Front License Plate in NJ?

[MTROIS]

Hey everybody,

I am currently waiting for my new car and in first intention I was thinking of not putting the front license plate on my car (looks so much better without it!!). I know it is unlawful (if I remember another post I had read some time ago, it is ~$100 ticket if you get caught for this) but I was just wondering if others here have (had) tried and wanted to see what have been their experience so far. Are the cops "understanding" (i.e., do they have a sense of aesthetics or do they simply apply the LAW??).
Any comments welcome.

Just found this thread: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158648

[Big Windy]

in the tri-state area you are asking to get pulled over. i doubt that a cop will be understanding. plan on paying the fix it ticket and then putting the plate on anyway.

[dreamk]

i kno in pa there's no front plate but here in nj its "unlawful" im not sure when but there's a "bill??" some congress guy trying to pass that removes this law.
correct me if am wrong

[darkalley]

I have 3000 miles of tri-state driving with no front plate. I bought the "tow hook" plate bracket, http://www.gominigo.com/NHLPB-BMW.html and it is mounted up in the trunk. my plan, if pulled over, is to go with the "I took it off to send it through the car wash". I also have a "price of honor plate" which has gotten me out of two tickets from ny troopers.

[Jeff E39]

its a 54 dollar ticket, i have never been stopped for it but I have been stopped for speeding and instead of a 4 point speeding ticket, i got a no front plate ticket, i rather have that lol

[ferrari6891]

i know some ppl that have paid like 220 for a ticket..its ridiculous
my opinion: just put them on...no on else really is gonna care when your flying down the road with no license plates or honor you for being unlawful lol
just put them on and follow the law

[MTROIS]

Originally Posted by ferrari6891

i know some ppl that have paid like 220 for a ticket..its ridiculous
my opinion: just put them on...no on else really is gonna care when your flying down the road with no license plates or honor you for being unlawful lol
just put them on and follow the law

Thanks. In the end you are right guys, whether it is $50, $220 or even a simple warning, it is probably not worth the hassle that I read on other similar threads. In addition I managed to get the personalized plates I exactly wanted so all is well.

[ferrari6891]

hope everything works out! and that the plates dont bug you that much

[hooligan55]

I've spoken to a few cops about this (not in Tri-State though). They're not going to pull you over for no front plate alone. Any fast car should always have a minor violation (plate, tint) so that when you do get pulled over for speeding it gives the cop an out to write you a lesser ticket. Just don't be a dick or they might ticket you for both. Otherwise it's speeding ticket or no ticket which is a much more binary proposition that you will lose most of the time.

Originally Posted by MTROIS

Hey everybody,

I am currently waiting for my new car and in first intention I was thinking of not putting the front license plate on my car (looks so much better without it!!). I know it is unlawful (if I remember another post I had read some time ago, it is ~$100 ticket if you get caught for this) but I was just wondering if others here have (had) tried and wanted to see what have been their experience so far. Are the cops "understanding" (i.e., do they have a sense of aesthetics or do they simply apply the LAW??).
Any comments welcome.

Just found this thread: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158648

[ihyln]

Originally Posted by hooligan55

I've spoken to a few cops about this (not in Tri-State though). They're not going to pull you over for no front plate alone. Any fast car should always have a minor violation (plate, tint) so that when you do get pulled over for speeding it gives the cop an out to write you a lesser ticket. Just don't be a dick or they might ticket you for both. Otherwise it's speeding ticket or no ticket which is a much more binary proposition that you will lose most of the time.

+1. Cops hate paperwork so unless you are going through some podunk town you should be okay as long as you aren't doing anything stupid or wreckless. I plan on using the towhook license plate holder for any long trips.

[AwesomeM3]

Originally Posted by hooligan55

I've spoken to a few cops about this (not in Tri-State though). They're not going to pull you over for no front plate alone. Any fast car should always have a minor violation (plate, tint) so that when you do get pulled over for speeding it gives the cop an out to write you a lesser ticket. Just don't be a dick or they might ticket you for both. Otherwise it's speeding ticket or no ticket which is a much more binary proposition that you will lose most of the time.

Originally Posted by ihyln

+1. Cops hate paperwork so unless you are going through some podunk town you should be okay as long as you aren't doing anything stupid or wreckless. I plan on using the towhook license plate holder for any long trips.

A few years ago, in my E46 M3, I was at a traffic light, and a NJ State Trooper was opposite me at the traffic light. I was stopped at the light, and when my light turned green, he turned around and pulled me over for no front plate. Gave me a ticket and I paid it. I guess he had nothing better to do.

[MTROIS]

Originally Posted by ihyln

+1. Cops hate paperwork so unless you are going through some podunk town you should be okay as long as you aren't doing anything stupid or wreckless. I plan on using the towhook license plate holder for any long trips.

+

Originally Posted by hooligan55

I've spoken to a few cops about this (not in Tri-State though). They're not going to pull you over for no front plate alone. Any fast car should always have a minor violation (plate, tint) so that when you do get pulled over for speeding it gives the cop an out to write you a lesser ticket. Just don't be a dick or they might ticket you for both. Otherwise it's speeding ticket or no ticket which is a much more binary proposition that you will lose most of the time.

... I am having second thoughts now...

[ferrari6891]

some cops are dicks and dont care
i would say, you need to know learn about the cops in your area and see if they are real assholes or not. If they are, you are definitely getting pulled over. If they aren't you still have a chance of getting pulled over in another town where cops are dicks. I still stick with my opinion of just getting the license plates. For example, the cops in my area are terrible, they pulled me over for going 27 in a 25....fought it and said my speedometer wasnt working , but thats aside the point...It all depends how the cops in your area are

[MTROIS]

Originally Posted by ferrari6891

some cops are dicks and dont care
i would say, you need to know learn about the cops in your area and see if they are real assholes or not. If they are, you are definitely getting pulled over. If they aren't you still have a chance of getting pulled over in another town where cops are dicks. I still stick with my opinion of just getting the license plates. For example, the cops in my area are terrible, they pulled me over for going 27 in a 25....fought it and said my speedometer wasnt working , but thats aside the point...It all depends how the cops in your area are

Ticket for 2MPH over 25!!!! Are you serious?? I would move away from that town/area ASAP! I am 20 miles South of you and I don't know how the cops are around here since I have never been an outlaw!! I will surely drive my car back from SC without the front plate and then see how it goes once here. I like the idea of having a second offense with which you can bargain in case you got pulled over for speeding...

[ferrari6891]

its only happened to me once, but i guess the cop was having a bad day
but i think license plate is the way to go...yeah it doesnt look as good as it w/o the plate, but its worth avoiding a possible ticket