Texas License Plates

This series debuted in 2000 with original numbering format B12-CDE issued until 2003. Second numbering format 123-BBB issued from 2003-07; high 097-ZZX.

Plate design was revised in 2005 at the J99-GPZ/J01-GRB break. The Texas shaped separator changed to color of state flag (instead of previous solid red) and space shuttle was revised with addition of American flag on its side. Series ended in 2009 during final prefix format BBB-123, all should have been off the road by 2016 per standard rolling replate process.

Issued in format BC1-D234 for new passenger registrations and replacements from 2009-12. Remained valid for 7 years after issuance per standard rolling replate process, all should have been off the road since 2019.

Progression: after BB1-Z999 came BB2-B001.

Wally Punzmann observed low BB1-B191, lowest passenger plate was BB1-B001.

Texas sky colour revised to darker more true blue only for a short time in 2010.

True blue low: BT2-G896

True blue high: BW9-T969

After this the color returned to the normal shade with more green in it as was seen on the BB-BS series.

Back to original blue low: BW9-V863

Shade changed dramatically at CJ3 later in 2010. Very little blue remained except at the top edge and the plate number ended up on a completely white background. The Davis mountain range remained along with the red and dark blue in the top left along with the white lone star. "TEXAS" outlined in a thin line of blue to help it stand out.

Variations:

Darker blue sky: CJ3-V996 Truck darker blue sky: AX3-7762

Lighter blue sky: CJ3-W031 Truck lighter blue sky: AX4-5339

This flat black on white general issue base debuted in 2012 and is known as the "Texas Classic" plate, low BBB-0048. Previous designs such as 2009 series remained valid at the time but no longer issued and eventually removed from use by the standard 7-year rolling replate process.

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This seven-character flat single Apportioned plate Texas-classic series first appeared in April 2013, low R00-4534.

Texas started issuing a front and a rear Apportioned license plate to certain vehicle classifications including buses and pickups (e.g., vehicles that "traditionally do not pull trailers") effective July 2013. These Apportioned pairs begin with the letter "K" and are produced in seven character format.

Two-plate Apportioned low: K00-0904.

2012 Texas Classic base.

Changed to flat black on white seven-character plate in 2015, embossed high: 2F4 764.

All-flat black on white 2012 Texas Classic base. Handicapped plates reached 9 ZZZZ and rolled back over to 1 BBBB in 2013. Wheelchair graphic has appeared in various locations, shifted back to the left somewhere between 2 YL-WP and 6 YTKY.

On Texas Classic base

100-1000 through 899-9999 issued in pairs. 900-1000 through 999-9999 issued as singles.

Exempt Motorcycle high: XY4428

Exempt Trailer high: 906-3071

Brian Lasaine reports Exempt plates with unique 5 digit numbers for the Texas DPS (State Trooper) with the Texas Highway Patrol patch on the plate. He spotted 02420 on 2010-09-17.

Old style high: 117-9718 This one didn't have the Number in the Circle for the last year of usage.

On Texas Classic base

Texas Classic base since 2012, various numbering formats used, see History tab for details.

Flat low: X1K-232

Embossed high: X1J-246

Fleet plates have a 3-year expiration cycle. "Truck" appears on this plate, there is also a passenger version available.

Flat

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4 x 7" sized 2012 flat black on white Texas Classic base. Jim Palmer noted that numbering reached 999 Z4Z in 2024 and rolled back over to the original 1975 format.

Motorcycle plates changed from embossed to flat on earlier base in 2005.

Low flat: 3AL 041.

High embossed: 3AJ 759

Changeover from "sky blue" to Texas classic design occurred in 2015 somewhere between U21-075 and U26-031.

U97-953 flat low

2012 black on white flat plate, "RENTAL TRAILER" along top of plate under state name. All other identification and slogans are as on the passenger plate. One early example had white/black expiration date box "3 18" top right.

Red and blue on white design including State Seal in top left corner.

00B0007 reported as a low by Brian Lasaine.

30 Day Permit-used on a car with out of state plates, Temporary says Texas Buyer on the top, those are for cars that are purchased without plates, as the plate stays with the vehicle, not the owner in Texas.

Typically found on semi-trailers.

2012 Texas Classic base.

Trailer plates have used the Texas Classic base since 2013.

Low 046-166H observed on previous blue and red on white base.

2012 flat Texas Classic base.

This 2012 base truck series started at CA0.

Brian Lasaine observed the first 2009 base truck plate, AA0-0001 and Vincent Perillo observed AA1-2345.

Former embossed base high - 475 3BF

Animal Friendly plates changed to flat in 2001 after the embossed high of D1GFW. Numbering on this design uses generic 5-character format, see History tab for examples of observed numbering formats on this design. More examples of the generic 5-character series on various types are tracked separately on this site.

Many Texas special issue plates are using sequentially assigned blocks of numbers. Included are the "horned toad", "Fish Texas" bass, "Hunt Texas" deer, State of the Arts and many others.

There are several 5-character formats other than AB12C in use for some special issues. Enjoy TX Music, for example, uses A12BC; Lone Star Proud for Kids, TX Aerospace Comm., and Olympic Spirit: AB1CD; Big Bend Nat'l Park: A123B; Scouting and State Capitol: A1BCD.

Low 5-character series from 2003 was BB37C.

Motorcycle: B11DM 2015-09-15 Tiger Joe Sallmen

Many Texas special issue plates are using sequentially assigned blocks of numbers in various formats. This 6-character series since 2018 uses BC12DF, low BB09BH.

This tracking bucket is for 2018-present 7-character series. Many Texas special issue plates are using sequentially assigned blocks of numbers with 5, 6 or 7 characters.

This flat Disabled Veteran plate features "TEXAS" and the plate number in black. "DISABLED VETERAN US ARMED FORCES" is along the bottom in red and the dimensional star appears in top right. Various numbering formats have been used, see History tab.

The International Symbol of Access at left provides the owner with special parking privileges.

Flat

Ex-P.O.W. Embossed: PM 791G

Flat Texas Classic base. The original series was PH1 BBB, changed to BBB 1PH in 2012.