FRONT LICENSE PLATE...or what I heard from the Judge

What you are up against is asking the WSP to not collect part of their paycheck.
Dixie Lee Ray changed the laws so that law enforcement agencies are self funding in the State of WA. My friend was a fish cop at the time, this is how I know. So the "Spirit of the Law" went out the window. It's all about generating revenue now. The old story about cops having a quota is pretty much true since then. My friend said he would not just go generate money and fell in ill favor with his superiors. His idea was to be visible and remind people of the law. He would walk down the beach in his full "Smokey the Bear" outfit just to remind people. It worked most of the time. Contrast this with speed traps where they hide in the bushes and wait till you drive by so they can zing out and steal your purse. (they called them highwaymen back when) If they wanted people to slow down, they could just park along side the road in full view. Nothing makes people slow down like seeing a cop car. But that's really not what they want, is it? Nope, they want your money. So asking them to give you a waiver is kind of like asking them not to get paid.
Whenever I hear a cop say "I'm going to HAVE to give you a ticket" I think of my friend Bill Shea. He's gone now, but I bet he wouldn't mind me telling you about him. He was a real cop.

 

My Grandpa use to say “if you want to know why anyone does anything, follow the money”.

To add another dimension to the story; as I was traveling North on I-5 from Everett heading to Marysville Sunday morning, two unmarked LIO’s with blacked out windows (WSP plates) passed me doing 70 to 80 MPH, in a 60 zone. I increased speed and cautiously paced them for the next 8 miles, as they weaved through traffic. I’m sure they were going somewhere important, but shouldn’t they have clearly market cars, and or have their flashing lights on? They were in violation of at least two laws; speeding, 20+= reckless, and aggressive driving, there probably others I’m not aware of.

Where is the justice in the law for all the rest of us cattle?

 

What you were supposed to do was try to pass them so they could pull you over for aggressive driving!! How do you expect them to stay in business if you don't fall into their traps?

 

$180 for a license infraction seems awfully steep. Who set that amount and why? Perhaps there is a way of working to reduce the fine, making it less interesting to WSP. Any thoughts?

 

My no front plate ticket was $97 reduced to $80 (due to my impeccable driving record) here in Oregon.
Perhaps you Washingtonions should consider moving to Oregon!

 

Who sets it? Good question. Probably if you called WSP they could tell you.
Why? Because they can.

One of the most effective police operations I ever saw was just out of Bend, OR (north bound).
You come down a little hill to a real long straight section of highway which crosses a big canyon on a bridge.
The OSP (maybe it was a sheriff) had a cruiser parked out in plain site at the end of the bridge so you could see the logo on the side. You could also see a guy sitting in the car with his smokey hat on. You should have seen the brake lights go on. When you got up to the cruiser you could finally see that it was a manikin.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

So if I get a classic plate for my car that doesn't require the front one and drive the car places other than car shows, does anyone know what the fine is?

 

Another interesting license plate thing.....
Besides having to have two, you also have to buy new ones every so many years, by law. Even if there is nothing wrong with the old ones. And yes, you have to pay for the new plates in addition to your regular license fee.
Trying to fight these "hidden taxes" is pretty futile. Remember Tim Eyman's $30 tabs that we all voted yes on? Remember the various stadiums that we all voted no on?

 

How about the new Narrows bridge that was voted down.....twice! I have to admit traffic is a lot better but I still hate our elected officials doing what they know is best for us....against our wishes!

 

How are they going to prove where you are going? I don't think you'd see anyone getting a ticket for that. The only real restrictions (in WA at least) are ...." Collector vehicles may not be used for:
commercial purposes or to carry a load.
regular transportation in the manner of a fully licensed vehicle"

How are they going to prove that you are not using it for the purpose of..."to and from auto shows, circuses, parades, displays, special excursions, and antique car club meetings.
for testing purposes.
for the pleasure of others without compensation"


Both quotes taken directly from the WA DOL site.

 

You tell it grandpa! lol

I guess then i got lucky with my no front plate run in with the law.

I was driving in my nissan and hadn't yet finished painting the bodykit so it wasnt installed, nor was the front crash beam and front plate.
So i got pulled over by WSP, had no proof of insurence on me and of course the no crash beam and plate, Got away with a warning.
A week later i had finished painting my kit and installed it, Went out and Actually bought a set of new licence plates, cause i couldnt just buy one.
The Same WSP seen me going up a hill near my house, flipped a B***H, and caught up to me just as i was pulling into a friend's driveway.
When we got in the driveway i told my friend "lets F**K with him, open your door" lol so we did and he gets on his loud speaker "Get in the car!" My friend is still trying to get out saying this is my house, the WSP tells him again to get back in the car so he does, i stay in with my door open, He walks up and says i pulled you over last week, and i was like yeah, who else would it been in this bright red car.
So he said he pulled me over this time for a modified exhaust. which i came back saying, "last time you didnt say anything about that", even though he could see it better with the kit off.
However all he asked for was my drivers licence, even though he knew i didnt have proof of insurence last time. went to his car, came back and told me to get a stock exhaust on the car and left. lol

I think he really just wanted to check out my car. So i was lucky with that guy.

But i have seen more cops are likely to give me a second look and then drive off than harass me. lucky me.

I would have guessed differently with a car like mine below.
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?impeccable driving record? LOL I seem to remember a story about you trying out your "Fast and the Furious" moves.

 

Are street racing and "impeccable" driving record mutually exclusive???
Thanks for sharing.

 

Umm...here in Oregon, you just get new stickers to put on the old plates. Do you really get a new set of metal plates every two years?

 

No.
You get new tabs every year and new plates on a less frequent basis. I think it might be 5 or 7 years