Front License Plate Required as of September 2013
Money Saving News From WirelessDefensiveDriving.com
Did you think it was okay to be missing one of your license plates? I have always known that you needed at least one so that law enforcement could identify you – “run your plates”, so to speak. But as of Sept. 1, 2013, you have to have both of your plates, front and back, to be legal. If you do not, you may be looking at a fine of no more than $200.
Now, my first thought was, “Didn’t we already have a law in place for this?” And I would be right with a big exception. Funny story; it seems that in 2011 legislators took out the punishment part of this law by mistake. The law was in place but there was no fine mandated. It had been deleted. So a cop was less likely to pull you over for this in the last two years, even though they could issue you a ticket, there would be no payoff for them.
So this is how it works. A police officer can stop anyone for not having a front or rear license plate; along the same lines as stopping you for changing lanes illegally, driving too slow or running a stop sign (not exactly defensive driving :)). With the fine in place now we will undoubtedly see this happening more often.
Why is it so necessary to have front and back plates? Dave Lieber, in his current Dallas Morning News report, brought this issue to light: “I see it as a safety tool that helps eyewitnesses and law enforcement identify the bad guys. Front plates double the chance for a clear ID of, say, a hit and run driver, a child molester or killer.” He also makes the point that police from several cities lobbied for the new law saying that having both plates makes it easier and safer for them to do their jobs. No license plate will give them reason to pull a person over where they can check for driver’s license, insurance and any outstanding warrants.
So, as of Sept 1, all registered vehicles, even commercial vehicles must have front and rear plates.
The result is a misdemeanor with a fine of no more than $200. For most of us that won’t be much of a problem but for some Corvette and Prius owners it could be. Some of those models do not come with a place for a front plate. So some drivers will be out on the holiday weekend scrambling to find a way to comply.
No matter what the case, always turn to WirelessDefensiveDriving.com for the most up to date information on driving safety in Texas.
