Texas peeps- front license plate question

BenMW · 01-07-2007, 02:02 PM

I dont use a front plate in Dallas and I am prolly going to get a euro rear plate with my real tx drivers lisence number for full time use.

I hear you wont get bothered if it has

TX then your license plate #

Biemdreamer · 01-07-2007, 10:12 PM

I frequently talk to officers working in my hospital emergency department. I queried them over the issue. The Montgomery County Sherrif Tommy Gage (they state) parks his Corvette in front of the court house and it has no front plate. They state that for the most part, an officer may use you not having a front plate as a reason to pull you over in hope of finding you DUI or in position of drugs or some far greater offense. Another officer stated he was under the impression the law had been repealed and so are some of his co-workers.

335DOG · 02-11-2007, 10:16 PM

I had no front plates for 12 years on my 1995 Honda Accord (180000 miles)and I was pulled over one time for it by a State Trooper. He just said I needed a front plate and told me to go. I've been stopped about 4 times for other violations but never been given a ticket for no front plates. I don't even know where the plates are. Also I drive from Austin to Houston once a week and never been stopped for no plates during these runs

.

grumpymedic · 02-11-2007, 10:28 PM

I have never written a citation for someone not having a front plate. Have i used it as PC to pull a scroat bag over to get dope off the street..yep u bet. Most of the time if you have your d.l. and insurance with you,then you have no worries..unless your the scroat with the dope...

BenMW · 02-11-2007, 10:30 PM

well i dont drive drunk or do drungs but i have limo tinted windows and no front plate....

I get worried driving at night that ill get pulled over for one of those reasons and somehow get caught for something stupid.

Also has a police officer ever cared about painted reflectors?

schneid4323 · 02-11-2007, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMW

well i dont drive drunk or do drungs but i have limo tinted windows and no front plate....

I get worried driving at night that ill get pulled over for one of those reasons and somehow get caught for something stupid.

Also has a police officer ever cared about painted reflectors?

Law goes if there is no bracket on the car you dont have to install one, atleast that what it is currently, and unless they have one of the tint % reader things they cant ticket you for window tint, and where the hell did you get your tint done alll the way arround limo?

335DOG · 02-13-2007, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335DOG

I had no front plates for 12 years on my 1995 Honda Accord (180000 miles)and I was pulled over one time for it by a State Trooper. He just said I needed a front plate and told me to go. I've been stopped about 4 times for other violations but never been given a ticket for no front plates. I don't even know where the plates are. Also I drive from Austin to Houston once a week and never been stopped for no plates during these runs

.

Dude, I think this post was bad luck. I got pulled over today doing my weekly run back to Austin by a State Trooper in my 95 Accord. He just gave me a warning for the plate.

rjm · 02-13-2007, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335DOG

Dude, I think this post was bad luck. I got pulled over today doing my weekly run back to Austin by a State Trooper in my 95 Accord. He just gave me a warning for the plate.

I just don't think it is worth the hassle to leave the plate off, so I bit the bullet and bought a nice BMW license plate frame and had the dealer install it. Took about 3 minutes and it doesn't look that bad.

335DOG · 02-13-2007, 11:51 PM

I have a front plate on my 335 but I drive my old 1995 Accord from Houston to Austin once a week. I don't even know where those plates are. I was thinking about taking the plates off the 335 but I changed my mind when I saw the Troop today.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjm

I just don't think it is worth the hassle to leave the plate off, so I bit the bullet and bought a nice BMW license plate frame and had the dealer install it. Took about 3 minutes and it doesn't look that bad.

bmw3er · 02-14-2007, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjm

I just don't think it is worth the hassle to leave the plate off, so I bit the bullet and bought a nice BMW license plate frame and had the dealer install it. Took about 3 minutes and it doesn't look that bad.

You should consider getting your license bracket painted from black to silver....so it'll match your car. It'll look much cleaner & it won't stand out as much. While you're at that, you can get your orange reflectors painted. That way, your entire front end will look nice & flush in color.

magamaga · 02-14-2007, 12:21 PM

Did you know that at some places here in Texas, cops will give you a ticket for having a frame around your license plate? Incredible I know.

My car doesn't have a front license plate either.

Chase at Stett · 02-14-2007, 04:06 PM

sounds like everyone is about right on this issue. I don't know the specific legalities of it, and judging by the fact that some police in our state don't know the law... it's not really an issue unless, like stated before, they are looking to pull you over anyways. And I wouldn't blame you getting pulled over on teh liscense plate thing because if it wasn't that, they'd find another reason to pull you over.

I've lived in Dallas my entire life (minus 4 years of college), and never had a front plate and I NEVER even got a comment on it. Mind you, I was pulled over 13 times in highschool for being a jackass and not one cop said a thing about the front liscense plate.

end of the day, the benefit of not screwing up the style of the front end far out weighs the 1 in a million chance of a 100 dollar ticket

BiscuitBear · 03-27-2007, 03:32 PM

havent had a front plate since 97. not ticket yet...either you put one on or dont..i dont like to see the cars with it on the front dash. looks tacky. they can still give you a ticket for putting it on the dash anyways.

BigDadyCool · 03-27-2007, 05:19 PM

I had a 325i sedan before and asked a cop that same question he said more than likely there would not be any problem with it. And i just left my car with out the liences plate for 2 years never a ticket or even get pulled over for not havin it! Funny thing is i didnt remove it it got taken off! Ha! Ha!

BenMW · 03-27-2007, 05:47 PM

I have had no plates front and back for 3 months and limo tints. No temp tags either.

knight · 03-27-2007, 09:22 PM

i would probably wait to try any of this stuff until next month..

i remember when a cop pulled me over, first thing he asked was, "is this your car?" i was like, wtf?

Chase at Stett · 03-28-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knight

i would probably wait to try any of this stuff until next month..

i remember when a cop pulled me over, first thing he asked was, "is this your car?" i was like, wtf?

... they always ask that to find out if it is your car or not...

knight · 03-28-2007, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chase at Stett

... they always ask that to find out if it is your car or not...

i should have said no

smellthebeans · 03-29-2007, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magamaga

Did you know that at some places here in Texas, cops will give you a ticket for having a frame around your license plate? Incredible I know.

My car doesn't have a front license plate either.

This is true!

hav2flynow · 03-29-2007, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw3er

You should consider getting your license bracket painted from black to silver....so it'll match your car. It'll look much cleaner & it won't stand out as much. While you're at that, you can get your orange reflectors painted. That way, your entire front end will look nice & flush in color.

Can you not get a ticket for painted reflector? Get the tag, but paint over the reflector, your still in the same boat, LOL.

tinster · 03-29-2007, 11:09 AM

I have owned many cars from civics and integras to audis and bmws never had front plates. Started college at UT Austin and finished in Houston and move back to DFW area. So I have been pulled over by many of these officers. Never cited for the front plates. No front plates will give officer that do not have anything better to do to stop you and check for other things, mostly if you are driving a drop civic or integra,(two most stolen cars). I have owned Audi and Bmw for the last six year have not been pull over for front plates once. In my opinion front plates are ulgly I will never put one on my cars.Yes, it is a risk, but the way I see it, I am not hiding anything so I not going to sweat over it. If they want to pull you over plates or no plates.

As for the euro plate thats only going to bring more attention.

knight · 03-29-2007, 03:09 PM

i just want to get a clarification though,

even if you do get a citation for no front plates, it's a fix me ticket correct?

and as far as getting euro plates in the front, the only sure answer you'll get is at the dps office on 290 and 610..they're the main office for all the car licenses in houston..i've been meaning to go there and ask, but i never get the time...so if any one wants to help everyone else and get this sorted out, please feel free to volunteer to go

ps. bring a picture of a car with euro plates, some of them have no idea what you are doing about.

01-07-2007, 02:02 PM	#23
BenMW Major 53 Rep 1,393 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dallas + Chicago(Lake Forest) iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 330i coupe [0.00] 2002 325ci [0.00]	I dont use a front plate in Dallas and I am prolly going to get a euro rear plate with my real tx drivers lisence number for full time use. I hear you wont get bothered if it has TX then your license plate # __________________ Retired: e46 cabrio, E36 Cabrio, 02' 525i, 325Ci 02' Style 189 335i sport Wheels for sale PM Me BIG CHANGES COMING SOON- Can anyone help me make a sig pic?
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01-07-2007, 10:12 PM	#24
Biemdreamer Ferris Bueller 1 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 328i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Houston, Texas iTrader: (0)	I frequently talk to officers working in my hospital emergency department. I queried them over the issue. The Montgomery County Sherrif Tommy Gage (they state) parks his Corvette in front of the court house and it has no front plate. They state that for the most part, an officer may use you not having a front plate as a reason to pull you over in hope of finding you DUI or in position of drugs or some far greater offense. Another officer stated he was under the impression the law had been repealed and so are some of his co-workers.
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02-11-2007, 10:16 PM	#25
335DOG Private 1 Rep 69 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	I had no front plates for 12 years on my 1995 Honda Accord (180000 miles)and I was pulled over one time for it by a State Trooper. He just said I needed a front plate and told me to go. I've been stopped about 4 times for other violations but never been given a ticket for no front plates. I don't even know where the plates are. Also I drive from Austin to Houston once a week and never been stopped for no plates during these runs .
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02-11-2007, 10:28 PM	#26
grumpymedic Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: Jet Black 07 328i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I have never written a citation for someone not having a front plate. Have i used it as PC to pull a scroat bag over to get dope off the street..yep u bet. Most of the time if you have your d.l. and insurance with you,then you have no worries..unless your the scroat with the dope...
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02-11-2007, 10:30 PM	#27
BenMW Major 53 Rep 1,393 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dallas + Chicago(Lake Forest) iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 330i coupe [0.00] 2002 325ci [0.00]	well i dont drive drunk or do drungs but i have limo tinted windows and no front plate.... I get worried driving at night that ill get pulled over for one of those reasons and somehow get caught for something stupid. Also has a police officer ever cared about painted reflectors? __________________ Retired: e46 cabrio, E36 Cabrio, 02' 525i, 325Ci 02' Style 189 335i sport Wheels for sale PM Me BIG CHANGES COMING SOON- Can anyone help me make a sig pic?
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02-14-2007, 12:21 PM	#33
magamaga - 25 Rep 526 Posts Drives: BMW 325i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Houston, Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Did you know that at some places here in Texas, cops will give you a ticket for having a frame around your license plate? Incredible I know. My car doesn't have a front license plate either. __________________ 325i Sparkling Graphite/Navigation/Steptronic/HeatedSeats/ DRL Angel Eyes/Metal Pedals/Tail Pipe Tips/Rear BMW Spoiler/BMWAlarm/LoJack/BlackLineTailLights/Hardwired BeltronicsProfessionalRX65RadarDetector/Rear FogLights/Debadged/LUX 5.0/ACS Roof Spoiler
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02-14-2007, 04:06 PM	#34
Chase at Stett New Member 1 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 545i \| 328Ci WB SC Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	sounds like everyone is about right on this issue. I don't know the specific legalities of it, and judging by the fact that some police in our state don't know the law... it's not really an issue unless, like stated before, they are looking to pull you over anyways. And I wouldn't blame you getting pulled over on teh liscense plate thing because if it wasn't that, they'd find another reason to pull you over. I've lived in Dallas my entire life (minus 4 years of college), and never had a front plate and I NEVER even got a comment on it. Mind you, I was pulled over 13 times in highschool for being a jackass and not one cop said a thing about the front liscense plate. end of the day, the benefit of not screwing up the style of the front end far out weighs the 1 in a million chance of a 100 dollar ticket __________________ [CENTER] DPE \| VF Engineering \| Active Autowerke \| Brembo \| Dynaudio \| Eisenhaus \| Sachs \| Schrick \| H&R \| Bilstein Serving the DFW Area. www.stettperformance.com
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03-27-2007, 03:32 PM	#35
BiscuitBear Enlisted Member 38 Rep 45 Posts Drives: MW M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DFW iTrader: (0)	havent had a front plate since 97. not ticket yet...either you put one on or dont..i dont like to see the cars with it on the front dash. looks tacky. they can still give you a ticket for putting it on the dash anyways.
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03-27-2007, 05:19 PM	#36
BigDadyCool Finally after so much BullS#&$! 5 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: corpus chirsti texas iTrader: (0)	I had a 325i sedan before and asked a cop that same question he said more than likely there would not be any problem with it. And i just left my car with out the liences plate for 2 years never a ticket or even get pulled over for not havin it! Funny thing is i didnt remove it it got taken off! Ha! Ha!
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03-27-2007, 05:47 PM	#37
BenMW Major 53 Rep 1,393 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dallas + Chicago(Lake Forest) iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 330i coupe [0.00] 2002 325ci [0.00]	I have had no plates front and back for 3 months and limo tints. No temp tags either. __________________ Retired: e46 cabrio, E36 Cabrio, 02' 525i, 325Ci 02' Style 189 335i sport Wheels for sale PM Me BIG CHANGES COMING SOON- Can anyone help me make a sig pic?
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03-27-2007, 09:22 PM	#38
knight Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 235 Posts Drives: aw 330i Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: houston iTrader: (1)	i would probably wait to try any of this stuff until next month.. i remember when a cop pulled me over, first thing he asked was, "is this your car?" i was like, wtf?
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03-29-2007, 11:09 AM	#43
tinster Private 4 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2006 silver e90 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ARLINGTON, TX iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	I have owned many cars from civics and integras to audis and bmws never had front plates. Started college at UT Austin and finished in Houston and move back to DFW area. So I have been pulled over by many of these officers. Never cited for the front plates. No front plates will give officer that do not have anything better to do to stop you and check for other things, mostly if you are driving a drop civic or integra,(two most stolen cars). I have owned Audi and Bmw for the last six year have not been pull over for front plates once. In my opinion front plates are ulgly I will never put one on my cars.Yes, it is a risk, but the way I see it, I am not hiding anything so I not going to sweat over it. If they want to pull you over plates or no plates. As for the euro plate thats only going to bring more attention.
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03-29-2007, 03:09 PM	#44
knight Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 235 Posts Drives: aw 330i Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: houston iTrader: (1)	i just want to get a clarification though, even if you do get a citation for no front plates, it's a fix me ticket correct? and as far as getting euro plates in the front, the only sure answer you'll get is at the dps office on 290 and 610..they're the main office for all the car licenses in houston..i've been meaning to go there and ask, but i never get the time...so if any one wants to help everyone else and get this sorted out, please feel free to volunteer to go ps. bring a picture of a car with euro plates, some of them have no idea what you are doing about.
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