I just got my Maryland plates and I have the rear installed. I plan to keep the front plate on the side of the passenger seat and wait until I get pulled over and then act friendly-stupid. If asked about the plate I'll say there are not mount holes and I have been looking for a suitable bracket and ask the officer if he has any ideas. I may even tell him the dealer told me it was OK since the car has a Federal bumper exemption. Hopefully this will merit a warning only. After the first incident I will buy a bracket and keep the plate affixed to the bracket behind the seat and explain that it fell off and that I plan to put it back once I get home; I may even scuff it up a bit for effect. I figure this will hold me for several years. Heck, I may even take the front plate of my '71 coupe as an act of defiance!
I just ran in to a young fellow with a 3-series BMW who did not have a front tag. He had screwed both of them on the back (one on top of other). He said he got pulled over a few weeks ago and got a warning - the officer told him to put the plate on the front when he got home. He agreed but somehow forgot.
Another good bet is to donate to the police protective fund charities and get the window decals. The Sheriff's and Firemans funds are also a good bet. I don't know if they will help when pulled over but they can't hurt.
You got'ta love civil disobience. Okay, maybe misdemeanor offenses. Kind of like going 24.9mph (not quite reckless) over the speed limit on highway entrance/exit ramps; of course no one here ever does that.
