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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.
