Leaving front license plates off car

[TX oddball]

I'm likely going to get a car in a couple of months with no real solid place for a plate on the front grill. In my town, I have noticed many cars without, maybe 1/2 of the U.S. pickups, most of the European sports cars and SUVs, and all of the Corvettes. Pretty much most of the U.S.sedans and the Hondas/Toyotas/Hyundais wear a front plate.

For those that don't drive with one, any grief as far as tickets, warnings, etc? To me, it's kind of a a silly law, seems Texas is the only southern state that requires one. The people I know in my town that run without, they have never been pulled over ("knock on wood"). Just want to get a feel for it outside of my area.

 

[FireInTheWire]

I had a clean 92 Camaro that I didn't run a plate on. I was pulled over 4-5 times over it. To the point I went and got one.

It just allows probable cause.

 

[Sam Colt]

Been ticketed. Yup.

 

[m5215]

I have not had license plates on the front of my car for many years. The few times I was stopped by LE they never mentioned to me that it was an issue.

 

[Lonesome Dove]

So you're buying a Tesla.

 

[Axxe55]

In the state of Texas, you are required to display both plates, front and rear. Officer discretion as t whether they ticket you or give you a warning. I have been warned and ticketed before in the past.

 

[rotor]

$200 fine.

 

[Axxe55]

License Plate Law in Texas | Front License Plate | Two Plate Rule

What is the Texas license plate law? Do you need a front license plate? Is there a two plate rule? Learn more about the TX front license plate requirement.

www.bhwlawfirm.com

 

[Aus_Schwaben]

A few years ago, there was a bill in the state legislature to allow owner's of expensive, foreign, or something else, type cars to pay extra in order to not have the front tag. I think the front tag helps with identification as the rear license plate may not be visible when something happens.

There is a way to satisfy both camps though. In Europe several countries mandate front and rear plates but they allow the owners to use bumper sticker type tags on the front.

 

[oohrah]

Drove a Miata for years w/o front plate (dealer never installed the mounting bracket, and I liked it that way). There was a two year period back in the 20-teens when the lege accidentally deleted the fine for no front plate, and wouldn't you know I finally got stopped for something else and the trooper noticed no front plate but did nothing. Then a couple years later, got stopped by a small town cop for no front plate and got a warning. So, I got a bracket and put my front plate on.

Someone else said it ... probable cause for a stop, and I like to avoid those entirely, it never seems to go well with me.. If I get stopped, it will be for mistaken identity or ignorant cop.(which has happened to me both)

 

[striker55]

Wife's Camaro didn't have a front plate, driving on I-10 within a group of cars in the left lane I got pulled over. Didn't know why because I wasn't speeding. I gave him my DL and CHL and he asked where was my weapon, in the glove box? Told him it was on my hip, he said no problem. Asked where was the front plate? Wife told him we took it off to do some touch-up paint. There was some fresh paint. After checking the registration he came back with a warning.

 

[TreyG-20]

Got pulled over a lot for this when I had my Camaro. The front plate was there as you can see. Just not exactly visible. Only warnings for it thankfully.

 

[pronstar]

I seldom run one on my personal vehicle.

I do run one on the wife’s, so she won’t yell at me for getting pulled over without a plate

Haven’t had any grief in TX yet.

Did get a ticket at LAX parking lot once for it…came out to my car after a business trip and it was ticketed.

Later I found out they scan all incoming cars for violations, including plates. Happens when the state is broke…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Axxe55]

A few years ago, there was a bill in the state legislature to allow owner's of expensive, foreign, or something else, type cars to pay extra in order to not have the front tag. I think the front tag helps with identification as the rear license plate may not be visible when something happens.

There is a way to satisfy both camps though. In Europe several countries mandate front and rear plates but they allow the owners to use bumper sticker type tags on the front.

Sign the Petition

Pass a bill that will make Texas a "One License Plate" State. Eliminate the requirement to have a front license plate.

www.change.org

 

[TX oddball]

So you're buying a Tesla.

Nah, trying to get another ICE vehicle before they or I go bye bye. I don't plan to buy an EV in my lifetime.

Want to get a roadster type. Looking at some used Caymans, S2000s, and a new Miata RF club. All of them look like crap with a front plate, and the guys who own these in my neck of the woods don't seem to drive with one either.

 

[candcallen]

Just probable cause to get stopped.

YMMV

 

[GeorgeS]

One of my cars doesn't have a mount point for a front plate.

 

[Colonel]

Please leave your front plate off so I can drive by while you are pulled over. hehe

 

[majormadmax]

I don't get why people are so reluctant to put a front tag on their vehicles?

It's required in most countries, and 31 of the 50 US states.

What makes me laugh the most is when people have some novelty tag on the front of their cars instead of their Texas license plates. It's easy to see the registration sticker in the windshield, and those folks deserve the "special" attention they get!

 

[Grumps21]

Years ago while on 290, a car throw up a piece of a gator that busted out the grill on my truck and took out the plastic license plate bracket. Sheriffs office took a report. The very next week a trooper pulled me over on I10 for no license plate. I gave him the report information, then he promptly tested my window tint and issued me a citation for dark tint. OP, just get you the correct bracket and mount your plate. It’s really not worth the hassle.