? Any thoughts on the rest of the interaction?

Chris

 

leo's are super cool when it comes to minor infractions such as a no front plate that are a "toss up" in terms of enforcement when they meet cool civilians.

you might want to look into the tow hook receptacle plate holder that uses the tow hook placement of the plate far right, and allows you to keep it in the backseat/frunk and just install it if you're parking in a heavily patrolled meter **** area. its a 20 second on/off. thats what i do because those tickets are just "gimmes" and bread and butter for meter maids

 

On my RSTi I was pulled and ticketed for both tint and tag in VA. Tint was too dark I knew but tag? I'm pretty sure he thought he was pulling over a kid! The guy suggested I use double sided tape! I told him I wasn't willing to risk hurting someone when it flew off and putting it on the dash was asking to get scalped - I'm also unwilling to block the intercooler. On the 911 I've received not so much as a blink even driving through stops where they are checking tags and inspection, it's weird. No doubt there's some profiling but I'll take the ticket vs drilling. The tow bracket is a great idea if only my bumper had the hole!

 

The deal here in Texas is that it has been a law for a long time, but there was never an official fine authorized by the legislature to go along with the the ticket, so cops had no interest in writing a ticket that couldn't be enforced anyway. Now the fine is authorized and is around $225, so you might have some jurisdictions that are more interested in writing the ticket to collect the coin.

In my experience, most cops use it as a convenient way to check out what you're up to. Most are happy to give you a warning if there is nothing else going on.

The tow hook attachment is what I went with also - the one from US Millworks for about $80.

 

that's exactly right. ( hypothetically speaking ) if one were to say,..go out for dinner and have ONE drink?! sit in the passenger seat and STILL put the front plate on lol

 

I live in Texas and don't run a front plate on any of our cars. So far we've been lucky even though I've been pulled over a couple times since the updated laws.

 

I like the looks of the US Millworks bracket, thanks for the suggestion.

Interesting history on the front bracket fine!

Chris

 

I live in Houston and was pulled over three times within 6 months - all DPS Troopers in different areas of the city. Warnings (no tickets) issued each time. I purchased the factory bracket from Pelican and mounted the plate -no issues for the past 2 years. Too much hassle / risk to give the cop a reason to go fishing...esp with exhaust mods

 

Yep, I'm doing the same thing for the same reason. Thanks for the reply.

 

THIS ^

I have a buddy that was lit up (we are in CA), merely pulling away from the curb in front of an adult beverage establishment, the infraction? He was stopped for a "mechanical", no front plate. LEO was waiting outside, watching people leave and used a mechanical as probable cause to check on alcohol levels.

No thank you

I have a tow hook frame and while I don't love the look, I am in compliance, so that is the route I took, KH

 

exACTLY!

 

i'm another that doesn't run a front plate on any of my cars (here in TX), but knowing it's an easy reason to be pulled over for a 'check and see' on the driver gives me pause. maybe the cars would look better with a front plate...

 

In Ohio they shoot you for no front license plate. No thanks, got my front plate on.

http://m.motherjones.com/politics/2015/07/video-shows-police-shooting-samuel-dubose

 

Front plate? We dont ned no stinkin front plate!!😁 Tn doesnt require it

 

Another option is the rho-plate, will be setting up the new arrival next year. Seems to be a quality product.

Cheers,