Front License plate in Massachusetts... is there a problem?

armani12 · 06-12-2012, 04:12 PM

Hello guys,
I live in western mass, and I have been driving without the front license plate for a while now becuase I installed the M3 rep bumper and didn't want any holes in it. Today while applying for a vanity plate I found out that in MA this is obligatory (yeah I know I'm so ignorant). The thing is that I have driven around many cops and so far in 7 months I haven't been pulled over or bothered at all. I might be going to Boston lately for some time, so I'm not sure if cops are strict in this area of MA. I just don't like the idea of placing the license plate on the dash.

Have any of you been pulled over for this?
Thanks for your input in advance.

rascalion · 06-12-2012, 04:43 PM

Have you considered a tow hook plate holder?

http://www.bimmian.com/Tow-Hook-Lice...for-BMW-E71-X6

George@V · 06-12-2012, 05:02 PM

I know folks who have been ticketed for no front license plate in Boston proper, so I would advise against running only 1 plate.

armani12 · 06-12-2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rascalion

Have you considered a tow hook plate holder?

http://www.bimmian.com/Tow-Hook-Lice...for-BMW-E71-X6

This looks great, but I don't know if the requirement is in the middle of the front bumper as opposed to the side.

Higgs1 · 06-12-2012, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armani12

This looks great, but I don't know if the requirement is in the middle of the front bumper as opposed to the side.

I don't think there's a requirement as long as you're displaying your plates properly. I know many people that have gotten "Failure to display plates properly" tickets in and around Boston, I wouldn't risk it for something stupid.

Arustik1 · 06-12-2012, 07:35 PM

Cops in Boston can/do pull people over for no front license plate. Some people I know have it in their front windshield. I just use the tow hook bracket.

YianniM3 · 06-13-2012, 11:55 AM

ive been pulled over twice for it and got warnings now every time i get pulled over they check if its there but i wouldnt put it on if i were you. get some zip ties and tie it on get the sticker and take it off again

krazyking · 06-13-2012, 12:02 PM

I've heard of several people getting tickets for riding without front plates, I suggest you to put em on if you want hassle with cops/tickets. Boston Transport Department are beggars, will do anything to squeeze money out of you.

virtualbong · 06-13-2012, 12:15 PM

I got a ticket for no front plate when I had my G coupe so now I have one on my BMW. It really depends on whether or not they want to stop you for other stuff or just having a bad day.

armani12 · 06-13-2012, 01:26 PM

I guess I'm gonna have to get the tow hook plate holder just to avoid any tickets. In the meantime i will carry my front plate on my dash till I get the holder. Thanks everyone for the responses.

Btw
Is the traffic down there in Boston still a nightmare???

virtualbong · 06-13-2012, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armani12

I guess I'm gonna have to get the tow hook plate holder just to avoid any tickets. In the meantime i will carry my front plate on my dash till I get the holder. Thanks everyone for the responses.

Btw
Is the traffic down there in Boston still a nightmare???

Yes especially rush hour. Avoid 93 during those times like the plague.

JLWB3 · 06-14-2012, 12:17 PM

hey gents... I would actually have to respectfully disagree and here is my experience. I have lived in milton ma for years now (about 9 miles south of downtown boston) and driven a BMW for 10 years. On both my e46 M3 and now my 335 i have never run a front plate and that is approximately 10 years of commuting into Boston daily. Even when i have been pulled over, probably about 4 or 5 times the only thing that has ever happen is the cop saying "get your front plate on".

In short I have never received a ticket or a fine for not running a front plate. Maybe I am just lucky, but just wanted to share my experience.

George@V · 06-14-2012, 12:21 PM

Consider yourself lucky JLWB3.

I had no front plate on my prior car for 3 years, not once did I have an issue.

In the first week of owning my BMW, I got a no-front plate ticket MAILED to my house by the Boston Police Department...

ibeclueless · 06-17-2012, 11:55 AM

i just got a warning today for no front plate at JFK beach in Boston. had my car for 4 years with no front plate and finally someone said something about it. im going to order my front plate kit from http://www.rhoplate.com/index.html.

Thunder Dump · 06-18-2012, 08:01 AM

Not having a front plate (if you're required to....older 'green' MA plates like mine only require one) is one of those offenses that very few police--if any--will bother you for *unless* they need a reason to stop your car. Then you've given them a very convenient one. Just like here in MA it is illegal to have *anything* hanging from your rearview mirror (falls under the 'impeded operation' statute). No one is ever going to bother you for it unless they need a reason to stop you.

BJK1903 · 06-28-2012, 05:38 PM

I can vouch for this. He got pulled over in the parking lot by a trooper. He was kind enough to accept to meet with me. I would have felt so bad if he did got the ticket. Thanks again for meeting ibecluless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibeclueless

i just got a warning today for no front plate at JFK beach in Boston. had my car for 4 years with no front plate and finally someone said something about it. im going to order my front plate kit from http://www.rhoplate.com/index.html.

ska///235i · 06-30-2012, 08:54 PM

lic plate frames are also not welcome when comes inspection...lol

06-12-2012, 04:12 PM	#1
armani12 Peruanito 8 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 08' AW 335i coupe Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: West Springfield, MA iTrader: (0)	Front License plate in Massachusetts... is there a problem? Hello guys, I live in western mass, and I have been driving without the front license plate for a while now becuase I installed the M3 rep bumper and didn't want any holes in it. Today while applying for a vanity plate I found out that in MA this is obligatory (yeah I know I'm so ignorant). The thing is that I have driven around many cops and so far in 7 months I haven't been pulled over or bothered at all. I might be going to Boston lately for some time, so I'm not sure if cops are strict in this area of MA. I just don't like the idea of placing the license plate on the dash. Have any of you been pulled over for this? Thanks for your input in advance.
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06-12-2012, 04:43 PM	#2
rascalion Private 4 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 2008 335i E93 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Warwick, RI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i E93 [0.00]	Have you considered a tow hook plate holder? http://www.bimmian.com/Tow-Hook-Lice...for-BMW-E71-X6 __________________ Old car: 2008 335i Convertible w/ PROcede Rev2.5SE // aFe Stage-2 PRO Si Intake // BMS OCC // SmartTop New car: 2017 Ford Fusion Titanium. I got old, married and was given a budget.
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06-12-2012, 05:02 PM	#3
George@V Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2012 335is Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	I know folks who have been ticketed for no front license plate in Boston proper, so I would advise against running only 1 plate.
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06-12-2012, 07:35 PM	#6
Arustik1 HYEPWR 102 Rep 2,868 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	Cops in Boston can/do pull people over for no front license plate. Some people I know have it in their front windshield. I just use the tow hook bracket. __________________ 2002 330ci Titanium Silver / Gray 2005 X5 3.0i Black Sapphire Metallic / Black 2002 M3 Laguna Seca Blue / Black 2001 M5 Jet Black / Black
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06-13-2012, 11:55 AM	#7
YianniM3 Lieutenant 110 Rep 590 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mass iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 335i [10.00]	ive been pulled over twice for it and got warnings now every time i get pulled over they check if its there but i wouldnt put it on if i were you. get some zip ties and tie it on get the sticker and take it off again __________________ Current:F80 M3 SB/SO Full leather, Black Wheels, Executive Package, Adaptive Suspension, Manual Sold: LeMans Blue 335i e92 Sold: JB 325xi e90
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06-13-2012, 12:02 PM	#8
krazyking Lieutenant 17 Rep 476 Posts Drives: '08 E92 BMW 335Xi Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (3)	I've heard of several people getting tickets for riding without front plates, I suggest you to put em on if you want hassle with cops/tickets. Boston Transport Department are beggars, will do anything to squeeze money out of you. __________________ '08 E92 335Xi - Premium, Cold and Sports Packages JB4 // AFE DCI // Matte Black Grills // MTEC Angel Eyes // CF Mirror Covers // Forgestar F14's
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06-13-2012, 12:15 PM	#9
virtualbong Lieutenant Colonel 113 Rep 1,766 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW X5 MSport Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (2)	I got a ticket for no front plate when I had my G coupe so now I have one on my BMW. It really depends on whether or not they want to stop you for other stuff or just having a bad day. __________________ 2015 BMW X5 35i M-Sport (White/Brown) - 4/16/18 (Current) 2011 BMW 550i M-Sport (Jet Black/Cinnamon Brown) - 4/30/14 \| 2007 BMW 328xi e92 (Jet Black/Coral Red) - PAST \| 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe (Ivory White/Stone) - PAST \| 2005 Acura TSX (Obsidian Black/Black) - PAST \| 1998 Acura Integra (Black/Black) - PAST
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06-13-2012, 01:26 PM	#10
armani12 Peruanito 8 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 08' AW 335i coupe Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: West Springfield, MA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the info I guess I'm gonna have to get the tow hook plate holder just to avoid any tickets. In the meantime i will carry my front plate on my dash till I get the holder. Thanks everyone for the responses. Btw Is the traffic down there in Boston still a nightmare???
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06-14-2012, 12:17 PM	#12
JLWB3 Private 2 Rep 97 Posts Drives: E46 M3 / 2011 e92 335ix Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	hey gents... I would actually have to respectfully disagree and here is my experience. I have lived in milton ma for years now (about 9 miles south of downtown boston) and driven a BMW for 10 years. On both my e46 M3 and now my 335 i have never run a front plate and that is approximately 10 years of commuting into Boston daily. Even when i have been pulled over, probably about 4 or 5 times the only thing that has ever happen is the cop saying "get your front plate on". In short I have never received a ticket or a fine for not running a front plate. Maybe I am just lucky, but just wanted to share my experience.
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06-14-2012, 12:21 PM	#13
George@V Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2012 335is Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	Consider yourself lucky JLWB3. I had no front plate on my prior car for 3 years, not once did I have an issue. In the first week of owning my BMW, I got a no-front plate ticket MAILED to my house by the Boston Police Department...
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06-17-2012, 11:55 AM	#14
ibeclueless What 142 Rep 9,325 Posts Drives: E92 328xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Quincy, MA iTrader: (1)	i just got a warning today for no front plate at JFK beach in Boston. had my car for 4 years with no front plate and finally someone said something about it. im going to order my front plate kit from http://www.rhoplate.com/index.html. __________________ E92 328xi Space Gray Aero Lip \| M3 Side Skirts \| CF Performance Spoiler \| ACS Roof \| Gloss Black Grilles \| LUX H8 Angels \| BMW Performance Exhaust My E92 Photos Last edited by ibeclueless; 06-17-2012 at 12:04 PM..
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06-18-2012, 08:01 AM	#15
Thunder Dump That tickles 13 Rep 457 Posts Drives: '09 328i E93 SGM/CR Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Western MA iTrader: (1)	Not having a front plate (if you're required to....older 'green' MA plates like mine only require one) is one of those offenses that very few police--if any--will bother you for unless they need a reason to stop your car. Then you've given them a very convenient one. Just like here in MA it is illegal to have anything hanging from your rearview mirror (falls under the 'impeded operation' statute). No one is ever going to bother you for it unless they need a reason to stop you.
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06-30-2012, 08:54 PM	#17
ska///235i ***** noob 1416 Rep 10,477 Posts Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	lic plate frames are also not welcome when comes inspection...lol __________________ 2006 325xi (Sold) 2014 M235I (Current) 2015 428xi Gran Coupe (STB)
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