Vehicle registration plates of Texas

The U.S. state of Texas first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1907. Registrants provided their own license plates for display, with serial numbers assigned by their county of residence, until the state began to issue plates in 1917.[1]

Texas
Current series
NameTexas Classic
SloganThe Lone Star State
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC-1234
IntroducedJuly 2012 (2012-07)
Availability
Issued byTexas Department of Motor Vehicles
Manufactured byWynne Unit, Huntsville, Texas
History
First issuedJuly 1, 1917 (1917-07-01)
(pre-state plates from 1907 through June 30, 1917)

As of 2023, plates are manufactured at the Wynne Unit in Huntsville, Texas, and are issued by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV).[2] Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles, trailers and antique vehicles.[3]

Passenger baseplates

1917 to 1974

In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.[4] The first Texas license plate that complied with these standards was a modification of the 1955 plate, introduced towards the end of that year.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1917–22 Embossed white serial on dark blue plate with border line; vertical "TEX" at right none 123456 1 to approximately 767000 Validated for 1917, 1918 and 1919 with round seals, and for 1920, 1921 and 1922 with rectangular seals.
1923–24 Embossed white serial with star separator on black plate with border line; vertical "TEXAS" at both left and right none 123-456 1 to approximately 999-999 Validated for 1924 with rectangular seals.
1925 Embossed white serial with star separator on maroon plate with border line; vertical "TEXAS" and "1925" at left and right respectively none 123-456 1 to approximately 935-000 First dated plate.
1926 Embossed black serial with star separator on gray plate with border line; vertical "TEX-26" at right none 123-456 1 to approximately 997-000
1927 Embossed white serial with star separator on green plate with border line; vertical "1927" and "TEXAS" at left and right respectively none 123-456 1 to
999-999
A12-345 A00-000 to approximately A69-000

 1928 Embossed white serial with star separator on dark brown plate with border line; vertical "TEX-28" at right; vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left none 123-456
1-234-567		 1 to approximately 1-114-000

1929 Embossed orange serial with star separator on black plate with border line; "TEXAS–1929" centered at bottom; vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left none 123-456
1-234-567		 1 to approximately 1-195-000

1930 Embossed dark blue serial with star separator on golden yellow plate with border line; "TEXAS–1930" centered at top; vertical "FRONT" or "REAR" at left none 123-456
1-234-567		 1 to approximately 1-358-000
1931 Embossed white serial with star separator on black plate with border line; vertical "TEX" and "31" at right none 1-2345 1 to 9-9999
A1-2345 A0-0000 to approximately P5-0000
1932 Embossed white serial with star separator on green plate with border line; "TEXAS–1932" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999 Only letters A, F, K, N, V and Y used in the A12-345 serial format. This practice continued through 1944.[5]
A12-345 A00-000 to approximately V19-000
1933 Embossed orange serial with star separator on white plate with border line; "TEXAS–1933" centered at top none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A12-345 A00-000 to approximately F90-000
1934 Embossed black serial with star separator on orange plate with border line; "TEXAS – 1934" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A12-345 A00-000 to approximately F35-000
1935 Embossed white serial with star separator on maroon plate with border line; "TEXAS–1935" centered at top none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A12-345 A00-000 to approximately F64-000
1936 Embossed dark blue serial on lemon yellow plate with border line; vertical "TEX" used as separator; "19" at bottom left and "36" at bottom right "CENTENNIAL" centered at bottom 123-456 1 to 999-999 Commemorated the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Republic of Texas.
A12-345 A00-000 to approximately K31-000
1937 Embossed ivory serial with star separator on black plate with border line; "TEXAS–1937" centered at top none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A12-345 A00-000 to approximately K83-000
1938 Embossed black serial with star separator on white plate with border line; "TEXAS–1938" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A12-345 A00-000 to approximately K88-000
1939 Embossed dark purple serial with star separator on golden yellow plate; "TEXAS 1939" at top none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A12-345 A00-000 to approximately N18-000
1940 Embossed dark purple serial with star separator on white plate; "19 TEXAS 40" at top none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A12-345 A00-000 to approximately V06-000
1941 Embossed golden yellow serial with star separator on black plate; "TEXAS 1941" at top none 123-456 1 to 999-999
A12-345 A00-000 to approximately V70-000
1942–44 Embossed black serial with star separator on golden yellow plate; "TEXAS-42" at bottom none 123-456 1 to 999-999 Revalidated for 1943 with black tabs, and for 1944 with green tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
A12-345 A00-000 to approximately Y79-000
1945 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "TEXAS-45" at top, offset to right none A/B1234 A/A10 to approximately H/L4000
1946 Embossed cream serial on black plate; "TEXAS-46" at top, offset to right none A/B1234 A/A10 to approximately J/B7000
1947 Embossed white serial on black plate; "TEXAS-47" at bottom, offset to right none A/B1234 A/A10 to approximately J/U7000
1948 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "TEXAS-48" at top, offset to right none A/B1234 A/A10 to approximately K/U7000
1949 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "TEXAS-49" at bottom, offset to right none A/B1234 A/A10 to approximately L/Y8000
1950 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "TEXAS-50" at top, offset to right none A/B1234 A/A10 to L/Z9999;
U/A10 to approximately U/E3000
1951 Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate; "TEXAS-51" at top, offset to right none A/B1234 A/A10 to L/Z9999;
U/A10 to approximately U/R8000
1952 As 1950 base, but with "TEXAS 52" at top none A/B1234 A/A10 to approximately P/J2000
1953 As 1951 base, but with "TEXAS 53" at top none A/B1234 A/A10 to approximately P/J4000
1954 As 1950 base, but with "TEXAS 54" at top none A/B1234 A/A10 to approximately P/X9000
1955 As 1951 base, but with "TEXAS 55" at top none A/B1234 A/A10 to approximately R/E9999
As above, but to 6" x 12" size, and with "TEXAS 55" centered at top AB1234 RF10 to approximately SD3000
1956 Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate; "TEXAS 56" centered at top none AB1234 AA10 to approximately SV6000
1957 Embossed black serial with star separator on white plate; "TEXAS 57" centered at top none AB-1234 AA-10 to approximately UR-3000
1958 Embossed white serial with star separator on black plate; "TEXAS 58" centered at top none AB-1234 AA-10 to approximately TT-6000
1959 As 1957 base, but with "TEXAS 59" centered at top none AB-1234 AA-10 to approximately UK-3000
1960 As 1958 base, but with "TEXAS 60" centered at top none AB-1234 AA-10 to approximately UN-7000
1961 Embossed black serial with star separator on white plate; "TEXAS" centered at top; "61" at top right none AB-1234 AA-10 to approximately UY-9000
1962 Embossed white serial with star separator on black plate; "TEXAS" centered at top; "62" at top right none AB-1234 AA-10 to approximately VZ-4000
1963 Embossed black serial with star separator on white plate; "TEXAS" and "1963" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB-1234 AA-10 to approximately WS-7000
1964 Embossed white serial with star separator on black plate; "TEXAS" and "1964" centered at top and bottom respectively none AB-1234 AA-10 to approximately YT-1000
1965 Embossed black serial on white plate; "19 TEXAS 65" at top none ABC 123 BBB 10 to approximately PHG 999 Vowels and Q not used in serials; this practice continued through 1974.[5]
1966 Embossed white serial with star separator on black plate; "19 TEXAS 66" at top none ABC-123 BBB-10 to approximately PYK-999
1967 Embossed black serial with star separator on white plate; "19 TEXAS 67" at top none ABC-123 BBB-10 to approximately RKN-999
1968 Embossed white serial with star separator on black plate; "TEXAS" centered at top; "68" at bottom left and bottom right "HEMISFAIR" centered at bottom ABC-123 BBB-10 to approximately RSM-999
1969 Embossed black serial with star separator on reflective white plate; "19 TEXAS 69" at top none ABC-123 BBB-10 to approximately RWV-999
1970 Embossed blue serial with star separator on reflective white plate; "19 TEXAS 70" at top none ABC-123 BBB-10 to approximately SDN-999
1971 Embossed black serial with star separator on reflective white plate; "TEXAS 71" at top, offset to right none ABC-123 BBB-10 to approximately SWD-999
1972 Embossed green serial with star separator on reflective white plate; "19 TEXAS 72" at top none ABC-123 BBB-10 to approximately TKK-999
1973 Embossed black serial with star separator on reflective white plate; "19 TEXAS 73" at top none ABC-123 BBB-10 to approximately VDD-999
1974 Embossed red serial with star separator on reflective white plate; "19 TEXAS 74" at top none ABC-123 BBB-10 to approximately VMG-999

1975 to present
Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1975 Black on reflective white, star separator none ABC-123 AAA-10 to approximately MMV-500 Letters I and O not used in serials; this practice continued until 1990. Monthly staggered registration introduced 1978.
1976–81 As above, but with state-shaped separator MMV-501 to ZZZ-999
1982–84 123-ABC 001-AAA to 999-HEW
1985–86 Dark blue on reflective white, screened red state-shaped separator Sesquicentennial 123-ABC 001-HEX to 974-PAY Commemorated the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Republic of Texas.
1986–89 As above, but with bolder state name none 975-PAY to 999-ZZZ
1990 ABC-12D BBB-01B to BKW-99Z Vowels and Q not used in serials (as from 1965 to 1974); this practice continues today.
1990–91 Dark blue and red on reflective white, state flag screened to left of state name none ABC-12D BKX-01B to GTX-99Z
1992 – December 28, 1995 The Lone Star State GTY-01B to TKT-99Z
December 29, 1995 – mid
1996		 State outline within abstract graphic. 150 Years of Statehood ABC-12D VJL-01K to WSJ-99F Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new standard-issue license plate of 1995 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first and, to date, only time Texas has been so honored. Co-recipient with Pennsylvania.
mid
1996 – February 1998		 As 1990–95 base The Lone Star State ABC-12D TKV-01B to VJL-99J;
WSJ-01G to ZZZ-99Z		 Some late 'Z' series plates made on next series' graphic sheeting, with state flag to right of state name.
February 1998 –
mid
2000		 As above, but with state flag to right of state name A12-BCD B01-BBB to J99-GPZ Some early 'B' series plates made on previous series' graphic sheeting, with state flag to left of state name. Sticker wells at top removed in late 1998, near the end of the 'C' series (plates were validated with windshield stickers from 1994 onwards). Issued concurrently with the Space Shuttle base (below) from February 2000 until supplies were exhausted.[6]
February 2000 – November 2004 Dark blue serial on reflective plate with graphic scene featuring a cowboy, oil fields, a Space Shuttle, stars and the moon; screened red state-shaped separator The Lone Star State A12-BCD J01-GRB to Z99-ZZZ
November 2004  – October 2005 123-ABC 001-BBB to 999-HWL
October 2005 – September 2007 As above, but with a slightly smaller cowboy, the state flag added within the state-shaped separator, the national flag added to the Space Shuttle, and seven larger stars above the shuttle 001-HWM to 999-ZZZ The seven larger stars honored the astronauts killed in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster of 2003, which occurred over Texas.
September 2007 –
June
2009		 ABC-123 BBB-001 to approximately VLX-999
July
2009 – June
2012		 First standard-issue non-embossed license plate issued in Texas; features the Davis Mountains against a sky backdrop, with a lone star and streaks of red and blue in the upper-left corner; state motto is retained on the bottom The Lone Star State AB1-C234 BB0-B001 to DZ9-Z999
July
2012 – present		 Black lettering on white sheeting design with double security thread in the sheeting The Lone Star State ABC-1234 BBB-0001 to TRG-0677 (as of October 9, 2023) Spotted in Austin, Texas[7] Known as the "Texas Classic" plate. Serials issued on both passenger vehicles and trucks.

Non-passenger plates
Image Type First issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Apportioned Tractor 2013 As "Texas Classic" passenger base; "APPORTIONED" between state name and serial The Lone Star State R12-3456 R00-0001 to present
Apportioned Truck/Bus K12-3456 K00-0001 to present
Disabled 1986 Embossed dark blue on reflective white; "TEXAS" in red centered at top none 1AB Disabled access CD 1BB Disabled access BB to approximately
9WS Disabled access ZZ
2005 Screened dark blue on reflective white; state flag within state shape at top right; "TEXAS" in blue centered at top The Lone Star State 1WW Disabled access BB to approximately
9YP Disabled access ZZ
2007 Disabled access 1ABCD Disabled access 1YTBB to
Disabled access 9ZZZZ;
Disabled access 1BBBB to approximately
Disabled access 9FNZZ
2012 As "Texas Classic" passenger base The Lone Star State Disabled access 1GWBB to
Disabled access 5VNRL (as of June 22, 2023)
Exempt 1975 Embossed black on white with star separator, "TEXAS" centered at top; "EXEMPT" between state name and serial none 123-456 250-001 to approximately 285-000
c. 1977 As above, but with state-shaped separator none 285-001 to approximately 556-000
c. 1988 As above, but elements dark blue rather than black none 556-001 to approximately 831-000
c. 2000 Embossed dark blue on reflective white with screened red state-shaped separator; "TEXAS" in red centered at top; "EXEMPT" in dark blue between state name and serial none 831-001 to approximately 850-000
c. 2003 Screened dark blue on reflective white; "TEXAS" in dark blue centered at top; "EXEMPT" in red between state name and serial none 850-001 to
899-999
2006 123-4567 100-0000 to approximately 117-9999
2014 As "Texas Classic" passenger base; "EXEMPT" between state name and serial The Lone Star State 118-0000 to present
Truck 1985 As 1985 Sesquicentennial passenger base; "TRUCK" between state name and serial Sesquicentennial 123-4AB 000-1CR to 299-9KK
1986 As above, but without slogan and years none 300-0KK to 999-9ZZ
1991 AB1-234 AA0-001 to ZZ9-999
1997 1AB-C23 1BB-B01 to 4LL-Z99
2000 As Space Shuttle passenger base; "TRUCK" between state name and serial The Lone Star State 4LM-B01 to
9ZZ-Z99
2004 12A-BC3 01B-BB1 to
99L-XZ3
2005 As revised Space Shuttle passenger base; "TRUCK" between state name and serial 01L-YB3 to
99Z-ZZ9
2009 123-4AB 000-1AA to approximately 500-0BF
2009 As sky passenger base; "TRUCK" between state name and serial The Lone Star State AB1-2345 AA0-0001 to approximately
CB1-0000

Temporary tags

Temporary tags are issued to unregistered vehicles and to vehicles registered in states that do not have a reciprocity agreement with Texas. These tags are printed on paper and are used mainly by dealers. As of 2022, four types are available: three are valid for 72 hours, 144 hours, and 30 days respectively; the fourth is the "one-trip" tag, which is issued only to unladen vehicles traveling from a single origin to a single destination (either of which must be in Texas) and is valid for 15 days.[8]

In February 2022, it was reported that as many as 1.2 million fraudulent temporary Texas tags were sold in the United States in 2021. Due to inadequate security standards in the dealer application process in Texas, fraudulent individuals posing as dealers could purchase licenses for less than $800. This gave them access to the Texas DMV database, which they could use to print temporary tags and sell them online for profit. Most drivers who purchased the tags did so to make their vehicles untraceable when committing crimes, or to avoid paying tolls and registration fees.[9]

Optional plates

Texas has more specialty plates than any other state, with 506 available.[10]

Image Type First issued Design Slogan Notes
4-H Club
A Fine Cause
Adopt-A-Beach
Aerospace Commission
Air Force Association
Animal Friendly
Be A Blood Donor
Be A Organ Donor
Big Bend National Park
Buffalo Soldier Museum
Cancer Survivor
Columbia Remembered
Conquer Cancer
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Mavericks
Don't Tread On Me
Emergency Medical Services
Enjoy Texas Music
Fight Terrorism
God Bless America
Houston Dynamo
Houston Texans
Hunt Texas
Kansas Jayhawks
Keep Texas Beautiful
Knights of Columbus
March of Dimes
Master Gardener
Mission Valley
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
NASCAR
Native Texan
Oil and Gas
Olympic Spirit
Proud For Kids
Realtor
Rifle Association
Rotary Club
Save Water, Texas!
Share the Road
State Parks
Stop Child Abuse
Texas Pride
Texas Trees
Trails!
United States Air Force
United We Stand
YMCA

References
  1. "Old Texas License Plates". LeatherLicensePlates.com. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
  2. "Plates and Prisoners". Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  3. "Application for Antique License Plate (Form VTR-54)" (PDF). Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  4. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  5. Tanner, Eric N. "Texas Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  6. Palmer, Jim. "Dating Texas Passenger Car License Plates Issued Since 1975". LicensePlateInfo.com. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  7. "Texas License Plates". www.licenseplates.cc. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  8. "Temporary Vehicle Registration". Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  9. Dienst, Jonathan; Copenhagen, Courtney (February 11, 2022). "Changes At Texas DMV Could Lead to Fewer Temporary Texas Paper Plates in NY". WNBC. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  10. "My Plates".

Further reading
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