BajaNomad - License Plates required?

License Plates required?

O.G. - 6-25-2014 at 10:59 AM

I recently purchased a new, luxury vehicle and did not mount a front license plate as it would have required drilling and would look dorky. Will this cause issues driving through San Ysidro? I notice lots of cameras taking pictures of your vehicle from the front approaching the booths.

TecateRay - 6-25-2014 at 11:02 AM

It might irritate the customs guy because he will have to walk around to see the back plate. I see it all the time when I am in line and cars in front of me don't have a front plate. Doesn't seem to delay their crossing much.

TMW - 6-25-2014 at 11:07 AM

If it is a CA licensed vehicle it is illegal to not have the front plate attached.

sancho - 6-25-2014 at 11:15 AM

This is not your situation, but the US Marine being held in Mex
for mistakenly crossing into TJ with a couple guns, Mex
Customs claims the reason they stopped him going in was
that he didn't have a front plate, happen to find the weapons. As posted, crossing back, US Custom guy will walk to back
write down your plate and enter it. I'm sure they encounter
it many times

woody with a view - 6-25-2014 at 11:22 AM

don't worry about it.

O.G. - 6-25-2014 at 11:33 AM

I know it is illegal in CA to not have a front plate. Maybe I can just put it on the dash... .

ehall - 6-25-2014 at 11:34 AM

az vehicles only have 1 plate and they cross without issue everyday

motoged - 6-25-2014 at 11:41 AM

Sure is a pity to wreck the image of a luxury vehicle by attaching a license plate.... :biggrin:

dasubergeek - 6-25-2014 at 11:46 AM

If you bought that luxury vehicle in California, and they did not provide a way to mount the front plate, the dealership is violating the law and so are you.

To answer your question, they will walk to the back of the car, see it has a California rear plate, and ask you where the front plate is. If they're in a particularly foul mood, you can be sent to secondary.

You want to make things as easy as possible for the border agent so they don't find reasons to delay you, whether it makes your car look "dorky" or not.

bajalearner - 6-25-2014 at 11:48 AM

CA law requires it to be securely attached. Front and rear. I bet if you put it on, you will not notice it after a few weeks. I would object more to a plate on my dash than on the bumper. I didn't have a front mount so I just used 2 large screws into the plastic and it's been there 8 years now. And you could get a ticket for it or added on to another violation. I gives a cop a reason to stop you.

Every little law adds up to a life of less freedom for me and robocops, cameras out to punish us. What's the next thing? Drones??? Yes I am sure of that.

mtgoat666 - 6-25-2014 at 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by O.G.
I recently purchased a new, luxury vehicle and did not mount a front license plate as it would have required drilling and would look dorky.

i thought all new cars came with license plate holes/brackets front and rear. never heard of car where the buyer had to drill holes to mount license plates.
never heard somebody say that license plates ruined look of car. odd thing to worry about, eh?

motoged - 6-25-2014 at 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
....odd thing to worry about, eh?

Kinda dorky :biggrin:

O.G. - 6-25-2014 at 12:32 PM

Putting the front plate on the dash would only happen as I approached the customs booth. The vehicle is from England and does not have a recess for the front plate. The dealer supplied me with a bracket for the plate and left it up to me as to whether to drill and install it. They recommended not to. However, I am still undecided. Now I find myself looking at every approaching car to see if they have a front plate.

Lee - 6-25-2014 at 12:33 PM

Not sure about crossing at the border, but thought it was understood that cops will pull you over in Baja without a front plate claiming you need to have one. Then ticket or ruse the driver into a mordida. I wouldn't drive without a front plate.

vgabndo - 6-25-2014 at 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by motoged

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
....odd thing to worry about, eh?

Kinda dorky :biggrin:

desertcpl - 6-25-2014 at 01:21 PM

I live in AZ,, last time I crossed San Ysidro

he asked me where is your front plate,, I replied I am from AZ

and we don't have front plates,,, sent me to secondary

bajabuddha - 6-25-2014 at 01:39 PM

It all boils down to State Law of which State you're registered in. If they gave you two plates, you are required to be dorky.

elgatoloco - 6-25-2014 at 01:47 PM

Just made an appointment to replace lost front plate. Kind of forgot about it. Pretty sure it fell off on the road to San Ignacio lagoon March 2013. I guess I have been lucky since I have been across the border 30+ times since then. No need to tempt the fates on either side any longer. :saint:

apple - 6-25-2014 at 06:03 PM

I got stopped crossing at San Ysidro recently and I think it was likely because my car doesn't have a front plate (PA tags). They just asked for registration and matched it to the VIN and i was off, no big deal.

US Customs guys probably won't care, and they definitely have a camera pointed at your back plate so the idea of them needing to leave the booth to see your plates is foolishness

dtbushpilot - 6-25-2014 at 06:18 PM

New Mexico doesn't have front plates either, has only been mentioned once or twice and has never been an issue.

bajabuddha - 6-25-2014 at 10:24 PM

Ah, DT..... so true! I went online and ordered a 'personalized' phony NM plate that sez, BAJABUDDHA and put it on the front of my truck; gets a great rise out of the Mexicano border guys and the military too. I alwaystell 'em, ''RASCA EL BUDDHA POR SUERTE!", and is sure to get a chuckle or two. The U.S. Border Dudes always go around the back of the truck and see my permanent Disabled Veteran plate, and send me to secondary anyway, because I always have my trailer in tow; now policy at all crossings.

BTW, i'd like to hear if anyone gets waived through while ''in tow'' now. I was told by one of America's Finest it's now policy. But, just because i'm paranoid doesn't mean they aren't WATCHING..... LIKE TROLLS... UNDER THE BRIDGE.....AND WAITING....
......waiting............

gnukid - 6-25-2014 at 11:17 PM

If anyone says plates are required, reply no they are no longer required for new cars that have no mounting position. No mount, no plate. Makes sense. In mexico no front plate means respect! VIP!

Lee - 6-26-2014 at 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gnukid
If anyone says plates are required, reply no they are no longer required for new cars that have no mounting position. No mount, no plate. Makes sense. In mexico no front plate means respect! VIP!

No front plate = VIP in MX -- if you're Mexicano. If you're gringo, you'll be pulled over.

''No front plate means respect?'' Another stereotype. On the other hand, only a Mexicano could think that. Maybe some gringoes too.

bkbend - 6-26-2014 at 08:16 AM

Quote:

... The U.S. Border Dudes always go around the back of the truck and see my permanent Disabled Veteran plate, and send me to secondary anyway, because I always have my trailer in tow; now policy at all crossings.

BTW, i'd like to hear if anyone gets waived through while ''in tow'' now. I was told by one of America's Finest it's now policy.

Towing what? I crossed NB in May towing an enclosed utility trailer and got a "have a nice day" with no secondary. The agent did walk to the back and recorded the plate number on the trailer, didn't even ask what was in it.

bajalearner - 6-26-2014 at 08:20 AM

When I see the sensors that read license plates such as at the border I often think I would like to have the changeable plate device that 007 had on his Austin Martin in "Goldfinger". Just to fly under the radar a little.

By the way, the CHP has had (at least one) plate reader for at least 10 years in location near Indio.

[Edited on 6-26-2014 by bajalearner]

Lee - 6-26-2014 at 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bkbend
Towing what? I crossed NB in May towing an enclosed utility trailer and got a "have a nice day" with no secondary. The agent did walk to the back and recorded the plate number on the trailer, didn't even ask what was in it.

Towing anything. Because you were waved through means nothing. Maybe secondary was busy. When you handed your paperwork to the officer, you were being profiled. When the officer walked back to the trailer, he was checking you out.

You got a pass and was probably an exception. RV's, trailers, etc., are going to secondary. Unless secondary is busy. (More than an hour wait.)

bajabuddha - 6-26-2014 at 08:32 AM

Quote:

By trailer, I meant travel trailer/ 5th wheel/ tourista rig w/ fridge. And I have no idea what NB is. North border? Nebraska? Anyway, the secondary gig is just for agricultural inspection.... that illegal contraband lime you may have forgotten.

dasubergeek - 6-26-2014 at 10:25 AM

NB means northbound.

dtbushpilot - 6-26-2014 at 10:34 AM

I cross northbound a lot, always at Tecate and usually pulling a trailer. Sometimes I get sent and sometimes not. One time the officer told me that the trailer, not the vehicle license number had been flagged. The trailer was an empty flat bed, with my enclosed trailer they will sometimes look inside and send me on my way, other times I go to secondary.

motoged - 6-26-2014 at 11:25 AM

....and SOB......means......south of border ???? :biggrin:

sancho - 6-26-2014 at 11:46 AM

Here in Orange County, some of the yuppies, consumed
with their appearance, leave the paper plates on, with the
dealer name, on their new BMW's long after their DMV plates
arrive, trying desperately to keep that new car look,
way cool

1bobo - 6-26-2014 at 05:29 PM

7 years driving my pickup in Ca. without a front plate, including 7 round trips to BCS, and I've never been hassled by anyone except the U.S. border buddy who was annoyed he had to exit his cubby and walk around the back. They like to have all of your vital stats on the screen when you pull up.

And believe me, they have access to everything about you.

So after 2012 I started putting it back on just before crossing.

(It was stolen twice- that's why I remove it)

dasubergeek - 6-26-2014 at 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sancho
Here in Orange County, some of the yuppies, consumed
with their appearance, leave the paper plates on, with the
dealer name, on their new BMW's long after their DMV plates
arrive, trying desperately to keep that new car look,
way cool

Yes, and the closer to the coast you get, the more likely it is they'll do it, too... whereas I took off the paper plates and that stupid residue-leaving sticker as soon as I could (so I could apply to SENTRI-fy my new vee-hickle).

Marc - 7-16-2014 at 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TW
If it is a CA licensed vehicle it is illegal to not have the front plate attached.

Right. I was tagged for no front license on a '69 Porsche back then and had to deface the front of the car with a plate.

EnsenadaDr - 7-17-2014 at 12:12 AM

Why not fly, it's easier! I wouldn't chance doing anything that would cause Mexican immigration to seize your vehicle for non-compliance. I believe there is a dorky regulation in the Mexican aduana handbook. Besides you might get a ticket from CHP by not following California laws on requirements for 2 license plates. Case solved: Just get a front license plate that says, "No, I am not a dork" and your problems will be solved.

motoged - 7-17-2014 at 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Why not fly, it's easier! ...

Doc,
Great suggestion !!! Especially for those with kids, dogs, surfboards, quads, building supplies, motorcycles, boats/watercraft, etc. :lol:

MitchMan - 7-20-2014 at 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TW
If it is a CA licensed vehicle it is illegal to not have the front plate attached.

The fact of the matter is that 1 out of every 10 vehicles in So California does not have a front license plate. Exact same situation in La Paz.

Try doing a count on your own; you will get the same average result.

Quote:

bajalearner
Every little law adds up to a life of less freedom for me and robocops, cameras out to punish us. What's the next thing? Drones??? Yes I am sure of that.

I am sure of that, too. We the People must push back, or it will happen.

I hate those cameras at intersections. They were first installed for the lone and specific reason of catching those that run a red light at high speed. Instead, the municipalities abused this resource and were giving out way more (multitudes more) tickets for "California" right turns (i.e. slowing down to about 4 MPH and not completely stopping while making a right turn at a red light). Generally speaking, that is a safe thing to do, but, technically against the law as a MOVING violation...very expensive (too harsh and inordinately expensive for this specific infraction) but was a money maker for the cities.

I have seen those cameras at locations where there is an extremely low probability of high speed crossings and low traffic areas; even at traffic lights that are at heavily trafficked entrances to shopping centers. Orange County California is "lousy" with them, they are everywhere.

Abundantly obvious to me that it is all about the money and not about traffic safety. So much for the profit motive in government.

[Edited on 7-20-2014 by MitchMan]

EnsenadaDr - 7-20-2014 at 10:51 AM

Actually he flies into Ensenada all the time I am surprised he is driving, probably to replace his Hummer with a Jag!!

Quote:

Originally posted by motoged

Quote:

Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Why not fly, it's easier! ...

Doc,
Great suggestion !!! Especially for those with kids, dogs, surfboards, quads, building supplies, motorcycles, boats/watercraft, etc. :lol:

BajaBlanca - 7-20-2014 at 11:38 AM

After an encounter with the La Paz police last visit, we had the front plate put on the front bumper .... And we have Mexican plates, so it was not a gringo issue.

There are cops everywhere along the malecon, it sure seems you betta have your seatbelt on and a front plate or you will be pulled over.

bajaguy - 7-20-2014 at 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marc
Right. I was tagged for no front license on a '69 Porsche back then and had to deface the front of the car with a plate.

I my earlier days I have had both a 1965 Porsche 356 and a 1968 912 Targa with California plates on the front. Doesn't detract from looks or performance.

MitchMan - 7-20-2014 at 07:49 PM

BajaBlanca, best advice I have ever gotten is to not look at the police as you drive by them; seems to deter the policeman's decision to pull you over. Has been working for me for several years now...on the Malecon in La Paz in particular.

ddawson - 7-23-2014 at 12:09 AM

My truck had a prerunner bumper on it and no place for a front plate. I drove it all over baja for years with no hassles by police.

ddawson - 7-23-2014 at 12:16 AM

Additionally, I had no problems without a front plate at SY, otay, or tecate crossings.