Is your front license plate on the car or off the car? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jim B. · #1 05-30-2006, 12:07 PM

In favor of having front plate off: Car seems to look MUCH better with it removed.

In favor of having front plate on: It is illegal in some or many states that issues 2 license plates to run your car without front and rear license plates, and they often do give tickets for it and,

Front plate can absorb minor dings that would otherwise touch the front bumper

What say you?

Mike Miller · #2 05-30-2006, 02:44 PM

My '92 R129 has no provision for a front license plate. Yes, it looks better without one. I will take my chances in California.

Pete Walls · #3 05-30-2006, 03:45 PM

I would leave mine on whether it is required or not, cause it it got stolen there would be 2X the chance someone would see it and recover the car (560SL)..

Veloce300DT · #4 05-30-2006, 04:50 PM

I prefer the look of no plate on the front, or a Euro plate on the front instead. My W202 didnt come with provisions for a front plate, so thats easy. CA law states that all cars registered must have a front and rear plate. However, the absence of a front plate is rarely an issue with the CHP. Many cars here do not have front plates displayed. Rarely is one stopped for it.

My W123 has a euro plate (see profile pic, or gallery). Looks good to me. The Volvo has a euro plate as well, and the BMW has its original Blue plates on front and rear. Dont mind the CA blue plates as much.

Pete Geither · #5 05-30-2006, 07:37 PM

Our son who lives in Texas finally got stopped for not having his front plate on. When the cop was done with him he racked up over $500 in fines.

MBeige · #6 05-30-2006, 07:52 PM

I have original blue plates on the 300D so I keep them on. Wax them and keep them nice and clean.

coleyjf · #7 05-31-2006, 01:46 AM

Hi

In the UK we have different laws on plates (THEY MUST BE ON). I think UK plates look OK - especially if you've personalised numbers.

(have a look)

http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/43c8543bza37fbba9/5661/__sr_/14bd.jpg?phYATfEBYGI8mE.R

Cheers

Jim

LeaUK · #8 05-31-2006, 02:29 AM

No choice here in the UK as Jim mentions!

iwrock · #9 05-31-2006, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Geither

Our son who lives in Texas finally got stopped for not having his front plate on. When the cop was done with him he racked up over $500 in fines.

How fast was he going, or what did he do wrong?? Here in Kalifornia, I think it is only a $30 ticket. We didnt have one on the 400E for the longest time, and we never got pulled over... But when I do pull it off, it rides in the trunk, because you never know what cops may do.

My boss doesnt have one on his E500 or E55, and he hasnt been stopped yet! I am just going to keep chuggin along without mine.

GeorgeH · #10 05-31-2006, 03:53 AM

I live in California and I don't have a front frame installed on my car. I've gotten a ticket (while parked) for not having a front license plate for $75. The ticket gave me to option of paying the $75 or showing the police dept that one is installed within 30 days and only have to pay a $15 admin fee. I chose to pay the $75, since it was the first time in six years that I got a ticket for not having one. I did end up buying a frame from the dealer and it ended up costing $85. I have both the frame and the plate in the trunk, but trying to avoid having to install it.

Veloce300DT · #11 05-31-2006, 05:26 AM

I have been pulled over in my C280 a couple of times over the years, which doesnt have a front plate- and it has never been a problem. BUT there arent any provisions for one either. There never has been. I wonder if cars that do not have provisions for front plates are exempt from the state regulation to have both front and rear plates affixed to the car.

On the other hand, I have noticed cops eyeing the front of my w123 car numerous times... and I have NEVER been pulled over for having a european plate. Maybe Im just lucky. Cops just look and keep on going.

GeorgeH · #12 05-31-2006, 09:53 AM

Here's what the California DMV has to say:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d05/vc11713_17.htm

As for no front license plate, the MB dealer tells me that any MB sold in the state of California was delivered from the factory with both front and rear license frames. If the car didn't ship with the front frame, it was placed in the trunk. If it was required by the state, it was expected that the selling dealer would install it.

Telling the police you don't have a front frame is not a legit excuse. (I've tried with no success.) They know that all dealers are required to sell front frames and will tell you to buy one. If you don't want to install a front license, just accept the fact that it may cost you in an occasional ticket. (Just a fine... and no points on your record.)

iwrock · #13 05-31-2006, 10:36 AM

I talked to one of my buddies that has an Acura Integra. He was pulled over for an exhaust that was too loud, and it was the stock exhaust, he was just pulling on redline in first.

While the officer was writing him up, he got around to the plate. The officer was going to give him a ticket, but he had proof his car had just recieved a new bumper for a minor collision he got into. The officer simply just shrugged it off, and he got a ticket for a noise violation.

And this is the guy that has 5 L7 subwoofers in his car. You want to talk about loud. Thank god he did not have those going when he got pulled over.

mikebrou · #14 05-31-2006, 04:25 PM

here in bc canada, i think they have to be on
. on my190sl, i drove it with out the plate , as i was waiting for a bracket. i found it looked good with out the plate. its been three years now and i have never been pulled over for no front plate , touch wood

Veloce300DT · #15 05-31-2006, 05:49 PM

georgeH- thanks for the link! My curiousity has been subsided. Interesting....

My W202 was originally purchased by my father through the european delivery program. He used to travel frequently for work overseas. The car was shipped to Caliber Motors, Anaheim Hills. They probably told him that a front plate holder needed to be purchased for it, but he never bought one or had the holes for it drilled into the bumper.

Since I prefer the look of no plate on it, I'll keep on pushing my luck. Seems that while it is a law to have one on the front, most cops & chp in my area arent too concerned about enforcing it. Im sure therell be a day when I get fined for it, but i'll just keep on pushing my luck.

View Poll Results: Do you have the front license plate on or off your SL (or other MB)
I left the front plate on the car because I want to.	6	9.84%
I left the front plate on because the law requires me to	28	45.90%
I removed the front license plate	27	44.26%
Voters: 61. You may not vote on this poll