Yesterday I was coming back from lunch and I got pulled over by a policeman in an unmarked car. The first thing out of his mouth was, “You are riding just fine I just stopped you to make sure that you have the appropriate insurance.” My jaw dropped and I asked if it was legal to randomly stop people just to see if they have insurance. He told me that in Texas if you are riding without a helmet that is consider probable cause given you must have at least $10K worth of health insurance. I showed him my license, my proof of auto/bike insurance and my medical health plan card all of which were current. He still gave me a ticket because my insurance cards did not actually state the dollar amounts of my insurance coverage. They do have the following statement across the face, “Meets the minimum required by laws of the State of Texas.” He then proceeded to tell me that all I needed to do was send in a copy of my insurance which states the amounts of coverage along with the ticket and it would be dismissed. He then gave me an application for a sticker that I can place on my licenses plate that proclaims I that I have the appropriate coverage.

My question has this ever happened to any of you?

I’ve be ride since 1985 and I have never been stopped for an insurance check. Seems like the nanny state is growing more intrusive every day.

p.s. The cop was very polite and I was very cooperative. No issues there.

 

Thats bullsh1t, He was digging for something else, You know the biker stereo type, outlaw with a long list of felonies and wanted in 10 states....
Once he pulled you over you were going to get a ticket for something, just because he was nice, don't mean he's wasn't a DICK!!!!!

 

Never heard of such a thing.

 

Yes, the very same thing happened to me weeks after the state repealed the helmet law. Fortunately I was an active member of TMRA (TX motorcycle rights assoc) at the time. A phone call to the chief in Austin took care of my ticket ...........lickety splits like. The real problem here in TX is the amount of uninsured, um........ laborers driving around with babies on their laps and all their cousins sitting in the bed of the truck while dragging a landscaping trailer down the freeway with gravel falling out of it while the cops look the other way. Funny how they're all concerned about your health insurance limits while others drive around with no insurance whatsoever without penalty.

 

That don't seem right...I'm here in Tx also and have not had that happen down here. I know one of the members of the local LEMC and I'll run that past him.

 

That is one of the worst things I have ever heard. So much for freedom. Everyday we loose more personal freedom. CRAP!

 

I have not had it happen to me yet. Also he was correct as to the sticker, you are required to have this on the plate to ride without a helmet. Never gotten the sticker myself, figured I would deal with that when I cross the bridge.

 

You are not required to get the sticker, it's just an option....

 

From http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/helmet.htm

2. Is the helmet exemption sticker required before a motorcyclist can ride without a helmet?
No. The sticker indicates that the motorcyclist meets the requirement for riding without a helmet, and law enforcement officers will presume that they do. Without the sticker motorcyclists may be requested to show police officers their proof of course completion or insurance coverage.

 

Just wait, it's getting worse every day.