How to Get a Specialty License Plate in Texas

The great state of Texas' vastness does not stop at its plains--Texas' Department of Transportation also offers a wide range of specialty license plate selections. After adding the option of personalizing your specialty plates, the combinations are as infinite as Texas sunsets.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access
• Computer
• Vehicle's registration

1. Logon to Texas's Department of Transportation Web site (see below).

2. Access an official application for specialty license plates by following the "Services" link, clicking on the "Vehicle Titles and Registration" link and clicking on "Specialty Plates" under "License Plates." Review the different types of plates offered and download the form of the plate that is most appealing to you.

3. Read the instructions section on the form before proceeding to the application portion of the form. Be advised that certain specialty license plates require eligibility verification; predetermine your own eligibility by reading all rules, regulations and policies.

4. Write all personal information as requested on the form. This information may include but may not be limited to your name, address, phone number, county of residence and driver's license number.

5. Print your vehicle's information, as required. Your current plate number, the date the registration expires, vehicle identification number, make, model and year are commonly requested on Texas specialty license plate forms.

6. Indicate whether you will be requesting disabled specialty plates.

7. Personalize your specialty license plates. List three choices for your personalized license plates in order of preference using capital alphanumeric character combinations. Follow the rules for personalized message options outlined on the application portion of the form.

8. Collect all eligibility documentation, including letters of authorization and licenses, if applicable. Make copies or include originals as per the directions of the form. Be sure to include the contact information of certifiers, if required.

9. Determine your fees and make a personal check, money order or cashier's check payable to Texas Department of Transportation.

10. Mail your application, check and proof of eligibility to Texas Department of Transportation, Vehicle Titles and Registration Division (SPB), Austin, TX 78779-0001.

11. Call your local county tax office in 2 weeks to verify that your plates are ready to be picked up.

12. Pick up your specialty license plates at your local county tax office. Surrender your old windshield validation sticker in exchange for a new one and pay any final applicable fees. Affix any new decals on your permanent specialty plates upon receipt and use.

Tips & Warnings

• If you move, be sure to contact Texas' Vehicle Titles and Registration Division and give them your new address. If you do not advise the VTRD of your move, receipt of your specialty license plates may be complicated or delayed.
• Be advised that if your plate is approved, it may undergo some changes during manufacturing. Certain characters' widths may cause the spacing specified to be reduced, eliminated or altered.
• The address on your vehicle's registration must be correct. Contact the VTRD and make all changes to your address before placing your order for specialty license plates.
• You may keep your specialty personalized license plates for as long as you wish, as long as you renew the special registration of your plates before their expiration date and pay all fees associated with them.
• The VTRD will not honor requests for personalized license plates that contain prohibited characters, offensive or misleading messages or alphanumeric combinations that are already in use. Keep this in mind while choosing your plate message.
• Specialty license plates cost more than a standard license plate. Be aware that fees will likely compound on top of the standard license plate fees that you are accustomed to paying.
• Blank or incomplete areas on your application will cause the application process for your specialty license plate to be delayed. Be sure to fill in all requested information completely and truthfully.
• If your vehicle is sold, traded or its ownership transferred after the issuance of the specialty license plates, you must contact Texas' VTRD to report the transaction. You must also follow the appropriate guidelines to release the plate to the new owner, transfer the plate to your new vehicle or return the plate to the department. Be advised that additional paperwork may be required.
• If Texas' VTRD approves your personalized license plate and later finds that your message is offensive or inappropriate, your personalized license plate may be recalled.
• Your vehicle's registration must be current for your application to be approved.
• No refunds will be issued once your order for personalized license plates has been placed.
• If your current registration's expiration date for your plates does not correspond to the new specialty plates' expiration date, you may be required to pay extra fees.