Anyone know if the front plate needs to have a light

[CWCobra]

Last Sunday the State Police were stopping everyone leaving Captree for not having a front plate, including me. The ticket is $90. Does anyone know if the front plate needs to have a light on it?

Conrad

[Ibr8k4vetts]

I have never seen a car with a light on the front plate.

[Ron61]

No, if your law is the same as ours, the front plate doesn't have to have a light.

Ron

[cobracon]

Thanks for the response guys. As you know each state is different. It's such BS. With all the problems and crime out there i can't understand why so many states have such a Jihad against our cars?

Conrad

[computerworks]

mod note-

Broke this topic out from another unrelated thread.

[Power Surge]

Conrad.... no light on the front plate. And I'm a NYS inspector, so I know for 100% sure.

[Roscoe]

What front plate?

Roscoe

[SPF2245]

No state in the union requires a front light on the license plate. I would check your states motor vehicle code, many require plates on the front of vehicles from '68 or '72 on...and Cobras would be exempt. Others may require it on kits if the registration shows a more current date (such as the date of manufacture). Check the ticket also, some are just fines not requiring repair...ie, pay and forget, while others are fix and submit the ticket with a fee. If it's just a fine, you can pay in and leave the vehicle as is...good luck.

[Don]

Regarding the front license plate, CT has a law that the plate is mandatory. There will be a news article where the infractions are listed and then includes No Front License Plate. Good possibility the absence of the front license plate may or could have been used as probable cause, especially when the other charges include drug possession, intent to sell,etc

[slithering]

Conrad,

It's law in California to have a front plate as well, but I've not installed one on my car and had no issues. Do you want the plate or can you make a temporary bracket just to suffice the ticket? I take it, it's just a "fix it" ticket? That's what I would do, I think a plate on the front ruins the look of the nose.

Chris

[cobracon]

Again thanks for the replies. hey Sal, hows the weather in Fla? I think i am going to add a bracket to one of my quick jacks and put the stink'in plate on. i was lucky i didn't actually receive a ticket. I keep my second plate behind the passengers seat so when i got pulled over i lifted it up and said it had just fallen off. The officer was kind of nice and just told me not to come down there anymore without it. As the Jones beach Causeway is one of my favorite runs, I am compelled to obey.

Conrad

[Rich A]

The easiest way to know if a front license plate is required is if the DMV (Or whatever they may call it in your state) issues you two license plates, It then requires you to have a front plate. That simple.

[badrich]

As Roscoe says, "What front plate?" Over the years, I've received a couple of no plate tickets, always along with speeding, drag racing (just joking) or other tickets. While you guys pick on California sometimes (for good reason), I've never heard of anyone getting stopped for just a missing front plate. Just bolt it one and visit a local CHP. No charge, unless you don't do it right away. Cobras just don't look right with 'em. Just like tops. Rich

[JBo]

while you are correct about the plate spoiling the looks, the original 427 street cars had one mounted on the lower push bar. When you got up to 10 mph or so , it folded flat against the inner nose. I used to get stopped for that in the 70's in NYS. But, the best part is when the car slowed and stopped; as the plate was mildly spring loaded; it returned to its upright position. I suspect that my driving style at that time may have caused the stop though, but when the officer would walk up and ask about the front plate, i would say "it's there ' as I got out to walk to the front of the car and point it out.
I bought one from Motorsports for my AK, just have not had time to have tacked yet.

[GlynMeek]

JBo...GREAT idea. I shall plagiarize the idea, claim it as my own and fabricate an appropriately folding bracket...thanks.

In Texas, we are supposed to have front plates, but I've never been stopped in the Cobra, and only once in one of my Porsches, on which I also REFUSE to put a number plate. When I feigned ignorance to the cop, he asked me in a "cool hand luke" drawl..."did you get two number plates when you collected them, sir?", to which I replied "yes, officer". His somewhat sarcastic response to my English accent was "sir, here in Texas, we don't give 'em away, lessen you need 'em".

I swallowed my response of "wouldn't you be better chasing drug dealers, officer, rather than penalizing the innocent motorist?", and replied "oh, I see, well I shall install it immediately I get home, officer".

He let me off with a warning, and I have NEVER put a front plate on ANY of my sportscars...seems somewhat sacrilegious!!!!

Glyn

[Roscoe]

I DO keep my spare front plate in the trunk...facing forward of course....

Roscoe

[HI Cobra]

In Hawaii you are supposed to have 2 plates but very few comply and don't
seem to have problems. I think there is a $50 fine available but that is
seldom enforced. With an aluminum radiator I put a 1" x 3" grill in my cowl
to keep critters from hitting it and hung my license plate behind it with a
couple of stainless steel key ring type clips. Once past 15 mph or so it just
swings back (the clips are on the top of the plate) out of the way. Works for
me, no problems so far. It is not very noticeable but it is there.

[thudmaster]

I run a front plate on my spf because I don't mind the look and I don't want to be stopped the day I have a beer between my legs. My Miata use to have a hinged spring plate that mounted in the grille area. At 25 mph it laid flat. When I stopped it was upright.

[Bryan Wilson]

We are required to have a front plate so when you are facing a red light or speed camera they can get your number for safety reasons. They have even enlarged the rego number print on the windscreen label so they can blow up the photo and read the number for safety reasons if you don't have a readable number plate, as these cameras are not for revenue raising.
Cheers,
Bryan

[Roush #1]

Glyn,

The two plates is sort of like carrying more than one bullet in your gun. One is all you need...ask Barney Fife.

See you in three weeks. Can't wait to see your car.

Jody