New version of front license plate bill would just exempt cars made without spots for them

Sen. Jim Patrick has brought a new version of his bill to get rid of the requirement for front license plates on cars, this one just to exempt those vehicles that were “manufactured with no place to put the plates.” Patrick said this measure is a back-up, in case his other bill doesn’t advance.

“There’s Porsches, there’s Mustangs, there’s Camaros,” Patrick to the Senate Transportation Committee today. “I happen to have one of those cars, but I do have a plate on the front, by the way, hanging on the radiator.”

Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb, D-Boise, asked him, “What does law enforcement say about one license plate?” Patrick responded, “Law enforcement doesn’t exactly appreciate this, because they say in some cases they’re able to read the front plate in town, you can’t do it on the highway, and potentially find a stolen car,” Patrick said. “But these cars I’m talking about on this legislation, most of ‘em currently don’t have a plate. They get pulled over, they’re told they should have a plate. But in effect, I can point out a lot of these cars that don’t.”

The Idaho State Police earlier issued a statement opposing Patrick’s original bill, citing safety and crime-related concerns. After several questions, the Senate committee agreed to introduce the new version this afternoon. “The other bill is still in the works,” Patrick said.