Go to the LPW site and choose from the menu of eight kinds of plates. For interested CA residents, the first step to getting on board is to make sure your registration is current. The exploratory program has been extended and opened to the public. After being approved, LPW passed a series of tests with the California Highway Patrol, then succeeded with a pilot program involving 28 fleet vehicles. A company in Huntington Beach, California called License Plate Wrap presented its idea for license plate stickers to the Senate in 2014. In 2013, the California Senate tasked the DMV with brainstorming ways to avoid the annual rigmarole of sending stickers and cards to vehicle owners. It's taken nine years and five bills in the California State Legislature to get to this point, and the program is still in pilot phase. Which is why the debut E-Type had a giant sticker on its hood reading, "9600 HP," the coupe its own sticker with "77 RW." The quest to avoid diminishing a car's leading-edge design continues to this day, and California might have provided a solution for everyone: Jalopnik reports the state now allows stickers to be used as front license plates. Especially with expensive sports cars, it’s a shame to see such a hideous chunk of metal defacing the bumper.The story goes that just before Jaguar debuted the E-Type in 1961, the company asked the British government for an exemption from affixing the mandatory front plate. However, it doesn’t solve the most significant issue: having an ugly tag on your front bumper. However, if the front tag remains in place until you’re finished owning the car, you’ll never see them.Ī front license plate wrap removes the holes in the bumper altogether. As a result, there are holes in the vehicle’s front bumper. Once screwed into the bumper, the license plate mounts onto the bracket easily. Unfortunately, it then requires screws to hold it in place. That way, it sits perfectly contoured against the shape of the car’s bumper. It’s usually made of plastic and designed specifically for your particular model. First, the bracket is mounted on the bumper. If you aren’t aware, a standard front license plate requires a bracket. However, the biggest problem the wrap solves is holes in the bumper. We’re sure the gas prices in California balance it out right now, though. Saving money is something no one ever complains about, especially with cars. However, the wrap is a one-time purchase, meaning it’s a cost-effective measure. In California, it costs $50 a year for a standard license plate. RELATED: Can Someone Really Steal Your Info From Your License Plate?Ī wrap is the best way around front license plates. 806, it says, “Existing law authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue license plates for vehicles, as specified, and to issue one or more stickers, tabs, or other suitable devices in lieu of the license plates, as specified.” Why would you want a license plate wrap? A Mercedes with a front license plate wrap | However, California just extended the program to 2023. It was for only 28 cars and ended in 2021. License Plate Wraps passed the California Highway Patrol’s testing, launching a pilot program in 2015. However, it does solve the other issue, which is drilling unnecessary holes into your car’s bumper. The car is still embarrassingly ugly with the tag visible, so enthusiasts won’t be too happy. Only a single company is approved by the State of California to make it for car owners. In short, it’s a wrap of a license plate instead of a real metal one.
It took until now for the DMV to come back with a solution. According to CarBuzz, California asked the DMV to find alternatives to a front license plate mount as a cost-cutting measure back in 2014. That means residents of other states will have to keep doing it the usual way. Unfortunately, the best way around front license plates is only available in California right now. The best way around front license plates A Tesla with a front license plate wrap | Check out the best way around front license plates you’ve ever seen, License Plate Wraps.
However, there’s a company approved to help you avoid damaging your car’s bumper in one state.
Unfortunately, there’s no way around using one of these ugly accessories if they’re legally required in your state. If you live in a state that requires one, you know what we’re talking about. Front license plates are a car owner’s worst nightmare.