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License plates in Texas can be obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
It is possible to apply for specialty, disability, or temporary plates in addition to the state’s standard license plate.
Most Texas license plates can be personalized if you want a custom plate number.
Sample Texas License Plate
Applying for License Plates in Texas
Texas residents can apply for license plates at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office.
New residents with an out-of-state vehicle must register within 30 days of moving to Texas.
Texas residents who purchase a new or used vehicle must also register within 30 days.
To register, the following documentation is required:
Titling documents
Completed registration forms
Valid ID
Proof of insurance
Emissions test results
Lien information (if applicable)
Payment for registration fees
All vehicles must have license plates to legally operate in the state of Texas. For cars, vans, and trucks, license plates are required on both the front and the rear of the vehicle. For motorcycles and trailers, it is only necessary to have license plates at the rear.
Types of License Plates in Texas
There are various types of license plates available in Texas, in addition to the standard license plates. The standard plate issued by the DMV in Texas has a white background with black lettering.
Other types of Texas license plates include:
Temporary license plates
Specialty license plates
Disability license plates
Temporary License Plates in Texas
Temporary license plates are required to drive legally while you complete your vehicle’s registration process.
If you purchase a vehicle from a private seller, you must obtain temporary plates in advance from an authorized provider (i.e., a Texas DMV office or car dealership).
When you purchase a vehicle from a dealership, the dealer typically includes temporary plates.
Temporary license plates in Texas are valid for 5 days.
Specialty License Plates in Texas
Specialty license plates are available from the DMV in Texas, such as:
Military License Plates: For military personnel, honoring their service, awards, and experiences. For example:
Purple Heart Plates
Bronze Cross Plates
U.S. Army Plates
Organizational License Plates: Special plates that support a cause, charity, or organization. For example:
Boy Scouts of America Plates
Fight Terrorism Plates
American Quarter Horse Society Plates
School License Plates: Stylized plates with school crests for alumni, students, faculty, and supporters. For example:
Phi Beta Sigma Plates
Kelley Highschool Plates
University of Texas Plates
Occupational License Plates: Commemorate select services provided in Texas. For example:
EMT Plates
Firefighter Plates
Police Emblem Plates
To obtain a specialty license plates, you can apply online, by mail, or in person (when you register your vehicle).
A complete list of specialty plates along with their fees can be obtained from your local DMV office.
Personalized License Plates in Texas
It is possible to personalize most license plates in Texas. Personalization allows you to choose a custom plate number as long as it follows these guidelines from the DMV:
Up to 7 characters long (numbers and letters)
No profanity or misleading suggestions
Available for registration
Personalized plates require approval from the DMV before being issued. If approved, there are additional fees for registering these plates.
You can check if a particular Texas license plate number is available by putting your chosen number in the search box above.
Transferring License Plates in Texas
If you own another vehicle or purchase a new vehicle, you can transfer your license plates to another vehicle which belongs to you for free.
The vehicle to which you are transferring your plates, whether owned or leased, must be in your name.
It is not possible to transfer license plates from one owner to another.
If you do not need your license plates any longer, they must be surrendered to the DMV.
Surrendering License Plates in Texas
You may be required to surrender your license plates if you:
Move out of Texas
Have damaged plates and apply for replacements
Cancel your vehicle’s insurance
No longer require your plates (for example, if you sell your vehicle and don’t purchase a replacement)
Plates can be surrendered by mailing them to the DMV or bringing them in person to a DMV office.
Lost, Damaged, or Stolen License Plates
If your Texas license plates are lost, damaged, or stolen, you must obtain replacements from the DMV.
To apply for replacements, you must:
Submit an application for lost, damaged, or stolen plates
Surrender any license plates remaining
Provide payment for replacement fees
Note: Old and faded license plates must also be replaced, to ensure your plates are always clearly visible when you drive on Texas roads and highways.
Renewing License Plates in Texas
You should receive a notification in the mail well before the registration for your vehicle’s license plates expires.
You can submit your renewal payment and any necessary documents by mail, in person, or online.
Once your renewal has been processed, you’ll receive new registration stickers to apply to your rear license plate.
Summary of Fees for Texas License Plates
The following summarizes a few of the required fees when registering your vehicle with the DMV in Texas:
Vehicle Registration & Renewal:
Passenger Vehicles: $51.75
Heavy Vehicles (6,001 to 10,000 lbs): $54
Trailers: $45
Mopeds and Motorcycles: $30
Local Fee: $10
Inspection Fee: $7.50
Electric Vehicle Fee: $200 annually
Processing and Handling Fee: $4.75
Transfer fee: Free
Replacement Plates:
Plates & Stickers: $6
Not listed above are taxes, service fees, and any other fees required to obtain and maintain your license plates. Fees vary by plate type and vehicle. To obtain an estimate for registering your vehicle, contact a DMV office in your county.
Looking Up License Plates in Texas
You can look up license plates in Texas using the search bar above.
After submitting your desired plate number for personalization, you can learn whether it is available or not.
You can also search for information associated with a vehicle, such as:
Vehicle history
Reports
Media (photos, videos, etc.)
FindByPlate offers you a free search tool to look up license plates in Texas and any other state in the U.S.
Car Ownership in Texas
Texas ranks 11th on the list of states with the highest car ownership rates. Idaho and Wyoming top the list. The District of Columbia and New York are at the bottom of the list.
94.80% of households in Texas have at least one vehicle. This is compared to 96.20% in Idaho and Wyoming (the two states with the highest car ownership rates) and 64.30% in the District of Columbia (the lowest car ownership rate).
Texas ranks 20th (tied with Delaware) for electric vehicle ownership in the US. Approximately 0.33% of all registered vehicles in Texas are electric vehicles. California (1.61%) and Hawaii (1.32%) have the highest percentage of electric vehicles Mississippi and North Dakota (both at 0.05%) have the lowest percentage of electric vehicles.
Texas is ranked 10th (tied with Wyoming) on the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US. California and Nevada are at the top of the table (most expensive states) and Ohio is at the bottom of the table (least expensive state) for car ownership costs in the US.
The average cost of annual full coverage car insurance in Texas is $2,938. This is considerably lower than New York ($4,769) but considerably more than Ohio ($1,112) which are the most and least expensive states, respectively, for full coverage car insurance.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Texas is $397. In Connecticut, the most expensive state for car repair, a check engine light-related car repair is $418 on average.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Texas use 2 license plates?
Yes, passenger cars, vans, and trucks registered in Texas are required to display 2 license plates, one of the front and one on the rear of the vehicle. Motorcycles and trailers are only required to display a rear plate.
What does a Texas license plate look like?
The standard license plates are called “Texas Classic” and feature a white background with black letters. There is a Texas star in the upper left corner and a silhouette of the state behind the plate number.
Why are Texas license plates so plain?
Texas has chosen a simple design called “Texas Classic” for the standard license plates after drivers complained that the previous design clashed with their car colors. The previous design was called “Lone Star Texas” and featured a red, white, and blue color theme with a desert landscape design.
Does Texas have vehicle inspections?
Texas has vehicle inspections, but beginning in 2025, the state is doing away with this requirement. However, vehicles registered in some of the larger counties in the state will still need to pass an emissions test.