I heard the cops in Tx were citing people for having license plate frames? Is this true, even though it does not cover the numbers or the state name?

 

im am very far from texas but that sounds absolutely ludicrous...why would they do that? as long as the numbers are visible you should be fine, not something i would be worried about.

besides dont most dealers put their stupid frames on cars when they come off the lot? how could a cop give you a ticket for that?

 

yep, so you better take it off. I still have my colo plates on mine though so my z plate is still there lol. I remember your from colorado right zando?

 

yep, so you better take it off. Some people have already gotten small tickets for this. I still have my colo plates on mine though so my z plate is still there lol. I remember your from colorado right zando

 

Well they are writing tickets if the license plate frame covers up the word Texas...This law is so stupid...But that is what the law is, if it covers up anything on the license plate, but the main thing is that it can't cover up the word Texas...

 

Not from TX but here in VA last year they handed out a few for the frames covering up the state/stickers. Not sure what happen. It's on the books but I'd think it would be more of a fix it ticket than a fine.

 

can't cover the name of the state in jersey....never heard of it enforced though

 

hmm i didnt know that, i dont even know if mine covers jersey...ill have to check that tomm. i think it does partially...but really you gotta be D!ck cop to give somebody a ticket for that.

 

Yea, I still have my Co. plates until Sep, then I have to get Tx plates. ARGH!

Sad part is I have (2) Z frames worth $50 that I might just have to sell!

 

Wow things down in Houston must be different..up here in Dallas we've had no problems yet with the covers or lack of front plates

 

From what I heard, its mainly the DPS writing the tickets!

 

i have no front plate, and a frame in the rear. No problems yet.

 

Here's the law, in regards to this.

§ 502.409. WRONG, FICTITIOUS, ALTERED, OR OBSCURED
LICENSE PLATE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person
attaches to or displays on a motor vehicle a number plate or
registration insignia that:
(1) is assigned to a different motor vehicle;
(2) is assigned to the vehicle under any other motor
vehicle law other than by the department;
(3) is assigned for a registration period other than
the registration period in effect;
(4) is fictitious;
(5) has letters, numbers, or other identification
marks that because of blurring or reflective matter are not plainly
visible at all times during daylight;
(6) has an attached illuminated device or sticker,
decal, emblem, or other insignia that is not authorized by law and
that interferes with the readability of the letters or numbers on
the plate or the name of the state in which the vehicle is
registered; or
(7) has a coating, covering, or protective material
that:
(A) distorts angular visibility or
detectability; or
(B) alters or obscures the letters or numbers on
the plate, the color of the plate, or another original design
feature of the plate.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (f), an offense under
Subsection (a) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more
than $200, unless it is shown at the trial of the offense that the
owner knowingly altered or made illegible the letters, numbers, and
other identification marks, in which case the offense is a Class B
misdemeanor.
(c) to (e) Repealed by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, §
30.66, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
(f) An offense under Subsection (a)(4) is a Class B
misdemeanor.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended
by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 30.66, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 851, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts
1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1189, § 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2003,
78th Leg., ch. 837, § 1, 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

 

As long as it doesn't cover up "Texas," you're okay. I believe the Z plate covers up "Lone Star" at the bottom, which is okay. I spoke with a cop friend of mine specifically about the Z plates. He said it was fine.

 

Sweet.


I think this is one of those laws that is to give the officer a reason to pull you over, so they can "check to see if you are drunk, or have a warrant or something" but i really think it is a reason to write you a piddley a$$ ticket and find other stupid insignificant stuff you rack up the "taxes".

I got a ticket for no front plate in a car that wasn't even mine, went to court and the freakin judge gave me probation for 90 days, WTF is that all about.

Sorry to go so far off topic, venting still after about 3 years or so.

 

Wow you must have caught that cop on a bad day or he was short on his quota for the month. I've been pulled over several times (both DPD, PDP, and DPS) and they never say anything about the front plate. Hell most new cars don't even give you a place to mount a front plate.

 

The message is simple: Don't mess with Texas; the name that is.

 

The cop writing me the ticket wasn't the big deal, it was the Judge that didn't dismiss it b/c it wasn't even my car. It raises my blood pressure and makes be bite down real hard. I'm so pi$$ed about that still. God, I HATE FRISCO!

 

According to state law it doesn't matter that it's not your car. You were the one operating the motor vehicle without the plate.

§ 502.404. OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT LICENSE PLATE OR
REGISTRATION INSIGNIA.
(a) A person commits an offense if the
person operates on a public highway during a registration period a
passenger car or commercial motor vehicle that does not display two
license plates, at the front and rear of the vehicle, that have
been:
(1) assigned by the department for the period; or
(2) validated by a registration insignia issued by the
department that establishes that the vehicle is registered for the
period.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person operates on a
public highway during a registration period a passenger car or
commercial motor vehicle, other than a vehicle assigned license
plates for the registration period, that does not properly display
the registration insignia issued by the department that establishes
that the license plates have been validated for the period.
(c) A person commits an offense if the person operates on a
public highway during a registration period a road tractor,
motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer that does not display a license
plate, attached to the rear of the vehicle, that has been:
(1) assigned by the department for the period; or
(2) validated by a registration insignia issued by the
department that establishes that the vehicle is registered for the
period.
(d) Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to a dealer
operating a vehicle as provided by law.
(e) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

 

It was passed last year, to this day most Texans don't know it exists. I believe any new motor vehicle law that is passed in any ST. there should be a flier included in your lic. sticker renewal form you recieve in the mail. If they don't tell you how can you know. Total BS IMO.