No license plates needed in Texas!!

[Lason]

I saw that last night too Lason. I have front plates on all of my cars so I don't care either way but I did think it was BS that the cop said they would let the courts figure it out....

if it isn't a law this year they should be able to write tickets for it period. I'd also like to see what Matt has to saw about it now that its in effect. I'm sure his dept has had conversations about it with the LEO's

Yeah I got front and rear plates on all mine too so nothing to worry about. Just shocked when I heard him say that. I was reading something online and heard that one line and had to rewind and watch the whole story.

[SMEGMA STENCH]

Just drive down the road and count how many cars don't have them. Its a lot.

[ejen-elle]

There used to be a catchall provision in the transportation code that stated that any offense that did not have a penalty was a class 'C' misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $200. So, this statute would be covered under that provision...theoretically. I haven't looked to see if the catchall is still there, and whether it applies to laws in this section. It is also possible that there would be no fine, but you would still owe court costs for the violation.

All I really know is that anyone with a license plate or registration viol;ation should contest it, either by yourself, or with an attorney. Most prosecutors will dismiss it without a fight.

[SMEGMA STENCH]

All I really know is that anyone with a license plate or registration viol;ation should contest it, either by yourself, or with an attorney. Most prosecutors will dismiss it without a fight.

Why would they?

[03trubluGT]

My department issued a training memo on this topic for the current month.

It put a whole new spin on the situation, not saying that the punishment had been removed, but stating that the whole issue of having plates was removed.

I looked it up:

Transportation Code 502.473

[(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. (b) [(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.

So, as interpreted, you could run with just the windshield validation sticker and be legal as long as you have the plates in the car. It says nothing about having them displayed. Somebody seriously dropped the ball on this one.

We'll see how this pans out.

[2165 Turbo Rail]

I'm gonna run around with JUST a front plate

[03trubluGT]

I'm gonna run around with JUST a front plate

I'm gonna run around with NO plates.

I bet I don't get a ticket!!!

*Disclaimer*
I am a trained professional. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.

[Slow Five-O]

Lol

[46Tbird]

I'm glad to hear this, I guess.

I will take the aggravation and fines for any front plate ticket I may get. It simply ruins the looks of the car. But if it gets stolen and the crooks back it in the spot, it will never be located!! I'll take that chance.

There is a cop near the 114/121 split that is notorious for watching incoming traffic at the QT to check for legal registration/inspection stickers (good) and front license plates (meh).

[SMEGMA STENCH]

I like that guy that lives down the road from me who put up a "Speed trap ahead, next 4 miles" sign. The cops got all pissy about it and tried to make him take it down but they couldn't. The sign remains, and needless to say that speed trap doesn't really exist anymore.

I also like that law in OK, where speed traps are illegal. They changed it to that just before I moved up outa there dangit. The cops/hipo/sheriff are to patrol and if they see a speeder, then pull them over. No speed traps permitted.

[03trubluGT]

I like that guy that lives down the road from me who put up a "Speed trap ahead, next 4 miles" sign. The cops got all pissy about it and tried to make him take it down but they couldn't. The sign remains, and needless to say that speed trap doesn't really exist anymore.

I also like that law in OK, where speed traps are illegal. They changed it to that just before I moved up outa there dangit. The cops/hipo/sheriff are to patrol and if they see a speeder, then pull them over. No speed traps permitted.

Are you serious?

I'm sure people get used to that sign and speed anyway....

Speed traps are illegal in Texas? Someone should have told me 20 years ago...

[Pro88LX]

It would be interesting to see the stats in reference to this. I wonder what the impact has been on those states.

Fwiw I saw way more Shitty looking cars on the road in Texas than i see in California which has no vehicle inspection other than a smog check every other year.

[LANTIRN]

Are you serious?

I'm sure people get used to that sign and speed anyway....

Speed traps are illegal in Texas? Someone should have told me 20 years ago...

He said speed traps are illegal in Oklahoma, FYI.

[03trubluGT]

He said speed traps are illegal in Oklahoma, FYI.

I know, I was being facetious.

[SMEGMA STENCH]

You're a perfect reflection of every cop I've ever met, save one.