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      09-28-2012, 03:52 PM   #1
Roki_014
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Do we need a front license plate in IL???

I really don't want to put the license plate in the front, and told my CA not to drill any holes in the front
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      09-28-2012, 04:01 PM   #2
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I'm afraid a front plate is required in IL. I did a lot of searching before taking delivery. There was a motion passed some years ago in springfield to try to save money by no longer requiring front plates but it has been tabled indefinitely. ie. the law still says you need them and likely wont change for at least several years, if ever.

I see a lot of cars driving aroudn without front plates but technically you can be fined. I guess it depends on the cop you get. I jsut chose to get the bumper drilled and live with it. If I ever move states I will need to get the holes repaired. Maybe a good excuse to get the m-performance aero kit

h
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      09-28-2012, 04:07 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hhuberla View Post
I'm afraid a front plate is required in IL. I did a lot of searching before taking delivery. There was a motion passed some years ago in springfield to try to save money by no longer requiring front plates but it has been tabled indefinitely. ie. the law still says you need them and likely wont change for at least several years, if ever.

I see a lot of cars driving aroudn without front plates but technically you can be fined. I guess it depends on the cop you get. I jsut chose to get the bumper drilled and live with it. If I ever move states I will need to get the holes repaired. Maybe a good excuse to get the m-performance aero kit

h
I might end up getting this http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-14...335i-2012.aspx
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      09-28-2012, 04:21 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by Roki_014 View Post
I really don't want to put the license plate in the front, and told my CA not to drill any holes in the front
I saw this a couple of weeks ago and was thinking of getting it. Most states require the front plate and they do here in Germany. The Turner one looks good, but it isn't compatible with PDC and they recommend you take it of to go through the auto wash which is kind a pain if I do end up using one (though I will try not to).

http://www.skene.org/bmw/plate/
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      09-28-2012, 04:48 PM   #5
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      09-28-2012, 05:06 PM   #6
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so for the guys in IL, do you have the front plate on? and if you don't do you get pulled over for it in Chicago??? Thanks
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      09-28-2012, 05:26 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Roki_014 View Post
so for the guys in IL, do you have the front plate on? and if you don't do you get pulled over for it in Chicago??? Thanks
You can get pulled over and also get a ticket. Depends on the cop who pulls you over, might also let you go with just a warning.
I've heard from some people, they keep the front plates in trunk just in case they get pulled over. And give any shitty reason to the cop, like you are on your way to the garage to get it installed or something. May or may not write you a ticket.
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      09-28-2012, 05:38 PM   #8
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yep, you need a front plate, I recommend one of the towhook variations mentioned. I usually get a long look over at least once a month driving through IL (I64, I57, I24) because I only have the rear plate

As soon as they zoom up and realize I don't need a second plate, they go look for someone else to hassle....because I also keep the cruise locked at 71 or lower - the IL guys are SERIOUS about speed enforcement

Sure wish there was a better way from STL to BHM that DIDNT involve IL. I55 thru Memphis isn't the answer..neither is DELTA thru Atlanta
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      09-28-2012, 05:54 PM   #9
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Yes

Yes you do. The section is ILCS 5/3-413. I am a police officer and I look at it this way. If I have to display my plates the correct way, everyone can do it. Including Corvette owners for sure. My department is very strict since a large part of our job involves enforcing the traffic code. I pretty much try not to write them, usually warn you first, but if someone can't take a hint there's always the hard way.
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      09-28-2012, 06:01 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by Rick4345 View Post
Yes you do. The section is ILCS 5/3-413. I am a police officer and I look at it this way. If I have to display my plates the correct way, everyone can do it. Including Corvette owners for sure. My department is very strict since a large part of our job involves enforcing the traffic code. I pretty much try not to write them, usually warn you first, but if someone can't take a hint there's always the hard way.
what if I have it in the windshield on the dash board??? the reason I am asking the m-sport does not have any bracket for it

thanks
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      09-28-2012, 06:09 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roki_014 View Post
what if I have it in the windshield on the dash board??? the reason I am asking the m-sport does not have any bracket for it

thanks
I wouldn't do that. That's even more riskier as the plates have sharp edges around them and can be deadly during an unfortunate event.
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      09-28-2012, 06:10 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roki_014 View Post
what if I have it in the windshield on the dash board??? the reason I am asking the m-sport does not have any bracket for it

thanks
Sorry Charlie. Dash board won't fly. Rick4345 will give you a ticket in a heart beat
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      09-28-2012, 06:14 PM   #13
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oh man this is going to suck, i really didnt want to put it up, its really going to ruin the look , rick4345 can i tell them i know you
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      09-28-2012, 06:29 PM   #14
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I'll make sure you get the best jail cell that I can. I have one guy in my area that I have stopped. He has a Z3. I kind of understand about the plate. But then we drive in Illinois where if some farmer is not throwing corn or some other crap out of your car, some ass is throwing rocks at your bumper, let alone the insects that will put a ding in your bumper. If you don't believe that, look at my squad car. So the arguement of ,"I don't want to hurt my bumper." doesn't work well for me I told him to get the tow hook fixture. I personally have no problem with that. Can't speak for anyone else though. If nothing else, you can always move to Indiana. Hell, get a specialty plate like a bears, cubs, or blackhawks plate. Or look for something else. I will say that we don't have the most appealing plates in the US. After all, our governors make them for us.
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      09-29-2012, 09:35 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bama335
yep, you need a front plate, I recommend one of the towhook variations mentioned. I usually get a long look over at least once a month driving through IL (I64, I57, I24) because I only have the rear plate

As soon as they zoom up and realize I don't need a second plate, they go look for someone else to hassle....because I also keep the cruise locked at 71 or lower - the IL guys are SERIOUS about speed enforcement

Sure wish there was a better way from STL to BHM that DIDNT involve IL. I55 thru Memphis isn't the answer..neither is DELTA thru Atlanta
In Chicago, they're not so serious. Obviously if they catch you doing 50 in a 30 by yourself they're not going to be happy, but Lake Shore Drive is 40 mph and everyone is going 60. It's their call, but they usually only pull you over for erratic driving or running reds.
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      09-29-2012, 10:06 AM   #16
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Many threads on this same topic already.

I haven't had a front plate in IL for the last 10 years, NEVER gotten a ticket for it, and thats driving some pretty hot cars (Z3M Roadster -red, Z4, Z4M coupe -int blue, X3 M Sport -red).

Last month I got pulled over for going 38 in a 25 (really wasn't paying attention), I was going through a nice area and thought for sure he would give me a ticket for speeding and no front plate. He asked why I didn't slow down after I passed him and I just said I didn't realize I was going that fast, was just in a hurry to get my kids, he saw two car seats in the back and I am guessing thats why he let me go, who knows. He also asked about my front plate, I told him we just had the bumper replaced and they didn't have the bracket in yet. NO TICKETS! couldn't believe it, he could have easily got me for like $200 in fines.

Long story short, as others have said, it is illegal and is a fine, but really depends on the cop. I see TONS of cars with no front plates passing tons of cops every day, they really don't care as long as they can read your back one and you haven't riced out your car. It also probably depends where you live, certain cities probably are @ssholes about it, up in the Northern suburbs and west suburbs its not a problem.
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      10-04-2012, 10:07 PM   #17
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IL

Yes, you need a front plate and you would get pullover by every cop from state to city (ever city).
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      10-04-2012, 10:13 PM   #18
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Living in Chicago it does help having a front license, since there's at least one ass that like's to hit the front of a car when parallel parking. For that I don't mind having the front plate.
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      01-09-2013, 05:52 PM   #19
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http://skenedesign.com/FPBracket/index.shtml

I found this one...
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      01-09-2013, 06:38 PM   #20
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It took me 3 months to get pulled over for the plate, after that i decided to just go ahed and put it up, the ticket was only $30 but i wasted like 30 min, so i was like if its gonna b like this every time, i rather just have the plate
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      01-17-2013, 10:46 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mark.L View Post
Required...for sure.
Hey what did you end up doing with the front plate?
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      01-17-2013, 11:47 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roki_014 View Post
Hey what did you end up doing with the front plate?
Nothing yet. As I am still waiting for my plates.
I might end up with the standard bracket which came from the factory.
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