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Most vehicles in Texas need a front and rear license plate. If the police catch you without one, you face a $200 fine. However, you could have the charge dismissed if you install a front license plate and pay a $10 reimbursement fee.
While Texas law requires a front plate, there are practical reasons for these license plates, including making it easier to identify the vehicles and drivers involved in a crash.
Are There Other Texas License Plate Laws?
The Texas Transportation Code contains many requirements for license plates. These laws state the following:
- While most cars must have front and rear license plates, certain vehicles only need a rear plate, including motorcycles and trailers.
- You must make sure your license plates are mounted properly and clearly visible. That means you must remove dirt, grit, or other debris that could cover your license plates. You cannot cover the letters or numbers of your license plates with stickers or other objects, and you must make sure your plates won’t fly off when your vehicle is moving.
- You cannot use fake license plates or ones that are not assigned to your vehicle. For example, you can’t put a friend or family member’s license plates on your car.
- Texas law prohibits license plate flippers or other devices that change or hide the appearance of your license plate. Using a license plate flipper or similar device can lead to criminal charges.
- A lost, stolen, or damaged license plate is not an excuse for not having one. You must apply to the DMV for a proper replacement.
Why Does Texas Require Front and Back License Plates?
One reason Texas requires front and rear license plates is to make it easier for the police and others to identify a vehicle. It’s much easier to track down a vehicle based on its license plate than its make or model, as license plates are unique to an individual car. Without front and rear plates, it’s harder for the police, traffic cameras, and eyewitnesses to identify a car involved in a collision or other incident.
Requiring front and rear plates also makes it easier for parking enforcement officials to do their jobs. Having two plates lets officials identify a vehicle without having to walk around it and potentially step into traffic. Parking officials can do their jobs more efficiently when there are two plates they can look at.
Are There Any Exemptions for the Front Plate Law?
Motorcycles, trailers, road tractors, and semi-trailers only need a rear plate if they are registered in Texas. Most other vehicles must have both a front and rear plate to avoid potential legal penalties.
Are There Penalties for Driving Without a Front License Plate in Texas?
The Texas Transportation Code says driving without a front license plate when required is a misdemeanor offense. The penalty for this offense is a fine of up to $200. There is no jail time for not having a front license plate when required, though not having one and not paying the fine if the police catch you could have additional consequences. The law offers a chance to dismiss the charges by getting a front license plate and paying the reimbursement fee.
How Do You Get License Plates in Texas?
You must register your car in Texas to get your license plates. Before you can register your vehicle, you must take it to a certified vehicle inspection station. Bring your insurance information to the inspection, as the inspector will ask to see it to ensure your coverage meets the state’s minimum requirements.
Once you pass the inspection, bring the inspection report, your insurance information, and proof that you own the vehicle (or are making payments) to your local county tax assessor’s office. The tax assessor’s office will review your information and, if everything’s in order, give you your license plates and registration sticker.
Ordering Replacement License Plates
If you need to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged license plate, you can apply for a replacement at your local tax assessor’s office. It costs $6.50 to replace a license plate. You can save yourself some time by completing the application for a replacement license plate before visiting the tax assessor’s office.
Specialty and Personalized License Plates
If you want a specialty plate that uses a different design from the standard Texas license plate, you can apply for one online. There are many options to choose from, including ones supporting different charitable causes and colleges throughout the state. While you don’t have to choose your license plate number for a specialty plan, you can if you want a more personal touch for your vehicle. Any personalized numbers must be approved.
Specialty or personalized plates last for one, three, or five years, depending on how much you want to pay upfront. If you do not renew your specialty or personalized plate within 60 days of expiration, the DMV will automatically cancel it, making it free for anyone else to order.
How Does a Front License Plate Help in a Collision?
A front license plate offers little protection when a crash happens, but it can help you identify the car that hit you. For example, if a car stops suddenly in front of you and you collide with it from behind, the impact could damage the license plate. If this happens, you can use the other car’s front license plate to identify the vehicle’s owner and take legal action. Front and rear license plates may also be helpful in the case of hit-and-run accidents, where it may be hard to catch the license plate number.
Contact a Texas Car Accident Lawyer
The Texas car accident attorneys at The Wilhite Law Firm can protect your rights and help you seek fair compensation after a collision. We’ve been defending the rights of people injured in accidents since 1977 and have recovered over a billion dollars for our clients, including a $4.8 million auto accident settlement. Our past clients say, “Everyone from the pre litigation to the litigation team really cares about the client.”
Your initial consultation is free, and you don’t owe us any fees unless you recover compensation. Call us today or reach out online to speak with our team.
