WA front license plate requirement

[lgordon]

How have others dealt with Washington state’s requirement to mount a front license plate on a MK4 Roadster? I followed the Highway Patrol’s recommended approach but my request was denied. https://wspinsideout.wordpress.com/2017/01/26/getting-a-license-plate-exemption/

I currently have two conventional license plates but don’t like the approach of hanging one off a front turn signal. I understand I could go the approach of getting a collector plate which doesn’t require one to be mounted in front but does come with restrictions on use. I’ve invested a lot of effort and money in building my car to be driven. I’m retired and I do plan to keep my daily driver so my concern isn’t about commuting but I don’t want to be told I can’t take my Cobra to the post office or just out to enjoy the day, a lot!

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Not to hijack but read Ohio is or has dropped its front plate requirement. Am happy to live in a state NC that does not use them.

[Bob Cowan]

I used the one that hangs off the turn signal - and that works fine.

There's another bracket that is attached to the outside of the quick jack.

Some street rods use a bracket that is vacuum controlled. The plate swings into a hidden position when the engine is off, and pops up when the engine is running.

I have also seen a bracket that is spring loaded and does the opposite: Wind speed swings it to the horizontal position.

IMO, there's no way to attach a front plate that looks good or correct. You just have to pick one that looks the least ugly to you. :)

[BB767]

In the process now of obtaining my Washington State registration. I plan to go "classic vehicle" with a 1965 plate (one, on the back). Here is Hagerty's definition of a classic.

K. "Classic vehicle" means a motor vehicle of
unique or rare design and of limited
production that is an object of curiosity and:
1. Is maintained primarily for use in car
club activities, exhibitions, parades,
other functions of public interest or for a
private collection; and
2. Is used only infrequently for other
purposes.

I use my car "infrequently" for "other purposes" such as joy riding on sunny days, stopping to get the mail on the way home, or maybe the grocery store. That is not prohibited and no one is watching you, just don't abuse the system.

[CraigS]

It's up to you whether to risk it or not but in both Va and Md over 15 years I never had my front plate on the car. Always in the trunk. You could get the least expensive hanger available to get through your initial inspections and then remove it.

[jrcuz]

I have the stainless frame from **********.com that mounts at the quick jack location. It barely clears the front turn signal and I had to grind a little off of the base to get it to fit with the FFR overriders. I'm not on the road yer so don't know how it will work at speed.
JR131522

[davekp]

Here's an idea I READ ON THE INTERNET:
Take your front plate and throw it down the road. Let it get pretty well scratched up.
Keep it in the trunk.
If questioned, take it out and say "It just fell off"!

[Paul2STL]

Igordon, most of us cobra guys here in Washington don't run front plates. Mine is register as a 2017 so I run a normal plate. Matter of fact two of the guys in the club are X officers and they don't run a plate. I don't even carry my front plate in my car. I have had officers look at my car coming head on and give me thumbs up. You will probably be ok with out it.

[ptstew]

In 18 years of driving, 14 in California, and 4 in Texas, both states that require a front plate, I have never been questioned about not having one. Do something temporary to get through inspection and then take it off.

[Ray]

From you comment about hanging the plate from the turn signal I guess that you’ve seen this mounting system....http://replicaparts.com/front%20plate%20page.htm

This topic has been discussed for years both here and on the “other forum”. There are several solutions some expensive and some homemade. Doing a web search for “hidden license plates” might be best. I’ve seen systems that have the plate vivible while driving and hide it when the ignition is turned off.

I didn’t mount our front plate and haven’t been stopped for not having one in 19-years.

Ray

[lgordon]

Thanks for all the responses! I’m going to apply for a custom plate and stick to one on the back. Some things are worth the risk to me.