There was some questions being asked about my rear license plate being obstructed by my front access doors so I did some investigative work on the Texas laws that might apply to my situation.
TEX TN. CODE ANN. § 502.409 : Texas Statutes - Section 502.409: WRONG, FICTITIOUS, ALTERED, OR OBSCURED LICENSE PLATE
Quote:
TEX TN. CODE ANN. § 502.409 : Texas Statutes - Section 502.409: WRONG, FICTITIOUS, ALTERED, OR OBSCURED LICENSE PLATE
(a) A person commits an offense if the person attaches to or displays on a motor vehicle a number plate or registration insignia that:
(1) is assigned to a different motor vehicle;
(2) is assigned to the vehicle under any other motor vehicle law other than by the department;
(3) is assigned for a registration period other than the registration period in effect;
(4) is fictitious;
(5) has blurring or reflective matter that significantly impairs the readability of the name of the state in which the vehicle is registered or the letters or numbers of the license plate number at any time;
(6) has an attached illuminated device or sticker, decal, emblem, or other insignia that is not authorized by law and that interferes with the readability of the letters or numbers of the license plate number or the name of the state in which the vehicle is registered; or
(7) has a coating, covering, protective material, or other apparatus that:
(A) distorts angular visibility or detectability;
(B) alters or obscures one-half or more of the name of the state in which the vehicle is registered; or
(C) alters or obscures the letters or numbers of the license plate number or the color of the plate.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (f), an offense under Subsection (a) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $200, unless it is shown at the trial of the offense that the owner knowingly altered or made illegible the letters, numbers, and other identification marks, in which case the offense is a Class B misdemeanor.
(c) to (e) Repealed by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.66, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
(c) Subsection (a)(7) may not be construed to apply to:
(1) a trailer hitch installed on a vehicle in a normal or customary manner;
(2) a transponder, as defined by Section 228.057, that is attached to a vehicle in the manner required by the issuing authority;
(3) a wheelchair lift or wheelchair carrier that is attached to a vehicle in a normal or customary manner;
(4) a trailer being towed by a vehicle; or
(5) a bicycle rack that is attached to a vehicle in a normal or customary manner.
Text of subsection as added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
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So another advantage of my towed boat tail is that it's still a trailer and trailer laws apply to it. Granted that I'm paying about $60 a year to register my trailer and I have to tow it at least 2000 miles to break even on the costs of the registration from the added fuel savings (currently about
2mpg better than not towing it)...it's still not a bad bargain. Hopefully, I'll be able to build the trailer to the point where I'll only need to tow it 1000 miles to break even.