GreenHybrid license plate frames and Texas law - GreenHybrid

doppler · #1 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 05:29 PM

I just got my "I get 50 MPG. You?" custom license plate frames that I ordered from the GH CafePress store. Yay!

Well, I've just been informed by a friend of mine (who happens to drive an Insight) that the plate frames sold by CafePress are essentially illegal in Texas.

He pointed me to this Snopes.com article http://www.snopes.com/politics/traffic/texasplate.asp which in turn links to the text of the actual Texas Senate bill wherein this law was enacted. One is in violation of this law if anything obscures the license number or issuing state on the plate.

In essence, the top portion of the aforementioned plate frame obscures about 50-75% of the word "TEXAS", which would put it squarely in violation of this law.

Another friend, who happens to be a cop here in Austin, opined that I'm unlikely to get pulled over or fined ($200!) for this infraction, but he would not rule out the possibility. So, I put mine on anyway.

I'll put them up for sale here at a significant discount in order to offset the cost of my $200 ticket if I ever incur one.

Jason · #2 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 05:56 PM

Yeah, it's unfortunate. I may ditch mine when I move to Houston. Of course the $200 would be a pain, but what worries me more is that I could get pulled over at a really bad time. Who knows what could be happening then. Sorry, but the plate's design is out of my control!

[edit] I did notice on your order a week ago that you purchased two. Is this one for the front and one for the back?

hawkGT647 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 05:59 PM

Just a wild thought:
How about enlarging the mounting holes on the GreenHyrid frame so it could be shifted up, so it wouldn't cover up "TEXAS"?

I had a similar problem with my frame, it covered the registration sticker, I enlarged the frame at that spot with a Dremel tool.

Regards,

ericbecky · #4 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 06:13 PM

I agree that they can be modified, but I also agree that it is unlikely you'll get pulled over for it. (But you never know...)

Start looking around at other license plate frames when you're on the road. I'll bet you find a lot of frames, even car dealer frames, that obscure important plate information.

Hot_Georgia_2004 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 11:05 AM

That's the only reason I haven't gotten mine.

My wife had the same frame casting on her van that said "AVON" and got a warning ticket because the county and expiration date was hidden.

doppler · #6 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 11:11 AM

Jason: yes, I mounted frames on both my back and front plates.

Jason · #7 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 11:40 AM

It isn't just the CafePress frames that are illegal. I'm sure most every license plate frame with a similar shape would have a similar problem. Unfortunate, isn't it.

Delta Flyer · #8 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 11:54 AM

How Ironic!

The day this thread started, I was almost selected for a trial, one of the lesser charges was this obscured license plate law. The major charge was the defendant had his daughter in the back of the pickup while driving.

Maybe the defense picked up my body language about careless/neglegent drivers....

tbaleno · #9 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 01:15 PM

I think the charge with the obscured license plate was added just to be able to get more of a fine from this guy. Also, they might be able offer to throw that out if the guy pleads guilty to the greater charge or vice versa.