Texas Administrative Code
Title 43 - TRANSPORTATION
Part 10 - TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter 215 - MOTOR VEHICLE DISTRIBUTION
Subchapter D - GENERAL DISTINGUISHING NUMBERS AND IN-TRANSIT LICENSES
Section 215.154 - Dealer's Temporary License Plate Allocation

Universal Citation: 43 TX Admin Code § 215.154

Current through Reg. 50, No. 13; March 28, 2025

(a) The number of dealer's temporary license plates a dealer may order for business use is based on the type of license for which the dealer applied and the number of vehicles the dealer sold during the previous year.

(b) Unless otherwise qualified under this section, the maximum number of dealer's temporary license plates the department will issue to a new license applicant during the applicant's first license term is indicated in the following table.

Attached Graphic

(c) A person holding a dealer license on July 1, 2025, is eligible to receive the following maximum number of dealer's temporary plates:

(1) the number designated for that license type in subsection (b) of this section; and

(2) the number designated in subsection (e) of this section based on vehicle sales in the last 12-month period.

(d) A dealer that applies for a license is not subject to the initial allotment limits described in this section and may rely on that dealer's existing allocation of dealer's temporary license plates if that dealer is:

(1) a franchised dealership subject to a buy-sell agreement, regardless of a change in the entity of ownership;

(2) any type of dealer that is relocating and has been licensed by the department for a period of one year or longer; or

(3) any type of dealer that is changing its business entity type and has been licensed by the department for a period of one year or longer.

(e) A dealer may obtain more than the maximum number of dealer's temporary license plates provided by this section by submitting to the department proof of sales for the previous 12-month period that justifies additional license plates.

(1) The number of additional dealer's temporary license plates the department will issue to a dealer that demonstrates need through proof of sales is indicated in the following table.

Attached Graphic

(2) For purposes of this section, proof of sales for the previous 12-month period may consist of a copy of the most recent vehicle inventory tax declaration or monthly statements filed with the taxing authority in the county of the dealer's licensed location. Each copy must be stamped as received by the taxing authority.

(f) A wholesale motor vehicle dealer may obtain more than the maximum number of dealer's temporary license plates provided by this section by submitting to the department proof of the number of vehicles the dealer has purchased in the previous 12-month period that justifies additional license plates.

(1) Evidence of the wholesale motor vehicle dealer's vehicle purchases for the previous 12-month period must include the date of purchase, VIN of the vehicle purchased, and the selling dealer's name, and any other information the department in its discretion deems necessary to determine the need for additional dealer's temporary license plates for the wholesale motor vehicle dealer.

(2) Upon review and approval of a wholesale motor vehicle dealer's proof of vehicle purchases documentation, the department shall issue up to 5 additional dealer's temporary license plates to the dealer.

(g) The Director of the Motor Vehicle Division may waive the dealer's temporary license plate issuance restrictions if the waiver is essential for the continuation of the business. The director will determine the number of dealer's temporary license plates the department will issue based on the dealer's past sales, dealer's inventory, and any other factor the Director determines pertinent.

(1) A request for a waiver must be submitted to the director in writing and specifically state why the additional dealer's temporary license plates are necessary for the continuation of the dealer's business.

(2) A request for a waiver must be accompanied by proof of the dealer's sales for the previous 12-month period, if applicable.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Texas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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