Legality of driving without a bumper (home, legal, license plate)

[silvad242]

I got rear-ended recently and have to replace a rear light and the bumper assembly. Is it legal to drive without a bumper cover? I have to put the license plate in the rear window till I add the bumper, which I assume is more questionable. I know that I must replace the light ASAP before I drive it.

[ji603]

You can drive without a bumper. You need one functioning taillight, and a license plate light.

[urbex]

Originally Posted by silvad242

I have to put the license plate in the rear window till I add the bumper, which I assume is more questionable.

Originally Posted by ji603

and a license plate light.

This is what's going to get you - how do you put a license plate light on a plate in the rear window?

While chances are that you're unlikely to get cited for it (assuming you don't have a "F the cops" attitude..), it will be seen by many officers as probable cause for a stop. Even if you're "not doing anything wrong", I can say from prior experience that it gets mighty annoying after the fifth or sixth time, waiting on the side of the road for 15 minutes while the officers decides to just give you a warning, as it more often than not seems to occur when you're either late for something already, or just want to get home already...never at a truly convienent time to waste a few minutes

[Bummer]

I agree, Urbex . . .

Another one of those NOT WORTH THE RISK type of things. There are many "infractions" that will not justify a stop, however, opening the door is definitely not a wise idea.

[Ponderosa]

To make my side-by-side quad "street legal" I had to have tailights, turn signals and a lighted license plate holder in back. No bumper! But the plate in the window does not cut it. I seriously doubt the man is going to give you any grief though if it is in the window unless you "look suspicious" if you get my drift.