Placement

• Vehicles registered in Texas must, by law, display front and rear license plates. This requirement was established to enable law enforcement to easily identify a vehicle. For example, red-light cameras record photographs of vehicles running a red light and use the number on the front plate to mail citations to the registered owners. Failure to display both plates may result in a fine up to $200.
  
  

Legibility

• Texas motorists are prohibited from altering or obscuring the license plate in any way that affects the legibility of either the license plate number or state of issue. No sticker, decal, reflective material or frame bracket can be placed on or around the plate if it impedes its readability. If it is determined that a driver has knowingly or purposefully obscured plate information, the driver may be charged with a Class B misdemeanor.
  
  

Renewal

• New license plates are issued to registered vehicles seven years from the year of original issue. Vehicle owners receive registration renewal annually by mail. If the plates are due to expire, a statement will be included about it on the annual registration. The car owner will get two new plates at no additional cost upon payment of registration renewal to the county tax-assessor's office.
  
  

Transfer

• Texans trading in an old vehicle may opt to transfer the plates to the newly purchased vehicle. Those drivers need to complete the transfer at the local county tax office. The driver will need to pay for the registration sticker and a $5 transfer fee. License plates may not be transferred to a vehicle of a different classification. For example, plates from a car cannot be transferred to a truck or motorcycle.
  
  

Specialty

• Specialty license plates are available for an additional fee of $30. A portion of the proceeds benefits certain charities and non-profit organizations. Out of more than 200 specialty plates, 101 are limited to qualifying individuals or vehicles, such as disabled, military, occupational, and antique or classic vehicles. Specialty plates must conform to the Texas license plate requirements.