How Legal Driving & Vehicle Law License Plates Front License Plate Law in TX

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eHowLegalDriving & Vehicle Law
License PlatesFront License Plate Law in TX

By Brandi Palkoner,

Texas requires both front and back license plates. Laws regulating the license plate requirements on a vehicle vary depending on the state in which the vehicle is registered. Many states mandate that a license plate be displayed only on the rear of a vehicle and do not issue a front plate. Other states, such as Texas, require placement of two state-issued license plates, one each on the front and rear of the vehicle.
Other People Are Reading What are the Texas Motor Vehicle License Plate Laws? License Plate Laws in Texas Requirements According to Section 502.404 of the Texas Transportation Code, vehicles registered in the state should bear both front and rear license plates. The law does not specify the method of mounting or the exact placement of the license plates beyond the requirement that both should be visible on each end of the vehicle. Drivers are prohibited from altering or framing the plates in any way that interferes with the legibility of either the plate number or the state of issue as stated in Section 502.409 of the Texas Transportation Code.
Consequences Failure to comply with the front license plate requirement may result in the issuance of a citation to the vehicle's owner. This is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $200. Upon receiving the citation, the vehicle owner may pay the fine or plead not guilty and receive a court date by mail. The charge may be dismissed at the discretion of the presiding judge if the violator installs the front plate prior to the first court appearance.
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StateDebtHelp.com/Do-You-Qualify? Benefits Supporters of the front license plate requirement maintain that it protects the safety of motorists on the road. The front license plate enables law enforcement officials to identify a vehicle when the rear plate is not visible. Many cities throughout Texas have installed red light cameras at busy intersections in an effort to catch red-light runners and decrease the number of resulting accidents. The cameras use motion sensors to take a photograph of the front end of any car running the red light and a citation is later sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. In some cases, witnesses to accidents and other crimes may be able to identify a vehicle by viewing the front license plate.
Disadvantages Despite the potential benefits of displaying a front plate, many Texas drivers would prefer to display only the rear plate. Some vehicle owners complain that a license plate on the front ruins the aesthetics of the vehicle. Often newer model cars are manufactured without a bracket for placement of the front license plate. Texas drivers may order a bracket from the dealer to attach to the front end of the car or holes may be drilled into the front bumper to adhere the license plate with screws. Another drawback of the requirement for two plates is the cost to the state. In 1993, the state comptroller's office estimated a budget reduction of $3 million per year if they eliminated the front plate requirement.
Petition to Revoke A petition to revoke the law has been created by Texans who disagree with the front plate requirement. As of June 1, 2010, over 21,000 signatures have been acquired in support of repealing the law.