I need a new position for the Front license plate?

svx_commuter · #1 03-30-2005, 10:40 AM

Is there any law that says the front license plate has to be in the middle of the car? Is there any height requirements for the license plate? I was thinking about moving the plate over to the driver side away form the air slots. I keep thinking it's not great to have the plate blocking the air flow to the engine compartment.

How do you think this would look?

Electrophil · #2 03-30-2005, 11:00 AM

Now "this" is an excellent question. It would also improve the AC efficiency at the same time, and maybe save a gallon of gas every so often. Anybody out there with a little legal knowledge?

Hocrest · #3 03-30-2005, 11:20 AM

Move about 50 miles west....

Seraph · #4 03-30-2005, 03:07 PM

Do a search. I've seen a guy in Japan that moved his plates to the side.

Sidewinder · #5 03-30-2005, 03:50 PM

Probably varies state by state, but if it's displayed on the front and visable, isn't that good enough?

And only buddy of mine had a 80's style Mercury Cougar with ground effects on it. Anyway, he displayed the plate behind the ground effects so only the letters and numbers were visable. When riding in a car, you could see them, fairly clearly, but the entire plate wasn't displayed. He never got into trouble for that... Sure looked good though.

thundering02 · #6 03-30-2005, 04:45 PM

Some cops are real ignorant and state that you have to have a plate mounted....95% of them say that it just have to be in front somewhere...Mines in the front window. Ive never see a plate violation for not having it on the front bumber fly in court(its up front Its good)

#7 03-30-2005, 04:46 PM

Definitly depends on your location, and if your state requires you to even use a plate in the front. Technically you could leave it on the dash facing out front if it's legal. I personally would prefer to place it on a corner of my front fender.

svx_commuter · #8 03-31-2005, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocrest

Move about 50 miles west....

Yeah that would work too and it's only about 20 miles. LOL

mikecg · #9 03-31-2005, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svx_commuter

Is there any law that says the front license plate has to be in the middle of the car? Is there any height requirements for the license plate? I was thinking about moving the plate over to the driver side away form the air slots. I keep thinking it's not great to have the plate blocking the air flow to the engine compartment.

How do you think this would look?

Off hand I'd say no. I seem to remember the older Cavaliers have it mounted on the passenger side of the car.

dcarrb · #10 03-31-2005, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikecg

Off hand I'd say no. I seem to remember the older Cavaliers have it mounted on the passenger side of the car.

Yeah, I've seen cars with the factory mount off-center. That said, I suppose the possibility exists that the law in certain states may prohibit locating the plate anyplace except on the factory mount. Maybe you should consult your nearest state highway patrol office.

dcb

svx_commuter · #11 03-31-2005, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikecg

Off hand I'd say no. I seem to remember the older Cavaliers have it mounted on the passenger side of the car.

Thanks Mike

svx_commuter · #12 03-31-2005, 10:39 AM

Thanks for the ideas.
I have to get to the phone call mode to at least 6 different police departments and the NJ DMV. It seems I always get different answers on questions like this and then I try to get a majority opinion.

svx_commuter · #13 03-31-2005, 12:44 PM

I found this a site for NJ statutes
They call the plates "markers".
http://lis.njleg.state.nj.us

It has to be 12" off the ground, horizontal and mounted firmly to the bumper.

39:3-33. Markers; requirements concerning; display of fictitious or wrong numbers, etc.; punishment
39:3-33. The owner of an automobile which is driven on the public highways of this State shall display not less than 12 inches nor more than 48 inches from the ground in a horizontal position, and in such a way as not to swing, an identification mark or marks to be furnished by the division; provided, that if two marks are issued they shall be displayed on the FRONT and rear of the vehicle; and provided, further, that if only one mark is issued it shall be displayed on the rear of the vehicle; and provided, further, that the rear identification mark may be displayed more than 48 inches from the ground on tank trucks, trailers and other commercial vehicles carrying inflammable liquids and on sanitation vehicles which are used to collect, transport and dispose of garbage, solid wastes and refuse. Motorcycles shall also display an identification mark or marks; provided, that if two marks are issued they shall be displayed on the FRONT and rear of the motorcycle; and provided, further, that if only one mark is issued it shall be displayed on the rear of the motorcycle.

The identification mark or marks shall contain the number of the registration certificate of the vehicle and shall be of such design and material as prescribed pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1989, c.202 (C.39:3-33.9). All identification marks shall be kept clear and distinct and free from grease, dust or other blurring matter, so as to be plainly visible at all times of the day and night.

No person shall drive a motor vehicle which has a license PLATE frame or identification marker holder that conceals or otherwise obscures any part of any marking imprinted upon the vehicle's registration PLATE or any part of any insert which the director, as hereinafter provided, issues to be inserted in and attached to that registration PLATE or marker.

The director is authorized and empowered to issue registration PLATE inserts, to be inserted in and attached to the registration plates or markers described herein. They may be issued in the place of new registration plates or markers; and inscribed thereon, in numerals, shall be the year in which registration of the vehicle has been granted.

No person shall drive a motor vehicle the owner of which has not complied with the provisions of this subtitle concerning the proper registration and identification thereof, nor drive a motor vehicle which displays a fictitious number, or a number other than that designated for the motor vehicle in its registration certificate. During the period of time between the application for motor vehicle registration and the receipt of registration plates from the division, no person shall affix a PLATE or marker for the purpose of advertisement in the position on a motor vehicle normally reserved for the display of the registration plates required by this section if the PLATE or marker is designed with a combination of letters, numbers, colors, or words to resemble the registration plates required by this section.

A person convicted of displaying a fictitious number, as prohibited herein, shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $500.00 or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 60 days.

A person violating any other provision of this section shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $100.00. In default of the payment thereof, there shall be imposed an imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding 10 days. A person convicted of a second offense of the same violation may be fined in double the amount herein prescribed for the first offense and may, in default of the payment thereof, be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding 20 days. These penalties shall not apply to the display of a fictitious number.

Amended 1943,c.173; 1952,c.46,s.2; 1968,c.363,s.1; 1973,c.164; 1981,c.133,s.1; 1983,c.428; 1989,c.132,s.1; 1989,c.202,s.1.