Vehicle registration plates of Texas

The U.S. state of Texas first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1917.

Passenger baseplates 1917 to present

In 1956, the U.S. states and Canadian provinces came to an agreement with the Automobile Manufacturers Association that fixed the size for license plates for vehicles, except those for motorcycles, at six inches in height by twelve inches in width, with standardized mounting holes. The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the state's first license plate that complied with these standards.

Image First issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1951 Black embossed lettering on yellow background AB1234
1954 Yellow on black
1966 White on black, star separator
1967 Black on white, star separator
1969 Black on white, star separator
1972 Green on white, star separator
1974 Red on white, star separator
1975 Black on reflective white, star separator
1992 Dark blue and red on reflective white, flag screened next to state name The Lone Star State
1995 State outline within abstract graphic. 150 Years of Statehood ABC-12D approximately VJL 01B to late W series Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new standard-issue license plate of 1995 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first and, to date, only time Texas has been so honored. Co-recipient with Pennsylvania.
1996 State flag to left of state name. The Lone Star State ABC-12D ? to ZZZ-99Z Returned to previous base. Some late Z-series plates made on next series' graphic sheeting, with state flag to right of state name.
1998 State flag to right of state name. The Lone Star State A12-BCD B01-BBB to ? Some early B-series plates made on previous series' graphic sheeting, with state flag to left of state name.
1999 Dark blue on reflective white with graphic scene of space shuttle and cowboy. The Lone Star State A12-BCD ? to Z99-ZZZ
2004 123-ABC 001-BBB to ?
2005 Revised version of 1999 base: state flag motif added to state outline, flag of the United States added to space shuttle; seven stars in top left corner made more prominent in commemoration of Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, which occurred over the state; small changes to other graphic elements such as cowboy and vegetation along bottom of plate. The Lone Star State 123-ABC ? to 999-ZZZ
2007 ABC-123 BBB-001 to present Still in use on many cars bought before the license plate update
2009 - July 2010 First standard-issue non-embossed license plate issued in Texas; features the Davis Mountains against a sky backdrop, with a lone star and streaks of red and blue in the upper-left corner; state motto is retained on the bottom The Lone Star State AB1-C234
  • AA0-A001 to AZ9-Z999

(Trucks)

  • BB0-B001

(Passenger Vehicles)

  • XA0-A001

(Semi-Trailer Tractors)

August 2010 - June 2012 The Lone Star State AB1-2345 (Trucks)
  • AA0-0001

(Trucks)
July 2012 - present New "Texas Classic" black lettering on white sheeting design with double security thread in the sheeting The Lone Star State ABC-1234
  • ABC-1234 All vehicles

Non-passenger types

Image Type First issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Disabled Person 1 AB CD
Disabled Person The Lone Star State 1 AB CD Non-embossed

Optional types

Image Type First issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
4-H
A Fine Cause
Adopt-A-Beach
Air Force Association
Animal Friendly

References

    Further reading

    External links