General Issue License Plate FAQ

We all know Texas is big, but it's getting even bigger. Our state's population increases by roughly 1,000 people every day. As a result, we have run out of the alpha-numeric license plate patterns for the six-character plate. The new general-issue plate displays seven-character combinations.

It took us 33 years to exhaust the six-character combinations.

Using current population growth figures, we expect the seven-character pattern to last about 35 years.

Texans. When we realized a new plate pattern would be necessary in 2009 it also seemed like the perfect time to give Texans an opportunity to choose a new plate design. The state's first online vote to help select the new general-issue license plate took place in early February 2008. Texans chose from five proposed designs, one of which was the current license plate design. The Lone Star Texas design was the runaway favorite, receiving 455,878 of the more than 1.1 million votes cast. The Texas Transportation Commission, which by law must approve the state's general-issue plates, unanimously agreed with online voters and approved the Lone Star Texas plate on February 28, 2008.

Not only is the plate design new, but we are now using a digital system to manufacture the Lone Star Texas general-issue license plate. Switching to digital general-issue plates required the prison factory at the Wynne Correctional Unit in Huntsville to retool its processes and install new equipment. TxDMV contracts with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to manufacture license plates.

Yes. We began making digital specialty license plates in 2002. However, it was a much bigger project to create a digital system for the general-issue plate. There are currently around a half million registered vehicles with Texas specialty plates and/or personalized plates and more than 20.5 million registered vehicles with the general-issue plate. Besides retooling the prison factory, we had to begin building inventory stock of the new general-issue plate while still manufacturing the old plate to ensure a smooth transition.

No, and that’s a good thing. The stamped (or raised) license plate numbers required a lot more energy and environmentally harmful chemicals. The digital process eliminates using 484 gallons of paint thinners and 396 gallons of petroleum-based ink annually, and the energy needed to power huge ovens that dried the plate ink. Not only is the new general-issue plate more environmentally friendly, but the flat numbers and letters make it much easier to clean.

We began shipping the plates on Monday, June 1, and all of the state’s 254 county tax offices should have them in stock by Friday, June 12. County tax offices with existing stock of the previous general-issue plate must first exhaust their inventory before they can begin issuing the new plate to avoid waste. This will happen at different times, depending on the volume of plates issued at a particular county, but we anticipate the old stock will be gone statewide by July 1, 2009.

No. We will not replace everyone’s plate at once. You will receive the new plate:

• If you buy a new vehicle and choose not to transfer your old plates.
• If your plates are seven years old, the time you are required to trade your plates in for new ones due to loss of reflectivity.

Texas drivers can replace their old plates by visiting their local county office and paying an additional fee. However, we ask Texans not to run out to purchase the new general-issue plates. While our aluminum license plates are recyclable, we encourage Texans to be environmental stewards and not waste the good plates they currently have on their vehicles.

Yes. We offer many different specialty plates.

We know there is no such thing as that one, perfect plate that will make every vehicle owner happy. With more than 21 million registered vehicles in Texas, it is unlikely that one design – no matter how popular - can please everyone.

You can find the specialty license plate selections at Texas.gov.

No. The general-issue plate is manufactured in mass quantities and uses pre-determined plate patterns.

That plate was introduced in 2000. We manufactured about 31.5 million sets of those plates.

The first license plates in Texas appeared in 1906 and only one plate was required. However, motorists had to obtain or make their own plates. As a result, plates were made out of such materials as leather, steel, iron, porcelain and wood until 1917 when the first “official” state plate was issued. Those state- issued plates were made from sheet iron in St. Louis, Mo. It took 20 railroad cars to bring the 300,000 plates Texas needed from St. Louis.