Snafu In Texas Legislature Makes License Plates Optional

A number of special interest groups have fought over the design of specialty license plates in Texas over the past few weeks. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People cheered the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) board last month for rejecting a "Sons of Confederate Veterans" plate the group found racially offensive. An American Indian group blasted a plate honoring the Buffalo Soldiers, a regiment of black troops who served in the US Army from the end of the Civil War through 1951. These plate conflicts may turn out to be unnecessary because beginning on January 1, 2012, the use of license plates in the Lone Star State becomes optional.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, current law mandates the display of two license plates -- one at the front and another at the rear of a vehicle. Failure to comply is a misdemeanor offense punishable by a $200 fine under Texas Code Section 502.404. As part of a sweeping revision of the state vehicle code, however, that provision will soon disappear.

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HoustonMidtown - 12/6/2011 10:47:20 AM

+2 Boost

So we go from having to have 2 to none !!! Sweet !!

internationalmanofmystery - 12/6/2011 11:21:15 AM

+1 Boost

"Lawmakers will not have a chance to remedy their mistake until January 8, 2013 when the legislature reconvenes, UNLESS Governor Perry calls a special session specifically to address the license plate issue"

Joe_Limon - 12/6/2011 11:52:44 AM

+2 Boost

so if the special session isn't called, it's the first annual holiday autobahn for all event in Texas? lol

Agent009 - 12/6/2011 4:23:46 PM

+1 Boost

LOL. the consensus is that you will get a ticket and have to go to court, but pay no fine. Still a hassle.

Joe_Limon - 12/6/2011 4:44:13 PM

+2 Boost

Well, if you're faster then cops w/o a plate they can't ticket you lol.

tecnopolis - 12/7/2011 9:24:19 PM

+1 Boost

Sure, you may not pay a fine. but then you are slapped with gobsmackinkly-high "court costs" to which there is no defense. Pay, or be held in contempt.