Notices
Southern California San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire, etc.

Cali Z Owners: Must we install the front license plate?

Old Oct 19, 2003 | 02:45 PM
  #1  
ktm's Avatar
ktm
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Default Cali Z Owners: Must we install the front license plate?

I just got my plates for my 2003 Z and I am curious as to if we must install the front plate. I do not have the front plate holder installed on my car yet and I would hate to break up the lines on the front end if I do not have to.

I have seen a few Zs on the road with only the rear plate, so this lead me to ask this question.

Thanks.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 02:56 PM
  #2  
barrybell's Avatar
barrybell
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Default

If the state you live in sends you two plates, they are saying attach both of them. Run with only the rear plate, you are give your cops reason to harrass you, as far as the cops are concerned you are breaking the law.
It's that plain and simple.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 03:00 PM
  #3  
EL Diablo's Avatar
EL Diablo
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 0
From: The Under World
Default

yup. the front plate is a must unless you want to have a one on one with an officer from the LAPD.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 03:04 PM
  #4  
ktm's Avatar
ktm
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Default

Then why do motorcycles only need one plate? You can easily make a spot on a bike for a second plate (right below the front head light or across the windscreen, etc.).

Edit: Gah, I just found the information I was looking for on Google. Now I just need to figure out a way to attach the front plate holder without having to drill holes.

Last edited by ktm; Oct 19, 2003 at 03:14 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 03:22 PM
  #5  
BoostTed's Avatar
BoostTed
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 0
From: North Hollywood
Default

Originally posted by ktm
Then why do motorcycles only need one plate? You can easily make a spot on a bike for a second plate (right below the front head light or across the windscreen, etc.).

Edit: Gah, I just found the information I was looking for on Google. Now I just need to figure out a way to attach the front plate holder without having to drill holes.
you can either buy that plae mod thing ive seen for the Z, go look at the list of sponsors they are in there. Or use very stong double sided tape. I did that to hold on my europlate on my last car(a4) and it worked great and if u are afraid of it falling off, i pertty much have to yank on it hard everytime i take it off cause of the ticket i get for no front plates
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 03:26 PM
  #6  
zerohour's Avatar
zerohour
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: southern cal
Default

Bleh I know what you mean i hate the front plate too. I havent put it on my 8 yet and i never did on my RSX and never got a ticket it just looks too ugly imho.

Ill bite the bullet and take a ticket if i have to hehe.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 03:32 PM
  #7  
barrybell's Avatar
barrybell
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Default

Motorcycles do not have front plates, because to my knowledge they have never had front plates in USA, Europe has had front plates in the past.

Last edited by barrybell; Oct 19, 2003 at 03:35 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 03:43 PM
  #8  
ktm's Avatar
ktm
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Default

However, motorcycles are motor vehicles and capable of violating the same traffic laws as cars and trucks. I am not saying that bikes should have front plates (I ride), but let's be consistent with the laws.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 03:48 PM
  #9  
mgl's Avatar
mgl
Registered User
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,282
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
Default

you can zip tie the front plate to the grille. thats a cheap way that can easily be removed.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 03:50 PM
  #10  
ktm's Avatar
ktm
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Default

I am thinking about the double-tape idea to attach the plate holder to the car.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 04:30 PM
  #11  
RobertL's Avatar
RobertL
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Default

check out audiopat he has the Z bracket. I bought and installed one very easiely!

so much easier to have on. In the past I have been stopped solely because of no front plate. I mean they didn't even give me a speeding ticket!

Lesson learned
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 05:23 PM
  #12  
ktm's Avatar
ktm
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Default

I have an aftermarket grill, which was installed by the dealer, that has a very tight grill spacing. Within the grill are "columns" that are very nearly at the same spacing as the license plate holes.

I attached my front plate to these columns with 4 very long, black twist ties. I then cut the ends and tucked them back into the holes. It looks very clean and the plate is firmly attached.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 07:09 PM
  #13  
Jsn350Z's Avatar
Jsn350Z
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,981
Likes: 0
From: Los Gatos, CA
Default

Yes you are suppose to.

It is just a fix it ticket, you can get the special braket for when that happens so you don't have to drill holes, then just take it off again after it is signed off.

No way I would put the front plate on my Z. And I would not worry about it.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 08:03 PM
  #14  
fresno350's Avatar
fresno350
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Al Anbar Province, Iraq
Default

i only got one plate from the dmv. i live in fresno
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 08:45 PM
  #15  
SHO-TIME's Avatar
SHO-TIME
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 2
From: Tokyo, Japan
Default

Yup, I recently got a "no-front-license plate" ticket.

Like others have suggested, just buy AudioPat's front license plate.
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 09:00 PM
  #16  
iLLestJrz's Avatar
iLLestJrz
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
From: Universal City
Default

Yup I got screwed by the dealer. But I've never been pulled over for not having a front license plate. I guess they don't really care and too lazy to pull me over. I plan on getting the holes filled by a body shop when I get a front lip.

Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 09:45 PM
  #17  
D'oh's Avatar
D'oh
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 1
From: Santa Cruz, CA
Default

I've had my Z a year with no front plates.

I've had one speeding ticket, but no one has harrased me about the plates. The cop that gave me the speeding ticket never mentioned anything about the plate, but I don't think he walked around the front of the car to check that out.

I'm not putting one on unless I get a ticket.

I didn't have front plates on my old Pickup for about 3 years or so (until I sold it) and never got harrased about the plates on that vehicle either.

It's up to you, but for me, I accept the possibility that I may get a ticket and I'm OK with that for now.

-D'oh!
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2003 | 09:54 PM
  #18  
Jsn350Z's Avatar
Jsn350Z
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,981
Likes: 0
From: Los Gatos, CA
Default

Regardless, it is just a fix-it-ticket! It is no biggy at all.
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2003 | 07:13 AM
  #19  
yobri's Avatar
yobri
350Z-holic
Premier Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 17,685
Likes: 0
From: teh interwebnets
Default

You could also get StrictlyZ's tow hook license plate bracket. I am partial to mgl's mention of zip ties though.... I'll put the front plate on when I have to get my fix-it ticket signed off. Then it comes back off.
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2003 | 07:16 AM
  #20  
ktm's Avatar
ktm
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Default

Yah, I went with twist/zip ties and attached it to the aftermarket grille. It still looks like @!$%, but at least I did not have to buy anything or drill holes in the front.
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:56 PM.