Front License Plates in Texas (again)

**NYKRINDFW** · 09-27-2012, 03:21 PM

I know that this has been discussed in the past.

So I am the original owner of a 2000 Formula Firebird purchased in November of 1999. I have had a front license plate on the car displayed in the
windshield since the purchase date.

So, I've owned the car for 12 years, give or take, all in Texas, and yesterday on a trip to El Paso/Big Bend area, I get stopped by the Texas State Highway Patrol for no front license plate. They give me a warning ticket and tell me that the plate needs to be on the front of the car, not in the windshield.

A half hour later I get stopped AGAIN, by another HP, and after seeing my warning ticket from 1/2 hour earlier tells me to have a nice day and they drive
off.

Is this gray area being used as a pretense to stop vehicles or do I really neede to move my licese plate from the windshield to the front facia?

TY,

NY

**2002ssslp** · 09-27-2012, 07:30 PM

Well, in NJ you do. In my state they can and will pull you over and give you a 75 dollar ticket. I bought a front bracket from SLP, looks decent and it will not hurt the car. You can get one on Ebay.

**KahanaReef** · 09-27-2012, 09:29 PM

Getting pulled over twice on the same day for the same thing could be a sign that the LEO's are being pressured to make a quota. All states are in need of money. So, you can either chance it, perhaps it was just a fluke, or, end up getting written up again and paying a fine

**slimss** · 09-28-2012, 12:13 PM

Where i live you have to mount the plate exactly where it was designed to go. You cannot display plates in windshield or to the side of where the factory put the mounts. Whats a leo??/ is that another name for the po po?????

**99WS6Indy** · 09-28-2012, 12:26 PM

Law Enforcement Officer, but I call them government revenue generators.

**pajeff02** · 09-28-2012, 12:56 PM

Thank goodness we only run rear plates in PA.

**2002ssslp** · 09-28-2012, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by 99WS6Indy

Law Enforcement Officer, but I call them government revenue generators.

They call them 5 0 in the hood

***SMWS6TA*** · 10-01-2012, 08:57 AM

OP, yes TX requires that front plates must be on the vehicle for cars register in the state of TX.

I used to live in TX. They will also stop cars not register from TX too, I've been stop several times when visiting my family, every time I ask why they always say because of no front plate. I have to remind them I'm not register in the state or a resident << seems to bug them.

There is a solution to this issue but it will cost ya'

This one is motorized:
Motorized Hide Away License Plate Holder Motorized Hide Away License Plate Holder [motoplatehold] - $150.00 : Swift Motorsports, Import Performance Starts Here

This one is manual:
Hide Away Plate Holder Hide Away License Plate Holder [PLATEHOLD] - $60.00 : Swift Motorsports, Import Performance Starts Here

**99WS6Indy** · 10-01-2012, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by 2002ssslp

They call them 5 0 in the hood

Is that due to the TV series or some other ghetto reason?

**98TransAmWs-6** · 10-01-2012, 12:45 PM

I wish VA didn't require front plates...or at least let me put it up on the dash.

***SMWS6TA*** · 10-02-2012, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by 99WS6Indy

Is that due to the TV series or some other ghetto reason?

comes from the days they used 5.0 Mustangs as Hwy patrol.

**KahanaReef** · 10-02-2012, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

comes from the days they used 5.0 Mustangs as Hwy patrol.

I think it has more to do with the special force in the series Hawaii 5-0, which first aired in 1968

**dethinboots** · 10-02-2012, 12:14 PM

Hey what part of Dallas are you from!? I graduated from Hillcrest HS

**FinZ28** · 10-02-2012, 03:11 PM

Scott and Dena, you're both correct. Being a cop, I've heard 'em all

**KahanaReef** · 10-02-2012, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by FinZ28

Scott and Dena, you're both correct. Being a cop, I've heard 'em all

I'm sure there are plenty. Hawaii Five-0 was the first thing that came to my mind. Book'em Danno

**99WS6Indy** · 10-05-2012, 05:56 AM

I thought Five - 0 was because Hawaii was the 50th state to join the union. I'd like to ask Obama which one is the 57th...lol

**SuperSSguy** · 10-05-2012, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

OP, yes TX requires that front plates must be on the vehicle for cars register in the state of TX.

I used to live in TX. They will also stop cars not register from TX too, I've been stop several times when visiting my family, every time I ask why they always say because of no front plate. I have to remind them I'm not register in the state or a resident << seems to bug them.

There is a solution to this issue but it will cost ya'

This one is motorized:
Motorized Hide Away License Plate Holder Motorized Hide Away License Plate Holder [motoplatehold] - $150.00 : Swift Motorsports, Import Performance Starts Here

This one is manual:
Hide Away Plate Holder Hide Away License Plate Holder [PLATEHOLD] - $60.00 : Swift Motorsports, Import Performance Starts Here

I had the same idea but somehow (lol) it would stay in stock location and just flip around to reveal the grill on the otherside? Im NOT an engineer/robotics student so i dont know how to do all this but i just like the idea of it? I know theres not enough room in back of the grill to ''flip it over'' but i think with time and thought one could make it work. After getting tickets and all i just relented and put the bitch on!

**SuperSSguy** · 10-05-2012, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6

I wish VA didn't require front plates...or at least let me put it up on the dash.

In Calif.they are required! Also tinted side windows are illegal too! A cop told me that the front window/ dash thing that i see alot of guys do is dangerous besides illegal because in an accident the plate will become a very sharp projectile and hurt ya!...The reason they require you to have a front license plate THEY SAY> is so that you can be identified if you have a rear collision with someone or if police are in front of you they can identify the car- which i think is BS..they dont have front plates on motorcycles? nor require them to be smogged! whats their lame excuse there! Its just the luck of the draw? Funny thing is i went around for over a year in 2002-2003 with the dealership plastic plates on cause i was so damn happy to have my first new car1 LOL.and i was never bothered once! I had no front plates from 2002 to 2011 with no problem well was warned once or twice but no tickets until 2011?

**Lsfan** · 10-06-2012, 08:09 PM

It is illegal to not have a front license plate in Texas. But there is no fine for it. I heard this from a few friends that get the warnings all the time lol.

**pajeff02** · 10-07-2012, 05:29 PM

Just bought a car out of New York State and it had the front plate mount on the bumper. Had to drill out 4 rivets to remove it and when I got it off I found that the bumper cover was slightly deformed around each hole.