front license plates

**duhtroll** · 03-31-2008, 12:37 PM

I was recently in a discussion about front license plates where I mentioned that lots of LEOs use them as good targets for lidar.

Most states require front plates -- I think 17 of them don't.

Has anyone ever come up with a good reason why front plates would be required *other* than for speed enforcement?

Or are states using the excuse that they help to ID the car (which we know is pretty much BS)?

The plates and brackets are an unnecessary cost and they ruin the front of the vehicle's appearance IMO.

Anyone ever find out why they are required? If a good reason exists I'd like to know.

**xXCriticizeXx** · 03-31-2008, 01:00 PM

They are required in Texas but ive never had one on and have not had a problem... *knock on wood*

**balda2** · 03-31-2008, 01:03 PM

red light cameras

**erickonphoenix** · 03-31-2008, 01:05 PM

in Lidar training they are told to shoot centermass specifically because the front plate should give them a good reflection.

Supposedly the reason for the front plate is so police can see the tag whether a vehicle is parked forwards or backwards. The reflectivity issue is just a bonus.

In Texas no front plate is used a lot as a pretense to initiate a DWI check.

**duhtroll** · 03-31-2008, 02:20 PM

That's kinda what I figured - not really needed but slightly helpful.

**HwyBear** · 03-31-2008, 02:26 PM

Front plates are good when on 2 lane hwy's for spotting vehicles from a that are stolen or traffic complaint on a particular vehicle. Instead of having to "u-turn" behind every blue Dodge Caravan to check the rear plate to see if it is correct, just read the front plate as the vehicle approaches.

**langtubip** · 03-31-2008, 02:28 PM

i got a ticket for no front tag awhile ago and still dont know why.

**xXCriticizeXx** · 03-31-2008, 03:12 PM

lol were i live if you get a speeding ticket and you dont have a front they usually mark that down too but i dont normally hear about people getting stopped for not having one. However i do know they give tickets in my area for not using a turn signal while turning into your driveway.

**JDS** · 03-31-2008, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by erickonphoenix

Supposedly the reason for the front plate is so police can see the tag whether a vehicle is parked forwards or backwards. The reflectivity issue is just a bonus.

Meh, all sorts of states seem to be surviving without front plates.

**RW'07** · 03-31-2008, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by HwyBear

Front plates are good when on 2 lane hwy's for spotting vehicles from a that are stolen or traffic complaint on a particular vehicle. Instead of having to "u-turn" behind every blue Dodge Caravan to check the rear plate to see if it is correct, just read the front plate as the vehicle approaches.

Welcome back HwyBear, where you've been, we've missed you around here... stay safe

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