Just saw this link...
Evidently as of Sept, 2013, no front plate, while technically illegal is not subject to a fine nor is it probable cause to pull someone over.
I have not run a front plate in years. Anyone been hassled recently for NFP?
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Just saw this link...
Evidently as of Sept, 2013, no front plate, while technically illegal is not subject to a fine nor is it probable cause to pull someone over.
I have not run a front plate in years. Anyone been hassled recently for NFP?
Hasn't been an issue for me in years I've had and still have several cars that didn't have front plates.
But I think you source is flawed looks like Texas House Bill 625 passed and will be in effect on September 1st.
Quote:
By: Harper-Brown
H.B. No. 625
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the penalty for the operation of a vehicle without a
license plate.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 504.943, Transportation Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
(e) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
covered by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For
purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the
effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred
before that date.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
I have never run a front plate on any of my Miatas. In a total of 12 years of lawlessness, I've been pulled over exactly once. That was on 287 heading to the panhandle where the highway patrol is pretty thick. It was the probable cause to pull me over and check me out, but he was quite pleasant and chatty, just gave me a warning to document the event. As soon as I pulled away, he pulled a U-turn to stop a Viper -- that had no front plate. :-)
I have never had a front plate on the xD, and I've gotten pulled over twice for it; both times by the same trooper in the same month, on the same stretch of Bush. Of course this was when they didn't have that little clause in there, so he only gave me warnings both times.
I just got pulled over for my front plate a couple days ago.
I was let off with a warning he said I need to at least have it in my front window.
Remember that beer or two you had at Keller's? Pulls you over for no plate, smells that beer, and at best, you are only getting a road-side test.
The law is not new ... the fine is. All of you that had been pulled over. The officer was not being nice they just didn't have a choice about giving a warning only.
"Due to a mistake on the part of the Texas Legislature, the enforceability of the "no front license plate" statute is now in question. Since 1934, Texas law has required automobiles to have a valid front license plate. This offense was a class "C" misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $200. However, a last minute change in the statute at the end of the most recent legislative session (2011) resulted in the punishment section of the statute being inadvertently stricken.
In essence, we now have a crime without a punishment. The bill's author, Rep. Joe Pickett, has asked for an opinion from the Texas Attorney General as to the effect of this omission. Pickett, in what could be described as a thinly-veiled effort to minimize his gaffe, was quoted as saying "It doesn't matter if there's a fine or not, it's still illegal, and you'll still be pulled over." However, the problem with Pickett's analysis lies in the fact that, without a clearly defined punishment range, it is impossible to know what level of offense is alleged to have been committed. Is it a class "C" misdemeanor? If so, then jurisdiction lies in a municipal or a justice court. Is it a class "A" or "B" misdemeanor? In that case, a county criminal court or county court-at-law would be the appropriate venue. A felony, perhaps? Probably not, but the point is that because the legislature is now silent on the issue of punishment, we simply have no way of knowing where jurisdiction lies for this "offense." Hence, a "no front license plate" case filed in ANY court would, at this juncture, be ripe for urging that the court lacks jurisdiction, inasmuch as jurisdiction has not been properly conferred on ANY court. If need be, Governor Perry could hold a special session of the legislature to address the issue.
The only way I've found to legally run without a front plate is to run one of the types of plates that are only issued as single plates. As far as I can tell, the only plates issued as singles are StreetRod, Antique, Classic and Military plates.
The first three require the car to be 25 years or older. The state will issue a single plate which is for the rear. For Antique and Historic you can also use Year Of Manufacture (YOM) plates. You have to have both YOM plates to get them approved, but only have to run one on the rear. If you do this, you will still get pulled over because the cop will see the absence of a front plate. But, you should not be ticketed for only running the plates issued to you.
The Military registration is a bit different. It only applies to ex-military vehicles that still resemble their original appearance. The serial number that is painted on the vehicle becomes the Texas registration number and no license plate is issued.
^ This guy does make a good point.Quote:
Originally Posted by jrj512
And the single YOM dealer plates are not allowed anymore.
I've found the simple solution is to run a front plate and no rear plate. Or drive backwards. Fast.
Common to assign newbie Troopers to front plate/seat belt violations only. The times I have been stopped for no front tag were with new-to-the-force troopers (on commute between DFW/121 tollway and Paris TX). Engage them in a conversation--I always do--they will tell you this. Sometimes you will see a Field Training Officer in the passenger seat.
Quote: One of them said: "Mr. May, I see this is the eighth time you have received a warning for this." ouch!
Paul
No front plate on my Miata or my 70 Plymouth and have never been pulled over.............yet.
Yes you will def get pulled over for no front palte after Sept 1 st
Cool story bro!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikey3229
I understand that, also effective September 1, the rule for moving over one lane or slowing down 20 mph for Police/Fire vehicles along the road side (with lights flashing) now applies to Highway Workers vehicles, too. So be careful out there!
I see THAT one being a major source for revenue on the PGBT! Those damn landscapers are always out there doing something. Cut our tolls and plant some native shit that doesn't need so much attention.Quote:
Originally Posted by shortshift
On the SRT, I wish they'd spend less on landscaping and more on signs, one particular sign "Left Lane for Passing Only"!Quote:
Originally Posted by channelmaniac
Even if you have a single-plate car, a legit one, a cop can still pull you over for no front plate. He will then determine that it is ok to have no plate. However, you are then subject to whatever else he finds while he has you pulled over.
Moral of the story is I run a front plate to avoid hassels. Why give them a freebie probable cause to pull you over?
http://generatormeme.com/media/created/250/fc78c9.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by MoonieGT
Clip plate to passenger side sunvisor, flip down the passenger side visor when driving and the tag is visible. I stole this idea from Corvette owners leaving Cars and Coffee. Plano PD says its legal.
Inside at lower left windshield like the rice-burners do.
If inside wrap edges of plate with several layers of electrician's tape to avoid rattles and scratches
For anyone that even cares, don't forget, the front plate law went into effect today!
SHMBO pointed out if our 17 year old daughter gets busted for no front plate on the Yellow car I get to pay the $200.00 fine. ::Spit::
Two tie wraps later and the ::Rant:: front plate is now on the car....
http://s22.postimg.org/4xufpjc2p/198...1_00_00_46.jpg
I think it's still a fixit ticket.
Maybe but we don't need Evil KK to test that for us.Quote:
Originally Posted by OZMDD
One of you fine gentlemen can prove OZMDD's theory and give us a full report. ;)
Hope you have some foam rubber on the backside of that plate so it doesn't rub the paint.
Of course I did! ;-)Quote:
Originally Posted by Nails
Put mine on today too :(
I'll leave mine off and be one of the guinea pigs. It will be interesting to see if police actually enforce the new law.
POS still a beautiful car.
Slapped mine in the front windshield, in 10 plus years i've only received one warning but dont want to deal with it.
Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by patf
If the car wasn't the kid's daily driver I would have left it off.... It hasn't run a front plate since we picked it up at the dealership back in 2002.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prof
https://www.google.com/search?q=Texa...ient=firefox-aQuote:
Originally Posted by patf
Placing the plate in the windshield does not satisfy the law. It must be placed on the foremost part of the vehicle.Quote:
The plain language of Section 502.404(a) requires a license plate to be displayed "at the front . . . of the vehicle." In this context, "front" means the foremost part or beginning of a vehicle, not in the front half, facing the front, or in the front portion.
One interesting thing I read was this:
Quote:
Sec. 504.943. OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT LICENSE PLATE. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person commits an offense if the person operates on a public highway, during a registration period, a motor vehicle that does not display two license plates that:
(1) have been assigned by the department for the period; and
(2) comply with department rules regarding the placement of license plates.
(b) 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 that:
(1) has been assigned by the department for the period; and
(2) complies with department rules regarding the placement of license plates.
(c) This section does not apply to a dealer operating a vehicle as provided by law.
(d) A court may dismiss a charge brought under Subsection (a)(1) if the defendant:
(1) remedies the defect before the defendant's first court appearance; and
(2) pays an administrative fee not to exceed $10.
Under section (d), the key word here is "may".
Where is this? Ironic 404 Not Found. I get this:Quote:
Originally Posted by vejatabul
Sec. 502.404. VOLUNTARY ASSESSMENT FOR YOUNG FARMER LOAN GUARANTEES. (a) When a person registers a commercial motor vehicle under Section 502.433, the person shall pay a voluntary assessment of $5.
I inadvertently posted the wrong link.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nails
Here is the proper link...
http://www.cca.courts.state.tx.us/OP...PINIONID=20044
Ok I get they are trying to define "front" but did they renumber the Texas Code since 2010? 502.404(a) is what I posted above and has nothing to do with plates.
Furthermore, I'm tempted to build a bracket now that would hold my plate out at least two feet in front of my grill like a battering ram so there is no doubt at all that it is foremost part of the car.
No, you just do not have the correct 502.404(a).Quote:
Originally Posted by Nails
Legal code is so much fun.Quote:
ยง 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.
That would not be legal, and I could find the code that establishes it, but really, it is purely for humor.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nails
I am baffled. Seems a state code would be consistent in numbering throughout.
Anyway no worries for me. According to the above all I need to do is put four license plates on the car, two front and two rear, to be legal OR just sell drugs. (d) Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to a dealer operating a vehicle as provided by law.
Note that the court case that I posted about happened BEFORE the Transportation Code was rewritten. The code that you are citing was enacted in 2012, while the court case happened in 2010. The current numbering for plate location would be 504.943, which is what was amended by the new law.