CA Front License Plate Law?

[ashtray]

I know CA has a front license plate law, but I seem to remember something about new cars being exempt for a certain amount of time. I drove my new car without any plates for 3 weeks until my plates arrived in the mail. I was told the dealer sticker on the windshield was fine. But for how long?

Can I leave the sticker on the windshield and just run a rear plate?

[BlaineWasHere]

You have to run both plates, but it's just a 25 fit it ticket so not a huge deal.

I ordered the Grimmspeed tow-hook plate mount so it will be easy to remove and install the plate without putting holes in the front of the car.

[r4m3n]

Technically illegal, but I guess it depends on how strict of an area you live?

I've had my 1G TSX for 7 years now and never had front license plates. I did get pulled over once for it and i told them no brackets were ever drilled into the bumper as my reason. The cop merely told me to get that sorted out and drove off.

I've leased a Civic for 2 years and never took off the paper plates front and back lol. All the other cars in our family dont have front plates on either.

[ashtray]

I read somewhere if you leased a new car every 18 months (?), then you'd never be required to run a front plate - not sure if that was Internet folklore or if there was some time period you could just use the dealer temp registration on the windshield for. I can't find any mention of new car grace periods.

[MRZ415]

If your car looks relatively new I guess you can get away with no front plate,
but some PARKING enforcement people might stick you with a ticket for no front
plate.

[ZmZMWagon]

At least out here in So Cal most luxury cars run around without a front plate. I dont have front plate on the wifes G, never had a problem. But Im sure if we are ever stopped for any violation they will mark it down on the ticket.

[GuySmily]

Have you EVER seen a Corvette with a front plate? I think I've seen one in my entire life.

The BRZ I sat in and my buddy's FRS at least didn't have the front bracket installed yet.

I've gotten two front plate tickets in 10+ years of driving (different cars). No big deal, except based on mine and my buddies' experiences, the kind of cop that pulls you over for just front plate is usually new and overzealous, or just doing it to be a prick. The chill/seasoned officers have better things to do (like catching the people for speeding and running stop signs)

Regardless, don't be a prick to the cop regardless of why you got pulled over. Don't make bs excuses. Seems like they appreciate an honest person and I've been let off for small violations (rolling down the hill too fast) when they see the guy driving the souped up red MR-S is a good responsible citizen.

[86_ZN6]

8 years driving without front license plate

No pullovers no tickets!

[dvlnsyde]

Originally Posted by 86_ZN6

8 years driving without front license plate

No pullovers no tickets!

I concur. The past four years I drove a MINI w/o a front plate and never got pulled over. Another 10+ years with various vehicles and never got a ticket. I have been pulled over a few times, but the officer never mentioned anything about the front plate. Then again, I haven't owned a car that drew so much attention from som many people.

[BlaineWasHere]

I got one by Mt. View PD about 6 months ago downtown on Castro street. Only reason the cop pulled me over. I was in my MKV GTI.

[Symbiont]

I have had numerous issues over the years and tend to be very cautious when it comes to traffic police. As such, I'm definitely going with a front plate to give them less reason to pull me over and notice my dark tint and windshield mounted radar detector. Was just out driving in Laguna Niguel and had a sheriff follow me for 4 miles before pulling over a speeding Mercedes. I rolled both windows down and took off the radar detector as soon as I saw him, because frankly, I'm paranoid.

[Calidrifter]

Radar detectors are not illegal, radar blockers are.

He may have pulled you over for the tint and tacked on no plates if he wanted to though.

Here's a link to the vehicle codes regarding aftermarket equipment:

California vehicle code laws

[JDMBuddi]

To be honest it all depends on the cop, if he's trying to use the no front excuse he's also checking to see if you have insurance or a warrant. I've gotten pulled over once in my G35 for no front plates but he let me go after running my record.

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by ashtray

I know CA has a front license plate law, but I seem to remember something about new cars being exempt for a certain amount of time. I drove my new car without any plates for 3 weeks until my plates arrived in the mail. I was told the dealer sticker on the windshield was fine. But for how long?

Can I leave the sticker on the windshield and just run a rear plate?

I think most of you are missing the OP's question.



If my memory serves me correctly, that temp registration on your windshield is only valid for 90 days. You can keep the dealership plates on there but if you get pulled over, they are going to ask for registration docs and if it's passed that date they can cite you for proof of reg. Once you put your plates on, that temp paper is useless.