Texas Plate Laws

[jamesd]

I recently moved into Austin with photo devices and laser all over the place. They seem to have plenty of money invested into these devices.

I read a few things around the web about how front plates are mandatory but something ending on November 1, 2005. Does anyone know any good Texas legislation resources online that are up to date? I don't want to give a cop a reason to harass me with any devices around the front plate that are illegal. It sucks because we also have white plates and I think veil will be noticable on the plate.

[CLTX11]

You cannot have anything on or around the plate's. I havent heard anything about it changing either.

[edweird]

I saw on the TV news while in Houston (I work there a lot) a story about folks getting ticketed for simply having a frame around (not over) their tag. Obscuring any part of the tag, including just a small part at the top or bottom is against the law. Some car dealers had been putting them on the cars they sold off their lots, but folks had no idea there was a problem until they were pulled over, or questioned by the TV reporter.

Ed

[jamesd]

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...9&forum_id=103

Here is a thread discussing the law. There is mention of "not having to worry about the front plate past Nov. 1". Anybody get any useful information out of this?

[binarysleep]

There was a provision in proposed legislation to stop the front plate requirement, however it was removed.

Basically, the plate has to be displayed in the front and rear without distortion of the lettering or numbers.

Your city or county might have it's own ordinances (highly unlikely), but according to the state of Texas, one could interpret a windscreen placement acceptable as long as it was readable.

Coincidentally, I drove a late model Volvo for years across Texas, NEVER once stopped for a missing front place. In fact, I was cited for speeding a few times within that period, and even then was never questioned about the lack of a plate. I usually drive with the plate within reach, and toss it up if I’m pulled over.

§ 502.404. OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT LICENSE[0] PLATE[0] OR
REGISTRATION INSIGNIA. (a) A person commits an offense if the
person operates on a public highway during a registration period a
passenger car or commercial motor vehicle that does not display[0] two
license[0] plates[0], at the front and rear of the vehicle, that have
been:
(1) assigned by the department for the period; or
(2) validated by a registration insignia issued by the
department that establishes that the vehicle is registered for the
period.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person operates on a
public highway during a registration period a passenger car or
commercial motor vehicle, other than a vehicle assigned license[0]
plates[0] for the registration period, that does not properly display[0]
the registration insignia issued by the department that establishes
that the license[0] plates[0] have been validated for the period.
(c) A person commits an offense if the person operates on a
public highway during a registration period a road tractor,
motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer that does not display[0] a license[0]
plate[0], attached to the rear of the vehicle, that has been:
(1) assigned by the department for the period; or
(2) validated by a registration insignia issued by the
department that establishes that the vehicle is registered for the
period.
(d) Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to a dealer
operating a vehicle as provided by law.
(e) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.


§ 502.409. WRONG, FICTITIOUS, ALTERED, OR OBSCURED
LICENSE[0] PLATE[0]. (a) A person commits an offense if the person
attaches to or displays[0] on a motor vehicle a number plate[0] or
registration insignia that:
(1) is assigned to a different motor vehicle;
(2) is assigned to the vehicle under any other motor
vehicle law other than by the department;
(3) is assigned for a registration period other than
the registration period in effect;
(4) is fictitious;
(5) has letters, numbers, or other identification
marks that because of blurring or reflective matter are not plainly
visible at all times during daylight;
(6) has an attached illuminated device or sticker,
decal, emblem, or other insignia that is not authorized by law and
that interferes with the readability of the letters or numbers on
the plate[0] or the name of the state in which the vehicle is
registered; or
(7) has a coating, covering, or protective material
that:
(A) distorts angular visibility or
detectability; or
(B) alters or obscures the letters or numbers on
the plate[0], the color of the plate[0], or another original design
feature of the plate[0].
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (f), an offense under
Subsection (a) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more
than $200, unless it is shown at the trial of the offense that the
owner knowingly altered or made illegible the letters, numbers, and
other identification marks, in which case the offense is a Class B
misdemeanor.

[AirMoore]

Hmmm... does this also go for motorcycles too, or does the Texas only mandate 1 lisence plate to (for) them...so they only need one? Basically anyone who lives in Texas or knows more about this law im wondering.

BTW: I also assume looking at this that a claus for the out-of-staters w/different laws is there? (Since if you look at #1 'the department' that registered the vehicle may not -if out of state- have required that vehicle to have multiple plates)

[The Walt]

I think a lot of it depends on the mood of the officer. A strict view of the laws prohibit any kind of plate/frame around license plate. Stickers don't come in to play at all because they are posted on the windshield. When the law first came into play, even the frames of the dealerships had to be removed. Again, that's a strict interpretation.

What they actually write people up for is a different story. Kind of like all the neon lights and crap people stick under their cars, or the LEDs placed on the hood with the windshield sprayer is illegal, but you never see people pulled over for it, and I see them everywhere.