Consult
Member
They did a mass ticketing at our hospital parking lot (Torrance ca) more than once. Just for lacking front plates.
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Is the front plate required in California???
- Thread starter Teslitored
- Start date
Exelion
Member
Vehicle Code 5200 VC – Display of License Plates-
(a) When two license plates are issued by the department for use upon a vehicle, they shall be attached to the vehicle for which they were issued, one in the front and the other in the rear.A violation of VC 5200 is charged as an infraction (as opposed to a misdemeanor or felony). The offense is punishable by a fine of $197.00.
Note that a violation does not result in any points being assessed to a driver’s DMV record.
Unfortunately, the *front* in this case does not include inside-the-windshield. You run the risks, you take your chances. Plenty of people have run windshield plates, or no plates for tens of years and never been caught. Then there's people who took it off and got a ticket that same day. All depends on who you run across and what sort of day they're having. Seeing how many cars out there have no front plates, it looks like its very low on the pole for getting ticketed. Also, if you're wondering, vehicles like motorcycles are issued only one plate. Cars (like Teslas) are generally issued two.
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thesmokingman
Active Member
This. I'll buy a plate mount when I have to. I have never mounted a front plate to any of our cars, decades.... If it ever comes to it I'll get a mount for the wife's Y. Imo, if you don't drive like an arsehat you'll be fine. If you make the cops look for anything to pull you over for, having no front plate handing them yourself on a platter.
ucsdsig
Member
I didn't run front plates until I began receiving tickets from meter maids in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. Think it started getting bad in 2018.
Bought a Quick Bandit for my new car just to avoid this hassle.
thesmokingman
Active Member
Oh you park in the city, that sucks. That's a big monetary stream for them. I'm in the burbs and telecommute so it works out.
alexcue
Member
I use the LicensePlate Wrap. works fine and doesn't bother me. I ran naked for about 4 months, and I got nervous each time I was around a Cop. Figured for the price and looks it was worth it. If you knew how many times people look at my front and plates now it's funny. They look at all angles trying to figure it out.
Same here. The no front plate parking tickets from Santa Monica and Beverly Hills are really not that bad, but they add up! I think they were like $25 to $50. The no parking tickets on sweeping days on some cities are much higher.
73Bruin
Member
As I posted in a similar thread, I got a ticket for parking in a LAX lot without a front plate for 2 hours. It was about a decade ago and I decided to stay legal after that. I got the license plate wrap for my blue LR Y. The detailer who installed my PPF, put it on and I have had no problems with the radar or other sensors to my knowledge. The wrap was also cheaper than the various quick removal adapters.
That is wrong in so many ways. Is hospital parking not private? By who's authority is this happening?
Like many others, I don't like it, so I never put it on. Coming on 6 months now. I live in a city/area where cops and CHP have other fish to fry, so I'm not super worried about it (probably jinxed myself here). Same thing with parking people, I park on the street every day, haven't had issues yet. When I first got the car, I told myself that I would see if I get a ticket for it within the first year. If I do, I'll probably add the plate, if I don't I'll ride with it... But if I moved in an area that is clearly hunting those down to meet quotas, I'd consider putting it up.
That being said, it has nothing to do with Teslas. I had an idiot in a Kia yesterday behind me who didn't have a front plate, many mercedes, BMW or even Chevy go around without front license plates.
That being said, it has nothing to do with Teslas. I had an idiot in a Kia yesterday behind me who didn't have a front plate, many mercedes, BMW or even Chevy go around without front license plates.
maximus96
Member
I also got the vinyl license plate. Tesla owners hate front plates but love when dash cam/sentry capture other's plates.
Everyone has different tolerance levels, but I had my front plates on since day 1. You can say cops don't care as much with having one put on, but I just don't want to give them another reason of pulling me over in case they happen to be PMS-ing that day. Just my 2 cents.
LionelHutz
Member
Have not run front plates in CA for the last 9 years. I've had two direct police interactions (one speeding ticket, and once after being rear-ended) and never had an issue. My office is near a precinct so I drive by LEOs every day. But I don't street park often.
Just received one visiting my daughter in Santa Monica. $50 or $10 if you have it signed off. Also, if driving without a front plate gives a reason for a cop to pull you over. Could lead to other issues.
I'm going down there next weekend so I ordered the plate holder for the trip. thanks for the advice.
AlanSubie4Life
Efficiency Obsessed Member
License plate wrap is great. I couldn't deal with the stress, so I just slapped it on my car. Also nice to be completely legal. Just be sure to put it low enough to not interfere with the radar (probably less of an issue on the Model Y - and not an issue at all for the newer cars, lol). Just have to carry the explanatory note from the DMV around in your glovebox just in case you run into a cop who doesn't understand license plate wraps (seems unlikely at this point).
Not advertising, but just for information, this is the location of this wrap (since many seem unfamiliar with it). Up to $70 now! Used to be $50. Inflation...:
Not advertising, but just for information, this is the location of this wrap (since many seem unfamiliar with it). Up to $70 now! Used to be $50. Inflation...:
Really? That seems like a goofy theory. I would guess 99.999999% or more do it strictly for looks. I never risked the ticket when living in CA but did risk a fix-it ticket for what was then illegal dark tint on front windows and was promptly busted.
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