Have one on the Mini, not bad looking and easly to remove.
Who is the lobbyist in Seattle that gave the tour at the meeting in Olympia? Maybe he could research legalizing a static film state tag. WA doesn't require a sticker for the front tag, and I cant remember if OR does too. If WA was able to pass it, CA would be right behind. Then maybe OR would follow suit.
I have no front plate on my Boxster, either, and have been nailed twice by the #@$&ing meter maids. Then I starting placing it on the dash when I park. Simple solution - as long as you remember.
I didnt have a front plate on my BMW for about a year, got a ticket for it in eugene, it was annoying and i had to get up very early for court. I decided to zip tie it, I wish i had my car with me so I could show you guys some pictures. the front of my car is about 2 inches off the ground so i put it under the bumper next to the fog lights. (http://images.paultan.org/uploads/2006/03/emodel_e34.jpg) not my car but gives you an idea. unless your about 30 feet away from the car, or on your hands and knees its kinda hard to see, but it counts. (been pulled over since then so i thought id ask). What a tangent sorry about that, my answer= zip ties. If your going to a show or something pull the plate off.
Here's the corresponding law for Oregon: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/803.html <-- search for "803.540" The wording does seem to allow for display in the front window. But on the other hand, there's no option to write in for an exemption... 803.540 Failure to display plates; exceptions; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to display registration plates if the person operates, on the highways of this state, any vehicle or camper that has been assigned registration plates by this state and the registration plates assigned to the vehicle or camper are displayed in a manner that violates any of the following: (a) The plate must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle, if only one plate is required. (b) Plates must be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle if two plates are required. (c) The plates must be in plain view and so as to be read easily by the public. (d) The plate must not be any plate that does not entitle the holder thereof to operate the vehicle upon the highways. (2) A person is not in violation of this section if the person is operating a vehicle or camper under and in accordance with the requirements for any of the following: (a) A temporary application permit issued under ORS 803.615. (b) An agent temporary registration permit issued under ORS 803.625. (c) Provisions established under ORS 826.007, 826.009 or 826.011 for the display of registration plates or other evidence of registration on vehicles that are proportionally registered under ORS 826.009 or 826.011. [Note: I looked those up - the only apply to fleet vehicles.] (3) The offense described in this section, failure to display registration plates, is a Class D traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §261; 1985 c.668 §13; 1989 c.43 §28; 1995 c.383 §6]
When I went to court over the front plate issue I was advised by the judge that it was essentially officer discretion. She was very clear that the law does not specifically prohibit putting the plate there. However if the angle or tint of the glass was sufficient that it may be difficlult to read, an officer could ticket you for it. I had already stuck mine on with double sided sticky tape, but she advised she was going to toss it out anyway at the time. I use a device now that screws into the tow hook area and I can have it off and on in ten seconds. Doesn't help the Ferrari guys though.
I managed to find the front plate for the 365 (complete with 1983 sticker!) and stuck it in the windshield. No hasles in the Pearl yesterday, but I don't know if I was there long enough for parking enforcement to have come by.
I talked with Mark Johnson out of Seattle about this and this is what he was able to find out as far as Washington is concerned. Oregon may have the same solution. Maybe someone in Salem could do some research for Oregon drivers. "I spoke to the WSP Government Affairs Director and the Legislative Transportation Committee staff director this morning. Law enforcement will oppose doing away with all front plates on all cars. He said they need them mainly for vehicle identification. The law, RCW 46.16.240 requires the front plate. It is a $124 fine and first/primary offense if you do not have one. About 9 states do not require a front plate he said. There are about 6 million registered cars in WA. State law provides an exemption to the front plate requirement on a case by case basis. Attached below is a list of successful and unsuccessful applicants for an exemption. Evidently I was mistaken about the Viper but it appears that at least one model of Ferrari has been exempted. To apply for an exemption contact: Melissa VanGorkom 360.596.4017 [email protected] She's the equipment specialist at WSP and can help anyone who needs to file an application for an exemption to the front license plate requirement. Vehicles issued front license plate waivers are listed below. 1972 Italian DeTomaso Pantera 1974 Jaguar E-Type 2000 Panoz 1971 DeTomaso Pantera 2000 Plymouth Prowler 2000 Jaguar XK8 Caterham/Lotus Super 7 1984 Ferrari 512 BBI 1967 Ford Cobra Vehicles denied waivers for attaching a front license plate include: Toyota MR 2 Porsche 928 Corvette Mini Cooper Ford SVT Cobra Lotus Elise Ford Escort Nissan 30ZX BMW Z8 Dodge Viper Mercedes-Benz Mazda Miata Maserati. So it sounds like if you want to petition the process is pretty straight forward. I would recommend checking to make sure Ferrari doesnt have a front plate holder or converter/aftermarket first to save you the trouble. I understand Melissa does a thorough search of what is available. I may petition myself."
Got nailed parked by Fenouil the other day, forgot to put the plate back on when I washed the car. Pretty hardcore, I don't think I was parked more than 30 minutes. I would assume getting an exemption to be a tough affair, how else are they going to nab people with traffic camera's or photo traps? Which begs the question, do I even need to slow down on my motorcycle since no front plate anyway?
I've been thinking about getting a "foreign" licence plate from Griots Garage and putting one on the front of my car. Would this be illegal? When I park somewhere I could always put the real plate in the window, but what about just driving around? Image Unavailable, Please Login
Even with traffic photos they can still get you... I lived in AZ for three years and front plates ARE NOT REQUIRED... And heck, they even had photo cameras on the freeway to catch speeders.. So that arguement doesn't stand up too well in my opinion if that is the one the gov wants to use..
Mark is working on getting a exemption for his 400 to see how involved it is. He tells me Melisa will call the car dealer and any (reputable) manufactures of after market products and see if any of them make a front license tag holder for the model car seeking an exemption. If she can't find anything she will issue a letter to keep with the car. If you get pulled over just present it to the officer.
If the plate on the windshield thing works, that's good enough for me. I can just keep it under the passenger seat, and pull it out when I park.
