I'm trying to find a source for state laws on front license plates. Texas has front and rear plates, but I see some Texas vehicles (sports cars, naturally) with only a rear Texas plate. I can't find the law anywhere. Any ideas on where to look, or do you know the law?

Also, if I remove the front license bracket, will I probably find the bumper underneath it all scratched up from the bracket, and if so, what's the best way to repair that?

 

TX = yes front plates.

After I did the CR lip on my S (Jan 2008) - I took the plate off (resprayed bumper - rock chips drove me nuts). Ran it like that until I left in Jan 09 - no issues - which is odd since its a young guy in a silver sports car with Invidia duals and blue wheels - never got hassled. LOL

Now Im in a normal state with no front plates!

 

It is possible. I did find this when I removed my plate bracket. I just used touch-up paint for now. Eventually, I may have the front-end repainted. 'Till then, it looks good enough.

Good luck with everything!

 

i know that in california you need to have the front plates on. i see many cars still without them. i have gotten pulled over once for not having it on.

 

I have never been pulled over for it, but I have received a ticket parked in a parking-lot over night. And another time being pulled over, but not the reason for being pulled over.

Each time to get signed off, I put the plate on with one screw, show up to get signed off at the local PD station, and take the plate off as soon as they sign it. Then drive off.

They (the officers who sign it off each time) agree it looks better w/out the plate, and I believe around 30.00-60.00 / year is well worth my car looking good with no plate. It is just another bill as far as I am concerned. I pay more than that for HOA, melaruse, and other BS expenses yearly/monthly. At least with the front plate (bill) I know what I am paying for, and I agree with it! LOL

 

Im on my 2nd no front plate ticket here in CA.

Was $10, now its $25. No biggie

 

I have been in Illinois for 6 years and have never used a front license plate spanning 4 different vehicles and have never had a problem. When the car comes with one, I take it off and throw it in the trash. Even when the speeding tickets come, they never even bother with the front plate.

I was talking to a salesman at a Porsche dealer and he said it makes them cringe when a customer insists that they drill holes in the front bumpers and install a front license plate because "it is the law".

How many Ferraris have you seen with a front license plate? Exactly.

 

I can't quote the letter of the law in Texas, however if you are handed two plates when you register at the DMV it's highly likely that your state requires a front plate.

Generally it's a "secondary offense," however, meaning that a police officer can't pull you over for it. They have to catch you for some other offense first to have just cause to pull you over, then they can give you a no-front-plate ticket ON TOP of whatever they actually pulled you over for. You can also get a ticket for no front plate by the "meter reader" if you are parked at a public parking meter.

 

I've never heard of that secondary offense thing. I've experienced the exact opposite. Typically they use that as an excuse to pull me over to harass me about popping my hood ect.

 

I was never pulled over for not having the front license plate but one time I was stopped for speeding and he let me go with just a no front plate ticket. The fine was $25, not bad right? but the DMV fee in NY is $85 so the total came out to $110! Like the DMV doesn't make enough money now as it is.