Hasman69

So I recently bought a 2016 ES 350 with the refreshed grill and I know there has been a difference in opinions but I for one love the front grill on the 2016's, that is minus the front license plate. IMO the front looks so much better without the license plate but from what I have read, its required in IL so before removing it I thought I would ask here if any one drives without the front plate and is it really something one gets pulled over for. I live in the Southwest suburb Plainfield and work in Oak Brook so that is 80% of my driving. Maybe drive to Chicago 2 or 3 times a year. I also got my windows tinted at 20% so that is another thing that I am concerned. I believe 20% tint alone should be ok but adding the missing front plate maybe pushing it I am thinking. Driving around I have been checking out other cars that are missing front plates and have only come across a couple so any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

Shaummy

FWIW... I don't have front plates on either my wife's RC350, or my Maserati Ghibli and haven't been stopped. I'm from Romeoville and commute to Schaumburg so I get plenty
of distance for it to get noticed.

Granted I don't have window tint, but I'd say the plate hasn't been an issue (knocks wood). Of course if you give them a reason to stop you by driving aggressively etc.....then maybe they would tack on the
extra ticket.

I think they should do away with the front plate anyway, no real advantage to from an enforcement perspective.

Mike728

I haven't had a front plate on my car since around '86. I've been stopped for it a few times. Most of the time I received just a warning, but got an actual ticket back in 2013 with my ES when it was new. That was in South Barrington, which is known for pulling you over for just looking at them funny. I just paid the ticket and never bothered to put the plate on. I now live in Naperville and haven't been hassled at all.

Hasman69

@Shaummy. Thanks for your input. Yeah I went ahead and took the front plates down last week and so far so good. But I feel like I am tailgating the person in front of me subconsciously, thinking if a cop is parked on the side of the road looking my way, they wont spot my missing front plate
Funny, I live right at the border of Plainfield and Romeoville near Weber Road and can't say I have ever seen an RC350 in that area. Or a Maserati for that matter.

Shaummy

Cool...I also live on the west side between R-ville and Plainfiled... Budler and Taylor roads. Glad you are having good luck so far!

1997Soarer

iTrader: (1)

I live over in Inverness, right next to Hoffman and S. Barrington.
I don't have front plates on any of my cars.

If you keep your car in great shape, they may look at you but leave you alone.
If your mod your car, you will get looked at anyway. you may get pulled over, and if it's a first time it's always a warning. But if you keep getting pulled over by the same officer, you'll get a ticket.

I used to get a warning roughly once a year back in the 2000s. Warnings turned to fix it tickets during the Recession, just because all these surburban police forces were hurting for funding and it was easy revenue. I paid every ticket and never had any issues.

Since 2013, all that happens is that I get looked at, maybe followed for a bit, then they go.

I have two cars that draw attention regardless of the plates or not: A black SC300 with bronze wheels and a big wing on the back that sounds like its 600+hp, and a YELLOW IS300 wagon with an exhaust.

1997Soarer

iTrader: (1)

BUT, I do have to tell you,

When and how you drive will determine if you do get pulled over.

Drive a lot during the day, no one will bug you. Driving home thru the suburbs at 2-3am... something like no front plate is probable cause to pull you over. Driving late at night they're looking for drunks and illegal activity so keep that also in mind.

Mike728

I was mistaken on the cop that gave me the ticket back in 2013. It was Barrington Hills, not S. Barrington. I got it on a Sunday around 1pm. They used to set up "safety" checks right by their station in the morning during the week, too. I recommend you avoid that area.

WNYX

I haven't had a front license plate since I bought my first car in 2001. I've only been pulled over three times:
1. In the Glenview/Niles.
2. In Streamwood.
3. In Palatine.
Only the police officer in Streamwood gave me a ticket. The other two were warnings.