Front License Plate Holder

[andrewng]

I got 3 no front plate tickets last year with my other car, they are $100 each. So I now velcro my front plate when I park. If you park in SF you probably want to have front plate on when you park. I went to lunch with a friend in the Mission and his meter expired and he got a ticket for that and no front plate as well.

Our Smart already got holes drilled and front plate bracket mounted when we picked it up so I guess I will just mount a front plate. I was going to get the no holes holder as well.

[jonnysan]

I was going to get the no holes holder as well.[/QUOTE]

I didn't want to have to screw around with removing it if I had to use the tow hook for any purpose...perhaps not having the wrench needed to remove it and just complicate a situation that may already be complicated.
I also felt that it could be ripped off or damaged by an automatic car wash since it does standoff from the car somewhat such that a brush or clothe drape that they use for washing could flip around it, get itself in a knot and then rip the plate off.....you know how those car wash things happen like that.....
So anyway..... I installed my own front plate holder....NON-BADGED. I drilled and tapped 1/4-20 right thru the plastic into the metal bumper just behind the plastic nose to attach the plate holder to the car....terra firma. I used some never sieze on the SSframe holder bolts to deter any rust at the tapped hole. Then I bolted the plate to the frame with 4 SS bolts so it's on there and isn't going to be ripped off anytime soon. I suspect that dealerships only attach the frame to the plastic but I don't know that for sure. The metal bumper was pretty hard drilling and tapping ...harder than regular old normal carbon steel and tap free use is advised.

So that's how I did it. The plate holder is ON THERE and as long as it stays in NY or any other state requiring front plates the holes will be non-issue.
If they become an issue for any reason, some plastic filler and touchup paint will make them go away.

[starlord]

We have seen that a number of folks are making use of the GoMiniGo 'no holes' towhook license plate holders instead of the screw-in the front plinth, I went that route, as you know I don't want to drill any holes in my car.

You can also use a special double-sided tape holder, though I wonder how well these hold up in the heat of California (in the UK that isn't much of a problem, LOL!)

Here are links to both:

GoMiniGo 'no holes' towhook license plate holder
http://gominigo.com/NHLPB-Smart.html

These work for a variety of cars. Although they are more expensive than a plinth holder, they hold the plate very well.

There's pics here.. notice some have the towhook holder.
First Ever Norcal Meet Photos - Crissy Field 03/30/08

Sticky License Plate holder
http://www.craigsplates.com/accessor...&product-id=79

(the GoMiniGo sticky plate holder thing is similar)

I talked this over EXTENSIVELY with the San Francisco smart center, and researched it with the California DMV, this is what I arrived at...

Important note: If you don't want the dealership to drill holes in your smart, let them know well in advance of your delivery date, and also bring the other plate holder with you when you come pick-up the car.

Why is this? Because a short time ago, California Mercedes dealerships had some bad past experiences with letting some of the higher-end models go without a front plate, which got them into a class-action lawsuit.

The management sympathizes with your need to find alternate ways to mount the plate or have your car painted (in my case) with no hole filling needed.. but this issue goes way beyond the brand manager or store owners.

Point is, they are not going to let you drive out of there with a Smart ForTwo or an SLR class or anything, without a front plate holder on it.

Solution? Just bring your towhook holder or what-have-you and install it when you pickup your car, simple as that.

For those that are interested, here is what the DMV says:

Front License Plate Bracket

11713.17. (a) Following the retail sale or lease of a motor vehicle for which the department issues two license plates, a dealer may not deliver the motor vehicle unless either of the following occurs:

(1) The motor vehicle is equipped with a bracket or other means of securing a front license plate.

(2) The dealer obtains a signed written acknowledgment from the person taking delivery of the motor vehicle acknowledging both of the following:

(A) The person expressly refused installation of a bracket or other means of securing the front license plate.

(B) The person understands that California law requires a license plate to be displayed from and securely fastened to the front of the motor vehicle and that the hardware necessary to securely fasten the front plate is available from the dealer.

(b) A manufacturer or distributor may not sell or distribute in this state a new motor vehicle for which the department issues two license plates, unless that motor vehicle is equipped or provided with a bracket or other means of securing the license plates.
Added Sec. 1, Ch. 365, Stats. 2004. Effective January 1, 2005.

5201. License plates shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle for which they are issued so as to prevent the plates from swinging, shall be mounted in a position so as to be clearly visible, and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible. The rear license plate shall be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 60 inches from the ground, and the front license plate shall be mounted not more than 60 inches from the ground, except as follows:

(this goes on for handicapped and tow plates, which don't apply in my case) Note that this excerpt is from 3 years ago and doesn't take into consideration the aforementioned legal problems. If you are outside California, you may have other options as some states don't require a front plate at all.

[EdwardDennis]

Originally Posted by starlord

We have seen that a number of folks are making use of the GoMiniGo 'no holes' towhook license plate holders instead of the screw-in the front plinth, I went that route, as you know I don't want to drill any holes in my car.

You can also use a special double-sided tape holder, though I wonder how well these hold up in the heat of California (in the UK that isn't much of a problem, LOL!)

Here are links to both:

GoMiniGo 'no holes' towhook license plate holder
http://gominigo.com/NHLPB-Smart.html

These work for a variety of cars. Although they are more expensive than a plinth holder, they hold the plate very well.

There's pics here.. notice some have the towhook holder.
First Ever Norcal Meet Photos - Crissy Field 03/30/08

Sticky License Plate holder
http://www.craigsplates.com/accessor...&product-id=79

(the GoMiniGo sticky plate holder thing is similar)

I talked this over EXTENSIVELY with the San Francisco smart center, and researched it with the California DMV, this is what I arrived at...

Important note: If you don't want the dealership to drill holes in your smart, let them know well in advance of your delivery date, and also bring the other plate holder with you when you come pick-up the car.

Why is this? Because a short time ago, California Mercedes dealerships had some bad past experiences with letting some of the higher-end models go without a front plate, which got them into a class-action lawsuit.

The management sympathizes with your need to find alternate ways to mount the plate or have your car painted (in my case) with no hole filling needed.. but this issue goes way beyond the brand manager or store owners.

Point is, they are not going to let you drive out of there with a Smart ForTwo or an SLR class or anything, without a front plate holder on it.

Solution? Just bring your towhook holder or what-have-you and install it when you pickup your car, simple as that.

For those that are interested, here is what the DMV says:

Front License Plate Bracket

11713.17. (a) Following the retail sale or lease of a motor vehicle for which the department issues two license plates, a dealer may not deliver the motor vehicle unless either of the following occurs:

(1) The motor vehicle is equipped with a bracket or other means of securing a front license plate.

(2) The dealer obtains a signed written acknowledgment from the person taking delivery of the motor vehicle acknowledging both of the following:

(A) The person expressly refused installation of a bracket or other means of securing the front license plate.

(B) The person understands that California law requires a license plate to be displayed from and securely fastened to the front of the motor vehicle and that the hardware necessary to securely fasten the front plate is available from the dealer.

(b) A manufacturer or distributor may not sell or distribute in this state a new motor vehicle for which the department issues two license plates, unless that motor vehicle is equipped or provided with a bracket or other means of securing the license plates.
Added Sec. 1, Ch. 365, Stats. 2004. Effective January 1, 2005.

5201. License plates shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle for which they are issued so as to prevent the plates from swinging, shall be mounted in a position so as to be clearly visible, and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible. The rear license plate shall be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 60 inches from the ground, and the front license plate shall be mounted not more than 60 inches from the ground, except as follows:

(this goes on for handicapped and tow plates, which don't apply in my case) Note that this excerpt is from 3 years ago and doesn't take into consideration the aforementioned legal problems. If you are outside California, you may have other options as some states don't require a front plate at all.

In California, the front plate bracket can simply be "provided" with the car at time of sale. Being new, the car has no plates ** they're mailed later to the owner from DMV.

So, you can tell the dealer not to install the bracket (...along with their tackey advertising paper affixed in the frame).

I'm thinking the Mercedes issue you refer to probably involved dealerships not including the bracket at all during the sale.

[EdwardDennis]

Here 'tis:

http://www.gardencitygroup.com/cases...62ee6e73f2559e

MBZ dealers failed to install/provide the bracket hardware. It's still permissable to sign-off the installation and take the bracket with you.

[starlord]

well shucks, i even made a video of it... how to install the adaptor on your tow hook and fasten the plate, pretty straight forward, enjoy!

You Tube

You Tube

[tivoboy]

Call them NOW if you don't want it. I emailed them the DAY after I got the 30 days notice, they STILL put the front plate holder on there

[wdw412]

Originally Posted by tivoboy

Call them NOW if you don't want it. I emailed them the DAY after I got the 30 days notice, they STILL put the front plate holder on there

I live in Nashville and was to pick up my smart this past Wednesday while on a business trip in Knoxville, I turned my rental car in before going to the dealer Wednesday afternoon.
When I arrived they had a "Mercedes of Knoxville" license plate on the front (Tennessee only has a rear plate. I had spoke to the sales associate there in February and specifically told her that I didn't want holes drilled and she told me they didn't do that.

When I mentioned it to her on Wednesday that I was not happy and they would have to order me a new panel. She said they would make it right. They had another white fortwo waiting to be picked up but would not be able to switch panels until Thursday. I told them I needed something to drive as I had another day of business there.
They gave me a black/black fortwo demo, which was fine with me to drive. I returned Thursday afternoon and the panels had been switched so I completed paperwork and drove back to Nashville.

Bill

[Figaro14]

In IL the police cannot pull you over ONLY for a missing front plate, but if they pull you over for something else, they hassle you about it. Sadly my dealer pre-installed my Smart Car front plate also before I picked up the car, and later I ended up having to move it down about 1/4" inch because it interfered with the sports bar add-on bumper I bought. My choice was either drill new holes or leave the plate off entirely and have two drilled holes in my front bumper exposed. I thought the drilled holes looked terrible and put the plate back on to cover them. For any of you that haven't gotten your car yet, be certain to tell the dealer IF you want a front plate and WHERE you want the plate. Once they drill, its too late. You will have permanent holes in your plastic bumper.

[jimvw57]

There are two slight dimples on the front bumper area to locate the plate holder. That is where they are supposed to be put. Most likely that is what the dealer went by to put the bracket on.