The Pope

As they say, the grass is always greener on the other side.

clutchplate

Both were add on tickets at $25 a piece plus a trip to the local CHP. This isn't an issue at $25 but if we start getting stung for $500 I don't see a reason to take the risk.

Archimedes

I have a Carbonio removable mount with my plate that I keep in the Spyder's frunk, just in case I ever get pulled over I can put it on and feign ignorance, etc. I've been thinking of mounting a plate on my Golf R, but there's no easy way to do it, so I'm going to wait until I get a ticket to do anything.

Needsdecaf

Not easy but here is how I did it on my GTI:

Car up on ramps.
Remove plastic indertray
Purchase black anodized or stainless flat head screws, nuts and fender washers about 1" in size
Center plate on lower intake grille
Pass bolts through plate and grille. Reach up from behind the grille and use fender washer to secure through the honeycomb.

Worked well for me. Be sure to get rust resistant hardware. In my case I got black Texas plates so it blended into the honeycomb well.

Can do ghetto version with zip ties. Lol.

captainkirk

I wish there was some magnetic way instead of drilling; I am just surprised Porsche didn't figure this solution out; I guess they were too busy with third brake light, nubbin etc lol

Only few states in US where one can drive without front plates. One of my friends keeps his plates on his dash, and I keep saying to him that the plate can become a projectile during emergency braking or some collision. I try not to sit in his car because of loose plate sitting on the dash.

shaytun

So is it really true that there's a $500 fine in CA for the front plate!!!!! That seems crazy.

On my old 911, I never put front plate on and got a $25 fix it ticket every month, usually in West Hollywood.
On my GT4, I didn't remove the front temp registration and didn't even put on rear plates, and never got a ticket. Basically, if you have the rear plate, they expect the front. Otherwise, I assume the meter maids thought it was a new car. I know that makes people mad, but I'm just answering the question.
Haven't decided what I'll do with the GT3 mainly because CA for the first time has temp tags like other states. So there's no logical reason not to have rear plates. This went into effect Jan 1. I don't know how it will be enforced in the coming months.
Regardless, I WILL NOT put a plate on the front. I don't care about holes in the hood. I just think American plates overwhelm the front of Porsches.

The Pope

From DMV's website (updated 1/1/19):

What is the penalty for someone whose vehicle does not display temporary or permanent license plates?

The fine amount can differ depending in the county where a violation occurs. The fines range from $25 with proof of correction up to $197 without proof of correction. Drivers may receive multiple tickets if they delay making the correction.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vr/templp

Archimedes

The R's grill is different, but I thought of doing something similar. My concerns are a) it'll disrupt flow to the radiator and b) if it moves at all it'll scratch up the grill. I have a tow hook mount for my old Carrera that I'm gonna test to see if it'll thread on the Golf's tow hook mount.

ScratchTheItch

My main concern is if California dealers will now feel pressure to drill and pre-install the front plate holders.

The Pope

It's now the law and they are doing it. But, I also heard that some are making the customers sign a disclaimer of sorts which I am not sure it can fly.

stout

New 718 in my neighborhood with the front tag zip-tied to the lower right grill, looks like.

Seeing a lot of the new white paper tags with plain black letters, which makes me feel like I'm in a different state. I suppose the new law makes less sense for red-light cameras (which are on the decline here) and a lot more sense for FasTrak? But the thing with that is, it reads rear plates, as do bridge tolls.

Wish someone could get CA DMV thinking about halving its annual plate creation costs by dumping front plates—not to mention the savings in postage, fuel use, paint use, and various other tiny improvements such as better aero for the state's vehicle fleet. At least, those are the ways to sell it to CA legislators.

Archimedes

ScratchTheItch

I'll happily sign a waiver and pay the fine on their behalf before I let them drill into the bumper.

captainkirk

What do owners do if they own Ferrari 812 or 488 Pista - there is virtually no room to put the plates

silencei2

This was recently approved in CA

https://licenseplatewrap.com/