The Stupidity Behind Front Licence Plates: What Is The Point?

[just do it bob1]

The Stupidly Behind Front Licence Plates on Cars: What Is The Point of Them?

 

This debate goes way back to when I used to discuss with my father about the legality of front license plates. Before I say anything more, it should be apparent that I do not support them. 

 

My father was always "pro front licence plate"  when it came to this subject matter. Although my father hated the license plate covering his Lexus IS350's grill, my father always agreed that there was a reason for it, so he went along with it. I have strongly disagreed with this. I do not understand why we are required to have a front license plate.  I am fully aware that in some regions/states/provinces you are not required to have a front license plate. I fully understand that. However, there are some places in Canada, The United States, and other parts of the world that still require a front license plate.

 

Simply put, I hate this rule. It really destroys the look of the car. They should not be required anywhere. I hated this rule so much, that I once took off my front plate assuming that nothing would happen. Got a hefty fine. You could say I got what I deserved and yes, in a way you would be right. But, this does not change the fact that it is just dumb in general.  (let me mention I am not writing a salty topic after I have been fined, this took place almost two years ago)

 

My father always said that a good way to look at this is if a person went to rob a convenience store with a camera that had a fixed view. If the person stealing the money came out of the store and backed out, the camera would not see the backplate. Something also very similar is those people always trying to avoid the ETR/toll freeway costs. If it was legal to not have a front plate, it would make it much easier for these people to avoid those cameras that take the photos of the plates to charge the people who use the ETR/toll routes.

 

A video of what I'm talking about can be found here:  (it's crazy to see how people will avoid fees sometimes)

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

While searching, I found an article that explains the Convenience Store analogy a little better. It can be found here: https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/why-do-some-states-still-require-front-license-pla-258129

Although this is a pretty solid reason as to why it is illegal to not have a front plate, (to prevent crime) I still think there is a way to change things up. A way to add something else that would be less annoying than a piece of ugly metal mounted to the front of your car. 

To be fair, I was running around without that plate for almost a year and never got caught. (My plate has now been mounted back since then) but to be once again fair, If I was an actual criminal, I could have robbed a store no problem, which kind of makes the point I mentioned invalid (the tolls, the crimes). What I noticed during that time, and through several articles, it seems to be a hit and miss when it comes to the Police. Some report that some officers do not care, while others will just pull you over and fine you for it "just because". 

 

I honestly want to hear other peoples opinions on this. Do you think having a front plate is justified? Do you think there is some other way to still have some form of identification without having to mount a front plate on the grill of your car? Maybe you could put something on the windshield? I'm really interested to hear other peoples thoughts.

Edited January 5, 2019 by just do it bob1

[Svip]

Well, in Europe it makes sense, as speed cameras can be both rear and front facing.  But it also helps police officers on the side of the road, or coming the other way, to spot plates that have a notice on them, like say they haven't paid their registration fee or their insurance expired.

 

Plus, since all European countries have front facing plates, all car models sold in Europe have front bumpers built to handle it.  Indeed, cars without front plates look weird on most European car models.

 

I don't mind them, and since my cars in particular would look weird without them, I am all for them.  But I know the reason they exist, so you can be spotted coming both ways.  I mean, what else are number plates than proof that the car is allowed to drive on public roads?

 

But then again, I find European style plates aesthetically pleasing, while I find American style plates ugly.

Edited January 6, 2019 by Svip

[just do it bob1]

31 minutes ago, Svip said:

Well, in Europe it makes sense, as speed cameras can be both rear and front facing.  But it also helps police officers on the side of the road, or coming the other way, to spot plates that have a notice on them, like say they haven't paid their registration fee or their insurance expired.

 

Plus, since all European countries have front facing plates, all car models sold in Europe have front bumpers built to handle it.  Indeed, cars without front plates look weird on most European car models.

 

I don't mind them, and since my cars in particular would look weird without them, I am all for them.  But I know the reason they exist, so you can be spotted coming both ways.  I mean, what else are number plates than proof that the car is allowed to drive on public roads?

 

But then again, I find European style plates aesthetically pleasing, while I find American style plates ugly.

ye, the Euro plates look nice. I'm specifically talking about western plates. They look ugly as hell on the front of the car. 

[turbocharger]

I voted no because I prefer the clean look without the front plates. Is it better to have them? Probably yes for a number of reasons, some of which were mentioned but I don't feel like going into that.

 

That said, I'm kinda jelly of the places that don't require them but then again it doesn't bother me all that much. Also since we're at it, I'd like to mention I prefer the shape of the american style rear plates as I find them more aesthetically pleasing than euro ones.

[Pavle]

personally, i don't like front plates HERE because they are not very pretty. never have been and they never will be. poor quality too. on my own car my plate can't fit in its designated slot so it's all crooked now. debating on paying more and getting a smaller plate, but in two years when i have to swap the current ones

[InstaNoodles]

I honestly have no problem with it. It has it’s purpose and I also like my state’s license plate design. And in my opinion, cars these days are kinda getting pretty gawdy in their designs. The grills are getting bigger and more angular and everyone and their mother are designing cars with “angry headlights”. If the entire front end is gawdy, one little license plate isn’t going to make a difference.

[-l-]

In my country, some people don't use license plates.

Edited January 8, 2019 by FearThoseWhoFearHim

[Misumi]

I live in California where front plates are required. Bay Area specifically. I've been pulled over for no front license plate. It was about a $25 fix-it ticket every time, so I just zip tied to my front grill, and get the ticket signed off. Then take it back off and wait until the next time I get pulled over.

 

The police have told me the reason for it is because people use it to cheat the Fastrak system which is used as an automatic bridge toll system for the Bay Bridge going across the San Francisco bay. I don't think they should require it, but they do. Luckily, cops here don't enforce it too much. I've drive by police all the time and don't get pulled over. It just happens when it's that one specific cop in the department that spots you.

 

A lot of car enthusiasts don't like mounting a front plate because usually it requires you to remove a cover on your front bumper to mount the bracket. Or it requires you to drill your bumper. The solution I used is I just bought a front splitter. Bought some L brackets and mounted the plate onto that. I didn't mind how it looked. At least I got to mount a license plate frame for my local speed shop.

 

 

Unfortunately, since that car was lowered. I hit a dip in the freeway at about 80mph, and the splitter shattered into a hundred pieces. License plate flew off with the rest of it.  This is all that was left

 

Besides that though, it was a solid mount. I'd do it again. People put their plates on the windshield/dashboard, but I think that just looks stupid.

[Plage]

It's a non-issue because most of the cars have a dedicated place to put a license plate anyway. If not get a sticker license plate for the front. Problem solved.

 

 

 

[just do it bob1]

On 2/6/2019 at 10:25 AM, Plage said:

It's a non-issue because most of the cars have a dedicated place to put a license plate anyway. If not get a sticker license plate for the front. Problem solved.

 

 

 

To be honest, the car looks even worse with that imo. Cars like that are built for the Euro plates, so they look nice with them. Depending on your taste, you will either like that idea of the sticker or you may not. It's a subjective opinion. For me personally, I would say no.

[Carlover325]

The license plate sticker on the front of that Jaguar is awful.

 

In my state (Nevada), cars are required to have 2 plates unless:

 

"Front plates are optional only if 1) the vehicle was not designed for a front plate and 2) the manufacturer did not provide an add-on bracket or other means of displaying the front plate."

 

Our Camaro didn't come with a license plate bracket, so the DMV just told us not to put it on.

Edited March 20, 2019 by Carlover325

[Lurch]

I remember someone on here had an FD RX7 (Mr. Ed I iirc) that had a front plate and the spot for it just horrid looking. The entire car looked better when it wasn't setup for a front plate. 

[Up2NoGood45]

I think front plates will stick around because cop cars have these plate readers now that constantly scan plates and run them through the computer for wants and warrants.  I read that on average a highway patrol car will read 100,000 plates a day.  I’m sure front plates help with that.

[Awful Waffle]

the premise of your entire poll is broken.

the front license plate has nothing to do with "preventing crime." it's about improving the abilities of law enforcement (and the public, for that matter) to track or identify those who are already associated with reported crimes.

[SouthLand]

I have mixed feelings about this.

 

For example this looks very ugly:

 

 

 

This looks nice:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Cutter De Blanc]

Traffic light cameras

[Shogun Pacino]

Sometimes i like front plate cars if it's USA but i lose the point on it sometimes tbh. Like on Alfas, Audis, etc.