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.
What to notice:
Section a1 says you have to display 2 plates issued by “the department”, which is defined in 504.001 as the Texas DMV. Does this mean that cars registered in another state can’t drive in Texas? Of course not. This only specifically means that if plates have been issued to a vehicle, that vehicle can not be used without those plates or beyond their expiration.
It also says this is only required if you are “operating” “during a registration period”. Both must be true, meaning that if you are not “operating,” you do not need the plates, and if you are not within the “registration period” you do not need them.
Disclaimer: This is only in reference to this particular statute, and there may be other rules which make it a violation to use your car without plates. See 502.001 for general definitions.
