Does Texas require a front license plate? In Texas, all vehicles are required to have a front license plate. Some states throughout the U.S. are no longer requiring drivers to have a license plate on both the front and rear of their vehicle, and this plays a bigger role in accidents than you may realize.
It is always crucial to know and follow the laws in your area with the help of an Arlington car accident lawyer.
Laws Have Been Confusing – But You Need One
Why do people ask if there is a need for a front license plate in Texas? It could be due to confusion in a law passed in 2012 that revised the Texas Transportation Code, erroneously removing the rule that mandated penalties for failing to display two license plates on the vehicle. That was an oversight, and it was never meant to be the case.
In 2013, an amendment was applied that aimed to clarify the requirement to maintain a license plate on the back and front of the car. That change is in place, and it is the law that you have to have two license plates on the vehicle. However, because of this, there has been some confusion in recent years about the need for two.
In 2021, a bill was introduced to the House that would eliminate the requirement of having a front license plate. The goal was to reduce the number of fines consumers were paying for not having a front license plate. However, this bill did not pass – it remains the law that drivers must display two license plates to operate the vehicle. Talk to an Arlington personal injury lawyer today.
Front License Plate Laws Require It
To adhere to the state’s laws, drivers in Texas must have both a front and a rear license plate that are visible to those who are driving by them. This applies to passenger cars, trucks, and other vehicles on the roadway every day. Because it is the law, you should follow this rule.
The applicable law is Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §217.27. Under this law, drivers must display two license plates on their vehicle at all times when it is on the road. It must be positioned on the exterior of the car in the front or the back and fastened in an upright and horizontal position no less than 12 inches from the ground. Your license plate must be clearly visible, readable, and legible to anyone who drives by you.
It is important for you to consider the positioning and condition of your license plate. You can be charged a fine if the police pull you over or are driving behind you and cannot read your license plate due to its deterioration, hidden details, or improper securing. No one wants to pay a fine that could have been avoided.
Understand Why Some Vehicles Do Not Have Them
There are some limitations to the front license plate laws in Texas, including the fact that some trucks are exempt from having to have two displayed license plates. For example, road tractors, semi-trailers, motorcycles, and trailers are exempt. That means they may only have to have a rear license plate attached. Note that this is the rarity in most situations, and they still must display that license plate on the rear of the vehicle.
Some people do not want to place a second license plate on their vehicle for various reasons. For example, some cars do not have a lot of room at the front of the vehicle, especially for imported vehicles. The owner may believe they do not need a license plate if there is no spot to attach it or if it creates an aesthetic concern. Remember, it is the law to maintain them.
You are responsible for attaching the required, state-issued license plate to the front and rear of your vehicle, no matter the design of the vehicle. If you fail to do so, you may be paying a fine for not doing so, and that could be significant. The easiest way to avoid this is just to attach a license plate. The fine is $200, but it can change over time.
Know What to Do If You are in an Accident with a Car Without a License Plate
In some cases, the lack of a license plate could create complications for victims in a car accident, especially if the driver fails to stop after causing the accident. In a hit and skip accident, one of the priorities you will have is to capture any identifying information possible, including that license plate. So, what do you do if you are in an accident and the car did not have a license plate you saw?
- Call the police to have them arrive as quickly as possible at the scene of the accident.
- Document as much detail as you can about the accident, as well as the color and style of the vehicle involved. Try to remember details in the color, size, style, bumper stickers, or even what was inside the car.
- If you have time to capture a photo of the at-fault party, do so. Do not put yourself in danger to get a photo of the car that is fleeing the scene.
When you are in an accident with a driver who stops but does not have a front license plate in place, the police may issue them a citation at the time of the accident. However, that does not affect your claims case. You still have the right to seek compensation for all of your losses when it comes to any type of auto accident. Our Arlington rear-end collision lawyer can help with your case.
An Attorney Can Help You Navigate the Texas Front License Plate Law
When you are faced with the need to file a personal injury claim, hire an attorney to help you. Let the Arlington car accident lawyer at The Texas Law Dog guide you in proving the other driver was responsible or tracking down a hit-and-run driver without a front license plate in Texas.
