Texas License Plates Become Optional
01-06-2012, 12:26 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Texas License Plates Become Optional
You guys hear about this??
Texas License Plates Become Optional -http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/36/3656.asp
"As part of the update, the new law deleted the license plate statute, returning parts of it to Section 502.473 and 504.943. In moving around the legal language, the bill went through the entire legislative process without anybody noticing that a key line was deleted without providing a replacement: "An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $200."
^
Texas License Plates Become Optional -http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/36/3656.asp
"As part of the update, the new law deleted the license plate statute, returning parts of it to Section 502.473 and 504.943. In moving around the legal language, the bill went through the entire legislative process without anybody noticing that a key line was deleted without providing a replacement: "An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $200."
^
Last edited by Anakalia; 01-06-2012 at 12:59 PM.
01-06-2012, 02:21 PM
#4
Everyday I'm rofling
"Lawmakers will not have a chance to remedy their mistake until January 8, 2013 when the legislature reconvenes, unless Governor Perry calls a special session specifically to address the license plate issue."
I know almost next to nothing about laws/politics, but if he can do the special session thing I would bet they would fix it pretty soon. I would love to take off my front plate though! We'll see what happens...
I know almost next to nothing about laws/politics, but if he can do the special session thing I would bet they would fix it pretty soon. I would love to take off my front plate though! We'll see what happens...
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xX(Tee-L)Xx (02-09-2012)
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01-06-2012, 05:27 PM
#8
No, they are not optional. This is a tired rumor Texas auto enthusiasts need to put to rest before they get tickets.
The state has addressed the issue & has notified that they will accept any & all penalties issued and will issue you fees from the previous legislature.
So yes, you still must run front and rear plates (I've seen idiots think this law does away with those as well). Why we get away with no front plates, I don't know, but they are still required as long as the state will allow you to be ticketed for them under the old rulebook.
The state has addressed the issue & has notified that they will accept any & all penalties issued and will issue you fees from the previous legislature.
So yes, you still must run front and rear plates (I've seen idiots think this law does away with those as well). Why we get away with no front plates, I don't know, but they are still required as long as the state will allow you to be ticketed for them under the old rulebook.
01-06-2012, 10:58 PM
#10
I'm referring to the people who think this law means they can run their cars around without rear license plates in addition.
I would hope no one on this board is stupid enough to drive around like that; it's just begging for a cop to stop you.
I would hope no one on this board is stupid enough to drive around like that; it's just begging for a cop to stop you.
01-07-2012, 01:57 AM
#11
3rd Coast
I drive with my front plate in the glove compartment, but I don't take my rear plate off.
I would be too afraid to do that anyway, because I don't keep up with the laws in a frequent enough manner to know that they actually fixed it.
I would be too afraid to do that anyway, because I don't keep up with the laws in a frequent enough manner to know that they actually fixed it.
01-07-2012, 02:24 AM
#12
No, they are not optional. This is a tired rumor Texas auto enthusiasts need to put to rest before they get tickets.
The state has addressed the issue & has notified that they will accept any & all penalties issued and will issue you fees from the previous legislature.
So yes, you still must run front and rear plates (I've seen idiots think this law does away with those as well). Why we get away with no front plates, I don't know, but they are still required as long as the state will allow you to be ticketed for them under the old rulebook.
The state has addressed the issue & has notified that they will accept any & all penalties issued and will issue you fees from the previous legislature.
So yes, you still must run front and rear plates (I've seen idiots think this law does away with those as well). Why we get away with no front plates, I don't know, but they are still required as long as the state will allow you to be ticketed for them under the old rulebook.
01-07-2012, 08:41 AM
#13
Just trying to put a tired rumor to rest. But fine, I'll just keep my mouth shut next time & let y'all believe this law is dead. 
01-07-2012, 12:29 PM
#15
Pro
Thread Starter
This bill incident is legit! My friend just called me and said he got pulled over this morning for speeding in San Antonio. The cop gave him a warning for speeding but questioned him about his front plate being missing. My friend informed him of the bill and the cop confirmed it is very true but will be eventually repealed. Sooooo we are good for now! Bwahaha! Awesome 
Also I would never take my rear plate off. That's just asking for trouble. lol
Also I would never take my rear plate off. That's just asking for trouble. lol
. Previous owner drilled into the bumper!
01-07-2012, 10:54 PM
#19
This bill incident is legit! My friend just called me and said he got pulled over this morning for speeding in San Antonio. The cop gave him a warning for speeding but questioned him about his front plate being missing. My friend informed him of the bill and the cop confirmed it is very true but will be eventually repealed. Sooooo we are good for now! Bwahaha! Awesome
Also I would never take my rear plate off. That's just asking for trouble. lol
Also I would never take my rear plate off. That's just asking for trouble. lol
From a local DFW police officer.
Yes.
And no.
In their rush to pass a big legislation "package", while cutting and pasting code into the final restructured bill they accidentally left off the last paragraph of the license plate section. That's the paragraph that explains the penalty group for the offense (a fine of up to $200 in this case).
So technically if there is no penalty spelled out in the law then while it is against the law not to have a license plate there is no penalty for violating the law.
However, the Texas attorney general has already stated that they will accept prosecutions and fines using the old penalty until they can call a special session to correct the left off paragraph.
Cliffs:
TECHNICALLY - You don't have to have any license plates at all on your car anywhere in Texas in 2012.
REALISTICALLY - Nothing has changed at all.
And no.
In their rush to pass a big legislation "package", while cutting and pasting code into the final restructured bill they accidentally left off the last paragraph of the license plate section. That's the paragraph that explains the penalty group for the offense (a fine of up to $200 in this case).
So technically if there is no penalty spelled out in the law then while it is against the law not to have a license plate there is no penalty for violating the law.
However, the Texas attorney general has already stated that they will accept prosecutions and fines using the old penalty until they can call a special session to correct the left off paragraph.
Cliffs:
TECHNICALLY - You don't have to have any license plates at all on your car anywhere in Texas in 2012.
REALISTICALLY - Nothing has changed at all.
01-08-2012, 10:35 AM
#22
01-08-2012, 07:36 PM
#23
I'm kidding, but I never run with a front license plate. I have been pulled over 8 times and I make an excuse each time and they always only give me a warning. This was in a 5 year span. Something they don't enforce much. I just tell them that I never received a front license plate when I bought my car and tell them that I will go to the DMV next week to get it (even though it is under my passenger seat). 
Mostly state troopers on I-10 to San Antonio/Austin +I35.
Mostly state troopers on I-10 to San Antonio/Austin +I35.
01-14-2012, 10:40 AM
#24
Rich and Famous
My wife got stopped in Austin for illegal turn.
They checked for front plate {she did not have}.
They said it was required last year and she broke down
and cried to the officer. Saying she was so concerned
and we were both in route to get our new puppy dog.
She got off with a warning on both !!
If I was driving bet it would be a differ story !!
Even if its not law anymore ... I bet those more
conservative counties will still cite or hassel.
Man, Woman, Minority in those counties
can play up big time in Texas.
They checked for front plate {she did not have}.
They said it was required last year and she broke down
and cried to the officer. Saying she was so concerned
and we were both in route to get our new puppy dog.
She got off with a warning on both !!
If I was driving bet it would be a differ story !!
Even if its not law anymore ... I bet those more
conservative counties will still cite or hassel.
Man, Woman, Minority in those counties
can play up big time in Texas.
01-14-2012, 12:47 PM
#25
Registered Member
I keep mine in car door panel and been pulled over a few times. Each time I explain it was an out of state car purchase and the dealer is on back order for months for the front plate bracket, since it is rarely ordered and it being for a 10 year old car, with a funky pointed bumper that means most stock ones won't work. The cops buy it every time and let it go with a warning.
01-14-2012, 04:52 PM
#26
All it means is that they cannot just pull you over for a missing front license plate anymore. They can still give you a sitation for the missing license plate only if they had already pulled you over for commiting an offense.
Keeps them from harrassing you, but you can still get a ticket for it.
Keeps them from harrassing you, but you can still get a ticket for it.
01-15-2012, 07:21 PM
#28
My wife got stopped in Austin for illegal turn.
They checked for front plate {she did not have}.
They said it was required last year and she broke down
and cried to the officer. Saying she was so concerned
and we were both in route to get our new puppy dog.
She got off with a warning on both !!
If I was driving bet it would be a differ story !!
Even if its not law anymore ... I bet those more
conservative counties will still cite or hassel.
Man, Woman, Minority in those counties
can play up big time in Texas.
They checked for front plate {she did not have}.
They said it was required last year and she broke down
and cried to the officer. Saying she was so concerned
and we were both in route to get our new puppy dog.
She got off with a warning on both !!
If I was driving bet it would be a differ story !!
Even if its not law anymore ... I bet those more
conservative counties will still cite or hassel.
Man, Woman, Minority in those counties
can play up big time in Texas.
01-31-2012, 09:59 AM
#31
Rich and Famous
.Crazy Prices.
My Friend was warned 2 years ago that she needed Tx front plates on her Audi Q7.
I offered to drill and screw it but to the dealer she went.
They said she needed a front bumper garud for lic plates
and the damage was $450.
02-01-2012, 12:39 PM
#32
Desert Life Sucks!!
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Check with local vendors here on AZ like Ack05tl.
02-01-2012, 02:45 PM
#34
Advanced
02-01-2012, 02:48 PM
#35
Registered Member
well my story above got me out of another ticket today. State trooper, going the opposite direction, did a fast 180 to pull me over for my missing front plate. Told him the 'back order' story and mocked the pointed bumper and it was quickly dismissed with a warning.
I wanted to ask him about this revision of the law, but since I was getting off with a warning, I didn't want to push my luck.
I wanted to ask him about this revision of the law, but since I was getting off with a warning, I didn't want to push my luck.
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bigalperez (06-22-2012)
02-09-2012, 08:15 AM
#38
Advanced
Got pulled over for missing my front license plate. Granted I got off with a warning, but the Irony is that I was heading to Lowe's to pick up some plugs for the hole
02-10-2012, 10:45 AM
#39
