Texas driver receives citation for license plates during a test drive at dealership

PROSPER, Texas — Daniel Rocha walked into a Prosper car dealership to test drive a truck, only to find himself in legal trouble within minutes. 

Rocha was pulled over by police shortly after beginning his test drive. The officer informed him that the reason for the stop was the absence of a license plate on the back of the vehicle.

"When he stopped me, he asked for my driver's license and said the reason why I stopped you is because you don't have a license plate in the back," Rocha explained.

Rocha received a citation for "Operating a Vehicle Without License Plates," and he claims the officer suggested that this was an ongoing issue with the dealership.

"He said this has been ongoing with these dealers," Rocha said. "'We've been getting on these guys for doing that,'" he recalled the officer saying. "He said in order for us to make [the dealerships] abide, we're going to start citing the customers," he recalled.

The Prosper Police Department confirmed the violation, stating: "Failure to properly display dealer tags on test-driven vehicles is a violation of Texas law and can pose safety risks, potentially resulting in enforcement action by law enforcement. Under state law, vehicle operators are held responsible for any citations if this law is ignored."

The dealership involved is Longo Toyota of Prosper. A general manager confirmed the event and told WFAA that this was the first time it had occurred at this dealership.

"Safety is a top priority at Longo Toyota of Prosper, and we are dedicated to providing a secure environment for everyone. Our community is very important to us, and we have been active supporters since we opened nearly eight years ago. We recently became aware of an issue during a test drive, which we are actively working to address and resolve. Driver safety is a core value for us, and we proudly sponsor a driver education program in our local area. Our team is dedicated to the well-being of our guests and the community we serve," read a statement from Longo. 

It is unclear how many incidents have occurred where drivers of test-driven vehicles have been cited in the area. But, according to Rocha, the officer implied there is a history of this happening along University Drive or U-S 380.

According to Rocha, the dealership offered to reimburse him for the ticket, though he claims they earlier adjusted the vehicle estimate to account for the cost of the ticket. The dealership's general manager denies this occurred. Rocha did not purchase the vehicle.

For Rocha, the incident adds to an already heavy emotional burden. Rocha’s need for a new vehicle stems from a personal tragedy—his son, Daniel Junior, died in a car accident on August 30th at the age of 44.

"It does upset me that I'm in the middle of this feud that's going on," he shared.

For now, Rocha faces a citation and a court date, all while grieving the loss of his son.