Ticketed for no front plates, should I fight?

[rreddy3]

Do your purchase documents state the dealer owes you the front plate mount? If so, that is some evidence substantiating your story. It does not, however, necessarily provide an excuse for not making some effort to display the plate if push comes to shove in that point.

Ask yourself, how much is your time worth to you, compared to spending “x” amount of time sitting around in the local court for your matter to be heard?

If you elect to fight, do not under any circumstances make up or falsify any evidence. Don’t go there.

meanwhile, if you don’t like the big clunky Ford mount, order a no drill plate, for example,

https://ccmustangbrackets.com/

I’ve had a Craig’s mount on my car for > a year and a half. Works great. Others on the forum have also used this brand. There are other brands. If a no drill option is to your liking, do some research and get one.

Sponsored

 

[pcstevestl]

I have a 22 Premium and live in a state that requires front plates...in the 3+years, I have had no issues driving without the front plates... Most Teslas in Missouri do not have front ones either....I did order the frame and I do have a valid plate but they are in the trunk as I was not going to be the one to drill into the bumper cover and there are no holes....

 

[Fordman]

I opted to,let the dealer put on the front plate. Imdon’t. Eed any kind of hazzell. They must not. E giving tickets because 90% of EV’s don’t have front plate

 

[ericNdfw]

I opted to,let the dealer put on the front plate. Imdon’t. Eed any kind of hazzell. They must not. E giving tickets because 90% of EV’s don’t have front plate

Voice dictation is so awesome.

 

[Space_Pony]

I opted to,let the dealer put on the front plate. Imdon’t. Eed any kind of hazzell. They must not. E giving tickets because 90% of EV’s don’t have front plate

 

[Mach-e4x]

I'm in NY, I hate the front plate!

 

[BreatheEasy]

I live in the Greater Toronto area, and I'm astounded by the number of cars that don't display both plates. Anecdotally, it's primarily Teslas and BMW EVs skirting the law. So I'm surprised and slightly impressed that a police officer in Toronto was enforcing the law!

I'd recommend that you pay the fine and mount your plate ASAP.

 

[superdave80]

It's been almost 20 years since I last had a front plate on one of my cars. I'm amazed any cop would bother with this...

 

[WillE]

Take care of the problem, then show them that it's all fixed and explain the dealer's issue and all good in court. Pay court costs

 

[canuck1975]

I live in the Greater Toronto area, and I'm astounded by the number of cars that don't display both plates. Anecdotally, it's primarily Teslas and BMW EVs skirting the law. So I'm surprised and slightly impressed that a police officer in Toronto was enforcing the law!

I'd recommend that you pay the fine and mount your plate ASAP.

Knocking on wood - it's been 3 years of driving in the HOV without a green plate and still haven't been stopped, yet OP gets pulled for his plate. LOL

 

[Blue highway]

The jurisdiction is everything... I live in Oregon... the land of no consequences for anything... so no front plate. If I lived in Ontario... yeah, there would be one.

 

[Keytone]

I kinda liked it without front plates, so I was prepared for it.
should I just pay it or fight it?
Thanks

The excuse being of fashion and a knowing violation? Please, try that in a court.

You are 'prepared' to pay the fine and now add the front plate as per requirement of the vehicle registration you signed?

See my photo? BC with a front plate.

No excuses. Own up.

 

[adeeth]

Knocking on wood - it's been 3 years of driving in the HOV without a green plate and still haven't been stopped, yet OP gets pulled for his plate. LOL

Oh, i used to drive on the HOV all the time on ICE car, never got pulled. Funny, 2 weeks on green plate, pulled over for no front plates. A friend of mine has been driving without front plates since 8 months, never got pulled. Its just random honestly.

 

[shoe]

Not a lawyer, but I've fought my fair share of tickets in Ontario. By rights, you, not the dealership, are responsible for making sure your car is legal to drive, which includes front plates. So from a purely legal standpoint, you don't have much of a defence.

That said, equipment violations are often treated as "fix-it tickets". If you fix the issue, and bring in some proof (ideally an invoice from the dealership showing the installation, even it it's a $0 item), and a picture of the installed plate, there a good chance that the prosecutor will let it slide. They'll probably still give you a talking to, but in my experience they're usually pretty willing to withdraw the charge if you show that you took it seriously and dealt with it. Just remember that they aren't obligated to give you a pass -- walking in acting like you're entitled to a withdrawal is the quickest way to make sure you don't get one.

The big question is whether it's worth your time to go and fight it. It's not just the fine, equipment violations are considered "minor" offences for insurance purposes and might impact your rates, depending on your policy and driving history.

Again, not a lawyer.

 

[RandyMache]

I have 2 plates, its just that the car did not have the frame. And thats what I told officer, I have plate but the frame is ordered already

I am sure Canada is different then the USA. But if your NEW car had to have a braket ordered, then I would fight it. Probably all you need is a copy of the order form from the dealer, signed of course and your registration which shows it's only been a week or two. Generally, you can't be guilty if something is out of your control.

Sponsored