While driving on a Houston road, from time to time, you may notice that some vehicles don’t have license plates affixed to their front bumpers. If you’ve questioned whether it’s legal, you’re not alone.
The Texas Two-Plate Law
Texas law requires vehicles to have two license plates, one at the exterior front end and the other at the exterior rear end. The law also states that the plates must be “clearly visible, readable, and legible” and must be fastened upright and horizontally 12 inches or more from the ground.
The law makes an exception for road tractors, motorcycles, trailers, and semi-trailers. They may display one license plate, yet it must be mounted as close as practical to the vehicle’s exterior back end and more than 12 inches from the ground.
Texas is one of the 31 states that requires front car plates and rear car plates. States established the two-plate law in part or full to help police officers identify the owner of a vehicle. They allow officers to view a vehicle plate number when they approach from the front or behind, which is crucial when they make traffic stops, respond to car accidents, or need to identify stolen vehicles. They also help in identifying vehicles passing through automated toll booths.
The number of states requiring a front and rear license plate has dropped in recent years. Currently, all of the states surrounding Texas have eliminated the requirement, and more states beyond its borders are following suit.
Utah legislators, for instance, approved a measure this spring to do away with the state’s two-plate law. Under the amended law, vehicle owners need only fasten a plate to the rear bumper.
Opposition To the Law
In Texas, the two-plate requirement has spurred contention. Some argue a second license plate adds to consumer costs and that not all vehicles have the space to mount them at the front end. It sometimes forces vehicle owners to mar the bumper to fasten the plate.
Drivers — especially sports car owners — often ignore the front-end license plate rule for aesthetic purposes. Although it’s not always visible and could give a police officer cause to pull the driver over, they often place the plate on the front passenger side dashboard. The latter, some assert, causes safety concerns because it obstructs the driver’s view.
Texas lawmakers have attempted to amend the law. One recent proposal in the legislature tried to exempt cars costing $60,000 or more from the law, and another bill aimed to require only a rear license plate for passenger cars and light trucks.
The Penalties For Violating the Texas License Plate Law
A driver pulled over for displaying only a rear or front license plate can expect a ticket of up to $200. Remember, in addition to displaying two plates, Texas law expresses that both plates must be clearly visible.
The front license plate holder and the back plate holder must not obscure the plate number. A driver may receive a citation if any of the plate’s letters or numbers can’t be read by law enforcement.
The court may dismiss the fine if the driver demonstrates that they have mounted the license plate or corrected the obscurity before their first court appearance. The dismissal will typically cost a small administrative fee.
No More Doubts
If you had any doubts about whether it’s legal to own and operate a car without a front license plate, there you have it. It’s not legal. Although lawmakers have launched efforts to amend it, Texas law still mandates a front and rear plate. And don’t forget: both plates must be fastened as stipulated by the law and be clearly visible.
Contact the Undefeated Personal Injury Lawyers from Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact our Undefeated Personal Injury attorneys in Texas at Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
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