New TX License Plate Law...

[Fishman]

A much talked about Texas law involving license plate frames is now in place. If any part of your license plate frame blocks any lettering on your plate (eg the word 'Texas') you could be fined a couple of hundred bucks.
I purchased a really attractive chrome plated plate frame from Ecklers (part #40007, about $25.00) that does not cover any wording on the top or bottom of the plate. This frame 'clips' directly to the plate itself, it is not 'bolted' on through the plate. The frame can be used on any car for any year.

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=40007&dept%5Fid=1497&mscssid=JB1JH0FGT9S92LQ800N0SM2EPTGHFVFE

 

[Tom73]

I have heard of that new law/rule, do you have any links to the details?

tom...

 

[Tom Bryant]

That frame is a repro of the one that used to be available from GM as an accessory. I have some NOS ones downstairs in storage someplace. A very nice piece that, as you said, won't cause any problems with the law.

Tom

 

[Fishman]

tom... couldn't find anything on the 'State' site (go figure), but here is a URL to a local story about the new law.

http://www.wfaa.com/latestnews/stories/091703dnbizplates.6cee9bf.html

 

[Tom73]

Cannot get into that site, must be a registered user.

I did find that it is SB439. Here is the TEXT .

tom...

 

[TWINRAY]

New York City just had (or is having) a rigious enforcement of the same policy. It was written in my AAA magazine. Instead of rounding up criminals, New York's finest are chasin down license plates.:crazy
The whole thing makes me

 

[Fishman]

I think a lot of the problem here in Texas is that there are too many specialty plates available. I think you only need a few thousand people to sign a petition for a new style plate. The dealer frames here work well on the run-of-the-mill plates, but frankly, I have looked at some cars plates and been unable to determine the state of origin. Not really a criminal activity... but I can see the problem the cops must have in identifying where the driver is registered. My guess is that this will simply become an 'excuse' to pull folks over that may have been behaving badly... and/or more money for those little towns that rely exclusively on citations for revenue.

 

[Brack]

Plate problems...

There is an article in the Houston paper today that states that the people with the Toll Roads are Behind this new law.....Because people were putting on frames that were / are designed specifically to be able to block cameras from taking pics of people zoomimg thru toll lanes....it was meant to target those people that put "glowing" ( note " see ricer " ) light frames and also frames with a special "film" on them that would blur the picture ......but it looks like everyone that has a frame will get busted now....

 

[matchframe]

I read about the State Representative who wrote the initial bill intended to cover only plates that had the plastic cover over the license plate, because of the toll road cameras could not see the numbers. When it was on the floor in Austin, they included frames around the plates as well because almost every other vehicle has them. This gives the Police Officer a violation to write up if he encounters a belligerent driver. The intention is not to start writing up Grandma for having the place where she bought her car advertised around the plate, but for the belligerent drivers to have another charge to be thrown at them.

Personally, the only thing I have on my vehicles that did not come from the factory is an American Flag sticker on the rear glass. I feel I have paid enough to the dealers where they don't deserve free advertisement around my plates.

Bill

 

[BeaterShark]

I wonder if the new "attention" to TX license plates will also result in more tickets for no front plate?

I know that before Collin Co started emissions testing, I had no problem getting my non AIR, non thermo air switch '69 through an inspection. The first year emissions testing was done, I was given a real hard time in passing a visual. It was also the same station that I had been to for the previous 3 years.

 

[Fishman]

BeaterShark... The news reports about the new plate law also bring up the fact that lots of folks are running illegal regarding no front plate... I think you are correct in thinking that more attention will be given to this issue. I just got new personalized plates... the ones that look really close to the Texas flag (actually called "State of the Arts") with '78' on them. They looked so great, I actually put my front plate back on!

 

[Corvette-Pilot]

Re: Plate problems...

.....Because people were putting on frames that were / are designed specifically to be able to block cameras from taking pics of people zoomimg thru toll lanes....it was meant to target those people that put "glowing" ( note " see ricer " ) light frames and also frames with a special "film" on them that would blur the picture ......but it looks like everyone that has a frame will get busted now....

Interesting point !
I thought it may have something to do with the clear plate covers that are intended to difuse lasar speed guns??

In MA they aer getting ****y about it too. My truck's front plate was behind a grill gaurd and I had to move it before getting my inspection sticker. The shop owner told me about the fact it is illegal to have ANYTHING blocking the plate. Frame around the edge hides the state name, clear cover, doesn't matter.

My guess is that this will simply become an 'excuse' to pull folks over that may have been behaving badly...

Another good point. Gives them a stupid reason to pull you over and hope to find something else while they are at it.

Politics !

 

[gooney0]

Doesn't sound like a good law to me. They should be able to use some common sense, regarding weather or not the tag is "readable."

I see guys here in Maryland who have a dark tinted cover over their plate. You can't read the numbers when you are right behind them!

It makes me wonder why they don't get pulled over? Sadly I'm no longer surprised at the idiot things the MD police and courts do anymore. :-(

btw: Florida is the same way.. they have so many different plates you can't tell which state they are from! They put out at least 15 different tags last I checked.

-Gooney0

 

[LittleRedFlatBack]

Here's a link to the National Motorist Association's comments about the new license plate law. It's called SB439. http://www.texasmotorists.org/new_laws/default.asp

 

[matchframe]

That is a great link!

I will have to check it from time to time to see what is new.

Bill

 

[Tom Bryant]

Interesting link. Some good laws there with the junk too. It's only a matter of time until some genius invents a film you can put on your license plate that isn't visible from a car following you that will still difuse the light from a a Nazi camera flash making the plate unrecordable on film. How's that for a run-on sentance?

Tom

 

[resto75]

btw: Florida is the same way.. they have so many different plates you can't tell which state they are from! They put out at least 15 different tags last I checked.

I think Florida just added another one and if I heard right they now have 80 different specialty plates (call em tags here).

 

[KOPBET]

I think Florida just added another one and if I heard right they now have 80 different specialty plates (call em tags here).

We're (Okla.) over a hundred now.

 

[81LT4]

Another reason for collecting more money from the good ol'e
citizens. Just think about what's next.