Vehicle Titles and Registration - Year 2003 RTBs

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These documents contain text of correspondence sent by TxDOT to the county tax assessor-collectors, statutory agents who provide vehicle registration and titling services for citizens in Texas. This information is provided to apprise the general public of issues affecting the state’s vehicle titling and registration process.

Registration and Title Bulletin #108-03

Date:	September 26, 2003
To:	All County Tax Assessor-Collectors
Subject:	Senate Bill 439, Relating to Altered or Obscured License Plates

PURPOSE
To provide information concerning inquiries relating to Senate Bill 439, enacted by the 78^th Texas Legislature, 2003, which makes it an offense to have an altered or obscured license plate on a motor vehicle.

DETAILS
Based on information provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the following is summarized for your information and appropriate action:

The Legislative language could affect license plates brackets, borders or frames if they interfere with the "readability" of the state where the vehicle is registered. If this is the case, it could be a ticketable offense.

DPS will apply common sense in enforcing this law, and make no immediate effort to enforce the new portion of this law. In fact, DPS has a 90-day warning period for this law and other laws.

As far as license plate frames are concerned, DPS policy is that so long as the state where the license plate is registered is readily identifiable, there is no violation. The numbers and letters on the plate must also be readable.

DPS policy and interpretation are not binding on law enforcement agencies around the state.

COUNTY ACTION
If your office receives any inquiries about Senate Bill 439 relating to motor vehicles with altered or obscured license plates, please refer them to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Law Enforcement Section at 512/424-2110, or have them contact their local law enforcement agency.

CONTACT PERSONS
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact your local Texas Department of Transportation, Vehicle Titles and Registration Division Regional Office. Thank you very much.

In some cases the Registration and Title Bulletins (RTB) contain attachments. If you require a copy of the original signed RTB and the attachments, please email your request with the RTB number to VTR Info Request/Open Records. Repeat requests are subject to charges in accordance with Open Record policies. A subscription service is also available for an annual fee of $250. Subscribers will automatically receive all RTB mailings as they are issued.