Front license plate or not?

wileetundra · #1 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 02:44 AM

I am nearing the end of my exterior mods, at least for now. While installing the hood protector I noticed how empty the front bumper is. I picked up the Toyota front plate bracket which is nice black plastic that is perfectly styled to fit the bottom black bumper like a glove. I didn't install it yet, though, as I am not sure I really want a plate on the front. What do you think?

If I do add a front plate then I will probably make it a solid aluminum plate colored black, matte silver, mirror chrome, or a color close to Pyrite Mica. Then I would add a custom vinyl decal to the front of it, something simple and clean like the Wile E logo, probably in black:

asianflava · #2 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 04:02 AM

I have a front plate, because I have to. I really hate the way they look.

We bought my wife's Highlander in FL, it had no front tag. I called a friend who is a Toyota master tech. He said to find two dimples in the bumper and put the screws in there. I did that but I used a front license plate kit from my sister-in-lwa's Honda (she's in FL).

I put the new tags on the Tundra the other day, all they did was put some screws in the plastic bumper.

Tackz · #3 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 04:22 AM

I hate em', but we have to have them here in CA.

Sirfoil · #4 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 05:06 AM

Coming from Arizona I think a vehicle looks off with a front license plate...

Both of my transporters are "missing" they're front plates. No trouble from the law yet for the Tundra or the Accord. Got pulled over 3x for not having a front plate on the WRX but no ticket.

LeeinAZ · #5 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 08:34 AM

Not required here in Arizona.

RunnerBiker · #6 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 08:47 AM

When I lived in Ohio, they required a front license plate. I never liked it and it really ruined the front "looks" of some sporty cars.

In 1998 I bought a Lexus SC300. It did NOT have a front license plate mounted, and I didn't put it on either. I moved from Ohio in October 2003 and still have the SC300. I was never stopped or questioned about the missing front license plate. I did carry the bracket and plate in the trunk, just in case I was stopped or challenged.

Now I live in South Carolina where no front license plate is required. Woo Hoo

2004TundraDC · #7 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 09:47 AM

I live in NJ where a front plate is required. I've never put a front plate on any of my cars, and never had a problem. I hate the look of a front plate

I vote for no Front Plate

1stToy · #8 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 10:23 AM

RunnerBiker, my experience has been much the same. My son bought an old Civic a year or so ago and the front license plate screws were badly rusted, I tried to replace the entire bracket and only managed to break off one of the bolts in the bumper. At that point I took some tin snips and cut the bracket off and handed my son the front plate and told him to keep it in the car in case he gets pulled over. Hasn't been yet. My impression is it's one of those things they may decide to nail you on if they pull you over for something else, but they're not pulling you over for just the missing front plate. As far as any kind of front plate, I think they usually just spoil the looks of a vehicle and I would not consider a decorative plate, but then I'm not into bumper stickers, ribbons or any other junk.

mephisto · #9 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 11:01 AM

You forgot the option "No - Don't like them and will not put on even if required by law"

Here in California front plate is required but I don't run it on any of my cars. Unless you park in meter-maid infested areas it's not often enforced either.

a1productions · #10 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 11:11 AM

hey 2004tundradc, me too! 20+ years and never a ticket in nj. wifes was pulled over once but no ticket. asked a cop manning the dmv one time what the status was on repealing the front plate law and he said he heard it was in the works. he also said that its town policy not to stop or ticket for it. i only buy new and if the dealer wants to sell me a car it better not be drilled. before the new four year inspection law i used to use double sided tape to get through the line then remove in the parking lot!

Smilodon · #11 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 12:31 PM

Have to think about it. Not required by law here, but I had one on my old pickup. I go through a guard gate every day, and the tag becomes a kind of "trademark" when you approach the gate.

Here's an odd thing related to that. My Tundra didn't come with a front plate bracket. Sparks lists a front plate bracket, but when I went to my local dealer, he couldn't find one (showed me the exploded drawing on the computer, nothing there).

He figured that meant you were supposed to use the "dimples on the front" method... Ok, but why is one listed on other Tundra parts sites? Is it aftermarket. Anybody got any pictures of this.

I'd like to get a bracket just in case I decide to put my old front plate on the new truck...

TX RN · #12 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 03:38 PM

Not a fan of front license plates but Texas requires them. The dealer had already put their plate on before I picked up the truck. I took their's off and put on the TRD racing plate frame from my Taco.

wileetundra · #13 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 04:16 PM

Apparently all of the US states require a front plate except for these states:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia.

Some states like California may have certain cities or counties which require a front plate.

If you live in one of the above states then you can opt to display a decorative front plate or no front plate. Based on the survey responses to-date it seems the majority either live in a single-plate state or they choose not to display the second plate.

Smilodon: the bracket is indeed available from the dealer and it is custom designed to fit on the lower front bumper. Factory option code is 7J, part number is PT413-34070, and dealer cost is $8.50. You drill 1/8" holes through each dimple then mount the plate into the bracket and attach with the supplied screws. Sure, you could just mount a plate directly to the bumper or use your own bracket but the factory one fits the curvature of the bumper perfectly and it is the same black plastic so it blends in. I still haven't decided if I want to install mine or not but I will post photos if I do install it. Either way I am glad that I purchased it since it was cheap and may not be as easy to get later.

Cooper S · #14 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 05:08 PM

I am on and off military installations throughout my work week and if I don't have a front plate the guards at the gate give me a fit. They are ugly as far as I am concerned but I have to have it here in VA. Boooo

Treg · #15 (**permalink**) 05-28-2007, 06:00 PM

My dealer didnt give me anything to mount the front plate on my truck and I didnt make an efforts of my own to put it on...

Last night at 2:30 AM I was stopped by a State Highway Patrolman because of it. I was sober and quickly sent on my merry way with a warning but I guess I better get that front plate taken care of... Next time I might not be so lucky.