License Plate Lights in Texas Explained
For those interested in the realm of traffic safety, the light you place above your license plate is nothing to ignore. Drivers across Texas are required by law to equip their vehicle – and its front and rear license plates – with special lights that illuminate their license plates at night.
In fact, under Texas Transportation Code Section 547.322, if you’re driving a passenger vehicle – which includes trucks and vans – in the Lone Star State, you’re required to ensure that the lights above your vehicle’s license plates are unleaded, white, and visible for at least 50 feet during the night.
Not surprisingly, there are a number of exceptions applicable with regards to this law, including the fact that if you’re actively driving your passenger vehicle at night, the law doesn’t apply (so long as the vehicle’s headlights are on).
Furthermore, it’s against the law to equip your vehicle with license plate illumination lamps which emit red or blue lights – unless you’re an active member of the service.
Indeed, while most motorists simply go out and buy a standard bulb for their vehicle’s license plate light, some license plate illumination lamps currently on the market emit red, blue, or otherwise colored light. Under Texas law , doing this is illegal. If you’re caught driving with one of these license plate light types, your local officer may issue you a citation or ticket for violating this law.
The consequence for violating Texas Transportation Code Section 547.322 is a simple Class C accident offense that carries a maximum possible fine of $500.
Of course, violating license plate light laws isn’t the only kind of violation you can expect from the latest lights on the market. Some license plate illumination lights don’t just emit red or blue color lights, but may also sport sun visors or other encasements surrounding the light bulbs located above or behind license plates. While these alternative lights can look cool on your car, they may actually constitute another class of violation.
That’s because license plate encasements in any form aren’t legal in Texas. This rule also applies to other license plate frames, license plate holders, covers and the like.
If you’re caught driving with a license plate encasement on your vehicle, you’re looking at a Class C misdemeanor offense like emitting colored lights. The same applies to covering a license plate with clear plastic, glass or any other form of transparent material in an effort to conceal the license plate detail(s).
What Must You Have in Your License Plate Lights
Under Texas law, the light illuminating a license plate in the rear of a vehicle has to be either white or yellow, and shall be of sufficient brightness to make it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet from the rear of the vehicle. The illumination must be steady and cannot flash. Texas Transportation Code 547.326 (a) specifically states: An illuminating device shall: … exhibit a white or amber light that makes the license plate on a vehicle clearly legible by a person with normal eyesight from a distance of 50 feet from the rear of the vehicle; … [and] be steady and not闪烁。 (Emphasis added). The law does not specify what type of bulbs or lighting device must be used, but the illuminating device must be bright enough so that the license plate can be seen from the distance specified. A driver who finds their plate light out should replace it right away. A disgraced former mayor of Bird Island Minnesota actually went to jail for having an inoperable plate lamp, so bringing the vehicle into compliance as soon as possible is important. The law does provide an exception for motorcycles. Under Texas Transportation Code 547.323 motorcycles do not have to display a light in the rear to illuminate a license plate. Clearly however, all other motor vehicles must have one and keep it in working order at all times.
Penalties for Not Complying
The consequences for not following these laws can be quite severe if you get stopped by a law enforcement officer while driving your vehicle with such equipment. The primary consequence will be the issuance of a ticket. This only applies to vehicles that are required to display a rear license plate as discussed above. This means that you are safe whilst operating your passenger vehicle every day, but as soon as you attempt to drive your van or pickup truck with no light illuminating your license plate, you become a target for law enforcement to issue a citation.
The fine associated with a violation of license plate illumination is $182.40, which comes as no surprise. This is the base amount associated with any fine for an infraction under Texas law. The amount can be greatly reduced if the person cited with a violation of this code section is willing to admit to the offense and pay the ticket without appearing in court. The fine can even be dismissed by a court with proof that the equipment was repaired prior to your court date. However, there are many other potential penalties that are not so easily erased. These may include: Officers have the ability to write tickets for more than one infraction. If you are stopped because your headlights are not functioning correctly and it is determined that your license plate light is also out, you can theoretically be issued two tickets as your vehicle was in violation of two different sections of the driver’s manual. If you are found in violation of a license plate illumination infraction at a traffic stop, the police may pull out the OBD-II scanner and check the diagnostic report of your vehicle on their laptop. If they find that your vehicle is overdue for an inspection, they may issue you yet another citation. If you are unable to produce a current insurance card for your vehicle, you may receive a citation for no insurance. If you are a commercial driver, a citation for a license plate lamp infraction may have further reaching consequences. A freight officer has the ability to record the license plate of a rig and submit it to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA). If the truck is then determined to be in violation of multiple infractions, the CMV may be taken off the road and fines can be extremely steep any time a larger vehicle is involved.
Ways to Comply with License Plate Lights
To ensure that your license plate lights are in compliance with Texas law, it’s important for vehicle owners to regularly inspect their plates and lights. This can be done by visually checking the plates and lights from a distance, or by using a flashlight to shine light on the plates and confirm that they are clearly visible. If any problems are identified, such as a burned-out bulb, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible.
Regular maintenance is essential for ensuring that your vehicle is in compliance with Texas law. It’s recommended that you replace your license plate bulbs at least once a year. This is an easy process that can be done by the vehicle owner, but if you need assistance, there are many mechanics and auto parts stores that can offer help. In addition, you should make an effort to keep your vehicle clean and free of debris that might block light from shining on the plates.
Troubleshooting common issues with license plate lights typically involves first examining the bulbs and fixtures for any signs of wear or damage. If the bulbs appear darkened or burned out , they should be replaced immediately. In addition, check the fixtures themselves to ensure that they have not become dislodged or damaged. If the lights flicker or do not turn on at all, this could be indicative of a wiring issue.
When selecting new license plate lights, consider the brightness and color of the fixture. The minimum requirement for license plate illumination in Texas is 50 candela, but higher intensity lights are available for better visibility. Furthermore, consider the cost and how difficult the light will be to install.
In short, maintaining your vehicle in compliance with Texas license plate light laws requires regular inspection of your lights and plates, thorough cleaning, and replacing any defective fixtures or bulbs as quickly as possible. When selecting replacements, opt for fixtures that have a high intensity of brightness, are easy to install, and are reasonably priced.
Updates to License Plates Light Laws
Recent legislative developments in Texas have sought to address potential safety issues that could arise from license plate lights as well. For instance, in 2017, a law was passed that prohibits the use of flashing lights on any motor vehicle, including license plate lights. Exceptions occur for those utilizing flashing lights under the authority of law, such as a police or emergency worker. However, no such exceptions are made for those who simply wish to use flashing lights for aesthetic purposes. Additional restrictions imposed on plate lights through the passing of recent legislation has shed some light on the sometimes dangerous implications of flashing lights. Some drivers have speculated that the bright, flashing lights can be excessively distracting at night, especially in poorly lit areas. This has led to warnings being issued by police to those who use plate lights for aesthetic appearance, but put this to the side as it remains illegal. License plates lights are still subject to all other license plate laws as well, and thus warrant only a white or yellow lamp dropping no more than 4 candlepower toward the rear of the vehicle.
Texas License Plate Lights FAQs
Q: Is there a specific way my license plate light should look and operate?
A: There are a lot of common misconceptions regarding Texas license plate lights. Many people believe that their license plate light simply has to be operational, as in visible at a good distance away, to be in compliance with the law. However, the Texas Transportation Code requires that license plate lights actually be white; if you were to shine it and the light is yellow or blue, you would likely be committing a traffic offense. Additionally, there is a specific height requirement. This can be found in Section 547.22 of the Texas Transportation Code.
Q: Aren’t all license plate lights white?
A: Most license plate lights are, in fact, white – but a few infractions can land you in a whole lot of trouble. For example, many drivers will take out their license plate lights or leave them unconnected. While the license plate light may be white (and visible from a long way away), this is a serious offense. If you get stopped for a license plate light violation , then you should speak to a Southwest Texas license plate light infraction attorney right away.
Q: Where can I learn about what to expect during a license plate light violation stop?
A: The Texas Transportation Code is where you will find information about the law as well as what your rights are while driving in Texas. Section 543.001 of the code details what procedures a police officer must follow when you receive a citation. This is a great place to start.
Q: What happens if the police officer cannot clearly see my license plate?
A: Your license plate does not have to be visible at any distance. It must be visible within a specific distance. Section 547.22(b) of the Texas Transportation Code states: "A license plate light shall be capable of illuminating with a white light the numerals and letters on the license plate of the vehicle so that those numerals and letters are readable at a distance of 50 feet from the vehicle with one beam of light." In other words, the distance requirement is measured at a distance of 50 feet.