Front License Plates in TX

I might be moving to Dallas within a year. In California the fine for not having a license plate was about $50 and, if you happen to have a cop friend, they can sign off the citation so that it gets reduced to $10. Effectively, it's not rigidly enforced and I don't mind paying the fine about once or twice per year.

But, from what I read online, the fine for driving in TX without a front license plate is $200. Are there creative ways around this or does everyone just bite the bullet and mount front plates?

Depends on jurisdiction. I was in DFW area for about 4 years, managed without, however, probably drove my cars a total of 1000 miles (or less) in that time. I was told the city of Dallas was highly likely to ticket as well as State Troopers. Probably goes without saying if you attract attention (good/bad) you are a likely candidate to get nabbed for it. If you drive often/daily and/or don't want the hassle traveling between jurisdictions, unfortunately, Texas overall isn't the easiest state to skirt the front plate law. Technically, displaying the plate anywhere but where designed for the vehicle is still considered the same as no plate, such as, hidden plates, mounted on grilles, to the side, dash, etc. I looked into all options. YMMV.

P.S. our DD's had front plates

Probably does depend on the area. I'm in the San Antonio area and in 9 years I've been pulled over three times for speeding and each time I just got a fix it warning for no front license plate. Of course no warning for speeding. [emoji849]. I've never been pulled over for no front plate, either in the Mustang or the Charger (DD).

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We are looking at living in Frisco, Fairview or Lucas but I'd likely be commuting into Dallas. They say it's a long commute, but my wife wants the good school districts and bigger homes.

scramblr said:

Probably does depend on the area. I'm in the San Antonio area and in 9 years I've been pulled over three times for speeding and each time I just got a fix it warning for no front license plate. Of course no warning for speeding. [emoji849]. I've never been pulled over for no front plate, either in the Mustang or the Charger (DD).

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Yeah, we didn’t really care about the front plate so much in SA. I don’t think I ever wrote a ticket for that in 25+ years. I retired in 2003, so it may be different there now.

I'm in the dfw area and haven't had a front plate for years, never had a problem. Depending on where in Frisco where in Dallas that commute can be pretty tough.

dascoyne said:

We are looking at living in Frisco, Fairview or Lucas but I'd likely be commuting into Dallas. They say it's a long commute, but my wife wants the good school districts and bigger homes.

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We lived on the border of Frisco and Plano. Loved the area! If it were me, I'd probably chance it, willing to eat a ticket once. LEO all over the area driving SUV's. For the most part they have bigger fish to fry vs. bothering with front plates, but.... and you did say you are driving into Dallas... rush hour between Frisco/Dallas will be fun... NOT!

I have been pulled over 1 time since 2008 for no front plate. I just keep the plate in the corner of the windshield. Not exactly legal either but so far its worked.

scramblr said:

Probably does depend on the area. I'm in the San Antonio area and in 9 years I've been pulled over three times for speeding and each time I just got a fix it warning for no front license plate. Of course no warning for speeding. [emoji849]. I've never been pulled over for no front plate, either in the Mustang or the Charger (DD).

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Sorry could not refuse this. Has anyone ever gotten pulled over for speeding in a Charger? LOL!

Don't know for sure because here in Florida it is not required. I would think it is based on Juristiction and if the cop has a hair up his ass that day!

86GT351 said:

Sorry could not refuse this. Has anyone ever gotten pulled over for speeding in a Charger? LOL!

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Ha...funny. Well deserved in this forum. The Scat Pack has a little get up and go.

scramblr said:

Ha...funny. Well deserved in this forum. The Scat Pack has a little get up and go.

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It needs to have the big engine to move the heavy ass car. LOL!

Ever thought about keeping the Cali plates then remove the front when in TX? Unless you are changing your residency status.

In the last 25 years living in the Flower Mound area I have been stopped twice for no front plate. The first was on I-35 south of Dallas dogging a state trouper who was running radar dunking for apples. Actually was hoping he would catch someone so I could speed again. Live in a much small community next to Flower Mound and the cops here are extremely anal so naturally they pulled me over for no plate. Warning on both occasions.

The jest is "do you feel lucky" Well, do you punk!" (think you will know the movie). Frankly if you are someone like me who does test the speed limit on occasion, having a plate will probably help in getting a speeding warning vs a ticket. Basically it gives the cops an instant excuse to pull you over.

The counterpoint is I mostly do not have a plate on the front of my car because it is a major reflector for both radar and laser. Figure that also helps in preventing getting a ticket as I drive 100% with a radar detector. Probably owned a dozen or so over the years and regardless of what Poo Poo wants you to believe. The radar helps a whole bunch. No tickets in 15 years.

The bottom line... Do you feel lucky. Really is six of each or a half a dozen of a dozen.

Denny

I live close to Austin and APD uses the "no plate law" and the rear license plate light out, as a means to check you out on the sly for any other violations, so after April 14th (the pandemic grace period), you're fair game down here. DPS as well as APD have both stopped me in the past. I was going to install the motorized front license plate bracket on my car, but the dealer had drilled the bumper when I picked up the car.

dascoyne said:

I might be moving to Dallas within a year. In California the fine for not having a license plate was about $50 and, if you happen to have a cop friend, they can sign off the citation so that it gets reduced to $10. Effectively, it's not rigidly enforced and I don't mind paying the fine about once or twice per year.

But, from what I read online, the fine for driving in TX without a front license plate is $200. Are there creative ways around this or does everyone just bite the bullet and mount front plates?

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What's the big deal about a plate. In massachusetts it's a no brainer.

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David M Miranda said:

What's the big deal about a plate. In massachusetts it's a no brainer.

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In Texas the front plate is required. A front plate on my Shelby looks like hammered shit. I don't run one. I've only got a mention about it while being written up for much larger items. I get looks all the time, but they never 180 and get me.

Green Mamba said:

I live close to Austin and APD uses the "no plate law" and the rear license plate light out, as a means to check you out on the sly for any other violations, so after April 14th (the pandemic grace period), you're fair game down here. DPS as well as APD have both stopped me in the past. I was going to install the motorized front license plate bracket on my car, but the dealer had drilled the bumper when I picked up the car.

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You live in Austin, enough said. The shit hole of Texas.