In the State of New Jersey, unfortunately, it is required to have a front license plate. If I had to drill the bumper to install the plate it would alter the looks of the car. Has anybody found a way to install the plate on the grill without having to drill the holes on the bumper?.

 

Hey-
I'm in Jersey and have yet to install the front plate. I was actually stopped by two cops and neither mentioned a thing about the front plate - they both just admired the car. I doubt that you'll have many problems in this state. My friend never had the front plate on her SLK230 and never had a problem (6 months).

 

ZGIRL, You must be cute and the cops will not bother you. My son was stopped on his M3 and not only got a ticket for no front license plate but a second ticket for his M3 license plate frame on the rear plate was blocking GARDEN STATE. Also, to really **** him off, they gave him a ticket for careless driving. These were local cops, no state police. So keep your good looks and use them to your advantage. Thanks for responding. If you hear of anyone that maybe used the towing front hook as a device to install the plate, please let me know.

 

I asked the dealer NOT to install the front license plate frame. I installed my plate right to the grill using black ty-wraps. So far, so good.. I plan on adapting the mount from the tow hook and mounting the plate from there.. dosn't look like a hard job..

Steve (k2we) Dobbs Ferry, NY

 

Nobody pulls over Corvettes for not having a front plate. I've had my Mustang for 3 years now and there has never been a front license plate on it. Nobody's ever given me crap for it.

 

i had no front plate for 7 years in ny where its required and was ticket twice.

both durring qouta time

but all you have to do is take a photo with the plate on and plead not guilty

and you wont get a fine worked twice for me i used duct tape

 

I see so many (mechanically deficient) cars with no bumper to place a license plate. These are the ones I'm afraid something else will fall off that I'll have to evade (not too bad in the Z but a lot harder in the Maxima).

BTW (disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer nor do I play one on TV), I looked up the California Vehicle Code (Section 5201) and it does not state "the fromt license plate must be affixed to the front bumper".

"5201. License plates shall at all times be securely fastened to the
vehicle for which they are issued so as to prevent the plates from
swinging and shall be mounted in a position to be clearly visible,
and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible.
The rear license plate shall be mounted not less than 12 inches nor
more than 60 inches from the ground, and the front license plate
shall be mounted not more than 60 inches from the ground.

Furthermore, the LAPD stated that they will enforce the front license plate code in preparation for the implementation of the Automated Photo Enforcement Program (Photo Red Light). I for one, don't intend to run red lights (I hate door dings).

(Take a deep breath)

 

i have had three ny state troopers, while on duty,
come over and check out my 350z. one was at a sobriety
check point where they will get you for any violation.
not a word was said to me about not having the plate
on. they were more concerned with how much horse power
it had and how fast it would go!
another day a trooper did a complete walk around admiring the car and he too said nothing about no front plate. i don't
want to drill holes and besides it ruins the entire look of the
low front end.
just my .02
tom

 

bottom line is it varries by state.

if the cop or trooper wants to be an *** he will give you a ticket.

im saying i got 2 in 7 years and beat both.
but if i diddent beat them it would only be 50 bucks a pop.

 

You can screw the plate in the middle of the grill without drilling your bumper. You will notice that where the tow hook resides there is an area to the left and right made of black plastic. Hold the plate up to this area and drill (2) 1/4" holes into the black plastic backing. You can use a 3" bolt with a wing nut on the rear of the plastic flange. This allow easy removal for car shows and the use of the tow hook. Most importantly, it does not destroy the look of the front. It sits beautifully in the middle of the grill. I'll try to take some pics of the finished look tomorrow and post them.

 

Somebody needs to fabricate a bracket that screws into where the front tow hook screws in. Hmmm...

Michael.

 

Here are the pics I promised.

 

 

Can you take a more "zoomed out" picture so that we can see how the whole front of the car looks? Thanks!

 

thx bill, good idea. i didn't put up the plate, and i got pulled over last night, however i got away with it. hehe. lets see how long will i last with out a front plate in NY.

 

Just might suggest to over-enthusiastic Z owners that they go easy when drilling through the grille as the a/c condensor appears to be pretty close behind it.

 

Are we sure that putting the plate down there doesn't block any necessary air flow? BTW - I'd like to see a more zoomed out view as well Bill...

 

Thanks man! That was really helpful.

 

As long as you don't use a drill bit which is longer than 6", you're OK. Thanks for the heads up anyway.

 

Certainly, tomorrow will have to do, my flash card is at the office.