Some states require a license plate to be displayed on both the front and back of vehicles. Many drivers wonder whether a front license plate is required in Texas. Understanding the law concerning your license plates is critical to avoiding fines and potential penalties against your license.
Dive into all the details below to learn everything you need to know about front license plates in Texas. If you have specific questions, you should consider consulting the advice of an attorney. An experienced attorney can assess your specific situation and provide guidance for you.
Basics of Texas Law on License Plates
Texas law is pretty clear about license plate requirements. The law requires that most vehicles registered in Texas have both a front and rear license plate. Failure to follow this law can result in a fine. Having two license plates might seem cumbersome, but it can help police officers and other drivers on the road more quickly identify vehicles.
Benefits of Having Two License Plates
Texas and other states require both a front and back license plate for several reasons. Safety and ease of identification are just a few of the benefits of having two plates. Here are other benefits of having two license plates.
Easier for Police Officers
Police officers often need to quickly identify a vehicle by its license plate. Having a plate on both the front and rear makes it easier for officers to read the plate from either direction. This can lead to more accurate information and quicker response times for incidents and investigations.
Safety Aspects
Ensuring that all vehicles have both front and back license plates helps increase safety on the road. Sometimes, there are questions about who is responsible for an accident. This is especially true in hit-and-run situations, considering that Texas ranks 10th in the country for hit-and-run accidents. Having two license plates makes it easier to determine who was at fault for the accident.
Easier Identification
Police officers are not the only ones who need to identify vehicles on the road. Vehicles must also be identified at toll booths, by witnesses to an accident, and during other situations. Two license plates makes for much easier identification because the tag number can be clearly seen from both directions.
Potential Penalties For Failing to Have a Front License Plate
Failure to display both of the required license plates in Texas can result in adverse consequences. Texas law deems this offense a misdemeanor, and it can carry a fine of up to $200. Thankfully, the court may dismiss these charges if you have remedied the license plate defect prior to your first court appearance.
Repeated violations of the license plate laws can carry even more penalties. If you are found guilty of failing to have a front license plate on multiple occasions, you could be subject to additional fines and/or a license suspension. Additionally, this type of conduct could be considered negligence if you are involved in any civil actions resulting from an accident.
Exceptions to The Front License Plate Requirement
There are a few exceptions to the front license plate requirement in Texas. Although automobiles are required to have two license plates, some other vehicles on the roadway are only required to have one license plate. These include:
- Motorcycles
- Trailers
- Road tractors
- Semi-trailers
Additionally, drivers operating a vehicle on the road under certain circumstances are exempt from the front license plate requirement. Some antique vehicles are also exempt from having a front license plate if they meet certain criteria.
Front License Plates and Car Accidents
Identifying all the vehicles involved in an accident is crucial to determining who was at fault. It can also be crucial to helping you get compensation for any injuries you suffered in the accident. This is true for nearly every type of accident, including car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents. An experienced Texas personal injury attorney can help you investigate the accident and recover compensation for your injuries.
Contact our Fisher Firm Car Accident Lawyers for Legal Help With Your Case Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact your nearest Fisher Firm location and schedule a free consultation today:
Fisher Firm – Luberton Office
769 S Main St Suite C, Lumberton, TX 77657
(409) 444-3333
Fisher Firm – Silsbee Office
560 S 4th St, Silsbee, TX 77656
(409) 444-3333