Quick question for those in TX - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

ralhou · 05-11-2007, 01:01 PM

Apologies in advance, but I am not a native!

I recently bought a 2006 325i. It has a license plate holder on the back (still got dealers tags at the moment) but nothing on the front. My dealer has told me that I am legally required to put a license plate on the front of the car. So, do I really need to do this? And if so, then why haven't they provided me with a place to put it?

Thanks!

Pharmacist_ · 05-11-2007, 01:26 PM

On my current car I have never had a front license plate on (~ 7 years). By law you are supposed to have both front and back, but it doesn't appear to be strictly enforced (at least not here in DFW). The only time I got cited for it was in some podunk town outside of Amarillo, and thats probably because they needed the money. Anyways, in major towns I wouldnt worry about it too much. Enjoy your ride.

Chi-town330 · 05-11-2007, 01:38 PM

I think temporary tags are usually only placed on the rear. My guess is when you go back to get your permanent plates, they will put one on front and rear, and provide the brackets, unless you tell them not to put one up front.

As to the law in Texas, back when I lived there it was a requirement as I recall, but not sure of current law. If you don't get a Texas-specific answer on here, you may want to try the southwest region sub-forum:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=51

bmrfam · 05-11-2007, 01:59 PM

It is a law in Texas to have front and back plates and that they can not be covered by anything. This even goes for plate frames that cover minor stuff like the moon or stars. Technically they are illegal.

Like was stated already, your mileage may vary. I had 3 e46's for 3 years each with no front plates and no problems. I also have an X3 without plates and was pulled over for 3 warnings on speeding and the plate was never mentioned. On the fourth pull-over, I was given a ticket for both the plate and the speeding. It really depends on what they are looking for and if they notice it or not. If they do, the law says you can get a ticket.

Even with that though, all you have to do is mount it (or make it look like it is well mounted) and show it to the court. They will then wave the citation.

ralhou · 05-11-2007, 02:00 PM

Thanks guys. I have found a discussion on this very topic in the SW region forum!

smellthebeans · 05-11-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmrfam

It is a law in Texas to have front and back plates and that they can not be covered by anything. This even goes for plate frames that cover minor stuff like the moon or stars. Technically they are illegal.

TRUE

bill was introduced in Austin to change this sent to Perry's desk....dont know if he signed it?

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/7168516.html

gonzo · 05-11-2007, 02:51 PM

I never have fronts. In my M3 got pulled over once outside Houston. Highway man. Gave me a warning..because. I keep a beat up bug covered plate in the trunk. It flew off ofsicur.

wuufer001 · 05-11-2007, 05:11 PM

my dealer gave me two plates and an extra bracket for the front but he asked me if i want to have them put on i said no. the bracket and the other plate is still at home. he said he won't recommend putting such brackets on such nice cars but can't guarantee that i won't get a ticket for it.

SoYank · 05-11-2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smellthebeans

TRUE

bill was introduced in Austin to change this sent to Perry's desk....dont know if he signed it?

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/7168516.html

"In 2003, the Legislature banned placing anything on a license plate that interferes with the readability of the name of the state where it was issued or another original design feature."

Wow! The way I'm reading the second paragraph of that article indicates that if I drive into Texas with Virginia plates and a frame that obscures part of the wonderful mountain scene or with North Carolina plates with the "First Flight" covered, I'm liable for a ticket even if the frame doesn't violate Virginia or North Carolina law.

Couch · 05-12-2007, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoYank

"In 2003, the Legislature banned placing anything on a license plate that interferes with the readability of the name of the state where it was issued or another original design feature."

Wow! The way I'm reading the second paragraph of that article indicates that if I drive into Texas with Virginia plates and a frame that obscures part of the wonderful mountain scene or with North Carolina plates with the "First Flight" covered, I'm liable for a ticket even if the frame doesn't violate Virginia or North Carolina law.

That law was recently change, and I believe takes affect in September. They did a whole segment on a local Houston news channel about it, and how ridiculous of a law it was.

Gubbins · 05-12-2007, 11:09 AM

I have not had a front plate on any of my cars for three years in Dallas with no problems. I was in fact pulled over only last week for speeding in Dallas and the cop said nothing about my missing front plate. But I was once given a repair it ticket for my front plate about four years ago, in Plano. So in the rare event that you do get called out on it, keep your front plate and bracket around.

05-11-2007, 01:01 PM	#1
ralhou Panzer Commander Drives: 2010 E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: TX Posts: 71 iTrader: (0)	Quick question for those in TX Apologies in advance, but I am not a native! I recently bought a 2006 325i. It has a license plate holder on the back (still got dealers tags at the moment) but nothing on the front. My dealer has told me that I am legally required to put a license plate on the front of the car. So, do I really need to do this? And if so, then why haven't they provided me with a place to put it? Thanks!
	Tweet

05-11-2007, 02:51 PM	#7
gonzo Brigadier General Drives: as many as possible Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: TeXXXas Posts: 4,765 iTrader: (0)	I never have fronts. In my M3 got pulled over once outside Houston. Highway man. Gave me a warning..because. I keep a beat up bug covered plate in the trunk. It flew off ofsicur. __________________ Crazy Diamond

05-11-2007, 05:11 PM	#8
wuufer001 Colonel Drives: 2006 E90 M/T Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: DFW, TX//Taiwan//South Africa Posts: 2,332 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2006 325i [4.50]	my dealer gave me two plates and an extra bracket for the front but he asked me if i want to have them put on i said no. the bracket and the other plate is still at home. he said he won't recommend putting such brackets on such nice cars but can't guarantee that i won't get a ticket for it. __________________

05-11-2007, 01:26 PM	#2
Pharmacist_ Straight outta Loca$h Drives: '08 e92 335i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Big D Posts: 174 iTrader: (0)	On my current car I have never had a front license plate on (~ 7 years). By law you are supposed to have both front and back, but it doesn't appear to be strictly enforced (at least not here in DFW). The only time I got cited for it was in some podunk town outside of Amarillo, and thats probably because they needed the money. Anyways, in major towns I wouldnt worry about it too much. Enjoy your ride.

05-11-2007, 01:38 PM	#3
Chi-town330 First Lieutenant Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 308 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 E90 330i [0.00]	I think temporary tags are usually only placed on the rear. My guess is when you go back to get your permanent plates, they will put one on front and rear, and provide the brackets, unless you tell them not to put one up front. As to the law in Texas, back when I lived there it was a requirement as I recall, but not sure of current law. If you don't get a Texas-specific answer on here, you may want to try the southwest region sub-forum: http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=51

05-11-2007, 01:59 PM	#4
bmrfam Private Drives: 330ci & X3 3.0 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Dallas Posts: 61 iTrader: (0)	It is a law in Texas to have front and back plates and that they can not be covered by anything. This even goes for plate frames that cover minor stuff like the moon or stars. Technically they are illegal. Like was stated already, your mileage may vary. I had 3 e46's for 3 years each with no front plates and no problems. I also have an X3 without plates and was pulled over for 3 warnings on speeding and the plate was never mentioned. On the fourth pull-over, I was given a ticket for both the plate and the speeding. It really depends on what they are looking for and if they notice it or not. If they do, the law says you can get a ticket. Even with that though, all you have to do is mount it (or make it look like it is well mounted) and show it to the court. They will then wave the citation.

05-11-2007, 02:00 PM	#5
ralhou Panzer Commander Drives: 2010 E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: TX Posts: 71 iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys. I have found a discussion on this very topic in the SW region forum!

05-12-2007, 11:09 AM	#11
Gubbins Private Drives: 2011 M3, 2012 GT-R, 2011 X6 50 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 79 iTrader: (0)	I have not had a front plate on any of my cars for three years in Dallas with no problems. I was in fact pulled over only last week for speeding in Dallas and the cop said nothing about my missing front plate. But I was once given a repair it ticket for my front plate about four years ago, in Plano. So in the rare event that you do get called out on it, keep your front plate and bracket around.