Front plate enforcement - Tacoma

[linuxd00d]

A warning to all of you without front license plates: Tacoma parking enforcement has been going nuts these last few weeks ticketing parked cars without a front plate. $86. Even if you're properly parked and committed no other infraction. In both metered and 90-minute zones.

As much as I like the looks of the car with no plate, I think I'm going to install the OEM holder. The side-mount tow hook ones are too JDM Boy Racer for my taste. Can't think of any other alternative.

[PandaM3]

Sure there's an alternative,

Try mounting a Show N Go holder where the plate would normally be

I did it on my wife's VW CC to avoid holes in the bumper and so I can fold it down when cruising and put it up when commuting, parking downtown, or airport runs...





The Show N Go seems to work very well and is hardly noticeable when folded down... And held for hours running up to 120mph when we drove the CC up to San Francisco from Socal. I'll probably upgrade it to the motorized version soon.

I would do the same on the M3, however the frame is already drilled in

Another option would be to mount industrial grade magnets to the backside of the bumper and the back side of the plate and mount that way

[Taran.J]

My brothers' FRS has received 2 tickets by UWT, easiest ticket to give without causing them problems with owners for other infractions.

The tow hook plate looks JDM but it beats having holes in your bumper when your cars on display as it's easily removable as well.

[TTG]

City of Seattle has been writing these tickets as well.....

I have been luck so far but I rarely park in the streets.

[icyunv]

been running 4 years + with no front plates, eastside though. *fingers crossed

[getalot681]

I'll have to keep this in mind. Had a trip planned up to Seattle in a couple weeks. I haven't had any issues in PDX so this didn't even cross my mind for our trip.

[pukicabuki]

Watch out for the parking enforcement in PDX as well. They LOVE to write no front plate tickets. I always reccomend parking in a parking garage when downtown rather than the street when possible. The cops won't pull you over for it but the parking enforcement will get you whenever they can.

[linuxd00d]

Originally Posted by getalot681

I'll have to keep this in mind. Had a trip planned up to Seattle in a couple weeks. I haven't had any issues in PDX so this didn't even cross my mind for our trip.

I wonder if they ticket for no front plate on non-WA cars. Because what happens if your car is licensed in a no front plate state like TX? I'm not sure how that works legally.

[linuxd00d]

Originally Posted by pukicabuki

The cops won't pull you over for it but the parking enforcement will get you whenever they can.

FWIW, I have been pulled over in Tacoma for no front plate. Motorcycle cop made a fairly dangerous u-turn in the middle of traffic just to pull me over just for that reason.

[pukicabuki]

Originally Posted by linuxd00d

I wonder if they ticket for no front plate on non-WA cars. Because what happens if your car is licensed in a no front plate state like TX? I'm not sure how that works legally.

As far as I know they aren't allowed to ticket out of state cars for equipment violations.

[pukicabuki]

Originally Posted by linuxd00d

FWIW, I have been pulled over in Tacoma for no front plate. Motorcycle cop made a fairly dangerous u-turn in the middle of traffic just to pull me over just for that reason.

I was referring to PDX cops.

[getalot681]

Yeah that makes perfect sense, not sure why I didn't realize that earlier.

I guess I've just been really lucky downtown PDX, never had any issues even parking on the street.

[AJQuadros]

Just a heads up,

I got a ticket about two weeks ago on I405 right by downtown Bellevue, middle of rush hour, was passed in the HOV by a state patrol, and gave me a ticket for just the front plate missing.

[bris2013m3]

Originally Posted by linuxd00d

I wonder if they ticket for no front plate on non-WA cars. Because what happens if your car is licensed in a no front plate state like TX? I'm not sure how that works legally.

TX you need front plate too

[JPatrick]

I got pulled over on 520 a couple weeks ago late morning for a %^3423$% speeding. Got a $175.00 ticket but the State Trooper did not even look at the front of my car where there is no plate. My first ticket in 20 years but no missing front plate ticket yet

[Sapper_M3]

Originally Posted by linuxd00d

A warning to all of you without front license plates: Tacoma parking enforcement has been going nuts these last few weeks ticketing parked cars without a front plate. $86. Even if you're properly parked and committed no other infraction. In both metered and 90-minute zones.

As much as I like the looks of the car with no plate, I think I'm going to install the OEM holder. The side-mount tow hook ones are too JDM Boy Racer for my taste. Can't think of any other alternative.

Living in Germany, I tried to get away with no front plate--but the Polizei eventually wore me down. I also hated the look of the tow-hook bracket, so I ended up purchasing from these guys:

http://www.skenedesign.com/FPBracket/index.shtml

The product still requires you to drill, but it's just on the underside of the bumper (the top part of the lower grill covering the oil cooler). If you really want, you could just apply 3M tape (which I bet would hold for nearly forever, even without the screws).

I highly recommend them, mainly for the good customer service. The guy (small-time operation, I believe) accidentally sent me the USA plate bracket size, and he express shipped me the Euro bracket holder free of charge with no hassle. Now I still have the USA plate bracket...which hopefully I never have to use.

EDIT: Just wanted to add the disclaimer that I am in no way affiliated with Skene Design--just repping a good product from a guy who takes care of his customers.