If Daryn's car was somewhat new and we all know it takes a while to receive plates in the mail, could it be that the front license plate wasn't removed, but simply never attached to begin with?
Also, I don't know how it is in other states but here in CA they don't really search out cars missing the front plate- it's a law but low on the totem pole, KWIM? So it's not guaranteed that if he hasn't put the front plate on yet, he would have been cited for that. Some people try to keep them off in order to drive through things like toll booths without the front plate being caught on camera. This could be for a couple reasons: usually to avoid payment, but possibly something else for Daryn now that I think about it... Maybe that front plate was removed/not installed purposely to fly under the radar more clearly.
If you drive through a toll booth with a missing tag and without paying then a picture is taken of the vehicle.