Front license plate center or using tow hook?

[ebeller08]

My 992 arrives in a few weeks and I am in a state (NY) where a front license plate is required. I was at a car saw today and saw a front plate (see photo) installed using a tow hook. I was told this helps ensure the front sensors are clear of the plate. I think this is just a style choice as almost every other 911 I have seen with front plates mounted in the center. I appreciate any feedback

[R1Samurai]

My person preference would be the tow hook option. I'm not a fan of drilling into the bumper. I do think having the plate centered on the car looks better aesthetically.

[Tom]

I had the tow-hook mount on a former BMW I owned. It was the best no-drill option I could find, but not ideal. The problem was that the whole plate mounts on a central post, with a pseudo ball socket on the end of the post to let you match the plate angle to the bumper. As a result, it seems like no matter how much I tightened it, It would be out of whack within a few weeks -- and don't even think about an automatic car wash (it was a 100-mile-a-day commuter for me). If you must have a front plate, it's probably still the best option to mount a real plate without drilling, although in California there is a test program that makes stick-on vinyl plates street legal in front. If this option is available in your state, I'd say it is by far the best.

https://licenseplatewrap.com/

Knock on wood, but no-front plate mostly seems to be an add-on fine once pulled over or -- more commonly -- when getting parking tickets.

[Larry C]

I don’t know how NY compares to CA but I haven’t used a front license plate in over 40 years. I’ve been cited twice. The first time it was a ‘fix-it’ ticket and I placed a plate on, went to the DMV, then removed it. Years later I received a second ticket. This time I was offered the option to install a front plate or pay a fine of $25.00. I wrote the check as soon as as I got home. In Los Angeles, about 10% of cars don’t have front plates including 90% of Tesla’s.

[rarceo]

I was at a recent informal PCA meetup and saw a GT4 with a metal front plate attached to the tow hook. It looked solid and sturdy. Asked the guy about it and said he got it on Rennlist. Here in TX it’s required to have a front plate, but like Larry, I’ll take my chances and pay the fine instead of drilling holes or adding that front plate at the tow hook.

[Erichorodas]

I live in California and mount a frontvplate only if the car is set up for a front, ie on my 2017 Macan GTS. I have no front plate on my 2020 992. I have never been cited over the years for no frontvplate.

[Dogzard]

I also live in an area that requires a front plate.

I've tried the Rennline tow hook mount. It is solid, but, yes, it does have a tendency to rotate. I do a lot of HDPE, so I was always putting it in and out and it never got too far off.

I've tried a Carbonio under spoiler mount for a GT4 and it was garbage (and coincidently not sold anymore). To mount it, there was a very specific placement that required lying on the ground to get right. Then, it moved and banged on every single speed bump and would come loose. Once, the entire mount ended up wedged under the car. The manufacturer was not very supportive.

Now, I'm like the most of you and going to pay the fine if caught. But, I live in an exceptionally high tax jurisdiction and expect the bill to be more than $25

[Greg2010]

I live in CA and although its “required” to display a front license plate, many carowners do not (although I understand that parking meter enforcers seem to be more aggressive in citing cars without a front license plate).

However, I just keep my front plate inside the frunk…just in case I get asked about it from law enforcement some day (if that day comes — I expect it will undoubtedly be an interesting conversation

[blueline]

Not to rub salt in the wounds of those on this thread, but I'm pleased that we don't have front license plates where I live.

[blueline]

This should be easy in CA - if you get pulled over just tell law enforcement that the improved aerodynamics are saving fuel and/or electricity. Voila! Do it good naturedly with a smile and, assuming no other infractions in play, you might get a return smile and a "have a good day" response.