Front License Plates in California

**chuckycheese** · 03-06-2006, 01:37 PM

This is for any of you California cops: I know a front plate is required in California but I don't ever recall seeing a Corvette with a front plate. Is this law just not enforced?.... or is it just not enforced on Corvettes?

I'm not being facetious; I'm really curious about this! :roll:

**Mr. Knowitall** · 03-07-2006, 10:50 AM

Here's the LAPD's take on front license plates.

**chuckycheese** · 03-07-2006, 11:01 AM

Thanks for the information. I'm aware of CVC 5200(a). Considering that most people will make every effort to avoid a negative confrontation with cops, I'm just amazed that seemingly nobody puts a front plate on a Corvette.

Surely, it must be is a law that is seldom or never enforced....which seems rather odd considering how many cops there are out there that write one ticket after another. It could hardly be disputed and would be easy money.

**cdwjava** · 03-07-2006, 03:56 PM

Like many infractions, this is one that the police use when they want to find good cause to pull the vehicle over. But, since it really has little to do with safety, most officers don't regularly pull over these vehicles.

In some jurisdictions, registration violations are poorly enforced, and in a few, red light violations are seemingly rarely enforced. The fact of the matter is that there are only so many cops on the road and we don't always have the time to stop every small violator.

- Carl

**chuckycheese** · 03-07-2006, 07:57 PM

Yes, I understand that but, as a California cop, when was the last time you saw a Corvette with a front license plate? Also, when you nail a Corvette driver, do you inlcude that ticket as part of the total bill?

It's not my imagination......they don't have front license plates and everybody that rides down the road knows it.

Personally, I would feel very conspicuous and vulnerable. I've had almost no exposure to you folks...and never hope to.

**cdwjava** · 03-07-2006, 08:59 PM

Not too many of them in my neck of the woods anyway. As for when I last saw one ... I can't recall. But I HAVE cited a couple of them for it,

They can be mounted, but many owners choose not to.

- Carl

**Keydo** · 04-12-2006, 07:28 AM

For those who don't know what 5200 says

5200.
(a) When two license plates are issued by the department for
use upon a vehicle, they shall be attached to the vehicle for which
they were issued, one in the front and the other in the rear.

(b) When only one license plate is issued for use upon a vehicle,
it shall be attached to the rear thereof, unless the license plate is
issued for use upon a truck tractor, in which case the license plate
shall be displayed in accordance with Section 4850.5.

So, how do I get only one license plate issued so I can argue that my vehicle is in compliance with 5200(b).