TX License Plate Requirements (law, license plates, bill)

[kevcrawford]

Does anyone know if we're required to have a plate on the front of the car? Or just the rear? Just got a new car and the front end is beautiful. I'd hate to drill into the front bumper to mount one.

[fusQer]

You're supposed to have one in the "front and back" but "front" is not defined. I'm like you-- so I keep my license plate on the dash inside the car. Cop can still pull you over for it, but if he gives you a ticket you have grounds for dismissal. There is a TX Appeals Court case regarding this exact topic!

[kevcrawford]

Thanks. Hope it passes. I'll wait it out (no cops here, right?)

Hate to have it in the front windshield though, because in a wreck, that thing becomes a flying razor blade!!

[01Snake]

Yes, you have to have a front plate in TX. People have been trying to get this law removed for years but it never seems to pass. I've got several sports cars and I sure as hell ain't drilling holes in the front bumper and slapping a hideous license plate on there. I've been stopped for it a few times but no tickets yet.

[TXtrkgrl]

Yep, it's the law. I've been stopped for it too, but no tickets yet.

[sinsativ]

Straight out of the Law book. As Follows:
State law requires that you display two (2) license plates, one to the front and one to the rear. Placement or mounting of license plates is not defined.
§ 502.402. OPERATION OF UNREGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLE.
(a) A person commits an offense if the person operates a motor vehicle that has not been registered as required by law. An offense under this subsection is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.

[kevcrawford]

Thanks for all the replies. Seems a shame to ruin the look of a perfectly good eurobumper. Rooting for the new bill to pass!

[sinsativ]

Well, technically the "front" of the car is anything beyond the steering wheel, so, if its behind the grill, under the hood, anywhere in that area, is quote, "to the front" the law doesn't state, anything about visability from the front, or placement or mounting.

[majormadmax]

Actually, this is the current law...

Sec. 502.404. OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT LICENSE PLATE 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 two license plates, 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 plates for the registration period, that does not properly display the registration insignia issued by the department that establishes that the license plates 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 a license plate, 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.

(f) A court may dismiss a charge brought under Subsection (a) if the defendant:

(1) remedies the defect before the defendant's first court appearance; and

(2) pays an administrative fee not to exceed $10.

(g) A court may dismiss a charge brought under Subsection (b) if the defendant:

(1) shows that:

(A) the passenger car or commercial motor vehicle was issued a registration insignia by the department that establishes that the vehicle was registered for the period during which the offense was committed; and

(B) the registration insignia described in Paragraph (A) was attached to the passenger car or commercial motor vehicle before the defendant's first court appearance; and

(2) pays an administrative fee not to exceed $10.

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

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1027, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007. (Source (http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/TN/content/htm/tn.007.00.000502.00.htm#502.404.00 - broken link))

And yes, it pained me greatly to have to drill holes in the bumper of my brand new Toyota; but it had to be done.

Cheers! M2

[TexHwyMan]

Originally Posted by sinsativ

Well, technically the "front" of the car is anything beyond the steering wheel, so, if its behind the grill, under the hood, anywhere in that area, is quote, "to the front" the law doesn't state, anything about visability from the front, or placement or mounting.

As majormadmax posted, the law states that the plate must be mounted "at the front...of the vehicle". So putting it in the front windshield or anywhere else that's not at the very front-end of the vehicle would not technically be legal.