You may take it off.

 

Every officer is different and takes certain things more seriously than others will. I would think that most, like I do, just kind of laugh to ourselves about it and dont increase your fine. It is ironic when we see them, as much as i want to ask them how much they paid for it I don't. Besides me personally, I dont give out speeding tickets, just warnings.

 

I got a ticket for not having a front plate in NY (required, obviously). Like 2 months before that, I simply threw it away when I got home. Unlike the time before, this court actually followed up and suspended my license. I've since moved out of NY, but continue to use my (suspended) NY license/registration. I was hoping I could just turn in my NY license as if I were giving up driving, and apply for a VT license, and be in the clear. Not so, as I've learned, apparently all states participate in a federal program to limit people (like me) from getting a license in a different state after getting a suspension.

So, I really can't see any way around this, I'll have to pay the stupid fine. On top of that now, I have to pay a Scofflaw suspension termination fee. From your knowledge, is this a nation wide surcharge? Personally think it's just another BS 'lets take all the money we can' law that NY decided to enact, much like that retarded 'Driver responsibility assessment'. (trying to figure out if I can get away with not paying all of that, I'll get my last bill for $75 next May).

So, long rant short, do many states use the Scofflaw termination fee?

 

Well by definition scofflaw means one who habitually violates the law or fails to answer court summonses. Many states do have reciprocity so you have to pay your fines. All states will vary in fines, severity, etc. Basically what you are paying is the ticket you originally failed to pay, which resulted in your license being suspended. On top off that you are paying a fine to lift the suspension and possibly a late fee. Long story short, its most cost effective to pay your fines on time because they add up.

 

Ok, sorta figured most/all states had something.

If/when I get a real ticket, aka, speeding. I take care of those promptly. Things like no front plate... thats BS, and especially when the cop pulls me over ONLY because of that, while I have a guy speeding and passing me on the right, in plain view of the cop.

Speeding tickets I get talked down, there's nothing you can do but pay when it comes to the little crap, which is why I let it go. Like I mentioned, the no front plate ticket I got 3 months before this one I thew away, and never heard anything from the court. That equals free, and paying the scofflaw fee, plus the ticket doesn't add up to what the first ticket would have cost me if I just sent in the money, so given my situation, and how it could have played out, I'm coming out on top. I am aware I'm potentially shooting myself in the foot, but I'm ok with that, as long as it's not my accelerator foot. ; )

 

A ticket is a ticket, front plate laws exist for a good reason. We had a thread on here not too long ago where someone was chased by a person, but they couldnt give the police good information because the vehicle had no front tag. Im surprised you saved money, in this state the fine for no front tag is $55 if I remember correctly. Anyhow glad to hear you took care of it and everything is working out for you.

 

I saw that thread.

No front tag in NY is roughly $60, plus $55 court surcharge. Scofflaw fee is $35.

If I had paid both on time, that would have been $210, risking it, and having it pay off like it did, I'll get out paying $140.

Had both courts sent me suspension notices, I'd still have had 30 days to respond and pay, and I wouldn't have paid more than the original ticket/surcharge. My dumbest move is letting the one go beyond that 30 days, so I DO need to pay the scofflaw fee, but I was gambling on getting out of it by leaving NY behind.

If it's any consolation, I promise never to wildy chase someone down, or if I do, I'll do it in reverse so they can see my rear plate. ; )
If the 'vette drivers didn't get away w/ no front plate so easily, I wouldn't raise a complaint, but they even have a cutout that FITS a standard US plate. Not so on the TT, its just too damn nice looking to be cursed with such cancer.

 

Here in Washington they say you need one but I have only been pulled over once for it and that was when I was driving through this super small po-dunk town so the cop had nothing better to do. He didn't give me a ticket though. Just told me to fix it.

Josh

 

Basically when looking at a front tag versus laws it is really up to the person. Is it worth being pulled over, sometimes, ticketed? To some it is, even I agree with some cars it's a shame to ruin the front bumper. I keep mine on because I ask myself why give other officer's a reason to stop me. It isn't often that I pull over a car for just no front tag, however if I am already writing someone multiple tickets I will tack that one on as well.

 

Got a question. As part of a way to help my parents out when I am not at work I routinely pick up car's for inspection at a local car lot. Well I have to drive these car's w/ a dealer plate and normally I cannot put the plate on the car in the normal way. Most of the time it ends up in the rear window but I have noticed that on some of these it is so tinted even stock that you can almost not see the plate behind the glass. Also in some convertible's there is literally nowhere for me to put the plate except maybe in the window on the dash or the seat beside me. I mainly just want to know what your view on this is? If you pulled me over and I am just moving the car a couple miles from a-b would you just let me go when you saw the plate w/ its associated insurance and registry? I have yet to be pulled over for this although once I was followed for a few blocks w/ the plate in the window. I am only 20 probably thought it was strange I was driving a $20k+ car lol. Also occasionally I do the inspections on these cars and as part of an inspection I do need to test the car for power through out the rpm range make sure it doesn't stutter or anything under load. Well I admit that is quite fun but it also looks like wreckless driving. Obviously I don't do it anywhere but the highway but what would an officer think of my excuse that I am test driving the car? Is this gonna look bad for me no matter what due to my age? Just curious if you think I would be ticketed for any of this? Oh and the car's almost always have some sort of paper on the window showing there from the car lot so at least me saying I am test driving it looks legit.