Front License Plate Correction Notice

The key in my opinion is stealth; therefore, not having a front plate is a big red flag. Problem is the aluminum one is big, ugly and requires two holes in the fiberglass not exactly good options, but legally required in WA.

DISCLAIMER
This is probably illegal for some reason, but works for me.

1.)Take the original plate scan the image.
2.)Use a photo suite product (Photoshop).
3.)Shrink plate to whatever size desired.
a.Mine is 7”x5”.
4.)Print on color printer, or take floppy to Kinko’s.
5.)Have Kinko’s laminate using a piece of cardboard between paper plate and lamination.
6.)Get some mushroom head Velcro and stick it where ever you want.

It’s easily removed, smaller to match the cars size better, I don’t believe it can be lasered, and is visually there so won’t raise suspicion.

I still carry the original plate in the bonnet just in case they do notice and pull me over, I'll make some sorry excuse.

Best
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I got a verbal warning about the front plate AFTER getting the speeding ticket. What really killed me was he saw the plate behind my seat and then went and looked to see. It is now in a less conspicous place, and I suppose I'll have to try to find a bracket "one of these days".

 

My 'American' plate is under the front seat waiting for the 'American' bracket from Italy, mean while........................we'll see how long this lasts.
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A friend of mine got pulled downtown and the ticket was $130 or so and it was flagged as a traffic violation. A tag got put on shortly after. Let us know how it turns out. Do you have to go and get a signoff from the Highway patrol in 30 days?

 

That doesn't sound right...it should be considered a "non-moving violation" and not go on your driving record. Similar to not having a valid license plate tag on your car....

 

Down here in Texas they are being very hard a$$ about it.

The local judges will not dismiss it without state approval, and it does count "points", which is also a new program here!!!

I'm drilling holes in all my vehicles to get them on, I don't need the hassle.

 

Lots of conjecture here. I wonder how one finds out the "real" story on what kind of ticket it is for WA? I assume since it's a state law that it's the same in every county? Seems like Dave L. would know, at least for Seattle.

 

if I may make a recommendation here, I simply duct-taped the
plate to the front, got the signoff, turned around the corner, and removed it again....

 

I saw the ticket, it was a traffic violation.

 

Below is the RCW law. Couldn't find the penalty for violation.

RCW TITLES >> TITLE 46 >> CHAPTER 46.16 >> SECTION 46.16.240 Print Version
46.16.237 << 46.16.240 >> 46.16.260

RCW 46.16.240
Attachment of plates to vehicles -- Violations enumerated.
The vehicle license number plates shall be attached conspicuously at the front and rear of each vehicle for which the same are issued and in such a manner that they can be plainly seen and read at all times: PROVIDED, That if only one license number plate is legally issued for any vehicle such plate shall be conspicuously attached to the rear of such vehicle. Each vehicle license number plate shall be placed or hung in a horizontal position at a distance of not less than one foot nor more than four feet from the ground and shall be kept clean so as to be plainly seen and read at all times: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That in cases where the body construction of the vehicle is such that compliance with this section is impossible, permission to deviate therefrom may be granted by the state patrol. It shall be unlawful to display upon the front or rear of any vehicle, vehicle license number plate or plates other than those furnished by the director for such vehicle or to display upon any vehicle any vehicle license number plate or plates which have been in any manner changed, altered, disfigured or have become illegible. License plate frames may be used on vehicle license number plates only if the frames do not obscure license tabs or identifying letters or numbers on the plates and the plates can be plainly seen and read at all times. It is unlawful to use any holders, frames, or any materials that in any manner change, alter, or make the vehicle license number plates illegible. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any vehicle unless there shall be displayed thereon valid vehicle license number plates attached as herein provided.


[1987 c 330 § 704; 1987 c 142 § 3; 1969 ex.s. c 170 § 10; 1967 c 32 § 18; 1961 c 12 § 46.16.240. Prior: 1947 c 89 § 1; 1937 c 188 § 36; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 6312-36.]

NOTES:


Rules of court: Monetary penalty schedule -- IRLJ 6.2.


Reviser's note: This section was amended by 1987 c 142 § 3 and by 1987 c 330 § 704, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section pursuant to RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).


Construction -- Application of rules -- Severability -- 1987 c 330: See notes following RCW 28B.12.050.


Illumination of plate: RCW 46.37.050.

 

Traffic laws are uniform across WA State, via the Revised Code of Washington. I will check around (I have a couple buddies that are prosecutors for King Co, but Dave L. has told me in the past, that he prefers to not make public "legal" pronouncements on this board.

My understanding is that this was always in the same league as having a burned out headlight; more of an "adminstrative code" than a traffic violation that would have any detrimental effect on one's driving record or insurance rates. One of our FCA members Todd has claimed he has never had a front plate on his cars, and if I recall correctly, averaged one ticket every three or four years. He just paid it and moved on; I think he said his last ticket was around $85 or so. He figured that was fine, it's "costing" him around $21 per year to have no front plates on his car. Obviously the fine has gone up some, but still, unless you have some cop who has it out for you, it should be rare that you would ever be stopped or cited. Todd could even be considered an exception, because he drives his personal cars for a package delivery service, so he drives many thousands of miles each month! I think he hit 400k miles on one of his cars recently. I've been driving around 9k miles per year in Ferraris the past 5 years and never been stopped or cited. Granted I'm currently in a sh*tbox 328 that doesn't draw the attention of a 360 CS.

Dave

 

Yes, but they are after people with more nefarious intentions, like trying to conceal their identity while conducting a hold up at the local 7/11. Not an otherwise honest guy like (us?) that is only trying to put something a bit more "attractive" on the front of their car. You would have the correct license number, right? Just in smaller script. They are trying to go after those that have completely different numbers.

 

How appropriate this thread...............Got pulled over yesterday on Mercer Island. He wanted to know what my license plate meant?????? Then proceeded to tell me that it is against state law not to have a license plate in front. I gave him the usual bracket being backlogged bs........and he said to tell the dealership that it is illegal to sell autos in WA w/o front license plate brackets. He told me to get one or if caught again................

I think they are getting tighter and tighter on this reg. What to do now??

This just might be a "traffic" violation which would then go on your insurance............got pulled over in my G55 with 3 day temp shield on display in back window. (on MI again.......man these guys need to not be so bored) Haven't licensed it in WA yet because I hardly drive it. It was $194 ticket and the top was marked "traffic".................so sent to Jeannie Mucklestone.

 

What do you do for your Enzo or F50? If there was a mount for the plate, to comply with the minimum 1ft above ground the plate would destroy aerodynamics and obviously just look stupid. It would sort of look like a bug deflector like on pick-ups.

Also looks like those Kinko versions would be a no-no based on this.

 

Sounds like we need permission from the State Patrol to have only the back license plate. Do we have any friends at the State Patrol?.......Anyone. And how do you apply for the exemption?

 

Geez, and you're looking to live on MI???

 

Tim.....I'm starting to wonder if thats such a wise choice.

 

When I bought my 456 from FofS, they gave me the hardware to attach a front plate, offered to install it, and when I declined, asked me to sign a piece of paper stating I had declined said offer. I took the gamble, and when I get caught, will just bite the bullet and attach the plate. Heck, if they're giving moving citations for this offense, I might just attach the plate before I get caught.

I can't imagine contacting the State Patrol will do anything more than attract specific attention to us as a group. Law enforcement agencies are hot for us to all have front plates so that their camera ticketing systems can be more effective at bringing in revenue. Specifically asking for exemption from a group might only give them more ideas about where to focus their attention. At the very least, it could mean official visits to our dealers, harrassing them and forcing them to take a stand whereby they just automatically install the plates.

If you want to find out how to get exemption from, or change this law, I'd suggest going the legislative route. Change the laws, and then those enforcing them will find other, more meaningful ways to gather revenue from us...