Question to Californians

martieg · 02-13-2008, 07:05 AM

This question is for the folks in California - I'm in the middle of a business trip in the Bay Area, and noticed that although most cars have two licence plates (front, back) there are many that only have one in the back (just like Florida).

What's the law?
Is it OK for these folks with only one license plate to go like that?

MadDog · 02-13-2008, 09:36 AM

Two license plates are required in CA. If stopped by police, they'll give you a fix-it ticket to have the front plate attached.

just4kickz · 02-13-2008, 10:04 AM

usually cops wont pull you over for not having the front plate... they'll just write it down after they catch you for speeding or something. unless your in SF... metermaids can give you fix-it tickets too lols

!Xoible · 02-13-2008, 11:32 AM

we roll around even without lic plate as long as the car looks new

law requires both, but who gives a shit

Kilockel · 02-13-2008, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lecatrache

This question is for the folks in California - I'm in the middle of a business trip in the Bay Area, and noticed that although most cars have two licence plates (front, back) there are many that only have one in the back (just like Florida).

What's the law?
Is it OK for these folks with only one license plate to go like that?

As stated by the posters above me...

You are required by law to have a front and back license plate. You'll most likely be given a fix-it ticket if caught. However, so many people out here don't implement a front plate because of the whole atmosphere of Southern California (Image is EVERYTHING! "We can't ruin our shiny new $120,000 car with an ugly license plate in the front!!!") that you'll very, very rarely get stopped for that alone.

You basically have to be looking for trouble to get the police to care if you have a plate bolted to the front of your car or not.

3onDubs · 02-13-2008, 12:05 PM

It's a law, but it's more work to enforce than what it's worth.....as mentioned before, cops will use it as an excuse to pull you over if they suspect other things (i.e. you look suspicious).

martieg · 05-26-2008, 09:35 PM

If I'd live in the Bay Area I wouldn't put the front license plate.

stooken · 05-27-2008, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lecatrache

If I'd live in the Bay Area I wouldn't put the front license plate.

then don't. most cops won't pull you over just for that but they can if they're bored.

koreez88 · 05-27-2008, 02:57 AM

Be on the safe side and attach the plate to your bumper with double-sided tape.

e92leon · 05-27-2008, 03:45 AM

I don't have front plate
but I have gotten tickets before
NO BIGGIE

arabbmw · 05-27-2008, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koreez88

Be on the safe side and attach the plate to your bumper with double-sided tape.

what double sided tape do you use?

I wanna get one that will for sure hold.

cryptkeeper · 05-27-2008, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3onDubs

It's a law, but it's more work to enforce than what it's worth.....as mentioned before, cops will use it as an excuse to pull you over if they suspect other things (i.e. you look suspicious).

I was told that no front plate was like a dark tint so it wasn't a moving violation therefore the only way they could get you for it was if you did something else illegal while driving (ie speeding, rolling a stop sign or unsafe lane change), then pull you over and throw that on with any other charges. I could be wrong though.

bmwprince4life · 05-28-2008, 01:40 AM

dont put it.nothing will happen.all our cars dont have front license plates and 0 complaints

E92-Lighting · 05-28-2008, 01:53 AM

i would rather not have a front plate, =), cameras on traffic lights....

3onDubs · 05-28-2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cryptkeeper

I was told that no front plate was like a dark tint so it wasn't a moving violation therefore the only way they could get you for it was if you did something else illegal while driving (ie speeding, rolling a stop sign or unsafe lane change), then pull you over and throw that on with any other charges. I could be wrong though.

It doesn't have to be a moving violation for them to pull you over. Moving violation only means that you get a point on your record. They can still pull you over for a fix it ticket (i.e. driving with one headlight at night, missing a tail light, missing front plate, etc.).

Another example...being in the car pool lane while solo is not a moving violation, but you will still get pulled over for it (Crossing the double yellow lines, on the other hand, is).

Robertbog · 05-28-2008, 12:34 PM

It would really suck to get pulled over intoxicated because you gave them some BS reason. Just my $0.02

stooken · 05-28-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertbog

It would really suck to get pulled over intoxicated because you gave them some BS reason. Just my $0.02

true.

that's why i always take my sister's or mom's car when i go out at night. nothing flashy for them to look at.

3onDubs · 05-28-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertbog

It would really suck to get pulled over intoxicated because you gave them some BS reason. Just my $0.02

What sucks is driving while intoxicated in the first place

02-13-2008, 07:05 AM	#1
martieg Texas 339 Rep 769 Posts Drives: 330i Black Sph PP/SP/NV/MTk Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Question to Californians This question is for the folks in California - I'm in the middle of a business trip in the Bay Area, and noticed that although most cars have two licence plates (front, back) there are many that only have one in the back (just like Florida). What's the law? Is it OK for these folks with only one license plate to go like that?
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02-13-2008, 09:36 AM	#2
MadDog Careful, I Bite..... 157 Rep 504 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: S.F. Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [7.50]	Two license plates are required in CA. If stopped by police, they'll give you a fix-it ticket to have the front plate attached.
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02-13-2008, 10:04 AM	#3
just4kickz boku no namae ha... 346 Rep 11,023 Posts Drives: 2006 BS 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: S. Bay Area, CA + Newark, NJ + ChiCity + True Blue iTrader: (11) Garage List 2006 E90 330i [0.00]	usually cops wont pull you over for not having the front plate... they'll just write it down after they catch you for speeding or something. unless your in SF... metermaids can give you fix-it tickets too lols __________________ looking for a PreLCI Black Sapphire e90 front bumper without license plate holes "Akimbo shotguns. Broken wrists anyone? And don't give me that 'it's just a game' bull**. Where the are my akimbo interventions then?! One scope on each eye mother**er!!"
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02-13-2008, 11:32 AM	#4
!Xoible Banned 893 Rep 46,010 Posts Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 M3 [4.00] 2007 335i [9.00] 2008 528i [8.00] 2006 Infiniti - G35 ... [8.00]	we roll around even without lic plate as long as the car looks new law requires both, but who gives a shit
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02-13-2008, 12:05 PM	#6
3onDubs You live by the sword... 220 Rep 8,243 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: OC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 328i [0.00]	It's a law, but it's more work to enforce than what it's worth.....as mentioned before, cops will use it as an excuse to pull you over if they suspect other things (i.e. you look suspicious).
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05-26-2008, 09:35 PM	#7
martieg Texas 339 Rep 769 Posts Drives: 330i Black Sph PP/SP/NV/MTk Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	If I'd live in the Bay Area I wouldn't put the front license plate.
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05-27-2008, 02:57 AM	#9
koreez88 Всем привет ;) 151 Rep 3,358 Posts Drives: Tesla Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (12)	Be on the safe side and attach the plate to your bumper with double-sided tape.
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05-27-2008, 03:45 AM	#10
e92leon 我的車車有Turbo&!!! 159 Rep 2,597 Posts Drives: 빠른차 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: ????? iTrader: (5) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [10.00] 2006 RX-8 (SE3P) [0.00]	I don't have front plate but I have gotten tickets before NO BIGGIE __________________ Flickr
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05-28-2008, 01:40 AM	#13
bmwprince4life Captain 96 Rep 769 Posts Drives: none Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: none iTrader: (0)	dont put it.nothing will happen.all our cars dont have front license plates and 0 complaints __________________ none
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05-28-2008, 01:53 AM	#14
E92-Lighting 887 Rep 35,253 Posts Drives: Next Generation LED Lighting Join Date: May 2008 Location: Walnut iTrader: (324)	i would rather not have a front plate, =), cameras on traffic lights....
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05-28-2008, 12:34 PM	#16
Robertbog Lieutenant 71 Rep 526 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dallas iTrader: (1)	It would really suck to get pulled over intoxicated because you gave them some BS reason. Just my $0.02 __________________ Life Lock Identity Security Discount!
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