Motorists
License Plates
General-Issue
License Plates
As part of your vehicle registration you are issued a set of general-issue license plates. The plate number is assigned to you by the TxDMV, cannot be personalized.
The plates are good for seven years, and then you are required to obtain a new set of plates from your local county tax office. Mandatory replacement is necessary because at seven years the reflectivity of the license plate sheeting begins to diminish.
When a new general-issue license plate design is released, it takes several years before all registered vehicle owners receive the plates. Those with previous general-issue plate designs that are less than seven years old keep that design until mandatory replacement becomes necessary.
The Texas Classic
Introduced in July 2012, "The Texas Classic" is designed to provide Texans the highest public safety protection.
It is the first license plate in the country to feature two, high-visibility security threads embedded into the plate sheeting, making it easier for law enforcement to spot legitimate plates.
Previous General-Issue Plate Designs
Lone Star Texas
This was the first digital, general-issue license plate, and also the first to use full color and full-plate graphics. When it was launched in June 2009, it began the seven-character plate number.
After 33 years, Texas' growth exhausted the six character alpha-numeric plate patterns. The new passenger vehicle plate patterns began with two letters, followed by a number and then a letter and three numbers.
The plate design was selected by Texans in an online e-Vote. Unfortunately, the plate design was not favored by law enforcement, and some Texans complained the plate's colors clashed with their vehicle color.
Panoramic Texas
This license plate was introduced in 2000, and 31.5 million sets of these plates were manufactured before a new general-issue license plate was launched in 2009. These plates represent the last of a Texas era. The design has the distinction of being the last stamped plate in Texas history, and also the last general-issue plate issued with six characters.
The design of this plate features a little bit of everything, including a space shuttle, oil derrick, and cowboy on a horse. When it was launched in 2000, it became the first Texas plate to use three colors - blue, red and black.
Specialty
License Plates
Specialty license plates give your vehicle a personal touch. The license plates catalog of our website gives instructions on how to apply for these plates. For additional assistance, please contact your local county tax assessor-collector's office.
Order Your
Specialty License Plates
Personalization
You may check the availability of a personalized phrase, letter or number combination through myplates.com, the state's plate marketing vendor's Web site, or through Texas.gov. Personalized plate fees are collected in addition to your registration fees and other applicable fees.
Refunds
TxDMV does not offer refunds for specialty plates. These plates are custom manufactured based on your order.
Renewals
Specialty license plates with random or personalized numbers are issued for a one, five, or ten year term. At the end of each term, prior to expiration, your annual registration renewal notice will remind you that it is time to renew. If your specialty plate selection is not renewed within 60 days of expiration, the TxDMV system will automatically cancel the specialty plate selection, making it available for anyone to order
International Symbol of Access
The International Symbol of Access (ISA) can be placed on a license plate if your medical condition meets the statutory definition of an eligible disability:
- Submit a completed Form VTR-214 with your specialty plate order in person or by mail to your local county tax office. ISA orders cannot be processed online.
- The original Form VTR-214 or acceptable documentation must be submitted when the new plates are picked up at the county tax office.
VTR-214 Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate
More Information
Souvenir
License Plates
Many specialty license plates are available as souvenir plates. Souvenir plates are not street legal and are not insignias of vehicle registration.
You may buy souvenir plates as gifts, mementos, or decorations.
Organizations may buy them in bulk (minimum of 25 plates per order) for resale as a fundraiser, or use them as promotional items, prizes or trophies.
The fee for a single souvenir plate is $20. Personalization is available for an additional $20. For each souvenir plate ordered that is a replica of a specialty plate, we deposit $10 into the sponsoring organization's fund ($20 if personalized) and $10 to the credit of the State Highway Fund.
Ordering Information
Mail a completed application with fee to:
Vehicle Titles and Registration
4000 Jackson Avenue
Austin, TX 78779-0001
Replacement
License Plates
Replacement plates are available through your local county tax assessor-collector’s office. It costs $6 for most vehicles plus a $1 automation fee (used for computer upgrades to the registration and titling system).
VTR-60 Application for Replacement License Plate(s), and/or Vehicle Registration Sticker
License Plate
Transfers
It is simple and free to transfer your license plates to your new vehicle. The TxDMV encourages you to transfer your plates because it protects you. Your local county tax assessor-collector's office will assist with the transfer and issue you a new registration sticker for your vehicle.
You may transfer your plates:
- Between vehicles you own. Your local county tax assessor-collector’s office will issue a new registration sticker for your vehicle.
- To a vehicle purchased from a dealer. Remove the plates and request that the dealer transfer the plates to the new vehicle.
- To a vehicle purchased from a private party. Register the plates with your local county tax assessor-collector office when you title the vehicle in your name.
- To a leased vehicle.
- From a vehicle titled jointly to a vehicle titled in your name alone. If your name has not changed.
Be sure to remove the registration sticker on your old vehicle when you take off the plates.
Note:
- Plates seven years old and older cannot be transferred to another vehicle. New plates must be obtained due to safety concerns related to the loss of reflectivity.
- General issue plates may be transferred to passenger vehicles and trucks weighing one ton or less.
