Stay on your Toes if you Run Front Plateless - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Quasimodem · 12-16-2012, 10:33 PM

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

So I was waiting in the left hand turn lane and a cop crosses in front of me heading in the direction that I was turning. As he crossed in front of me he looked right at me, and I was quite aware that I didnt have a front plate(even though I have been running without a front plate for three and a half years with no problems). So I said to myself, I will bet this guy pulls over to wait until I pass him and jumps on my tail.

Sure enough, when I made my left turn I saw him pulled over on the right hand side. I didnt know if he was waiting for me or not, but I wasnt going to take the chance. I immediately pulled into the parking lot on the immediate right (in front of the Casket Outlet LOL) pulled in next to a minivan and started reading a book. After about five minutes I pulled out and made my right hand turn back the way I was going. As I did so, I looked left and a similar cruiser was pulling through the intersection going away from the way I was going.

Sure he probably got a call, pulled over, and ended up reversing his course to go to an incident, but I had a funny feeling he was looking for me. Then again maybe I am a bit jumpy from seeing The Hobbit yesterday.

I know, CSB.

XMetal · 12-17-2012, 02:36 AM

They'll get you sooner or later if you don't have a front plate...Our communist of a state needs their money. IMHO, it's not worth the risk and hassle.

I had been driving without a front plate over 15 years without issue, but then all the sudden got ticketed while parked on the street one day for missing plate. That was 5 years ago and needless to say that I've been driving with a front plate on all my cars since

MikeyV · 12-17-2012, 09:33 AM

Why not have a front plate, what's the big deal about it. Where I live you'd be lucky to last a week without being stopped by the Police or ticketed by a parking warden.

mullini · 12-17-2012, 09:35 AM

Wait - if a front plate is required in California, why don't California BMW dealers attach it? I have the holder they provided, but I figured it must be optional if it doesn't come attached...

TotalPower · 12-17-2012, 09:59 AM

Very very few cops will waste their time and yours for only a front plate. They'll usually get you for speeding, running a light, etc and then look around for exhaust, tints, plates, etc.

BGM · 12-17-2012, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TotalPower

Very very few cops will waste their time and yours for only a front plate. They'll usually get you for speeding, running a light, etc and then look around for exhaust, tints, plates, etc.

exhaust? what's the big deal about that? too noisy?

Red Bread · 12-17-2012, 10:42 AM

Yeah, when I lived in CA, I never ran a front plate, had tinted windows and never got pulled over for those things. I did get parking tickets for it though, and used a cab when I was drinking, knowing that those two things would increase the odds of me getting pulled over.

In Texas, I've been pulled over a couple of times for no front plate, but never gotten a ticket for it.

You're giving them a justification to pull you over, if you're not comfortable with that, add the plate.

Quasimodem · 12-17-2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mullini

Wait - if a front plate is required in California, why don't California BMW dealers attach it? I have the holder they provided, but I figured it must be optional if it doesn't come attached...

If you sign a waiver and request that they dont punch holes in your bumper cover, they will throw the bracket in your back seat when you pick up your car instead of mounting it.

I have received a speeding ticket, I was clocked at 85 in a 65. He ticketed me for 75 and didnt say anything about front plate. Of course the guy who was tailgating me at 85 got away clean.

Remonster · 12-17-2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeyV

Why not have a front plate, what's the big deal about it. Where I live you'd be lucky to last a week without being stopped by the Police or ticketed by a parking warden.

It's fugly. Why pay more for the M Sport body and then stick a license plate on it? And besides, it's useless. Red light cameras (at least in California) take pictures of the front and back of your car and I'm not exactly anticipating being chased by the police in reverse...

I haven't had one for six years but I have a funny feeling that I'll post this and get pulled over today haha

mullini · 12-17-2012, 07:14 PM

Well I verified it is the law in California. But I don't see any obvious place to attach the front holder. Am I missing something, or is this something I need the dealer to do? I certainly don't recall signing any waiver for the front plate...

XMetal · 12-17-2012, 07:34 PM

Most plate holder is contour to your specific bumper. Center it on your bumper and follow the contour of your plate holder...then drill the necessary holes to mount the holder. If you're not comfortable with drilling into your bumper, then take it to either a body shop (cheaper alternative) or the dealer.

kungpao · 12-20-2012, 10:26 AM

Does Cali require you to have the plate mounted on the bumper or just on the front of the vehicle somewhere? I have friends who used to velcro their front plate (Massachusetts) to the passenger visor and whenever they drove by a cop, they'd flip the visor down lol.

135Pats · 12-20-2012, 10:43 AM

Ugh I want to run sans front plate so badly, it's hideous...but the leos around my area have very little serious police work to do (not being an anti-cop brat, it's just the truth), and will happily pull you over for the sleightest infraction. DC cops are generally pretty relaxed as they have serious business to attend to, but Moco police and VA state troopers don't play around. I'm gunna install a tow hook mount so it's not quite as ugly, but i'll still have the stupid holes in my front bumper.

GentleWen · 12-20-2012, 10:58 AM

what's the fine if you got caught for not having front license plate on?
$50 something?

TiChello · 12-20-2012, 12:42 PM

Gotta love montreal, only need a rear plate. Then again it falls off easy since we hit every crater on the road and sometimes valleys... middlefinger to potholes

Wraith. · 12-20-2012, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GentleWen

what's the fine if you got caught for not having front license plate on?
$50 something?

$120 here. I was warned last summer by a motorcycle cop as we passed each other on a narrow residential street. As we pulled even he told me to stop, gave me a lecture and said next time he saw me without them it would cost me $120. I said all the 'yes, sirs, no sirs' to make him happy (after all that's what they really want) but it's still not on and i have no plans to. For the last 8 years spanning 2 cars, I've run without. Although it's been more than 20 years since i was last pulled over.

mosx · 12-20-2012, 02:18 PM

In Texas I find its the State Troopers and Rural cops that will pull you over for it. The 2 times I've been pulled over I told them "I just didn't want to ruin this beautiful car by drilling holes in the front bumper, would you take a drill to your brand new BMW?" Got a warning both times.

fordorobere · 12-20-2012, 08:23 PM

Where I live you'd be lucky to last a week without being stopped by the Police or ticketed by a parking warden.

Efthreeoh · 12-22-2012, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosx

In Texas I find its the State Troopers and Rural cops that will pull you over for it. The 2 times I've been pulled over I told them "I just didn't want to ruin this beautiful car by drilling holes in the front bumper, would you take a drill to your brand new BMW?" Got a warning both times.

Really? That works for you? LOL. If I was a cop and you gave me that line I'd ticket you, search your car, plant some contraband, arrest you and lock you up.

NoirthernDancer · 12-22-2012, 10:59 AM

www.skenedesign.com I use it-no visible holes

DEWBMW · 12-22-2012, 08:14 PM

So, I'm an Alaskan state resident and my '12 335xi is registered in Alaska (inspected in NY) and I drive in NY. Both Alaska and New York are 2 plate states. I only drive with a back plate, because I'm under the assumption that NY police can't ticket me for violating an Alaska state law, and NY police can't ticket an out of state car for violating a NY specific law. Do you think I've found a loophole? I hope, because I just bought a custom Euro plate for the front. Thoughts? Thanks!

Tsuyoi · 12-22-2012, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEWBMW

So, I'm an Alaskan state resident and my '12 335xi is registered in Alaska (inspected in NY) and I drive in NY. Both Alaska and New York are 2 plate states. I only drive with a back plate, because I'm under the assumption that NY police can't ticket me for violating an Alaska state law, and NY police can't ticket an out of state car for violating a NY specific law. Do you think I've found a loophole? I hope, because I just bought a custom Euro plate for the front. Thoughts? Thanks!

Technically yes. However, as others have stated, if the NY policeman knows Alaska requires two plates, but can't ticket you for it, they'll just ticket you for anything else they can. You're parked? Oh look too far from curb, ticket. Moving? Failed to signal that lane swap, ticket.

12-16-2012, 10:33 PM	#1
Quasimodem Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 335d Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,708 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335d US [0.00]	Stay on your Toes if you Run Front Plateless Featured on BIMMERPOST.com So I was waiting in the left hand turn lane and a cop crosses in front of me heading in the direction that I was turning. As he crossed in front of me he looked right at me, and I was quite aware that I didnt have a front plate(even though I have been running without a front plate for three and a half years with no problems). So I said to myself, I will bet this guy pulls over to wait until I pass him and jumps on my tail. Sure enough, when I made my left turn I saw him pulled over on the right hand side. I didnt know if he was waiting for me or not, but I wasnt going to take the chance. I immediately pulled into the parking lot on the immediate right (in front of the Casket Outlet LOL) pulled in next to a minivan and started reading a book. After about five minutes I pulled out and made my right hand turn back the way I was going. As I did so, I looked left and a similar cruiser was pulling through the intersection going away from the way I was going. Sure he probably got a call, pulled over, and ended up reversing his course to go to an incident, but I had a funny feeling he was looking for me. Then again maybe I am a bit jumpy from seeing The Hobbit yesterday. I know, CSB. __________________ The BMW Diesel, it's not your grandfather's Dieselmobile.
	Tweet

12-20-2012, 10:26 AM	#12
kungpao New Member Drives: 2009 Alpine White X5 35d Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Pennsyltucky Posts: 10 iTrader: (0)	Does Cali require you to have the plate mounted on the bumper or just on the front of the vehicle somewhere? I have friends who used to velcro their front plate (Massachusetts) to the passenger visor and whenever they drove by a cop, they'd flip the visor down lol. __________________ -kp! 2009 X5 35D

12-20-2012, 10:43 AM	#13
135Pats Gooby Pls. Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,577 iTrader: (0)	Ugh I want to run sans front plate so badly, it's hideous...but the leos around my area have very little serious police work to do (not being an anti-cop brat, it's just the truth), and will happily pull you over for the sleightest infraction. DC cops are generally pretty relaxed as they have serious business to attend to, but Moco police and VA state troopers don't play around. I'm gunna install a tow hook mount so it's not quite as ugly, but i'll still have the stupid holes in my front bumper. __________________ E88 FBO N54 Alpinweiss/Coral Red/Meisterschaft Race/Berk Resonated/Macht Schnell 3"/ER CP/Synapse/VRSF FMIC/BMS DCI/BMS Thermostat Delete/Rob Beck PCV/BMS OCC/Cobb 4.02/Alpina TCU Flash/Icarbon/3D Design/Cyba

12-20-2012, 08:23 PM	#18
fordorobere New Member Drives: bmw Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: for Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	Where I live you'd be lucky to last a week without being stopped by the Police or ticketed by a parking warden. __________________

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

12-17-2012, 02:36 AM	#2
XMetal Captain Drives: '04 X5, '08 Z4MC Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 893 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW Z4MCoupe [0.00] 2004 BMW X5 [0.00]	They'll get you sooner or later if you don't have a front plate...Our communist of a state needs their money. IMHO, it's not worth the risk and hassle. I had been driving without a front plate over 15 years without issue, but then all the sudden got ticketed while parked on the street one day for missing plate. That was 5 years ago and needless to say that I've been driving with a front plate on all my cars since

12-17-2012, 09:33 AM	#3
MikeyV Lieutenant Drives: Volvo V70, MINI Cooper Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Norway Posts: 580 iTrader: (0)	Why not have a front plate, what's the big deal about it. Where I live you'd be lucky to last a week without being stopped by the Police or ticketed by a parking warden.

12-17-2012, 09:35 AM	#4
mullini Mullini Drives: 2013 X1 sDrive28i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Redondo Beach CA Posts: 88 iTrader: (0)	Wait - if a front plate is required in California, why don't California BMW dealers attach it? I have the holder they provided, but I figured it must be optional if it doesn't come attached...

12-17-2012, 09:59 AM	#5
TotalPower Lieutenant Drives: 2011 335is Vert AW Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 467 iTrader: (0)	Very very few cops will waste their time and yours for only a front plate. They'll usually get you for speeding, running a light, etc and then look around for exhaust, tints, plates, etc.

12-17-2012, 10:42 AM	#7
Red Bread Colonel Drives: My wife's car Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,931 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW X1 35i [0.00] 2009 Schwinn Madison [0.00]	Yeah, when I lived in CA, I never ran a front plate, had tinted windows and never got pulled over for those things. I did get parking tickets for it though, and used a cab when I was drinking, knowing that those two things would increase the odds of me getting pulled over. In Texas, I've been pulled over a couple of times for no front plate, but never gotten a ticket for it. You're giving them a justification to pull you over, if you're not comfortable with that, add the plate.

12-17-2012, 07:14 PM	#10
mullini Mullini Drives: 2013 X1 sDrive28i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Redondo Beach CA Posts: 88 iTrader: (0)	Well I verified it is the law in California. But I don't see any obvious place to attach the front holder. Am I missing something, or is this something I need the dealer to do? I certainly don't recall signing any waiver for the front plate...

12-17-2012, 07:34 PM	#11
XMetal Captain Drives: '04 X5, '08 Z4MC Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 893 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW Z4MCoupe [0.00] 2004 BMW X5 [0.00]	Most plate holder is contour to your specific bumper. Center it on your bumper and follow the contour of your plate holder...then drill the necessary holes to mount the holder. If you're not comfortable with drilling into your bumper, then take it to either a body shop (cheaper alternative) or the dealer.

12-20-2012, 10:58 AM	#14
GentleWen Private Drives: 2013 Z4 35i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: United States Posts: 74 iTrader: (0)	what's the fine if you got caught for not having front license plate on? $50 something?

12-20-2012, 12:42 PM	#15
TiChello Registered Drives: BMW 323i BLACK 2009 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: MONTREAL Posts: 4 iTrader: (0)	Gotta love montreal, only need a rear plate. Then again it falls off easy since we hit every crater on the road and sometimes valleys... middlefinger to potholes

12-20-2012, 02:18 PM	#17
mosx The mod bug has bitten. Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Texas Posts: 525 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	In Texas I find its the State Troopers and Rural cops that will pull you over for it. The 2 times I've been pulled over I told them "I just didn't want to ruin this beautiful car by drilling holes in the front bumper, would you take a drill to your brand new BMW?" Got a warning both times.

12-22-2012, 10:59 AM	#20
NoirthernDancer Second Lieutenant Drives: 325iX & 128 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa On Canada Posts: 235 iTrader: (2)	www.skenedesign.com I use it-no visible holes

12-22-2012, 08:14 PM	#21
DEWBMW Registered Drives: 2012 BMW 335xi Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NY Posts: 4 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 335xi [0.00]	So, I'm an Alaskan state resident and my '12 335xi is registered in Alaska (inspected in NY) and I drive in NY. Both Alaska and New York are 2 plate states. I only drive with a back plate, because I'm under the assumption that NY police can't ticket me for violating an Alaska state law, and NY police can't ticket an out of state car for violating a NY specific law. Do you think I've found a loophole? I hope, because I just bought a custom Euro plate for the front. Thoughts? Thanks!