Liscence Plate Removal/Patch

[Munch520]

I saw discussion regarding this buried in some old threads, and I tackled this 10 min chore this AM. Figured I'd throw up the part and all that since I think we could all use these plugs, thanks to the fact that the front LP bracket is drilled into the flat black trim behind the lower portion of the grill.

I bought the trim plugs from Advance Auto, couple $...can't remember exact cost. This exact part is the perfect thickness and length (that's what she said )

Advance Auto
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...icleIdSearch=-1&searchTerm=963-009&showTitle=
O'Reilly
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d....oap?ck=Search_N0281_-1_-1&pt=N0281&ppt=C0329

I then flattened the edges of the existing holes with a dremmel, SLOW speed so as not to further deform the plastic. It removes a bit of the plastic finish but the overhang of the plug covers it, I did this so the plugs would fit as flush as possible.

Then, using a 1/8" drill bit I removed a bit of material from the existing holes. I think 1/8" is width of the holes already, so this step just removed some material - made the plug easier to get in. I had to remind myself to take it slow, you can always take more material away...can't put it back.

Then push the plugs in - they were pretty hard to get in there but that's the idea.

As you can see, huge improvement IMO. And a pretty perfect match. I've never run front plates, even though it's technically law here in Ohio. The only ones that care are the meter maids (which infuriates me that they have this capability anyway, what's next? Will they check treat depth? Tint?) so I keep a front plate under the front floor mat and throw it on the dash when I park downtown. Anyway, hope this helps someone, I always request that the front plate be left off my cars, but I bought this one with 10,000 miles and they had already desecrated my front end.

 

[Munch520]

Here are the actual plugs, FYI

 

[PMCErnie]

Technically law? Oh, that means you're running illegally. I get it. Same with one of my neighbors who uses those foggy plastic license plates holders so nobody can read his LICENSE plates.

 

[Munch520]

Technically law? Oh, that means you're running illegally. I get it. Same with one of my neighbors who uses those foggy plastic license plates holders so nobody can read his LICENSE plates.

over a decade, and not one trooper has a problem with it on any of my cars. SWAT captain that I shoot with lives down the street, never has run one on his cars either, he joked about it when we first met.

They have bigger fish to fry dude. Foggy rear covers makes LEO's jobs harder in terms of ID'ing a car, I'm not doing that. Front plate is (and I'm quoting my LE buddies), "a useless requirement"

 

[Munch520]

Technically law? Oh, that means you're running illegally. I get it. Same with one of my neighbors who uses those foggy plastic license plates holders so nobody can read his LICENSE plates.

Not exceeding the posted speed limit is also technically the law. As is not rolling through stop signs or right turns on red. Please go ahead and tell me with a straight face you've never done that. Or used an aerosol can in a manner other than directed.

I'm just trying to be helpful here. Some people, I swear..

 

[PMCErnie]

Slippery slope, dudes. Which laws do we obey? Only the ones that we like? Only when somebody is looking? Good citizens are getting harder to find. A missing front LICENSE plate is a violation of your state's law. Admit it and set your conscience free. Look your neighbors and kids in the eye again. "Technically law" is half-assed doublespeak.

 

[cane2025]

good to know this process. thanks. about the front plates; if you have been getting away with it with no issues then even better. i like the look of the front without the plates anyway. I see a lot of Mercedes without front plates.

 

[dareckibmw]

I did the same thing to my car, about a month ago. Bought those plugs from Autozone.

Those plugs are almost invisible, perfect color mach - matte black.

 

[PMCErnie]

over a decade, and not one trooper has a problem with it on any of my cars. SWAT captain that I shoot with lives down the street, never has run one on his cars either, he joked about it when we first met.

They have bigger fish to fry dude. Foggy rear covers makes LEO's jobs harder in terms of ID'ing a car, I'm not doing that. Front plate is (and I'm quoting my LE buddies), "a useless requirement"

Hard to believe a that a "good" cop would not recognize the usefulness of plates, both front and rear. Folks should educate themselves about plate-reading police technology. "Useless technology?" I think not.

https://youtu.be/wbFQzgVkvIQ

 

[Munch520]

Slippery slope, dudes. Which laws do we obey? Only the ones that we like? Only when somebody is looking? Good citizens are getting harder to find. A missing front LICENSE plate is a violation of your state's law. Admit it and set your conscience free. Look your neighbors and kids in the eye again. "Technically law" is half-assed doublespeak.

Again, you're an annoying hypocrite. Nothing more. I'm not going to even ask if you've j-walked, sped (even 1mph over the posted limit), etc. Because I know you have. So YOU in your life have picked what laws you like. So as you judge us from your pedestal, remember 'he who is without sin cast the first stone'.

Yes I'm technically breaking the law. Just like I did this morning when I had my cruise set at 73 in a 65. And I could not give a shit less.

You have a 1G car anyway, what's your point even posting here. Other than to nitpick and make yourself look like a douche? I'm just a guy trying to post simple, helpful DIY. Buzz off man, go police the internet somewhere else.

good to know this process. thanks. about the front plates; if you have been getting away with it with no issues then even better. i like the look of the front without the plates anyway. I see a lot of Mercedes without front plates.

No prob, most dealerships don't install front plates around here anyway. Especially on AMG, M, etc. cars.

Hard to believe a that a "good" cop would not recognize the usefulness of plates, both front and rear. Folks should educate themselves about plate-reading police technology. "Useless technology?" I think not.

https://youtu.be/wbFQzgVkvIQ

Please, tell me more about a man I personally know.

I'll let him know you question his competency after decades on patrol, as a unit armorer, and breacher.

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[Slo cat]

This is the Internet. Some people can't help posting nanny comments. Makes you wonder sometimes.

Munch520, thanks for posting a helpful DIY.

 

[Munch520]

This is the Internet. Some people can't help posting nanny comments. Makes you wonder sometimes.

Munch520, thanks for posting a helpful DIY.

True, no problem just trying to help out fellow members.

 

[ksoze]

Front plate is (and I'm quoting my LE buddies), "a useless requirement"

Maybe where you are, in my state they pull you over and after couple of $75 fines in my last car, I bit the bullet and put the damn plate on. Not worth the money nor hassle of getting pulled over for something I don't really see that much anyway.

 

[Midnightsun]

Law where and why and by who? Drive over to the next state and they are not required. Where I live they are not required either because the people in power realize it is a pointless waste. Useless waste of metal and unsightly if you ask me. I am lucky as the dealerships here do not drill due to no plate requirement however we end up with pre-drill nipples on our cars.

 

[wasnt]

Great info. Wish I could do it in my state, but Virginia is strict as crap. Possible $75 fine AND 3-points if you aggravate them enough. Kinda stinks.

http://www.dmv.state.va.us/drivers/#points_3.asp

 

[Munch520]

Great info. Wish I could do it in my state, but Virginia is strict as crap. Possible $75 fine AND 3-points if you aggravate them enough. Kinda stinks.

http://www.dmv.state.va.us/drivers/#points_3.asp

Well yeah, can't you guys get thrown in jail for radar detectors too?

I guess I should've prefaced this thread with "i am in NO WAY advocating that this is or is not a good idea, check with your local laws". Just throwing out a simple DIY in case anyone is interested.

Here it might be a matter of time before the law is done away with, the front plates alone cost the state $1-2MM annually and there's bills introduced every year to change it. Not to mention all neighboring states have done away with the requirement.

ETA: Ohio bill 159 states that this requirement may be removed on 1/1/2017.

 

[Munch520]

Maybe where you are, in my state they pull you over and after couple of $75 fines in my last car, I bit the bullet and put the damn plate on. Not worth the money nor hassle of getting pulled over for something I don't really see that much anyway.

I get that some states/towns might train officers to ID from a front plate as cars drive by, but I've been told that training protocol here dictates a u-turn and ID from the rear. As that's where registration exp is displayed anyway and the odds of getting a clear read are much much higher. So beyond a profit stream from tickets, and a surface from which to bounce laser off, I don't get it.

 

[ksoze]

So beyond a profit stream from tickets, and a surface from which to bounce laser off, I don't get it.

License plate scanners. The car mounted scanners can read 1,800 tags a minute at any speed. Aside from personal opinions on privacy, they can instantly check plates and the names of vehicle owners against registration records, fugitive warrants, tax and criminal data bases.

 

[MathWiz]

When I bought my car the salesman pointed out that there was no front license holder installed, I remarked that it was going to stay that way.

Don't have them on any of my cars, and California is a front plate State.

Here are some alternatives:






Charles

 

[PaulNY]

I did the same thing over the winter...I found a bag of mixed plugs at autozone for like $4 and they matched perfectly.

Unfortunately I was driving in NYC two weeks ago and parked (legally) at a meter. When I came back to my car I had a ticket for $105.

Now I just keep my front plate under my seat and if I'm going into the city I'll throw it in my window for the few minutes/hours