HOUSTON, Texas– Texas will implement permanent metal license plates for all new car sales beginning July 1, following the enactment of House Bill 718.
The new law mandates that all licensed car dealerships issue metal plates at the time of vehicle purchase, replacing the use of temporary paper tags.
Under the regulation, counties and Regional Service Centers will provide metal Temporary Registration License Plates equipped with expiration stickers, eliminating the issuance of paper permits.
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) will oversee the transition, ensuring an adequate supply of metal plates statewide.
The change aims to reduce the fraudulent use of temporary tags, which have been linked to various criminal activities.
Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill into law, highlighting the need to enhance security and streamline vehicle registration processes in Texas.
The law affects car buyers, dealerships, and law enforcement by closing loopholes previously exploited through paper tags.
Dealerships will integrate the issuance of metal plates into their sales process, with guidance and resources provided by the TxDMV to support the transition.
The legislation also mandates the use of webDEALER, an online system for vehicle titling and registration, to facilitate the issuance of metal plates and improve registration efficiency.
Law enforcement agencies have endorsed the switch to metal plates, citing improved verification capabilities and the plates’ tamper-resistant features, including high-visibility security threads.
Car buyers will receive permanent metal plates immediately upon purchase, removing the need to replace temporary tags before receiving permanent ones and simplifying the registration process.
While some vehicle types may still require other registration tags, the majority of transactions will involve metal plates. Dealerships will inform customers about the specific plates applicable to their vehicle purchases.
