California Front License Plate Laws

[Oligo]

Is anyone familiar with front license plate law in California?

I recently bought a new BMW 645Ci and the dealer installed the front plate mounting bracket on the car. Amazingly, BMW did not engineer a front mount bracket or built in screw points for the bracket. So what did the dealer do (without asking me first), they drilled the plate bracket into the front fender!! Naturally, I didn't plan on putting the front plates on the car. Now I am left with two screw holes in the middle of the front fender.

Question, under CA law who is responsible for mounting the front plate? The dealer or the car's owner? Does CA law stipulate the dealer must deliver the new car with the front plate attachement? Was this the dealer's choice and not bound by law to do so?

I haven't dicussed the issue with the dealer yet. I'm a bit pissed off and would like the dealer to replace the enitre front end (of course it is one molded piece that forms the front fender wells). But first, I want to poll the knowledge of this group. Take a look at our NSX's, Acura did this right. You can remove the plate bracket and find properly designed mounting points under the front facia.

Thanks for any insight you can provide. This has tarnished my outlook on buying my first BMW, especially since the car was $80K.

 

[RP-Motorsports]

I would be livid as well. I would tell them to keep it, and get you the next one off of the boat at a reduced price.

 

[RyRy210]

Where did you get your BMW? I got mine at Pacific BMW, and even when I bought my NSX, they explained to me they were required to install the front plate bracket by law. Not sure whether that has changed.

Then again, when I bought my Porsche last month they didn't install a bracket on it, they just let the bracket sit in my trunk.

 

[AndyH]

They did the same thing to my lexus. Now I have 2 holes in my front bumper.

 

[ediddynsx]

Sorry I hope they will replace your bumper. :smile:

 

[Hapa88]

California Law on plates:
"'Display of License Plates"
Section 5200. (a) When two license plates are issued by the department for use upon a vehicle, they shall be attached to the vehicle for which they were issued, one in the front and the other in the rear."

"Positioning of Plates"
Section 5201. License plates shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle for which they are issued so as to prevent the plates from swinging, shall be mounted in a position so as to be clearly visible, and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible. The rear license plate shall be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 60 inches from the ground, and the front license plate shall be mounted not more than 60 inches from the ground, except as follows . . .


California Vehicle Code Chapter 1 Article 9 (Display of Plates, Tabs, and Stickers)


The vehicle code doesn't specifically say who's responsible for putting on plates. However, since it’s a New Car, plates aren't generally issued on the spot. It would therefore be YOUR responsibility to put on the front plate and YOUR responsibility to keep it on, and I'd say it's a "courtesy" of BMW to put on the bracket for you (since California requires a front plate by law).

Personally I hate the front plate too. I don't run one on my NSX because I think its ugly, and I didn't run one on my Jetta for a long time, until I got my second ticket for it. I figured it would be easier and more stress free if I just left it on there.

BTW, the VW Jettas/GTis MarkIVs have a bracket that requires you to drill through the bumper too. I was lucky enough to get mine before they drilled it (and ended up using double sided tape to put on my plate).

 

[Oligo]

Thanks for the input. Turns out California law changed in 2005 regarding who is responsible for affixing front brackets for plates.

"Front license plate bracket - new law prohibits manufacturers and distributors from selling or distributing in California that is not equipped with a front license plate bracket and prohibits the delivery of a vehicle after its retail sale unless the vehicle is equipped with a front license plate bracket or the buyer signs an acknowledgement statement."

http://www.lacar.com/modules.php?na...article&sid=375

I guess what disappoints me is that the dealer didn't bother to offer me an acknowledgement statement. Moral of the story, if you are buying a new car you must verbally instruct the dealer not to install the plate bracket and sign the form.

 

[CDX_NSX]

Worst case scenario --> www.bumperplugs.com

 

[BD]

Ever time I park my car in LAX airport over night, I get a "no front license" ticket. It's not a fix ticket, they just want the money.

 

[Darkcyd]

Welcome to NSX ownership. :tongue: I got one at LAX for no-front plate. Heck, I've gotten about 6 fix-it tickets for no-front plates now. I finally got tired of it so I just put the damn thing on. I'm always tempted to take the damn thing off again, but less hassle and stress is a good thing.

 

[schuey1010]

Ever time I park my car in LAX airport over night, I get a "no front license" ticket. It's not a fix ticket, they just want the money.

Sometimes the cops just sit on the side of the road there as you drive through LAX and pull you over and write you just the plate ticket. Ask me how I know!

Yep, they just want your money.

 

[Hapa88]

Thanks for the input. Turns out California law changed in 2005 regarding who is responsible for affixing front brackets for plates.

"Front license plate bracket - new law prohibits manufacturers and distributors from selling or distributing in California that is not equipped with a front license plate bracket and prohibits the delivery of a vehicle after its retail sale unless the vehicle is equipped with a front license plate bracket or the buyer signs an acknowledgement statement."

http://www.lacar.com/modules.php?na...article&sid=375

I guess what disappoints me is that the dealer didn't bother to offer me an acknowledgement statement. Moral of the story, if you are buying a new car you must verbally instruct the dealer not to install the plate bracket and sign the form.

You're right. I just found the new article in the CA Vehicle Code:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d05/vc11713_17.htm

11713.17. (a) Following the retail sale or lease of a motor vehicle for which the department issues two license plates, a dealer may not deliver the motor vehicle unless either of the following occurs:

(1) The motor vehicle is equipped with a bracket or other means of securing a front license plate.

(2) The dealer obtains a signed written acknowledgment from the person taking delivery of the motor vehicle acknowledging both of the following:

(A) The person expressly refused installation of a bracket or other means of securing the front license plate.

(B) The person understands that California law requires a license plate to be displayed from and securely fastened to the front of the motor vehicle and that the hardware necessary to securely fasten the front plate is available from the dealer.

(b) A manufacturer or distributor may not sell or distribute in this state a new motor vehicle for which the department issues two license plates, unless that motor vehicle is equipped or provided with a bracket or other means of securing the license plates.

 

[drmanny3]

I purchased a new Toyota Prius and specifically asked the sales person to not put on the front license plate. When the car was delivered the prep people in fact had placed it on the car screwing in the lic holder onto the frnt bumper. When I removed it there were two holes. I went back and they first showed me a reference to the law suggesting that for 2005 the holder must be placed on the cars front area. I then did my homework and found the reference as noted in the previous reply. I went back to the dealer showed them specific DMV requirement. They agreed to remove, repair, and repaint the front bumper. So it turned out pretty well.

Manny

 

[Brad]

There are many laws that we (you) may not like, for example, speed limits. Break it, get caught, pay the price! Same goes for front license plates. Sure you may not like it, it may be ugly, but its the law. Take you chance, get a ticket if its worth it to you. If you don't like front license plates then buy a motorcycle. No front plate required at all!!! Need I say more ???
I have front plates on all 5 of my cars and rear plates on the back of all 3 of my motorcycles, why do you ask, because its the law and I don't need to be paying court fees, fines, the hassle of going to the DMV or marshalls office to get something written off as I have better things to do then to worry about how my ride looks to me or others. Its an NSX, it looks f_cking great no matter what. One last comment, if you have personal plates, shame on you if you don't like to display them front and rear.

 

[drmanny3]

To each his own. If I get a ticket for not having a front lic plate so be it. I will just pay the penalty. It is worth it to me rather than have the plate on the front of the car. Besides even though it is the "law" most cops will not give you a ticket for not having a front plate unless you piss them off. I have had many tickets in my time ~50 over 40 years of driving and have been written up for not having a front plate once. So I say do what ever you want to do.

Manny

 

[coolnsx]

Doc, I completely agree!

 

[coolnsx]

And stay away from LAX :biggrin:

 

[KooLaid]

So with the introduction of new info on this post.... what did you decide to do? I'd sure as he!! make them PERFECTLY repair or replace that front bumper cover. Especially since they did NOT even ask your input on it first. Well that AND it's a brand new expensive 6 series!

Thanks for the input. Turns out California law changed in 2005 regarding who is responsible for affixing front brackets for plates.

"Front license plate bracket - new law prohibits manufacturers and distributors from selling or distributing in California that is not equipped with a front license plate bracket and prohibits the delivery of a vehicle after its retail sale unless the vehicle is equipped with a front license plate bracket or the buyer signs an acknowledgement statement."

http://www.lacar.com/modules.php?na...article&sid=375

I guess what disappoints me is that the dealer didn't bother to offer me an acknowledgement statement. Moral of the story, if you are buying a new car you must verbally instruct the dealer not to install the plate bracket and sign the form.