Question for L.A. Drivers re No Front Plate Fix-It Ticket Solutions

[gregthegr8]

This question is mostly for people in L.A. who got fix it tickets for having no front plate as I had the pleasure of getting one today. I was just curious if people have presented the tow-hook mounted plates and if the sheriff has signed off on and approved that, or any other possible solutions short of drilling holes in my beloved bumper to install the BMW bracket.

I know sometimes people get really creative and use double-sided tape on brackets or rig things up so it looks like the bracket is actually mounted into the bumper, then remove it later after getting the fix it ticket signed off.

[cooler2442]

Either use double sided tape and put it on there to have them sign off and then remove it or get the tow hook mount. They will sign off on either one.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by cooler2442

Either use double sided tape and put it on there to have them sign off and then remove it or get the tow hook mount. They will sign off on either one.

Thanks, just didn't know if they'd sign off on the tow hook one. Will probably just go that route and then take it off or concoct a zip tie to cheap bracket in the lower mesh, then remove that immediately afterwards.

Appreciate the info. Darn LAPD.

[KellyK]

ziptie to mesh is quick and easy way to get out of it!

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

This question is mostly for people in L.A. who got fix it tickets for having no front plate as I had the pleasure of getting one today. I was just curious if people have presented the tow-hook mounted plates and if the sheriff has signed off on and approved that, or any other possible solutions short of drilling holes in my beloved bumper to install the BMW bracket.

I know sometimes people get really creative and use double-sided tape on brackets or rig things up so it looks like the bracket is actually mounted into the bumper, then remove it later after getting the fix it ticket signed off.

Did the police pull you over just for that?

If so, they must've been pretty desperate to write a ticket.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by KellyK

ziptie to mesh is quick and easy way to get out of it!

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Did the police pull you over just for that?

If so, they must've been pretty desperate to write a ticket.

Thanks guys (and gal). Not sure if I'll go toe hook or ziptie to mesh approach, but have til February 18th to figure it out. I'm a real klutz so have to figure out which is more likely to happen - me damaging the car going toe hook approach and dropping the bracket and scratching the paint or cutting off the zip ties, missing and cutting the mesh.

And ya, pulled me over straight up for no plate or tint, not sure which or perhaps the combo. I was hardly even moving as I was about to make a right turn onto my own street. He listed me as going 10-15 mph...hehe.

I like that 3 people were shot in West LA about half a mile down my street last night and this is what they're worried about. Obviously, if I got a moving violation of some sort I'd be much more upset. This is just a bit of an annoyance, and somewhat comical. Only way it would have been worse is if a meter maid did it.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

I like that 3 people were shot in West LA about half a mile down my street last night and this is what they're worried about.

I hear ya: I got a ticket once at the Glendale Galleria for backing into a parking space rather than going head in... I attached a really caustic note along with my payment, criticizing their law enforcement priorities...

[dbchun]

I use to never run front plates until moving to LA. Within a month I had 3 no front plate tickets from the stupid meter maid. I even tried just placing the license plate in the front drivers window (only when parked, very dangerous to drive like this) but STILL got a ticket.

Ended up getting a tow plate and no issues so far, been about 1 year in LA now with street parking on a regular basis.

*edit* sorry didn't fully read the original post, never showed the tow plate to fight a ticket but have avoided getting any new ones ever since installing one

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by dbchun

I use to never run front plates until moving to LA. Within a month I had 3 no front plate tickets from the stupid meter maid. I even tried just placing the license plate in the front drivers window (only when parked, very dangerous to drive like this) but STILL got a ticket.

Ended up getting a tow plate and no issues so far, been about 1 year in LA now with street parking on a regular basis.

I've played the roulette and haven't gotten a no front plate ticket since 2001 by a UCLA rent-a-cop. Had a good run!

Interesting to know a meter maid will still ticket you even with it in the window, which I considered doing if parked, but forgot to ask the officer if that would be acceptable. Guess the answer is no.

[My135i]

I was told that the penalty for no front plate was $600 and this was in the news not too long ago? Is this true?

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by My135i

I was told that the penalty for no front plate was $600 and this was in the news not too long ago? Is this true?

Don't think so. Usually it's just a $20-25 inspection fee I believe at a local sheriff's office, they sign you off and you send it in and that's it. Haven't had to do it in awhile, but that's my general understanding.

[lastMleft]

I never did understand that law, and the tinted window law, its all about control, are we really free

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

Don't think so. Usually it's just a $20-25 inspection fee I believe at a local sheriff's office, they sign you off and you send it in and that's it. Haven't had to do it in awhile, but that's my general understanding.

Yup.

The only time I got one (knock on wood) was from the CHP ages ago in my red E36: The cop had a Napoleon Complex and could only give me a fix-it ticket since I wasn't speeding and that pissed him off.

[bmw0bsession]

Tow hook Mount for me. Got pulled over in Glendale for it but it is Glendale and I did not have to pay for the ticket in the end.

[Dafttt]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

I was just curious if people have presented the tow-hook mounted plates and if the sheriff has signed off on and approved that

My friend 'has a friend who's brother is CHP,' and told me it doesn't matter if you have no plate or tow plate - needs to be in the center of the vehicle. Pure hearsay unfortunately.

I don't use a front plate. At least with no plate you have the benefit of looking like a new car from the front minus the registration on the inside of the window.

[HPFREAK]

Originally Posted by Daft Auto

My friend 'has a friend who's brother is CHP,' and told me it doesn't matter if you have no plate or tow plate - needs to be in the center of the vehicle. Pure hearsay unfortunately.

I don't use a front plate. At least with no plate you have the benefit of looking like a new car from the front minus the registration on the inside of the window.

It is the biggest bunch of BS ever. Just purely for revenue generation and also an excuse to pull you over and give you a hard time to see if they can arrest for anything.

I put this on my car and screwed the one mounting side under the bumper part where it opens to the intercooler then when I was not using the plate I would unbolt the hinged part that you mount the plate to and left it like that until I had to put it on for some reason.

Now with my ZO6 I have zero mounting for front plates and it came that way but then again my 135 came with no front plate or mounts from the dealer. Front plates are ugly and should be done away with.

[vickers]

I got a front plate ticket from a meter maid while street parked. I have a tow hook mount. The ticket was $25 but I just contested it online and sent in a picture of the car (with the tow hook plate) and they reduced it to $10.

[dbchun]

damn that sucks, i hate the meter maids here

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by vickers

I got a front plate ticket from a meter maid while street parked. I have a tow hook mount. The ticket was $25 but I just contested it online and sent in a picture of the car (with the tow hook plate) and they reduced it to $10.

I can't find anything in the CA VC that requires the plate to be in the CENTER of the vehicle, just the "front".

[jsmonet]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

I can't find anything in the CA VC that requires the plate to be in the CENTER of the vehicle, just the "front".

there is nothing that requires it to be in the center.

[MDecals]

Originally Posted by bmw0bsession

Tow hook Mount for me. Got pulled over in Glendale for it but it is Glendale and I did not have to pay for the ticket in the end.

Haha, cant expect much less out of GPD

[alec_jan]

For those who purchased their cars new, what I've done is use no front plate and keep the temp sticker on the front right windshield (with plate on back). Have had no issues in a year, I suspect PD/meter maids don't read the fine print so closely on the temp reg