From Texas Administrative Code:
43 TAC § 217.45 Specialty License Plates, Symbols, Tabs, and Other Devices
(a) Purpose and Scope. Transportation Code, Chapters 504 and 551 charge the department with providing specialty license plates, symbols, tabs, and other devices. For the department to perform these duties efficiently and effectively, this section prescribes the policies and procedures for the application, issuance, and renewal of specialty license plates, symbols, tabs, and other devices, through the county tax assessor-collectors, and establishes application fees, expiration dates, and registration periods for certain specialty license plates. This section does not apply to military license plates except as provided by §217.43 of this title (relating to Military Specialty License Plates).
(b) Initial application for specialty license plates, symbols, tabs, or other devices.
(1) Application Process.
(A) Procedure. An owner of a vehicle registered as specified in this subchapter who wishes to apply for a specialty license plate, symbol, tab, or other device must do so on a form prescribed by the director.
(B) Form requirements. The application form shall at a minimum require the name and complete address of the applicant.
(2) Fees and Documentation.
(A) The application must be accompanied by the prescribed registration fee, unless exempted by statute.
(B) The application must be accompanied by the statutorily prescribed specialty license plate fee. If a registration period is greater than 12 months, the expiration date of a specialty license plate, symbol, tab, or other device will be aligned with the registration period and the specialty plate fee will be adjusted to yield the appropriate fee. If the statutory annual fee for a specialty license plate is $5 or less, it will not be prorated.
(C) Specialty license plate fees will not be refunded after an application is submitted and the department has approved issuance of the license plate.
(D) The application must be accompanied by prescribed local fees or other fees that are collected in conjunction with registering a vehicle, with the exception of vehicles bearing license plates that are exempt by statute from these fees.
(E) The application must include evidence of eligibility for any specialty license plates. The evidence of eligibility may include, but is not limited to:
(i) an official document issued by a governmental entity; or
(ii) a letter issued by a governmental entity on that agency's letterhead.
(F) Initial applications for license plates for display on Exhibition Vehicles must include a photograph of the completed vehicle.
(3) Place of application. Applications for specialty license plates may be made directly to the county tax assessor-collector, except that applications for the following license plates must be made directly to the department:
(A) County Judge;
(B) Federal Administrative Law Judge;
(C) State Judge;
(D) State Official;
(E) U.S. Congress--House;
(F) U.S. Congress--Senate; and
(G) U.S. Judge.
(4) Gift plates.
(A) A person may purchase general distribution specialty license plates as a gift for another person if the purchaser submits an application for the specialty license plates that provides:
(i) the name and address of the person who will receive the plates; and
(ii) the vehicle identification number of the vehicle on which the plates will be displayed.
(B) To be valid for use on a motor vehicle, the recipient of the plates must file an application with the county tax assessor-collector and pay the statutorily required registration fees in the amount as provided by Transportation Code, Chapter 502 and this subchapter.
(c) Initial issuance of specialty license plates, symbols, tabs, or other devices.
(1) Issuance. On receipt of a completed initial application for registration, accompanied by the prescribed documentation and fees, the department will issue specialty license plates, symbols, tabs, or other devices to be displayed on the vehicle for which the license plates, symbols, tabs, or other devices were issued for the current registration period. If the vehicle for which the specialty license plates, symbols, tabs, or other devices are issued is currently registered, the owner must surrender the license plates currently displayed on the vehicle, along with the corresponding license receipt, before the specialty license plates may be issued.
(2) Classic Motor Vehicles, Classic Travel Trailers, Custom Vehicles, Street Rods, and Exhibition Vehicles.
(A) License plates. Texas license plates that were issued the same year as the model year of a Classic Motor Vehicle, Travel Trailer, Street Rod, or Exhibition Vehicle may be displayed on that vehicle under Transportation Code, §504.501 and §504.502, unless:
(i) the license plate's original use was restricted by statute to another vehicle type;
(ii) the license plate is a qualifying plate type that originally required the owner to meet one or more eligibility requirements; or
(iii) the alpha numeric pattern is already in use on another vehicle.
(B) Validation stickers and tabs. The department will issue validation stickers and tabs for display on license plates that are displayed as provided by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.
(3) Number of plates issued.
(A) Two plates. Unless otherwise listed in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, two specialty license plates, each bearing the same license plate number, will be issued per vehicle.
(B) One plate. One license plate will be issued per vehicle for all motorcycles and for the following specialty license plates:
(i) Antique Vehicle (includes Antique Auto, Antique Truck, Antique Motorcycle, and Antique Bus);
(ii) Classic Travel Trailer;
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(C) Registration number. The identification number assigned by the military may be approved as the registration number instead of displaying Military Vehicle license plates on a former military vehicle.
(4) Assignment of plates.
(A) Title holder. Unless otherwise exempted by law or this section, the vehicle on which specialty license plates, symbols, tabs, or other devices is to be displayed shall be titled in the name of the person to whom the specialty license plates, symbols, tabs, or other devices is assigned, or a title application shall be filed in that person's name at the time the specialty license plates, symbols, tabs, or other devices are issued.
(B) Non-owner vehicle. If the vehicle is titled in a name other than that of the applicant, the applicant must provide evidence of having the legal right of possession and control of the vehicle.
(C) Leased vehicle. In the case of a leased vehicle, the applicant must provide a copy of the lease agreement verifying that the applicant currently leases the vehicle.
(5) Classification of neighborhood electric vehicles. The registration classification of a neighborhood electric vehicle, as defined by §217.3(3) of this title (relating to Motor Vehicle Titles) will be determined by whether it is designed as a 4-wheeled truck or a 4- wheeled passenger vehicle.
(6) Number of vehicles. An owner may obtain specialty license plates, symbols, tabs, or other devices for an unlimited number of vehicles, unless the statute limits the number of vehicles for which the specialty license plate may be issued.
(7) Personalized plate numbers.
(A) Issuance. The department will issue a personalized license plate number subject to the exceptions set forth in this paragraph.
(B) Character limit. A personalized license plate number may contain no more than six alpha or numeric characters or a combination of characters. Depending upon the specialty license plate design and vehicle class, the number of characters may vary. Spaces, hyphens, periods, hearts, stars, the International Symbol of Access, or silhouettes of the state of Texas may be used in conjunction with the license plate number.
(C) Personalized plates not approved. A personalized license plate number will not be approved by the executive director if the alpha-numeric pattern:
(i) conflicts with the department's current or proposed regular license plate numbering system;
(ii) would violate §217.27 of this title (relating to Vehicle Registration Insignia), as determined by the executive director; or
(iii) is currently issued to another owner.
(D) Classifications of vehicles eligible for personalized plates. Unless otherwise listed in subparagraph (E) of this paragraph, personalized plates are available for all classifications of vehicles.
(E) Categories of plates for which personalized plates are not available. Personalized license plate numbers are not available for display on the following specialty license plates:
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(ii) Antique Motorcycle;
(iii) Antique Vehicle (includes Antique Auto, Antique Truck, and Antique Bus);
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(F) Fee. Unless specified by statute, a personalized license plate fee of $40 will be charged in addition to any prescribed specialty license plate fee.
(G) Priority. Once a personalized license plate number has been assigned to an applicant, the owner shall have priority to that number for succeeding years if a timely renewal application is submitted to the county tax assessor-collector each year in accordance with subsection (d) of this section.
(d) Specialty license plate renewal.
(1) Renewal deadline. If a personalized license plate is not renewed within 60 days after its expiration date, a subsequent renewal application will be treated as an application for new personalized license plates.
(2) Length of validation. Except as provided by Transportation Code, §§504.401, 504.4061, or 504.502, all specialty license plates, symbols, tabs, or other devices shall be valid for 12 months from the month of issuance or for a prorated period of at least 12 months coinciding with the expiration of registration.
(3) Renewal.
(A) Renewal notice. Approximately 60 days before the expiration date of a specialty license plate, symbol, tab, or other device, the department will send each owner a renewal notice that includes the amount of the specialty plate fee and the registration fee.
(B) Return of notice. The owner must return the fee and any prescribed documentation to the tax assessor-collector of the county in which the owner resides, except that the owner of a vehicle with one of the following license plates must return the documentation and specialty license plate fee, if applicable, directly to the department and submit the registration fee to the county tax assessor-collector:
(i) County Judge;
(ii) Federal Administrative Law Judge;
(iii) State Judge;
(iv) State Official;
(v) U.S. Congress--House;
(vi) U.S. Congress--Senate; and
(vii) U.S. Judge.
(C) Expired plate numbers. The department will retain a specialty license plate number for 60 days after the expiration date of the plates if the plates are not renewed on or before their expiration date. After 60 days the number may be reissued to a new applicant. All specialty license plate renewals received after the expiration of the 60 days will be treated as new applications.
(D) Issuance of validation insignia. On receipt of a completed license plate renewal application and prescribed documentation, the department will issue registration validation insignia as specified in §217.27 unless this section or other law requires the issuance of new license plates to the owner.
(E) Lost or destroyed renewal notices. If a renewal notice is lost, destroyed, or not received by the vehicle owner, the specialty license plates, symbol, tab, or other device may be renewed if the owner provides acceptable personal identification along with the appropriate fees and documentation. Failure to receive the notice does not relieve the owner of the responsibility to renew the vehicle's registration.
(e) Transfer of specialty license plates.
(1) Transfer between vehicles.
(A) Transferable between vehicles. The owner of a vehicle with specialty license plates, symbols, tabs, or other devices may transfer the specialty plates between vehicles by filing an application through the county tax assessor-collector if the vehicle to which the plates are transferred:
(i) is titled or leased in the owner's name; and
(ii) meets the vehicle classification requirements for that particular specialty license plate, symbol, tab, or other device.
(B) Non-transferable between vehicles. The following specialty license plates, symbols, tabs, or other devices are non-transferable between vehicles:
(i) Antique Vehicle license plates (includes Antique Auto, Antique Truck, and Antique Bus), Antique Motorcycle license plates, and Antique tabs;
(ii) Classic Auto, Classic Truck, Classic Motorcycle, Classic Travel Trailer, Street Rod, and Custom Vehicle license plates;
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(C) New specialty license plates. If the department creates a new specialty license plate under Transportation Code, §504.801, the department will specify at the time of creation whether the license plate may be transferred between vehicles.
(2) Transfer between owners.
(A) Non-transferable between owners. Specialty license plates, symbols, tabs, or other devices issued under Transportation Code, Chapter 504, Subchapters C, E, and F are not transferable from one person to another except as specifically permitted by statute.
(B) New specialty license plates. If the department creates a new specialty license plate under Transportation Code, §504.801, the department will specify at the time of creation whether the license plate may be transferred between owners.
(3) Simultaneous transfer between owners and vehicles. Specialty license plates, symbols, tabs, or other devices are transferable between owners and vehicles simultaneously only if the owners and vehicles meet all the requirements in both paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection.
(f) Replacement.
(1) Application. When specialty license plates, symbols, tabs, or other devices are lost, stolen, or mutilated, the owner shall apply directly to the county tax assessor-collector for the issuance of replacements, except that Log Loader license plates must be reapplied for and accompanied by the prescribed fees and documentation.
(2) Temporary registration insignia. If the specialty license plate, symbol, tab, or other device is lost, destroyed, or mutilated to such an extent that it is unusable, and if issuance of a replacement license plate would require that it be remanufactured, the owner must pay the statutory replacement fee, and the department will issue a temporary tag for interim use. The owner's new specialty license plate number will be shown on the temporary tag unless it is a personalized license plate, in which case the same personalized license plate number will be shown.
(3) Stolen specialty license plates.
(A) The department or county tax assessor-collector will not approve the issuance of replacement license plates with the same personalized license plate number if the department's records indicate either the vehicle displaying the personalized license plates or the license plates are reported as stolen to law enforcement. The owner will be directed to contact the department for another personalized plate choice.
(B) The owner may select a different personalized number to be issued at no charge with the same expiration as the stolen specialty plate. On recovery of the stolen vehicle or license plates, the department will issue, at the owner's or applicant's request, replacement license plates, bearing the same personalized number as those that were stolen.
(g) License plates created after January 1, 1999. In accordance with Transportation Code, §504.702, the department will begin to issue specialty license plates authorized by a law enacted after January 1, 1999, only if the sponsoring entity for that license plate submits the following items before the fifth anniversary of the effective date of the law.
(1) The sponsoring entity must submit a written application. The application must be on a form approved by the director and include, at a minimum:
(A) the name of the license plate;
(B) the name and address of the sponsoring entity;
(C) the name and telephone number of a person authorized to act for the sponsoring entity; and
(D) the deposit.
(2) A sponsoring entity is not an agent of the department and does not act for the department in any matter, and the department does not assume any responsibility for fees or applications collected by a sponsoring entity.
From Texas Transportation Code:
V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 501.021. Title for Motor Vehicle
(a) A motor vehicle title issued by the department must include:
(1) the legal name and address of each purchaser;
(2) the legal name of the seller and the municipality and state in which the seller is located or resides;
(3) the year, make, and body style of the vehicle;
(4) the vehicle identification number of the vehicle;
(5) if the vehicle is subject to odometer disclosure under Section 501.072, the odometer reading and odometer brand as recorded on the last title assignment for the vehicle;
(6) the name and address of each lienholder and the date of each lien on the vehicle, listed in the chronological order in which the lien was recorded;
(7) a statement indicating rights of survivorship under Section 501.031; and
(8) any other information required by the department.
(b) A printed certificate of title must bear the following statement on its face: "UNLESS OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED BY LAW, IT IS A VIOLATION OF STATE LAW TO SIGN THE NAME OF ANOTHER PERSON ON A CERTIFICATE OF TITLE OR OTHERWISE GIVE FALSE INFORMATION ON A CERTIFICATE OF TITLE."
(c) A title for a motor vehicle that has been the subject of an ordered repurchase or replacement under Chapter 2301, Occupations Code, must contain on its face a notice sufficient to inform a purchaser that the motor vehicle has been the subject of an ordered repurchase or replacement.
V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 504.502. Certain Exhibition Vehicles
(a) The department shall issue specialty license plates for a passenger car, truck, motorcycle, bus, or former military vehicle that:
(1) is at least 25 years old, if the vehicle is a passenger car, truck, motorcycle, or bus;
(2) is a collector's item;
(3) is used exclusively for exhibitions, club activities, parades, and other functions of public interest and is not used for regular transportation; and
(4) does not carry advertising.
(b) The license plates must include the words "Antique Auto," "Antique Truck," "Antique Motorcycle," "Antique Bus," or "Military Vehicle," as appropriate.
(c) A person eligible for the license plates may instead use license plates that are:
(1) embossed with an alphanumeric pattern;
(2) of a plate design that was issued by this state in the same year as the model year of the vehicle , provided that a passenger car must bear passenger car or truck license plates and a truck must bear passenger car or truck license plates; and
(3) approved for use by the department.
(c-1) The department may require attachment of a registration insignia to a license plate described by Subsection (c) in a manner that does not affect the display of information originally on the license plate.
(d) License plates issued or approved under this section expire on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance or approval.
(e) The fee for issuance or approval of license plates under this section is:
(1) $10 for each year or portion of a year remaining in the five-year registration period if the vehicle was manufactured in 1921 or later; or
(2) $8 for each year or portion of a year remaining in the five-year registration period if the vehicle was manufactured before 1921.
(f) The department may exempt a former military vehicle from the requirement to display a license plate or registration insignia if the exemption is necessary to maintain the vehicle's accurate military markings. The department may approve an alternative registration insignia that is compatible with the vehicle's original markings.
(g) A person entitled to specialty license plates or to department approval under this section may register the vehicle without payment of any fees paid for or at the time of registration except the fee for the license plate.
(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a vehicle issued license plates under Subsection (a) shall be required to attach and display only one license plate on the rear of the vehicle.
(i) In this section, "former military vehicle" means a vehicle, including a trailer, regardless of the vehicle's size, weight, or year of manufacture, that:
(1) was manufactured for use in any country's military forces;
(2) is maintained to represent its military design and markings accurately; and
(3) is not operated on continuous tracks.
V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 502.156. Statement Required for Rebuilt Vehicles
A county assessor-collector shall require an applicant for registration of a rebuilt vehicle to provide a statement that the vehicle is rebuilt and that states the name of each person from whom the parts used in assembling the vehicle were obtained.
V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 503.024. Exclusions for Dealer
(a) A person is not required to obtain a dealer general distinguishing number if the person:
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(5) selling an antique passenger car or truck that is at least 25 years of age; or
(6) selling a special interest vehicle that is at least 12 years of age if the person is a collector.
(c) For the purposes of Section 503.021, a domiciliary of another state who holds a dealer license and bond, if applicable, issued by the other state is not engaging in business as a dealer by:
(2) buying, selling, including by consignment, or exchanging at a public auction:
(A) an antique vehicle that is at least 25 years of age; or
(B) a special interest vehicle that:
(i) is at least 12 years of age; or
(ii) has been the subject of a retail sale.
V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 683.077. Inapplicability of Subchapter
(a) Procedures adopted under Section 683.074 or 683.0765 may not apply to a vehicle or vehicle part:
(1) that is completely enclosed in a building in a lawful manner and is not visible from the street or other public or private property; or
(2) that is stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property in connection with the business of a licensed vehicle dealer or junkyard, or that is an antique or special interest vehicle stored by a motor vehicle collector on the collector's property, if the vehicle or part and the outdoor storage area, if any, are:
(A) maintained in an orderly manner;
(B) not a health hazard; and
(C) screened from ordinary public view by appropriate means, including a fence, rapidly growing trees, or shrubbery.
(b) In this section:
(1) "Antique vehicle" means a passenger car or truck that is at least 25 years old.
(2) "Motor vehicle collector" means a person who:
(A) owns one or more antique or special interest vehicles; and
(B) acquires, collects, or disposes of an antique or special interest vehicle or part of an antique or special interest vehicle for personal use to restore and preserve an antique or special interest vehicle for historic interest.
(3) "Special interest vehicle" means a motor vehicle of any age that has not been changed from original manufacturer's specifications and, because of its historic interest, is being preserved by a hobbyist.
V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 504.501. Classic Motor Vehicles and Travel Trailers; Custom Vehicles; Street Rods
(a) The department shall issue specialty license plates for a motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old or is a custom vehicle or street rod. The license plates must include the word or words "Classic," "Custom Vehicle," or "Street Rod," or a similar designation, as appropriate.
(b) A person eligible for the license plates may instead use license plates that are:
(1) embossed with an alphanumeric pattern;
(2) of a plate design that was issued by this state in the same year as the model year of the vehicle; and
(3) approved for use by the department.
(b-1) The department may require the attachment of a registration insignia to a license plate described by Subsection (b) in a manner that does not affect the display of information originally on the license plate.
(c) There is no fee for issuance or approval of license plates under this section.
(d) Notwithstanding Chapter 547, a custom vehicle or street rod eligible to receive license plates under this section is not required to be equipped with a specific piece of equipment unless the specific piece of equipment was required by statute as a condition of sale during the year listed as the model year on the certificate of title.
(e) On initial registration of a custom vehicle or street rod, the owner must provide proof, acceptable to the department, that the custom vehicle or street rod passed a safety inspection that has been approved by the department. The department shall create a safety inspection process for inspecting custom vehicles and street rods.
(f) In this section:
(1) "Custom vehicle" means a vehicle:
(A) that is:
(i) at least 25 years old and of a model year after 1948; or
(ii) manufactured to resemble a vehicle that is at least 25 years old and of a model year after 1948; and
(B) that:
(i) has been altered from the manufacturer's original design; or
(ii) has a body constructed from materials not original to the vehicle.
(2) "Street rod" means a vehicle:
(A) that was manufactured:
(i) before 1949; or
(ii) after 1948 to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1949; and
(B) that:
(i) has been altered from the manufacturer's original design; or
(ii) has a body constructed from materials not original to the vehicle.
V.T.C.A., Tax Code § 152.023. Tax on Motor Vehicle Brought Into State by New Texas Resident
(a) A use tax is imposed on a new resident of this state who brings into this state a motor vehicle:
(1) that has been registered previously in the new resident's name in any other state or foreign country; or
(2) that the person leased in another state or foreign country.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), the tax is $90 for each vehicle.
(b-1) The tax on a motor vehicle eligible to be issued exhibition vehicle specialty license plates under Section 504.502, Transportation Code, is equal to the lesser of $90 or 6.25 percent of the total consideration.
(c) The tax imposed by this section is in lieu of the tax imposed by Section 152.022.
V.T.C.A., Tax Code § 152.0412. Standard Presumptive Value; Use by Tax Assessor-Collector
(a) In this section, "standard presumptive value" means the private-party transaction value of a motor vehicle, as determined by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles based on an appropriate regional guidebook of a nationally recognized motor vehicle value guide service, or based on another motor vehicle guide publication that the department determines is appropriate if a private-party transaction value for the motor vehicle is not available from a regional guidebook described by this subsection.
(b) If the amount paid for a motor vehicle subject to the tax imposed by this chapter is equal to or greater than 80 percent of the standard presumptive value of the vehicle, a county tax assessor-collector shall compute the tax on the amount paid.
(c) If the amount paid for a motor vehicle subject to the tax imposed by this chapter is less than 80 percent of the standard presumptive value of the vehicle, a county tax assessor-collector shall compute the tax on the amount that is equal to 80 percent of the standard presumptive value of the vehicle, unless the purchaser establishes the valuation of the vehicle as provided by Subsection (d).
(d) A county tax assessor-collector shall compute the tax imposed by this chapter on the valuation of a motor vehicle if the valuation is shown on:
(1) documentation, including a receipt or invoice, provided by the seller to the purchaser of the vehicle, but only if the seller is a motor vehicle dealer operating under Subchapter B, Chapter 503, Transportation Code,1 or under similar regulatory requirements of another state; or
(2) an appraisal certified by an adjuster licensed under Chapter 4101, Insurance Code, by a motor vehicle dealer operating under Subchapter B, Chapter 503, Transportation Code, or by an adjuster or motor vehicle dealer licensed or operating under similar regulatory requirements of another state.
(d-1) An appraisal described by Subsection (d)(2):
(1) must be on a form prescribed by the comptroller for that purpose; and
(2) must be obtained by the purchaser of the vehicle not later than the 20th working day after the date the motor vehicle is delivered to the purchaser or is brought into this state, as applicable.
(e) On request, a motor vehicle dealer operating under Subchapter B, Chapter 503, Transportation Code, or under similar regulatory requirements of another state shall provide a certified appraisal of the valuation of a motor vehicle. The comptroller by rule shall establish a fee that a dealer may charge for providing the certified appraisal. The county tax assessorcollector shall retain a copy of a certified appraisal received under this section for a period prescribed by the comptroller.
(f) The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles shall maintain information on the standard presumptive values of motor vehicles as part of the department's registration and title system. The department shall update the information at least quarterly each calendar year and publish, electronically or otherwise, the updated information.
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(i) This section does not apply to a motor vehicle that is eligible for a specialty license plate under Section 504.501, Transportation Code.
(j) The requirements of Section 501.145, Transportation Code, continue to apply to a transferee of a used motor vehicle who obtains an appraisal under Subsection (d)(2), and obtaining an appraisal does not modify those requirements.