EXCLUSIVE

Travis Barker believes an LAPD officer pulled him over, and immediately labeled him a drug-toting gang member -- and says it's second time he's been "profiled" by law enforcement ... TMZ has learned.

Travis was on his way to pick up his daughter in L.A. Wednesday, when he got pulled over for not having a front license plate on his custom Chevy.

According to Barker's rep ... the officer gave him the ole once-over, saw his head-to-toe tatts ... and "then accused him of having drugs and weapons in the car."

Barker's rep tells TMZ ... he was also accused of having gang ties, and was asked to have his car searched by the officer -- which Barker allowed him to do.

Barker's rep tells TMZ , the drummer ultimately got off with a fix-it ticket -- but he's still pissed because the same exact thing happened about a year ago ... when an LAPD officer slapped him with a ticket for no plates and tinted windows.

Barker believes profiling is NOT okay -- but acknowledges that not all cops do it.