3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Anybody have a side mounted front licence plate?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-25-09, 12:48 AM
  #1  
Rotary Enthusiast

Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
Ernesto13B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: California
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Angry Anybody have a side mounted front licence plate?

If anybody has a side mounted front licence plate on the factory front bumper, id like to see some pics...

I got pulled over today for front window tint and no front licence plate!!!!! I put the front plate on ( ugly as HELL!!!), but I dont wanna take off the tint!!! which leads me to my second question... What percetage front tint can I redo it with so that they wont bother me anymore, but it will still look nice?
Old 02-25-09, 04:48 AM
  #2  
R.I.P. Icemark
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
staticguitar313's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: gilbert, arizona
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Google it, each state has a different limit on how dark you can tint, In Arizona front side windows have to allow 35% or more light though, back, and rear side windows could be completely blacked and it wouldn't matter. Windshield tint stripe size is also limited, to about 6" I believe. Windshield tinting (as in the whole windshield) is illegal in at least 40 states.
Old 02-25-09, 05:30 AM
  #3  
Im a tall midget.
iTrader: (28)
 
Juan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: So Cal, USA
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
I believe here in California all tint is illegal. A tint shop recently told me any type of tint is illegal but people just risk it. A cop pulled over my friend's g/f for tint saying that any type of tint is illegal in the state. The tint on that car is really light as well. I never thought it would be illegal. I always thought some tint was legal here but I guess not
Old 02-25-09, 12:01 PM
  #4  
INCREASE THE PEACE

iTrader: (29)
 
RotaryDreamz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: San Jose
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by wan
I believe here in California all tint is illegal. A tint shop recently told me any type of tint is illegal but people just risk it. A cop pulled over my friend's g/f for tint saying that any type of tint is illegal in the state. The tint on that car is really light as well. I never thought it would be illegal. I always thought some tint was legal here but I guess not
wow that sux. Aren't there brand new cars at the dealership that come with a factory tint?
Old 02-25-09, 03:27 PM
  #5  
Boosting to work
 
sbelyo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by RotaryDreamz
wow that sux. Aren't there brand new cars at the dealership that come with a factory tint?
My 01 Mustang GT came factory tinted. I only had one cop in 8 years say something about it. I actually had the window sticker in the glove box for some reason and I showed him. So he gave me a seatbelt ticket instead.

I seem to remember you can do the rear window and side rear windows if you have them. But nothing on the windshield or front passenger windows. It's for the safety of the police when they pull you over and approach the car.
Old 02-25-09, 03:47 PM
  #6  
Derek

iTrader: (2)
 
DMoneyRX-7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Posts: 2,011
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
when I used to live in texas I got tint put in and got 15% in the back and 30% on the sides. Never got questioned there. Now I'm in Tennessee and no problems so far. A cop even was cruising behind me today for a good 3 miles waiting on me to do something stupid. He sped off. So I guess it's not that big of a deal.

In your case however. Complete front window tint is illegal. The front window stripe though can only be like 5 or 6 inches. If you look on your front window you will see a line and an arrow that shows how far you can go. I think that can be as dark as you want. But just in case I would probably do 15% or 30%.

As for the license plate. Is this the first time you have been pulled over for it? Did you get a ticket or a warning?

I got pulled over one time and I know it was because I was going 90 because I saw him slam on his brakes in my rearview and do a u-ie and spun his tires but the cop probably didn't have his radar on so he pulled me over and said it was because I didn't have a front license plate. This was complete bullshit. I told him that the car didn't come with it and I didn't know it was a law in Texas. I asked a state trooper friend of mine and he said its not illegal just something they would rather you have and if you don't have one they will easily make up something to give you a warning.

In your case (being that your in cali), I'm sure its illegal.

Last edited by DMoneyRX-7; 02-25-09 at 03:49 PM.
Old 02-25-09, 03:48 PM
  #7  
Rotary Enthusiast

iTrader: (4)
 
Aeka GSR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
you can paint the back window black but you cant apply any tint to the front windows. I risk the ticket myself to save my seats.
Old 02-25-09, 04:16 PM
  #8  
Lives on the Forum

iTrader: (83)
 
Supernaut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Los Angeles CA
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
in NJ, rear tint is ok (side rear as well) but NONE on the front or sides.
Old 02-25-09, 04:22 PM
  #9  
Bosozoomku
iTrader: (10)
 
TimeMachine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So, sorry to thread jack, but I got pulled over, too, on the PCH (Santa Monica, CA) on Friday night. He said my car came up as having a reported lost or stolen plate?! I told him these are the plates from the guy I bought it from and I never got a front one. So he went back to his car and came back really fast and said it was no problem, it happens all the time. What? Then he asked to confirm: "Do you have a plate on the front of your car?" I said no, and then asked if I need to do something about that. He said "No," I swear to god, and then left. It was so weird...
Old 02-25-09, 04:23 PM
  #10  
Bosozoomku
iTrader: (10)
 
TimeMachine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Nah, if you have an SUV you can tint the back, back sides, and rear seat sides all you want.... but it is illegal to tint the front seat windows and windshield for sure. Mine are 20%

Originally Posted by wan
I believe here in California all tint is illegal. A tint shop recently told me any type of tint is illegal but people just risk it. A cop pulled over my friend's g/f for tint saying that any type of tint is illegal in the state. The tint on that car is really light as well. I never thought it would be illegal. I always thought some tint was legal here but I guess not
Old 02-25-09, 05:18 PM
  #11  
Original Gangster/Rotary!
Veteran: ArmyTenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (213)
 
GoodfellaFD3S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FL-->NJ/NYC again!
Posts: 30,571
Received 554 Likes on 335 Posts
You'd think these cops could find something better to do, like stop crime. Bunch of revenue collectors....
Old 02-25-09, 09:50 PM
  #12  
Im a tall midget.
iTrader: (28)
 
Juan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: So Cal, USA
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
I have a light tint on my FDs windows and no front plate and have never been pulled over for my tint. I got a ticket for no front place once but I just put on the front plate bracket, drove to the station to get the ticket fixed and took off the bracket as soon as I got home. I've daily driven the car for 5 years now and havent been stopped by the cops for tint or because of my front plate since then. I did get pulled over because my car "looks like its for racing" and got a ticket for my exhaust noise but got that taken care of when I went to the state referee to prove that my exhaust is legal.
Old 02-26-09, 12:32 AM
  #13  
~17 MPG
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
scotty305's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Bend, OR
Posts: 3,346
Received 252 Likes on 167 Posts
Know your rights... there is a Vehicle Code written on your citation, go look it up and see if you were violating it. The last time I checked, some of the California VC's for tint include multiple subsections and some of the subsections are exceptions to other subsections. Read it carefuly and see if the officer can prove you were violating all of the applicable subsections and that none of the other subsections make your car exempt.
Old 02-26-09, 12:47 AM
  #14  
T O R Q U E!

iTrader: (24)
 
mdpalmer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: far far away
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I have a side mounted LP (where passenger side oil cooler would go). Yes it looks like ****. Pick your poison, look like **** and not get hassled OR look good and risk getting hasseled. If you want pics I can get some for you.
Old 02-26-09, 02:34 AM
  #15  
Rotary Enthusiast

Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
Ernesto13B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: California
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by mdpalmer
I have a side mounted LP (where passenger side oil cooler would go). Yes it looks like ****. Pick your poison, look like **** and not get hassled OR look good and risk getting hasseled. If you want pics I can get some for you.
I would love to see a picture of your side mounted front license plate.
I always said to myself, if I ever DO need to install a front plate, it will be on the passenger's side front of the car. I thought about mounting it in the middle but I just think the middle is ugly, because it covers too much of the front bumper

I started removing the tint myself.. drivers side 99% done, passengers side half way done...

Last edited by Ernesto13B; 02-26-09 at 02:36 AM. Reason: had to add a quote
Old 02-26-09, 08:39 AM
  #16  
Racecar - Formula 2000
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
DaveW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bath, OH
Posts: 3,882
Received 292 Likes on 208 Posts
Originally Posted by Ernesto13B
I would love to see a picture of your side mounted front license plate....
Please forgive my chipped paint - it's going to get a paint job this spring. Photos of side mtd plate attached:
Old 02-26-09, 11:11 AM
  #17  
¿¿What are pistons??

iTrader: (7)
 
2RotorsNaDream's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Queens NYC
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This was mine with the side mounted plate. I know its covering the oil cooler but it was a temporary thing as you can tell by the zipties. Now I gotta figure out where I'm going to mount a plate on my Type II R bumper.

Old 02-26-09, 01:34 PM
  #18  
Senior Member

 
habu2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Dallas TX
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by DMoneyRX-7
I got pulled over one time and I know it was because I was going 90 because I saw him slam on his brakes in my rearview and do a u-ie and spun his tires but the cop probably didn't have his radar on so he pulled me over and said it was because I didn't have a front license plate. This was complete bullshit. I told him that the car didn't come with it and I didn't know it was a law in Texas. I asked a state trooper friend of mine and he said its not illegal just something they would rather you have and if you don't have one they will easily make up something to give you a warning.
Texas DOES require both front and rear plates, it's the law.

Do they actively enforce it? No.

Do they use it to ticket you when they weren't able to clock you doing 90? Yes.

They also use it as an excuse to pull you over and look for a more serious violation, it gives them "probable cause" to stop you.

It's also illegal in Texas to have a front "plate" on your car that's not a state-issued plate. If you run a front "plate" on your RX-7 that says "Mazda" you may get pulled over. If you run a front plate on your SUV that says "Ask Me About My Grandkids" they're probably not going to give you a second look.
Old 02-26-09, 01:41 PM
  #19  
fd
 
recardo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: los angeles
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
just to let you know you could also get a ticket from the parking enforcements for not having your plate mounted, i already got 2 of them!
Old 02-27-09, 12:48 AM
  #20  
Rotary Enthusiast

Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
Ernesto13B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: California
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the pics! They actually dont look too bad at all. This makes me feel a little better seeing other people with RX7s that also have the front plate on in the same place I do so I feel like im not alone! I'll get used to the look eventually.

BTW removing the tint is a PITA! its almost done both sides are 90% complete. I only have to use the "Goo Gone" and my scraper, to finish scraping off the glue on the inside of the windows!
Old 02-27-09, 02:28 AM
  #21  
Im a tall midget.
iTrader: (28)
 
Juan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: So Cal, USA
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Originally Posted by recardo
just to let you know you could also get a ticket from the parking enforcements for not having your plate mounted, i already got 2 of them!
My sister got a ticket for no front plate in her FC when it was parked. Parking enforcement in Los Angeles are *****! Once I was sitting in my FD while parked on the street and the parking enforcement came and marked my tire while I was sitting in the car with the windows down To get back on topic, I just run without a front plate and risk it. I have my plate bracket that I can use just in case I get a ticket
Old 02-27-09, 02:43 AM
  #22  
Bubblicious DEF.
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (36)
 
muibubbles's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: 732
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Lasted for a week, till i went back on my driveway..........

sorry only pics i had since it didnt last long lol

Old 02-27-09, 02:54 AM
  #23  
Im a tall midget.
iTrader: (28)
 
Juan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: So Cal, USA
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Originally Posted by muibubbles
Your car looks so embarrassed next to those two lol It reminds me of the facial expressions on those talking chevron cars
Old 02-27-09, 12:27 PM
  #24  
Teddy bears have claws

iTrader: (2)
 
bencb44's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Eugene/Springfield, OR
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've been wondering this for a while, maybe someone here can tell me why they don't do it; Since it's illegal to tint your windshield, why don't they make a sticker typ liscense plate to attach to the inside of the front windshield, kinda like the temp plates that comes on a new car? It would still be visible,
Old 02-28-09, 01:24 AM
  #25  
Rotary Enthusiast

Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
Ernesto13B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: California
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Heres a picture of what mine looks like... I still dont like it, but I think it looks better then being right on the front bumper. and yes there are license numbers there, I just whited them out lol


Last edited by Ernesto13B; 02-28-09 at 01:26 AM. Reason: misspelled a word



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:11 PM.