Minnesota Eliminates Front Plates...

[MatthewLTL]

Strange thing, I discovered that in 2012 the Minnesota House eliminated the front license plate, However when I contacted the Minnesota DVS (MNs version of the DMV) they sad they had no knowledge of this. here is one of many links to prove that this happened.

Question is what ever happened to this? Obviously it never went into effect and being that i now see a handful of vehicles on the streets with no front plates but have MN plates on the back make me wonder if this finally went into effect. As of October (when my regstration is due) they still issued me two plates and the MN Statutes still state you need the front plates, this either means these vehicles I have been seeing are breaking the law or that MN has not yet updated their statute and most of us are simply not aware that we no longer need them.

 

[Toppa G's]

The article you linked to was just a bill during the legislative session - I don't believe it's been signed into law.

Here's an "Ask A Trooper" article from September 2014 that references the MN statute that both plates are required.
http://hometownsource.com/2014/09/08/minnesota-vehicles-must-have-front-and-rear-license-plates/

It lists exceptions for some vehicles not required to display a front plate.

Much like vanity license plate frames that cover expiration month and year (also illegal in MN), people without front plates are probably either making a conscious choice to break the law or are unaware of the law.

 

[MatthewLTL]

The article you linked to was just a bill during the legislative session - I don't believe it's been signed into law.

Here's an "Ask A Trooper" article from September 2014 that references the MN statute that both plates are required.
http://hometownsource.com/2014/09/08/minnesota-vehicles-must-have-front-and-rear-license-plates/

It lists exceptions for some vehicles not required to display a front plate.

Much like vanity license plate frames that cover expiration month and year (also illegal in MN), people without front plates are probably either making a conscious choice to break the law or are unaware of the law.

Ha! I JUST read that article not even 5 minutes ago!

about the frames that cover the month and year, What about mine? My plate frames go over the year and month however you can still completely see the registration month and year.

Also I think it all has to do with HOW WELL the law is actually enforced... Cops can check the validity of registration by simply running the plate number so i think a frame covering the month and year (Which I always knew was illegal) is rather irrelivent as to be a probable cause to stop cars. A law went in effect in 2002 that made it illegal for cops to pull over cars just for plates however that law went in effect for Whiskey Plates so I don't know if it applies to regular plates

 

[Toppa G's]

Ha! I JUST read that article not even 5 minutes ago!

about the frames that cover the month and year, What about mine? My plate frames go over the year and month however you can still completely see the registration month and year.

Also I think it all has to do with HOW WELL the law is actually enforced... Cops can check the validity of registration by simply running the plate number so i think a frame covering the month and year (Which I always knew was illegal) is rather irrelivent as to be a probable cause to stop cars. A law went in effect in 2002 that made it illegal for cops to pull over cars just for plates however that law went in effect for Whiskey Plates so I don't know if it applies to regular plates

If the full numbers are still readable, they should be ok. I had a friendly roadside chat with an officer last year who advised me to remove my wife's plate frame that was of this design:

Basically, if they have you pulled over for some other reason and they are looking for reasons to write tickets, a plate frame in violation would give them one such reason.

 

[MatthewLTL]

If the full numbers are still readable, they should be ok. I had a friendly roadside chat with an officer last year who advised me to remove my wife's plate frame that was of this design:

Basically, if they have you pulled over for some other reason and they are looking for reasons to write tickets, a plate frame in violation would give them one such reason.

I see alot of Dealer frames and Minnesota Vikings plate frames that have that or a simular design too

 

[puma1552]

first ive heard that MN was trying to (or had tried to) eliminate front plates.

i have no front plate, and have had no problems thus far.

 

[MatthewLTL]

first ive heard that MN was trying to (or had tried to) eliminate front plates.

i have no front plate, and have had no problems thus far.

what county are you in?

 

[puma1552]

ramsey, not that that would matter for a statewide law

 

[MatthewLTL]

ramsey, not that that would matter for a statewide law

it depends on how big your police force is. In olmsted you could probably drive with no plates and likelihood of getting stopped would be slim. I see plenty of cars driving around with expired tabs and even a few with no front plates, I see plenty and lots of cars with illegal plate frames and covers too.