Front Plate on FERRARI....

It's a ridiculous rule. I don't plan on using one.

 

Hey Frank,
It happens to me all the time. I just give them this line: "The car is not designed to have a front plate as it would block the radiator grill, and because of the low numbers brought into the country each year, it falls under federal exemption #DOTV12200." It has worked every time. They usually back way off when they hear "federal exemption" even though it doesn't exist. Yet.

 

Frank tell them you ordered a plate holder but due to the cars age it has been back ordered. explain the yr and all the other bs you can think of and wing it

 

Never had one on any of my cars in the US. Got stopped once and paid the ticket. Would do the same if lightning were to strike twice.

 

Frank there is a book about "duck tape" . I think I saw on page 101 how to tape a lic plate on your car so it stays on at high speeds.

 

Mike - good idea... I'll have to use that if I ever get pulled over for no front plate.


I've never put a front plate on any vehicle I've ever owned... and I've not yet been ticketed for it even when pulled over for other reasons.

 

To my understanding Frank, the "Corvette" law that you write about is indeed in the works here in IL, and it will include cars such as our Ferrari's.

I will continue to look into this though, and report back any findings.

 

Don't come to California, I went out on a drive with my cousin, parked downtown in SF. Came back with a "fix it ticket" and a citation ($35) for having no front plate, well the meter ran out as well. This was for a Audi TT though.

Also, did you read this?

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59266&highlight=front+plate

 

Ummmm....Frank, knock knock; are you there?

It's no big deal!

In all the years I've owned F-cars, and other sport cars, I haven't used a front plate.

I was stopped only once too, a couple of years ago.

If you get stopped again and get a ticket, pay the fine(it's $75) and go about your business.

It's not a moving violation.

SHEESH!

Because you own a Ferrari, do you REALLY feel you should be given special dispensation......get real! So should the Vette' owners.

The law in Illinois is you need a front and rear plate. I admit, I don't abide by that law, but I don't give a s**t.

If I ever get a ticket, I'll pay the fine and I still won't put front plates on.

"I fought the law, and the law won!"

 

If it makes anybody happier: Think about the Europeans. Same law as here, but a police and car inspection agency (TUEV in Germany, FZK in Switzerland) that actually enforce the law and inspect your car ANNUALLY for such mondane things.

Check out pictures of e.g. F40 at an event in Germany: They have those big ugly license plate stickers plastered across the front wing. Horrible.

So lets enjoy the freedom of living in a country that has laws, but doesn't go too crazy about enforcing them. A ticket once in a while is a fair price for freedom.

 

All you need is to carry the front plate in the car, and when pulled over put it on the dash. If he says he didn't see it say i fell off. You just have to possess it.

 

Well, you better be able to show the cop the bracket the plate fell off of.

I don't think the law says, 'You just have to possess it'!

 

You guys are criminals

 

I got pulled over in my old Vette for not having a front plate. I just paid the $25.00 and went on with life. I sure as hell am not putting a front plate on my 355 that's for sure. Don't sweat it, rules are made to be broken..


Thanks.

Vince.

 

Here's the actual law: 625 ILCS 5/3‑413

Display of registration plates, registration stickers and driveway decal permits.

(a) Registration plates issued for a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, trailer, semitrailer, truck‑tractor, apportioned bus, or apportioned truck shall be attached thereto, one in the front and one in the rear. The registration plate issued for a motorcycle, trailer or semitrailer required to be registered hereunder and any apportionment plate issued to a bus under the provisions of this Code shall be attached to the rear thereof. The registration plate issued for a truck‑tractor or an apportioned truck required to be registered hereunder shall be attached to the front thereof.

(b) Every registration plate shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued so as to prevent the plate from swinging and at a height of not less than 5 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of such plate, in a place and position to be clearly visible and shall be maintained in a condition to be clearly legible, free from any materials that would obstruct the visibility of the plate, including, but not limited to, glass covers and tinted plastic covers. Clear plastic covers are permissible as long as they remain clear and do not obstruct the visibility of the plates. Registration stickers issued as evidence of renewed annual registration shall be attached to registration plates as required by the Secretary of State, and be clearly visible at all times.

* * *

(f) No person shall operate a vehicle, nor permit the operation of a vehicle, upon which is displayed an Illinois registration plate, plates or registration stickers after the termination of the registration period for which issued or after the expiration date set pursuant to Sections 3‑414 and 3‑414.1 of this Code.

That seems pretty clear-cut. It would appear to preclude putting the plate on the dashboard behind the windshield, but I know that many many people do that and all but the most hard-assed of cops would probably let it pass.

Has anyone ever checked into whether there was a bracket made for the 308, which was no doubt promptly removed by a prior owner who lived in a state that didn't require it? I know, for instance, that Alfa made a license plate bracket for the front of the Spider, but my car came from Michigan (which does not require front plates) and so of course an earlier owner had removed the unsightly thing, presenting me a problem when I brought the car back here. But if I had made a priority out of it I'm sure I could have found one. It would not surprise me if when they were new 308s sold in Illinois came with front plate brackets.

 

Whether Ferrari supplied a bracket or not is irrelevent.

One of my 308s had the remains of a bracket, which was mounted to the underside of the bumper.

Was it OEM, I don't know, but it makes no difference.

And yes Frank, the State would save millions of dollars if only one plate was required on automobiles and trucks. As I recall, a few years ago legislators were talking about going to one plate, but the bill was voted down.

And no, the price we pay for plates and our annual renewals would not go down if we became a one-plate state.

It's really just another form of taxation!

Ya know politicians, government employees (both local and federal), and school teachers and officials, gotta get the money from someplace to pay for the fantastic pensions they get!!