M3 Front Plate in Seattle Area
- Thread starter chevycc
- Start date
marksvend
Member
Eastsider here, no front plate since mid 2018 and no tickets. Hope I didn’t just jinx myself but I as well see a ton of vehicles without a front plate.
At my wife's request to not permanently install the license plate, I used to put our on with the removable bracket when we crossed the border. At some point I just gave up and left it on.
bsilva
Member
The Bellevue PD twitter said no front plate was a primary offense. I thought it was a secondary offense, meaning they can’t stop you for no front plate and ticket you, but if they stop you for something else, they can ticket you for no front plate. But I see that’s not correct and it’s indeed a primary offense.
I didn’t have a front plate for the first 6 months or so of owning my Model 3. I didn’t get stopped. I did drive to Canada a few times and each time crossing the border in both directions, the customs agent asked me about my front plate. They didn’t hassle me but they did ask and I figured I should put one on; the less reason to have a problem at the border the better.
I put on a removable plate holder (OttoSteer) and now I just leave it on. I take the plate off when I wash the car.
I didn’t have a front plate for the first 6 months or so of owning my Model 3. I didn’t get stopped. I did drive to Canada a few times and each time crossing the border in both directions, the customs agent asked me about my front plate. They didn’t hassle me but they did ask and I figured I should put one on; the less reason to have a problem at the border the better.
I put on a removable plate holder (OttoSteer) and now I just leave it on. I take the plate off when I wash the car.
bsilva
Member
PS. I have owned Porsches over the years here in WA and didn’t put on a front plate. Never stopped or cited. And when I did get a speeding ticket in my Porsche, I didn’t get cited for no front plate then either. My wife has a Porsche now, no front plate, no problems (so far).
I noticed that too, very surprised it's considered a primary offense. I guess they figured people with nice cars are easy picking so this has become another revenue source.
goneskiian
Active Member
Not a 3 owner but decided to cast my vote and reply anyway. 
No front plate here either. No issues in the 3+ years of ownership. I don't often park on streets or other visible places though.
No front plate here either. No issues in the 3+ years of ownership. I don't often park on streets or other visible places though.
Or they're enforcing the law... you can't bitch about them issuing tickets for things that are against the law...
If you have an issue you can petition to have the law changed and maybe you'll get enough support...
Not exactly in the Seattle area (Bellingham), but drive there occasionally. Here's an 'OK, Boomer' opinion for you - I actually think it looks better with the front plate on.
im.thatoneguy
Member
This definitely doesn't look more stupid than just having the front plate installed properly
It’s probably more legit than not having one but is a safety hazard in a crash.
No kidding, I wouldn't want to have a sharp piece of metal flying into my face in a crash.
DustWindDude
Member
The RCW says that the plate "must be attached conspicuously at the front and rear," must "be able to be plainly seen and read," and can't be more than 4 feet from the ground. The first two requirements could be up for some interpretation in this case. But, as others said, I also wouldn't want that flying around at head level in a crash, and I think it looks stupid when people put their front plate on the dash. That being said, I wasn't keen on drilling into the front bumper of my MX, so I sucked it up and bought a removable bracket that clamps on to the grill louvers inside the air intake (works without blocking the air intake).
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