Tex. Codes » Transportation Code · TITLE 7. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC · SUBTITLE A. CERTIFICATES OF TITLE AND REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES · CHAPTER 504. LICENSE PLATES
Texas Codes

Tex. Transp. Code § 504.943 (2026)

Operation Of Vehicle Without License Plate

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Sec. 504.943. OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT LICENSE PLATE. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person commits an offense if the person operates on a public highway, during a registration period, a motor vehicle that does not display two license plates that:

(1) have been assigned by the department for the period; and

(2) comply with department rules regarding the placement of license plates.

(b) A person commits an offense if the person operates on a public highway during a registration period a road tractor, motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer that does not display a license plate that:

(1) has been assigned by the department for the period; and

(2) complies with department rules regarding the placement of license plates.

(c) This section does not apply to a dealer operating a vehicle as provided by law.

(d) A court may dismiss a charge brought under Subsection (a)(1) if the defendant:

(1) remedies the defect before the defendant's first court appearance; and

(2) pays a reimbursement fee not to exceed $10.

(e) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 (H.B. 2357), Sec. 221, eff. January 1, 2012.

Amended by:

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 260 (H.B. 625), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1352 (S.B. 346), Sec. 2.65, eff. January 1, 2020.

Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 919 (S.B. 1923), Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2021.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 18 cases (7 in the last 5 years), 2014–2026 · leading case: Lewis v. State, 532 S.W.3d 423 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016).
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Lewis v. State, 532 S.W.3d 423 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016). · cites it 2× “Laws 1296 (amended 2013) (current version at Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 504.943 (a)(2) (West 2013)).”
Texas Div. v. Vandergriff, 759 F.3d 388 (5th Cir. 2014). · cites it 2× “Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 504.943 ; 43 Tex.”
United States v. Gonzalez, 121 F. Supp. 3d 1094 (D.N.M. 2015). “” Tex. Transp. Code § 504.943(a). . The Tenth Circuit has said that, during a "routine traffic stop, an officer’s retention of a defendant's documents' is significant because it indicates that the defendant, as a general rule, did not reasonably feel free to terminate the…”
Texas Dep't of Pub. Saf. v. Anisty Mirasol, No. 03-15-00300-CV (Tex. App.—Austin July 6, 2015). · cites it 2× “15, 16 TEX. TRANSP. CODE §504.943 (WEST 2015) ..”
Robert Earl Marzett v. State, No. 05-15-00148-CR (Tex. App.—Dallas Apr. 25, 2016). “Following a de novo trial before the court, appellant was again convicted of both offenses. The trial court assessed a $99 fine in each cause.”
Robert Earl Marzett v. State, No. 05-15-00147-CR (Tex. App.—Dallas Apr. 25, 2016). “Following a de novo trial before the court, appellant was again convicted of both offenses. The trial court assessed a $99 fine in each cause.”
Robert Marzett v. State, No. 02-16-00043-CR (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Sept. 29, 2016). “13 Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 504.943 (a) (West Supp.”
Marzett, Robert, No. PD-0071-17 (Tex. Crim. App. Mar. 28, 2017). “13 Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 504.943 (a) (West Supp.”
Larry Thomas Chambers, Jr. v. State, No. 06-18-00090-CR (Tex. App.—Texarkana Mar. 29, 2019). “3 See TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 504.943 (West 2018), § 547.”
Alejo Vargas v. State, No. 10-20-00097-CR (Tex. App.—Waco Jan. 27, 2021). “From his position behind the wheel, is he being profiled? Is he being stopped with no reason?[1] Is this a police 1 Trooper Helton testified that the vehicle Vargas was driving did not have a front license plate, as required by the Texas Transportation Code. See TEX. TRANSP.”
David Brent Green v. State of Texas, No. 07-19-00412-CR (Tex. App.—Amarillo July 14, 2021). “” TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 504.943(b) (West Supp.”
Chambers, Larry Thomas, Jr., No. PD-0424-19 (Tex. Crim. App. Apr. 6, 2022). “See Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 504.943 (West 2018); 547.”
Show all 18 citing cases →
Tex. Transp. Code § 504.943(a): 3 cases
United States v. Gonzalez, 121 F. Supp. 3d 1094 (D.N.M. 2015). “” Tex. Transp. Code § 504.943(a). . The Tenth Circuit has said that, during a "routine traffic stop, an officer’s retention of a defendant's documents' is significant because it indicates that the defendant, as a general rule, did not reasonably feel free to terminate the…”
Alejo Vargas v. State, No. 10-20-00097-CR (Tex. App.—Waco Jan. 27, 2021). “From his position behind the wheel, is he being profiled? Is he being stopped with no reason?[1] Is this a police 1 Trooper Helton testified that the vehicle Vargas was driving did not have a front license plate, as required by the Texas Transportation Code. See TEX. TRANSP.”
Jesus Cortez Jr. v. State of Texas, No. 11-18-00144-CR (Tex. App.—Eastland May 12, 2022).
Tex. Transp. Code § 504.943(a)(2): 1 case
Fernando Martinez, Jr. v. State of Texas, No. 08-24-00391-CR (May 15, 2026).
Tex. Transp. Code § 504.943(b): 1 case
David Brent Green v. State of Texas, No. 07-19-00412-CR (Tex. App.—Amarillo July 14, 2021). “” TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 504.943(b) (West Supp.”
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