AFVETTE

I'm retired USAF currently working on a USAF base. I have not mounted the front plate (IL requires one) on ANY of my vette's for over 20 years. Never had an issue, until yesterday.

I needed to run to the base (commissary) to pick up some things since my son was headed home on his two weeks of deployment leave (just returned from Jordan) as I approach the main gate (Sunday morning at 7:30 am) there are two young Airman SF troops. I present my retired ID card and as it was being handed to me the guard pulled it back. Seems the second guard had noticed my missing front plate, he walks to the rear of my car and then asks if I have a front plate, not about to lie or make up some BS story I tell them I have a front plate, I just haven't mounted it.

He then says if he permits me on base he'll have to cite me. So they let me turn around and I return home. Of course they were professional and even complimented my car, my vanity plate (AFVETTE) and my service but the law is the law.

So I'll be mounting my front plate using the AEROPLATE mod.

Cheers

Stan0324

So, what happens to you if they cite you ? Seems like you just had bad luck showing up at the gate when these two men were on duty. I did not know that you needed to have two plates on your car in order to enter a military base.

JoesC5

That settles it. I will never drive on another Air Force base.

W88fixer

He lives in IL and the base is in IL, so absolutely he must mount whatever license/s the state requires. Bases follow state laws unless they contradict their own military regulations.

The contrary may also apply. For example, having a concealed handgun permit from the state where the base is located probably doesn’t give you diddly. I had a NM permit and if caught with a handgun on Kirtland AFB NM, even in the trunk of your car the penalty is one year loss of driving privileges. Don

AFVETTE

Correct and even if the military citation wasn't reported to the state, it does get reported to my unit. X number of citations and I could loose my on base driving privileges regardless of what the state knows or does.

But I just checked with the SF LE Desk and yes the base is obligated to report ALL citations issued on base to the state.

Rules are rules. I'll happily comply.

Landru

Don't know if the retractable bracket's available for C7 yet, but it'd be an ideal solution for your needs.
Coming on base simply flick a switch & plate swings-up & displays.
Leaving base flick switch & plate pivots under front end, unseen.

Would work when stopped by locals also, I'd wager few if any LEOs are aware such a contraption exists. Just an idea.

BBBOOMR

I keep my front plate and some cable ties in my trunk just in case....

MikeLsx

i hope my state never gets the front licenses plate law. takes away from the looks of the car.

-HAIRBALL-

I would drive a different car on base. I had a similar issue (tire issue on MCAS Miramar). I was told my tires extended past the fender so I needed to add fender flares in order to drive the truck on base. That was my daily driver so I did not have much choice.

Greg00Coupe

We went to a wedding in Virginia Beach as some navy base where supposedly the seals train. Stayed 2 days as some really nice housing they had on base.

Were on a preapproved list........ we had to provide SS# and the like a month before the wedding.

What a joke that security was........ they just waved folks through. Asked can I help you? We said here for the wedding...... them go on through. Checked ID randomly.

2 or 3 folks in the guard shack......... no security.

kennb44

I too live in IL and don't run a front plate. The only time I had a problem was when I was parked at Ohare. Now I know not to park there .

firefighting101

Those guards at the gate were there to warn you that SEALs were inside.

SEALs don't need protection, they protect us.

C6 MoneyPit

Well they would be in trouble if Chuck Norris decided to crash the wedding.

WesC7

Just picked up my new C7 last week. Didn't put front plate on car.

I work at same location as you...AFVETTE.... I "WAS" planning on driving my C7 to work a couple times a week......that's not going to happen now.

Thanks for the heads-up!!

Ernest_T

Traffic court on a military installation for retirees is a federal magistrate.