amphipri0n

If the car is licensed in California, it is absolutely required

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d05/vc11713_17.htm

JerryKK

Which is what I have long understood. I asked the question after reading above that some people are not going to attach a front license plate. Oh well, to each his/her own!

Arty101

Yes, for all those red light cameras that they have everywhere. Also, some police cars have license plate recognition cameras that can determine the status of your car, which they can read as you're driving towards them (thus the need for front plates) or if they're behind you.

They also issue citations for not having front plates in some cities, including SF since the meter maids need to collect more revenue.

skydriver

I don't think around So Cal the Front License Plate Law is strictly enforced judging by the number of high-end vehicles (Lexus, BMW, Audi, Cadillac) that don't have them. The higher the price of the vehicle the more likely it's riding without front plates.

Arty101

That's how it use to be up here before the advent of the red light cameras. They capture a picture of the driver and front plates. The red light cameras are suppose to be for safety, but they've become more for revenue generators. You're lucky you can get away without the front plates. They don't make the front end look good.

Neoxagon

How do they catch you w/the camera if you don't have a front plate?

Trexus

Funny you mentioned that. I had a 1996 ES 300 and I never got around to installing the front license plate. I drove my 1996 ES 300 until July 2010 without a front license plate and I never received a citation for it. Her life was cut short due to being rear-ended...

Arty101

They don't normally, unless they have a rear facing camera, like toll booths. That's why some cities are vigilante about giving citations to cars without front plates. They definitely do that in SF since they want your $$.

skydriver

I know how you feel, our 2004 ES 330 was sandwiched cause by some knuckle head who was probably texting. It was a four car collision, he took out two Lexus. Before and after pictures. Ouch!

Trexus

I know exactly how you feel. A young kid rear-ended me too and I'm sure it's because he was texting but in the police report he stated that he was looking down at the center controls where the a/c and radio functions are located. I don't buy that for a second...

Here's a link with pictures of my 1996 ES 300 that was rear-ended.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...ear-ended.html

sigmoid

Great rims! I'm looking for an exchange for my new ES300h - where in SoCal did you get these? You can reply or PM me - thanks!!

skydriver

Wow that's an eerily similar crash scene that happen to you. We were slowed down approaching the entrance to Legoland California. Seeing a Disneyland sign in your pictures and the damage to your car brought back bad memories. BTW, the other Lexus caught in the middle was a CT200h.