Is Texas a Two-Plate State? Front and Rear License Plates

Do You Need a Front License Plate in Texas?

Yes, Texas requires two license plates. Under Texas Transportation Code § 504.943, every vehicle operated on a public highway must display a license plate on both the front and rear. Driving without a front plate is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $200, and it gives police probable cause to stop you at any time.

If you drive anywhere in Texas, you’ll see countless vehicles without front plates passing right by officers without getting stopped. Many vehicle manufacturers don’t include front plate brackets. Cars purchased from states like Oklahoma or Louisiana (which only require rear plates) arrive without them. The legal answer is clear: install the front plate. The practical risk of skipping it depends on your circumstances.

At Varghese Summersett, our team of over 70 attorneys and staff includes former prosecutors and board-certified criminal defense specialists. We’ve secured over 1,600 dismissals and 800 charge reductions across Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, and Southlake. If a routine traffic stop for a missing plate turns into something more serious, we know how to fight it.

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What Are the Risks of Not Having a Front License Plate?

The biggest risk isn’t the $200 fine. It’s the probable cause.

Without a front plate, an officer can legally pull you over at any time. If you’re driving through a high-crime neighborhood or heading home after having a drink, that missing plate gives police an easy justification to stop you. What starts as a simple traffic violation can escalate quickly if an officer claims to smell marijuana, leading to a search, potential arrest, and serious charges.

At Varghese Summersett, we’ve represented clients whose DWI arrests began with exactly this scenario. A missing front plate turned a routine drive home into a life-altering criminal case. We fought one client’s DWI charge all the way to trial and secured a not guilty verdict by jury acquittal. In another case, we got a DWI charge dismissed entirely. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

If there’s any chance you, a passenger, or your vehicle shouldn’t be searched, get the front plate installed. On the other hand, if you drive a collector car that only sees Sunday mornings on empty roads, you might decide the aesthetic trade-off isn’t worth it. Just understand the risk you’re accepting.

Protect Your Rights and Your Record. If a missing plate led to your arrest, call Varghese Summersett at (817) 203-2220 for a free consultation.

What Does Texas Law Say About License Plate Display?

Texas Transportation Code § 504.943 makes it a misdemeanor offense to operate a motor vehicle on a public highway without displaying two license plates. The fine can reach $200.

The Texas Department of Public Safety sets specific placement rules. Under Title 43 Texas Administrative Code Rule 217.27, both plates must be mounted horizontally on the exterior of the vehicle (front and rear), at least 12 inches from the ground, and securely fastened. Placing your front plate inside the windshield does not satisfy this requirement.

You can also be stopped under Transportation Code § 547.322 if your plate isn’t clearly visible from 50 feet at night. Dirty, damaged, or obstructed plates give officers another reason to pull you over.

What Must the State Prove for a License Plate Violation?

To convict you of violating Texas Transportation Code § 504.943, the prosecution must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

First, the State must show you operated a motor vehicle on a public highway. Second, the State must show your vehicle did not display two license plates (one front, one rear) as required. The burden of proof is entirely on the State. You have no obligation to prove your innocence.

Defenses may include challenging whether the road qualifies as a “public highway,” showing that a plate was present but fell off without your knowledge, or demonstrating that the stop itself was pretextual and violated your Fourth Amendment rights.

Why Did Texas Briefly Stop Enforcing the Two-Plate Rule?

Between January 2012 and September 2013, Texas technically required two plates but had no penalty for violating the rule. When the legislature reorganized the Transportation Code in 2012, they accidentally removed the enforcement provision. During those 20 months, officers couldn’t issue valid citations for missing front plates. Traffic stops made solely for this reason could be challenged in court.

The legislature fixed this oversight effective September 1, 2013. Today, the law has full enforcement power, and a missing front plate is a citable offense.

Why Does Texas Require Two License Plates?

A 2012 study by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute found that front plates make automated enforcement possible. Red-light cameras, toll readers, and automatic plate readers all work better when they can photograph vehicles from multiple angles. Two plates also help law enforcement track stolen vehicles and identify hit-and-run suspects.

Texas joins 30 other states and Washington, D.C. in requiring front and rear plates. Every state bordering Texas (Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Louisiana) requires only a rear plate. This creates practical complications for Texans who buy vehicles across state lines.

Which States Require Two License Plates?

Thirty-one states require both front and rear plates. Nineteen states require only rear plates. Here’s the complete breakdown:

State	Plates Required	Statute
Alabama	One Plate	Code of Ala. § 32-6-51
Alaska	Two Plates	Alaska Stat. § 28.10.171
Arizona	One Plate	Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-2354
Arkansas	One Plate	Ark. Code Ann. § 27-14-714
California	Two Plates	Cal. Veh. Code § 5200
Colorado	Two Plates	Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-202
Connecticut	Two Plates	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-18
Delaware	One Plate	Del. Code Ann. tit. 21, § 2121
Florida	One Plate	Fla. Stat. § 316.605
Georgia	One Plate	Ga. Code Ann. § 40-2-41
Hawaii	Two Plates	Haw. Rev. Stat. § 249-7
Idaho	Two Plates	Idaho Code § 49-428
Illinois	Two Plates	625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/3-413
Indiana	One Plate	Ind. Code § 9-18-2-26
Iowa	Two Plates	Iowa Code § 321.37
Kansas	One Plate	Kan. Stat. Ann. § 8-133
Kentucky	One Plate	Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 186.170
Louisiana	One Plate	La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 47:507
Maine	Two Plates	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 29-A, § 451
Maryland	Two Plates	Md. Code Ann., Transp. § 13-411
Massachusetts	Two Plates	Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 6
Michigan	One Plate	Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.225
Minnesota	Two Plates	Minn. Stat. § 169.79
Mississippi	One Plate	Miss. Code Ann. § 27-19-31
Missouri	Two Plates	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 301.130
Montana	Two Plates	Mont. Code Ann. § 61-3-301
Nebraska	Two Plates	Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-399
Nevada	Two Plates	Nev. Rev. Stat. § 482.275
New Hampshire	Two Plates	N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 261:75
New Jersey	Two Plates	N.J. Stat. Ann. § 39:3-33
New Mexico	One Plate	N.M. Stat. Ann. § 66-3-14
New York	Two Plates	N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 402
North Carolina	One Plate	N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-63
North Dakota	Two Plates	N.D. Cent. Code § 39-04-11
Ohio	Two Plates	Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 4503.21
Oklahoma	One Plate	Okla. Stat. tit. 47, § 1113
Oregon	Two Plates	Or. Rev. Stat. § 803.535
Pennsylvania	One Plate	75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1332
Rhode Island	Two Plates	R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-18
South Carolina	One Plate	S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-1240
South Dakota	One Plate	S.D. Codified Laws § 32-5-98
Tennessee	One Plate	Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-4-110
Texas	Two Plates	Tex. Transp. Code § 504.943
Utah	Two Plates	Utah Code Ann. § 41-1a-404
Vermont	Two Plates	Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 23, § 511
Virginia	Two Plates	Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-711
Washington	Two Plates	Wash. Rev. Code § 46.16A.200
West Virginia	One Plate	W. Va. Code § 17A-3-14
Wisconsin	Two Plates	Wis. Stat. § 341.15
Wyoming	Two Plates	Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 31-2-205
Washington, D.C.	Two Plates	D.C. Code § 50-1501.01

Can I Put My License Plate in the Front Windshield?

No. Texas law requires the front plate to be mounted on the exterior front of the vehicle, not inside the windshield or on the dashboard. Under Title 43 Texas Administrative Code Rule 217.27, the plate must be securely fastened in a horizontal position at least 12 inches above the ground.

A plate propped on your dashboard or taped to your windshield doesn’t satisfy Texas requirements. If you’re stopped, you can still be cited for improper display.

What Should You Do If You’re Pulled Over for a Missing Plate?

If an officer stops you for a missing front plate, stay calm and cooperative. Pull over safely, keep your hands visible, and provide your license and insurance when asked. You do not have to answer questions about where you’re going or whether you’ve been drinking. Learn more about your rights during a Texas traffic stop.

Do not consent to a search of your vehicle. Officers may ask, but you have the right to say no. If the stop escalates to an arrest, remain silent and ask for an attorney immediately.

Talk to a Lawyer Before You Speak to Police. If a traffic stop led to criminal charges, call Varghese Summersett at (817) 203-2220 for a free consultation.

What to Expect From Varghese Summersett

When you hire Varghese Summersett, you get a team with the firepower to handle everything from a simple traffic ticket to a complex criminal defense case. Our firm has over 70 attorneys and staff, five board-certified specialists, and former prosecutors on both the state and federal level. We’ve secured over 1,600 dismissals and 800 charge reductions for clients across Texas.

From your first call, we’ll review the facts of your case, explain the law, and lay out a clear strategy. If your charges started with a traffic stop, we’ll examine whether police had valid probable cause, whether they followed proper procedures, and whether any evidence should be suppressed. We handle cases in Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, and Southlake.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Texas License Plates

Is Texas a two-plate state?

Yes. Texas requires license plates on both the front and rear of your vehicle under Transportation Code § 504.943.

What is the fine for no front license plate in Texas?

Up to $200. The offense is classified as a misdemeanor.

Can police pull me over just for a missing front plate?

Yes. A missing front plate gives officers probable cause to initiate a traffic stop at any time. From there, the officer may look for other violations or request to search your vehicle.

Do all Texas vehicles need front plates?

Most do. Motorcycles, trailers, and certain other vehicle types have different requirements. Standard passenger vehicles must display both plates.

What if I bought my car in Oklahoma or another one-plate state?

You still need to install a front plate once you register the vehicle in Texas. The DMV will issue two plates when you register.

Can a missing front plate lead to a DWI arrest?

Yes. A missing plate gives police legal grounds to stop you. If the officer suspects intoxication during the stop, the encounter can escalate to field sobriety tests and a DWI arrest. This is one of the most common ways routine traffic violations turn into serious criminal cases.

Arrested After a Traffic Stop? We Can Help.

What begins as a stop for a missing license plate can quickly become something far more serious. If you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime following a traffic violation in Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, or anywhere in Texas, Varghese Summersett can help.

Our team includes former prosecutors and board-certified criminal defense specialists who have handled thousands of cases that started with routine traffic stops. Call us at (817) 203-2220 for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and build a defense strategy tailored to your situation.