Massachusetts Plate Laws

[Lambda13]

Does anyone from Massachusetts not run a front plate? I'm wondering if when I put on my RS grille I will be able to get away with not having one. I don't like front plates and I never have, so if I can avoid putting it on that would be good.

Main reason I ask is now that the Tobin bridge is cashless and they have that stupid flashing camera for the front and back I was wondering if I would get myself in trouble by not running one. Any insight is appreciated.

[agart]

Haven't run one since I bought my car. The one time I had an issue funny enough was when the car was parked at home depot... Came out to a ticket for improper equipment or something of that nature. I've gone over the tobin many times with no issues. If you get pulled over expect for them to notice it, but if you don't give them a reason to pull you over, you have nothing to worry about.

[rymofo]

I've never been stopped for it, same with my tint. My windshield was just replaced and I didn't transfer the inspection sticker over either because it looks so much better without it lol.
Not sure how the cameras work, but plates with green lettering don't require a front plate and idk if they can pick that up.

[yzykg]

I was pulled over once only for no front license, but the good thing was I only got a warning

[jmcS4]

i have never been directly stopped for no front plate. and of the countless times I've been pulled over its never been a issue. except if the cops being a dick and looking or stuff to get you on. yup thats happened to me too but it was the one time i had a front plate on, it was weird i literally told myself i should put it on for the day then got pulled over and the cop actually walked to front of the car to check. it was very weird and the plate come off later that day LOL

[WinterRunner]

I ran no front plate for almost 5 years no issues. Last fall I was pulled over 4 times in a month, twice by the same cop, all in Franklin MA, for no front plate. I now run a tow hook plate but I may go back to none and see what happens...

[blitz2190]

the only ones in mass that don't have too are if you still have one of the old plates where you were only given one to begin with.

[Lambda13]

Thanks guys, I may invest in a tow-hook plate because I don't trust the meter maids. They ticket for everything. I forgot to put the registration sticker on my rear plate, ticket, forgot to get my car inspected, ticket. They are ruthless.

[The Fat Kid]

Thanks guys, I may invest in a tow-hook plate because I don't trust the meter maids. They ticket for everything. I forgot to put the registration sticker on my rear plate, ticket, forgot to get my car inspected, ticket. They are ruthless.

My only ticket in the last 10+ years! It is especially annoying since they are using a hand-held computer that should show the registration is up to date. Hell, I just switched to Liberty Mutual for car insurance and they don't even issue insurance cards anymore.

[Lambda13]

My only ticket in the last 10+ years! It is especially annoying since they are using a hand-held computer that should show the registration is up to date. Hell, I just switched to Liberty Mutual for car insurance and they don't even issue insurance cards anymore.

I've never had an insurance card, I got pulled over in CT and they asked for my insurance card and I was like... Uh we don't have those...?

[The Fat Kid]

I've never had an insurance card, I got pulled over in CT and they asked for my insurance card and I was like... Uh we don't have those...?

Weird, my last two car-insurance companies in MA were GEICO and Progressive; both had insurance cards, so I thought this was something new.

Oh, and if you want to discuss something annoying in MA, I can bitch endlessly about the excise tax as it is due for my 2015 S4 at the end of the month!

[MacRS5]

I haven't run a front plate on my RS5 since I got it almost 3 years ago. I can't bear to cover up that grille. No problems to date. I haven't had any moving violations, but I have had a few parking tickets, but no extra fees/penalties for lack of the front plate.

[Lambda13]

I haven't run a front plate on my RS5 since I got it almost 3 years ago. I can't bear to cover up that grille. No problems to date. I haven't had any moving violations, but I have had a few parking tickets, but no extra fees/penalties for lack of the front plate.

Do you park on the street? That's my only concern. I think the meter maids get paid on the number of tickets they issue.

[ThatGuyRyan]

[essfour]

I have received two violations for "failure to display front plate". They count the same as any other violation such as speeding or running a red light etc. Usually they wont pull you over specifically for not having a front plate but, in my case both times, I was pulled over for speeding and tagged with an additional violation for not having the front plate - so I was cited for two violations at the same time. And remember in mass if you receive 3 violations in a calendar year it is an immediate 30 day suspension of your license.

So in my opinion, it is not worth it. Because if you are pulled over for casually driving over the limit the officer is within his/her right to tag you with an additional violation, giving you two in one shot and leaving you with the trouble of knowing that the next violation you receive (speeding, expired registration, no front plate, etc) will result in an immediate suspension.

[Lambda13]

I have received two violations for "failure to display front plate". They count the same as any other violation such as speeding or running a red light etc. Usually they wont pull you over specifically for not having a front plate but, in my case both times, I was pulled over for speeding and tagged with an additional violation for not having the front plate - so I was cited for two violations at the same time. And remember in mass if you receive 3 violations in a calendar year it is an immediate 30 day suspension of your license.

So in my opinion, it is not worth it. Because if you are pulled over for casually driving over the limit the officer is within his/her right to tag you with an additional violation, giving you two in one shot and leaving you with the trouble of knowing that the next violation you receive (speeding, expired registration, no front plate, etc) will result in an immediate suspension.

I was told that that rule only applies to moving violations, speeding, running a red, failure to stop, reckless driving, etc. Improper equipment, parking tickets, expired registration, expired inspection sticker, are not moving violations which therefore does not count towards the 30 day suspension? I'd love some clarity on this haha.

[JFR]

No front plate is not a moving violation, meaning no points. Tint violation is not a moving violation. Expired inspection sticker IS a moving violation.

-JR

[Jv218]

Weird, my last two car-insurance companies in MA were GEICO and Progressive; both had insurance cards, so I thought this was something new.

Oh, and if you want to discuss something annoying in MA, I can bitch endlessly about the excise tax as it is due for my 2015 S4 at the end of the month!

Yeah, I'm not looking forward to that either my insurance already got me for the change in vehicle

[Lambda13]

No front plate is not a moving violation, meaning no points. Tint violation is not a moving violation. Expired inspection sticker IS a moving violation.

-JR

You sure? I got one of those as well and it didn't count against me on my insurance or show up in my driving record when I switched insurance?

[JFR]

Inspection sticker? Yes. Positive that is a moving violation. MGL C.90 7a and 20.
See also:
http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/docs/doi/l...gs/211-134.pdf

This doc contains the listings and MGL cites for all major and minor moving violations.