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      08-29-2008, 10:47 AM   #1
thurst0509
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Got my 135! Question about Texas front plate law...

So what's the scoop on the front license plate law in Texas?

My 135i finally made it back from Germany and I picked it up at the dealership yesterday. My sales guy was getting ready to install my plates and said "you don't want this front plate on, do you?" I've never heard of a dealer offering to not install them, but wasn't about to press the issue since I didn't want it there anyways.

So I have no front plate - not even the holes in the front bumper to mount it :biggrin:

What am I risking by not having one installed? Are cops in DFW lenient about this or am I nearly assured to get a ticket? Also - anyone know how much the ticket costs and if it can be reduced by proving that the plate has later been installed?

I'm thinking of just driving it this way for a while to see what happens... I can always play dumb and say the dealer didn't install it for me, and maybe get off with a warning if I'm lucky?

Bad idea?
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      08-29-2008, 11:01 AM   #2
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I didn't have a front plate on my 95 M3 when I lived in Texas (Houston). I only got pulled over once for it on the coastal hwy to Corpus. This is sometimes a drug running road from Mexico and I think that's why my black BMW was pulled over. Once the officer saw the fishing gear in the car and talked to me a bit he sent me on my way. Not sure about DFW. There are lots of small towns raising taxes on traffic in that area and the problem will be if you're pulled over for something else they will pile that on. I really think you should just go ahead and put the plate on.

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p.s. If you look at the car pics from the Toronto gathering they have front plates and they don't look bad.
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      08-29-2008, 01:02 PM   #3
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as long as i have lived in texas never had a plate. It is the law but it is not enforced. you should be ok
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      08-29-2008, 03:39 PM   #4
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I've known a person (STI) in Dallas that got a ticket for it, along with a couple others. When I had my '99 M3 in Houston, another guy that got his at the same time got pulled over, but only got a warning. I had the M3 for 3.5 years and got pulled over for speeding quite a few times, but the plate was never brought up. I don't have one on my current E46 (almost 5 years old), and have had good luck so far without *knock on wood*.
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      08-29-2008, 03:58 PM   #5
alexp1_tx
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Just keep you front plate in your car and you should be okay. Plus its only $70 ticket and is not a moving violation so it does not go on your record.
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      08-29-2008, 04:08 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alexp1_tx View Post
Just keep you front plate in your car and you should be okay. Plus its only $70 ticket and is not a moving violation so it does not go on your record.

Yes I agree, keep the plate with you and you will be ok. It all depends on the cops where you are. I got stopped for not having mine but a co-worker has not had his for many years and he is ok. I was able to get my ticket dismissed for $10 though.
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      08-30-2008, 07:19 AM   #7
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I have not had a front plate in years. Usually a cop will never pull you over for no front plate, BUT if they pull you over for speeding or something, then they will add a second ticket for no front plate.
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      08-30-2008, 07:43 AM   #8
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My dealership said most folks don't want it installed and in the past had to replace complete bumpers for pissed off customers (the drilled holes issue).

I've been driving without a front plate for 5 months around Dallas with no problem.

I think you're only required to take a picture of the plate on the car and mail it in if you're caught. Then take it off again. Heck... I'll photoshop that thing on!
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      08-30-2008, 08:16 AM   #9
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You're lucky! Driving without a front plate (or even stick on plates for that matter) is illegal in australia.
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      08-30-2008, 08:18 AM   #10
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Oh... it's illegal here too.
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      08-30-2008, 06:34 PM   #11
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I live in Texas and on my first BMW I didn't put the front plate on. I drove on the highways alot and I never got stopped in town but the state troopers kept stopping me. However, they always gave me a warning ticket, not an actual ticket. It got to be such a hassle almost every time I took a trip that I finally put the front plate on and have had them on all my other BMW's since, including the 1. My bumper had the mounting holes already in it when I got the plates.
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      09-01-2008, 07:19 PM   #12
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I would not install it until you decide you are being hassled too much.

Just keep it on the back seat (next to the Dallas Police baseball cap). If you are cited, say you have an appointment with the dealership to have it properly installed.

If you do install it, get the bracket that does not require the the holes to be drilled into the front of the bumper.
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      09-02-2008, 06:32 AM   #13
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I have not had a front plate on my past 3 cars (10+ years). I have never been pulled over. (knock on wood).
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      09-02-2008, 06:38 PM   #14
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I've gotten plenty of warnings on all my cars. My response...

F_ck it!

Worst case you get a ticket dismissed by temporarily attaching a plate to the front for the court desk.
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      09-04-2008, 05:53 AM   #15
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I've never had a front plate on any of my cars. Ever. I know of several people that have received tickets here, but I've been fortunate, I guess.

As someone mentioned above, it's not a moving violation. So, I have no problem paying the $70-75 and moving on (without a plate).

I do keep my plate under the floor mat, so that I can throw it up in the window, in case I get pulled over (knock on wood that I don't).

Do they make a "no holes" plate holder for the 1? That might be worth checking into if you decide you need a plate.
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      09-05-2008, 02:11 PM   #16
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In my last car (04 MINI Cooper S) I was ticketed twice for no front plate. $125 ticket, NOT dismissable by proving I added the plate after the fact in Carrollton (suburb of Dallas). Most other areas will dismiss it, though.

Bubble, the 3rd party tow hook front plate mount made for the MINI (our local MINI dealerships sell them ) will fit the 1er. There's a thread on here somewhere with pics...
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      09-05-2008, 06:36 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GigEm93 View Post
$125 ticket, NOT dismissable by proving I added the plate after the fact in Carrollton (suburb of Dallas). Most other areas will dismiss it, though.
Wow, that's something I expect in Sachse, that fine seems really steep. I guess after a few of those I would consider the tow hook mount. Still not drilling holes in my car, though. Still waiting to see the new ride!
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      09-13-2008, 01:01 PM   #18
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I drove MINIs without a front license plate for the past 6 years and I was only warned once for not having them in Plano. I think the cops are used to the MINIs around town not having them. Wonder what it'll be like with the 1-series...
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      06-12-2009, 12:50 PM   #19
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would this work?
http://www.scienceofspeed.com/produc...License_Plate/
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      06-12-2009, 03:04 PM   #20
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Anybody tried this one?

Saw this link (below) in a previous posting.

This device for making your plate disappear looks interesting but the bottom lip of the 135 is pretty low--I've got scrapes under there already from pulling up too close to some high parking curbs and tire barriers. Not sure if this installation would survive.

Has anybody tried this out on a 1er yet?

http://www.swiftmotorsports.com/prod...406540b2fbe0db
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