The bill amends the Transportation Code to establish new regulations regarding license plates and license plate windshield insignia for passenger cars and light trucks. It mandates that applicants for vehicle registration must receive a set of two license plates, and allows for the display of only a rear license plate if the vehicle lacks a front feature for mounting a plate. In such cases, the vehicle must display a license plate windshield insignia, which the department will issue upon payment of a prescribed fee. The bill also outlines the requirements for the issuance and display of this insignia, including that it must show the same information as the license plate and be placed in the vehicle's front windshield.

Additionally, the bill creates a new criminal offense for operating a vehicle without the required license plates and windshield insignia. It specifies that individuals must possess the unmounted license plate while operating the vehicle and produce it upon request from a peace officer. The bill includes provisions for dismissing charges under certain conditions and prohibits peace officers from stopping vehicles solely for enforcement of the new windshield insignia regulations if the insignia is valid. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and apply only to offenses committed after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Transportation Code 504.010, Transportation Code 504.943 (Transportation Code 504)
House Committee Report: Transportation Code 504.010, Transportation Code 504.943 (Transportation Code 504)
Engrossed: Transportation Code 504.010, Transportation Code 504.943 (Transportation Code 504)