[rbtamms]

I recently wrapped my car & replaced my bumper. I don't want to drill holes for the plate number, so I ordered a tow hitch plate holder. While waiting for my order, I put the plate number on my window visor.

I can't believe I got a $114 ticket for plate number placement? Is this really how much the citation for a violation that can be fixed? I mean, I had two cars before without front plate numbers & got a fix ticket for only $10 each. The officer noted that my plate number is on my visor, he saw it then.

Does this mean that it's cheaper not to have a front plate number at all than to put it somewhere else like on the dashboard or visor?

Anyone here who got a ticket for placing front plate on dashboard? I just want to know if my citation amount is logical?

[alexwhittemore]

You probably got a real citation this time and not a fixit because you had two previously.

Welcome to how that works.

[N54folife]

yes deff since you already had 2 notices.

[Eugeinus]

I know that here in VA, displaying plates on your dash or window doesn't count, as it needs to be affixed to your actual bumper. I'm assuming it's the same for you.

I was pulled over for having no front plate and issued a $100 ticket. However, when my tow hook mount came in, I was able to have the ticket dropped after proving I had fixed the issue. I'd check to see if that's possible for you to do as well, OP.

[///M3NACE]

In the suburbs of Chicago i got one for 120 dollars. in 2005 I got a few and they were 25.00 same area!

[alexwhittemore]

It's worth pointing out too that if you get caught and let off with a fix-it, you're lucky. And in LA, it's a $190 fine total, so $114 is pretty easy off as it is.

My roommate runs a german front plate because it looks totally dope, and is fully aware that it will eventually cost him $190.

[rbtamms]

Thank you guys for the comments. So, the citation is per owner...not per car? It doesn't matter if it's the car's first offense...they base it on the owner's citation record?

[Johndong888]

Personally I don't think they care, especially in NY. If u try something fancy such as putting it on your dash, that's when they notice the violation. I have been running front plateless since forever.

CA might be different. Not sure if they're actively looking out for it but if you have neighboring states that don't run front license plate, officers probably aren't looking out for missing front plates unless let's say u got pulled over for some other offense. I think you got a ticket because the odd position caught the officers' eyes.

As far as the placement of the front plate goes, it must be on the front bumper and nowhere else.

[alexwhittemore]

Originally Posted by rbtamms

Thank you guys for the comments. So, the citation is per owner...not per car? It doesn't matter if it's the car's first offense...they base it on the owner's citation record?

It's probably pretty safe to say that if you were borrowing a friend's car, and the officer verified that story, and you claimed you didn't realize your friend had no plate and you were nice about it, etc etc, you'd probably get let off with at LEAST a fix-it or maybe a warning.

Really the point is this: an officer has all the legal tools to treat you as severely as they like, up to the maximum $190 (in my case, dunno about where you are) uncorrectable fine (which, of course, you can fight in court).

If you give them a good reason NOT to exercise that power, they won't.

Having a history of violations and no obvious mitigating factors, making it clear that you're breaking the law strictly by personal preference and will continue to do so indefinitely, is pretty much the worst case.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to chastise you for running no plate - it looks better for sure and there's no obvious public safety concern. But you have to understand that the longer you do so, the more you'll get fined.

[dreamspeed]

First of all don't EVER put your license plate up in the visor/windshield area.

Not only does it look like a Honda Civic circa 1990 it is actually WORSE than not putting a license plate at all.

Cops (at least not all of them) don't go around just looking for people without front license plates. Even if you don't have a front plate there is a good chance they won't notice it.

BUT if you put the license plate up in the windshield area that is like putting a giant BULLSEYE on your car.

Putting it up in the windshield area does not count as having your front plate "properly" displayed in the front.

I have the tow hook mount and personally I think that is already pretty borderline positioning. Where some asshole cop MIGHT pull me over and I maybe or may not be able to talk my way out of it

[alexwhittemore]

Originally Posted by dreamspeed

I have the tow hook mount and personally I think that is already pretty borderline positioning. Where some asshole cop MIGHT pull me over and I maybe or may not be able to talk my way out of it

If you actually had it displayed at the time, I don't think a judge would even bother with that. Although it couldn't hurt to snap a picture of it displayed with the cop car in the background, in case you did need to appear.

[napeHbNYC]

Got one here in NYC for the same thing, but its $45 though...

[upstatedoc]

[barkles]

Live in California, I roll no front plate, just keep the temporary tag in the windshield and you'll be fine. I've done this for years.

[alexwhittemore]

Originally Posted by barkles

Live in California, I roll no front plate, just keep the temporary tag in the windshield and you'll be fine. I've done this for years.

hahaha, smart. Unless you get pulled over for another reason and the officer checks, I guess.

[chazzz]

Been driving my car without front license plate in SoCal for six years. No fix-it ticket.

It's a good idea to keep the temporary tag in the windshield.

[reelop19]

I'm always jealous of the Cali guys because the car scene is better and the state (nature wise) is beautiful but Florida is so much better in every other way, especially when it comes to laws and cars.

[dreamspeed]

I just remembered

OP, was it just a straight fix it ticket for the front plate? Or was it a ticket for no front plate AND obstructing view? Because I think they can give you a obstructing view ticket for putting your plate in your windshield rofl

[dreamspeed]

Originally Posted by reelop19

I'm always jealous of the Cali guys because the car scene is better and the state (nature wise) is beautiful but Florida is so much better in every other way, especially when it comes to laws and cars.

There are SO many things i love about California...and SO many things i hate about California

[rbtamms]

Originally Posted by dreamspeed

I just remembered

OP, was it just a straight fix it ticket for the front plate? Or was it a ticket for no front plate AND obstructing view? Because I think they can give you a obstructing view ticket for putting your plate in your windshield rofl

The violation section number is VC5201 & there's a comment below the ticket that says: Plate on Visor. Not affixed to front of vehicle.

[BOBKUR]

Originally Posted by rbtamms

Thank you guys for the comments. So, the citation is per owner...not per car? It doesn't matter if it's the car's first offense...they base it on the owner's citation record?

They will issue a citation each time no matter how many other times you have been cited. Law states that plate must be permanently affixed to front of vehicle, not dash or visor.

[sankohuy]

Originally Posted by rbtamms

The violation section number is VC5201 & there's a comment below the ticket that says: Plate on Visor. Not affixed to front of vehicle.

Which part of NorCal did you get the citation? You're scaring me bro!