Frequently Asked Questions
- What types of vehicles can my specialty plate be issued to?
- Our specialty plates are issued to a variety of vehicles including passenger, light trucks, motorcycles, trailer, travel trailer, motor homes and private bus. Our specialty plates can be placed on an older (Antique) vehicle carrying regular registration. However, Antique Vehicle Registration is unique and separate from regular registration and has its own registration class, fees and restrictions. Therefore, our specialty plates cannot be placed on an Antique Vehicle officially registered as such and in lieu of Antique Vehicle plates.
- What motorcycle plates are available?
- All of our designs are available for motorcycle. Visit our "Create a Plate" section on the website to view these options.
- Can an International Symbol of Access (ISA) for disabled people be placed on my specialty license plate?
- For a My Plates specialty license plate:
Yes. If your medical condition meets the legal definition of an eligible disability:
- submit a copy of a completed and notarized Form VTR-214 to My Plates via fax, email or regular mail
- in addition to checking the availability of the desired plate, we MUST have the completed Form VTR-214 before we can place an order with the ISA symbol can only be placed via the Customer Service Center, not online
- The original form must be submitted when picking up the plates at the main County Tax Assessor-Collector’s office. My Plates fax number is 936.632.0030
For a charity specialty license plate:
Yes. If your medical condition meets the legal definition of an eligible disability:
- submit a completed and notarized original Form VTR-214 with your specialty plate order in person, or by mail, to your main County Tax Assessor-Collector’s office
- orders with the ISA symbol can only be placed via your main County Tax Assessor-Collector’s office, not online
- the original form must be submitted when picking up the plates at your main County Tax Assessor-Collector’s office
Note: the Form VTR-214 is available on DMV's Web site and at the county tax offices.
- How long will it take for me to receive my new specialty plates?
- Approximately 3 weeks. Your plates will be sent to the main office of the County Tax Assessor-Collector for your county of residence. We encourage you to call your main County Tax Assessor-Collector’s office to confirm the plates have arrived and are available for collection.
- Can I transfer my specialty plates to another vehicle?
- Yes.
- Only to the same type of vehicle (ex. car to car, truck to truck)
- Between vehicles you own: your County Tax Assessor-Collector’s office staff will issue a new registration sticker and assist with the transfer.
- To a car bought from a dealer:
You should remove your specialty plates and ask your dealer to transfer the plates to your new vehicle.
- To a car bought from another motorist in a private sale:
- Go to your main County Tax Assessor-Collector’s office to register them as you title the vehicle in your name. You can find more information at www.txdmv.gov.
Note: Plates that are seven years old or older cannot be transferred to another vehicle. These plates must first be re-manufactured due to loss of reflectivity.
- Who makes Texas license plates?
- TxDMV contracts with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to manufacture license plates. The plates are made by offenders at the Wynne Correctional Unit in Huntsville.
- When will seven digit personalized license plates be available?
- We anticipate a possible limited release of 7-character personalized license plates in autumn 2010. A date for a full release of 7-character personalized plates has not yet been announced. Customers interested in this should contact our Customer Service Center or click here to register their interest.
- If I buy a multi-year specialty license plate, how do I pay my vehicle registration fees?
- Nothing changes. Each year, you will receive the annual renewal notice for your vehicle registration. In the majority of Texas counties, you can renew your vehicle registration online atwww.texasonline.com.
- How do I get a refund?
- We do not offer refunds. As these plates are custom manufactured specifically for you, they cannot be reused.
- How do I renew my specialty plate?
- Your specialty plate renewal will be part of your vehicle registration renewal notice that you receive from TxDMV each year. If you ordered a multi-year plate from My Plates, the renewal notice will reflect that. For all other specialty license plates, the vehicle registration renewal notice will include your registration and your annual specialty license plate renewal fee.
- What is the difference between the Background (Design), Custom, Premium and Luxury Series?
- The main difference between each category is the level and flexibility of customization each category offers, from no personalization, to limited personalization to the freedom of full personalization. Visit our “Create a Plate” section to view all the options available.
- Can I purchase a plate as a gift for someone else?
- Yes. You will need the recipient’s name and address, including their county of residence when you place your order. Gift cards are also available for purchase if you’re unsure as to what plate design and message the recipient would like.
- How do I redeem a Gift Card?
- At this time, gift cards may only be redeemed via a phone call to our friendly Customer Service Center at 888-7MYPLATES (888-769-7528).
- How do I replace damaged plates?
- A. These will be handled by your local county tax office:
- If the plates were not damaged in production or shipping, these are considered optional replacements and there is a $30 charge for the replacement of personalized plates.
- If the plates were damaged in production or shipping, there is no charge to order replacements.
Note: Plates damaged in production/shipping should be identified at receipt and immediately brought to the attention of the county tax office. The tax office will collect the plates and request remakes.
- What is a charity plate?
- These are specialty license plates that benefit non-profit programs. TxDMV offers a variety of charity and non-profit organization specialty license plates. You can see all of them by clicking on the Charity Plates button on our website, or by visiting www.texasonline.com.
- How to read the T for Texas plate?
- Click here.
- Can customer have spaces in personalization?
- The exciting designs on many plates affect the combination of characters and spaces allowed as part of a personalized message.
The following plate designs can accept up to 6 Characters and a space as part of the message:
- Texas Tough
- New Texas
- Natural Texas
- Western Yoke
- Texas White Plate
- Texas Longhorns
Example: MY PL8S would be acceptable on a Natural Texas plate, but not on a Lone Star Black plate.
The remaining plate designs accept up to five (5) characters and a space. All plates may accept four (4) characters and two (2) spaces, three (3) characters and three (3) spaces, and so forth.
Note: This does NOT apply to motorcycle plates.
