Nicholas Simon | September 12, 2024

In many states, car and light truck owners do not need to display a front license plate. Texas is not one of those states. In Houston, it’s two license plates or risk getting a ticket.

Front and Rear Plates in Texas

Under Title 43, Chapter 217, subchapter B Rule §217.27, Houston residents must mount a license plate on the vehicle’s exterior front end and exterior back end. The only vehicles exempt from this rule are motorcycles, most commercial trucks, and road tractors. 

If your vehicle is not eligible for an exception, the two plates you received after you registered the vehicle with the county tax-assessor collector office must be displayed according to the law.

There are advantages to rear and front plates. Law enforcement, for instance, approaches suspicious vehicles from different directions. With a plate at both ends of the vehicle, they can run the tag number without extra maneuvering.

It’s also helpful for car accident victims, especially those involved in hit-and-run crashes or those who suffer catastrophic injuries in head-on collisions.

License Plate Visibility and Mounting

The code specifies how to display the front and rear license plates. They must be visible, readable, and legible. If a plate frame, cover, or other type of accessory obscures the plate’s letters and numbers, it violates the law. The law also instructs on how to mount each plate. They must be in an upright, horizontal position no fewer than 12 inches from the ground.

Two-Plate Confusion

The two-plate requirement has long perplexed many Texans, especially new residents moving from states with a one-plate law. It also creates a dilemma for those who buy vehicles — many of the luxury or sports cars — that don’t come with a clearly defined spot to mount the front plate or mounting brackets.

Tesla buyers, for example, are confused when they receive their new car without brackets to mount the front plate. The fact is, the vehicle comes with an adhesive or screw-on mount, but it’s up to the owner to decide whether to install it. If it’s required in their state, the mount can be installed at a Tesla delivery center.

For owners of Tesla and other vehicles without the mounts, there are three options: don’t display the plate, place the plate on the passenger dash, or drill holes into their new car and mount the plate. While the third option would ensure they comply with the law, many choose the first or second option — both of which can result in a ticket.

It’s hard to know how many get pulled over for violating the two-plate requirement. But it’s clear that countless drivers of Tesla and other higher-end cars traveling on Texas roads don’t display a front plate. This, of course, adds to the confusion over Texas laws.

The Consequences of Violating the Texas License Plate Law

If you’re one of those drivers who decided to stash the license plate away or prop it up on the front passenger dash, law enforcement could pull you over and issue you a ticket of up to $200. If you mounted the front and rear plates, but the letters and numbers are partially or totally obscured due to plate accessories, you could receive a similar citation.

Is there any way to avoid the fine? Yes. When drivers are not aware of the two-plate law or are confused over it, it’s an honest mistake. A judge may waive the fine if the driver corrects the violations, whether it’s securely mounting the front plate in the appropriate position or removing the plate accessories.

Efforts To Change the Two-Plate Rule

Attempts have been made in several states, including recently in Illinois, Maryland, and New Jersey, to do away with the two-license plate requirement. Utah succeeded with its efforts this spring. Lawmakers in Texas have also tried to change the law, but it remains in force. For now, Houston residents must keep the front plate mounted to avoid a ticket.

For more information, please get in touch with the Houston personal injury attorneys at Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
440 Louisiana St Suite 2300, Houston, TX 77002
(281) 667-4081