Welcome to Tesla Motors Club
Discuss Tesla's Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, Cybertruck, Roadster and More.
Register
  • We just completed a significant update, but we still have some fixes and adjustments to make, so please bear with us for the time being. Cheers!

Vinyl license plate sticker

Sgadhia

Member
Nov 12, 2017
98
23
Sacramento, CA
i read somewhere that a few people had put vinyl sticker replicas of their state issued license plate to avoid drilling holes in the bumper. Anyone have the information for the company that makes these sticker plates?
 

Sgadhia

Member
Nov 12, 2017
98
23
Sacramento, CA
@kpalaniswami & @Lloyd : It's not the legality of use of the vinyl sticker/ getting tickets from the police that I am trying to deal with..... parking cops / meter maids are notorious for giving tickets for a missing license plate.... especially in San Francisco..... I am looking at buying a no screw setup from @kpalaniswami as well, but would like to explore the feasibility of the vinyl sticker plate... hence the inquiry....
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kacey Green

Acho

Member
Mar 28, 2017
381
389
Las Vegas, NV
$56 for 1/2 sq.ft. Of printed vinyl????

That's insane!!!!

I am in vinyl printing business and believe me - no way to charge someone this amount for plate size print on any vinyl
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kacey Green

3 G's

Member
Feb 11, 2016
41
35
Kapolei Hawaii
Just take your license plate to a sign shop and have them scan and print it.. They should be able to do it for much less than that. I'm fortunate to have a good friend in the business. By the way, it is not legal here in Hawaii and I would guess the same goes for most states.

My S had a smaller vinyl sticker because the full size does not fit without going over the chrome trim below the T logo. I was pulled over at a DUI checkpoint and when the cop saw it, he demanded that I remove it or else he'll give me a ticket. I took it off and so I was legal now ??Been driving without a front license plate since.

https://i.imgur.com/L3W9h0N.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/L3W9h0N.jpg
 

hill

Active Member
Apr 21, 2015
1,305
647
Lake Forest, CA
So. ..... how do you like my totally illegal, color laser compatible, vinyl, non_photochemically reactive, stick-on, homemade, front license plate. ...
:D
20180320_140149-1.jpg

20180320_140212-1.jpg

Yea, the guy who makes these up in Canada with shipping wants a $100. No way I'd pay that much if I could do it myself for under $5. And it was fun, too.
Maybe on the next iteration, I'll print one with a nice Tesla frame.
;)
.
 
Last edited:

pandam3

Member
Apr 23, 2018
190
156
Orange County
I want to do, but I read that a copy of a license plate could be considered a felony.

Did the rules in California change for what is allowed for front plate?
 

Xenoilphobe

Active Member
Jan 2, 2014
4,572
4,267
Fairfax County, Virginia
Last edited:

pandam3

Member
Apr 23, 2018
190
156
Orange County
Read it where? That does not make sense that it would be that severe.

It’s been discussed on other forums before. I think even Matt Farrah had a vinyl plate on his Focus RS front bumper that he removed for the same reasons.

The closest example I can find (which is kind of an extreme example) is this

Woman Arrested After Driving Car With Cardboard License Plate

So yeah, they weren’t a copy of her actual plates... but it is still considered “possession of forged instrument” which even if everything else was fine is considered a felony.

I’m sure there are legal experts on the forum that may have time to chime in on this.

Maybe it needs to be both a forgery of the original plate & attempt to lie to the officer for that to stick? Hmmm thinking about it more... maybe my attempts to not even have a front plate by keeping the temp registration on the windshield is a similar offense?!?!

But srsly I’d like to hear a legal experts opinion on this? If it is no worse than a fix it ticket... then I’m ordering one
 

pandam3

Member
Apr 23, 2018
190
156
Orange County
Had to search deep for an explanation of the law... but yes this law apparently applies to license plates as well in california. So a vinyl sticker plate can be considered fraudulant or a forgery according to CA Vehicle Code 4463.

CA Vehicle Code 4463 VC: Forgery or Falsification of Car Registration

So I know either way as enthusiast we would rather have no plate...

So what is a lesser offense? Not having a front plate? Or using a vinyl sticker?

I have a flip down hide away plate on my wife’s car. I was able to position the bracket so it flips down into the bumper where the radiator/ intercooler sits. She’s gotten pulled over a few times for it and she just starts crying “says my husband brought it to a car show and forgot to put it back up” then she shows the cop that te plate is there and puts it back up (I know I cheaped out and got the non motorized version)... and 100% of the time the cop says wow thats neat and lets her go.

I’d get the same for the Model 3 but the only spot it would fit is under the bumper where things can catch it and break it off.

I’m curious if using a tow hook mount will affect any of the sensors... if not that would be the best way... then install if you know you are going anywhere you will get pulled over for it... mainly airport or toll roads.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kacey Green

Sgadhia

Member
Nov 12, 2017
98
23
Sacramento, CA
My only reason for having the vinyl sticker in the front would be so that I don't incur the wrath of the meter maid/man. In San Francisco, they are notorious for giving you a ticket for a missing front license plate. With all other Police departments, all they will give you in California is a 'fix-it' ticket for $25 if they pull you over for ANY reason. My X is 4 months old at this time with almost 12000 miles on it and I don't even have a rear license plate!!
 

About Us

Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.

Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


SUPPORT TMC
Top