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The Texas Legislature passed House Bill 718 (HB 718) during the 88th Legislative Session in 2023 to address concerns related to the fraudulent use of paper license plates. The new law and associated administrative rules mandate significant operational changes for the Texas motor vehicle industry and are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.
Licensed dealers may now order Dealer Temporary Plates via eLICENSING.
About the Dealer Temporary Plate
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The Dealer Temporary Plate will replace Vehicle-Specific and Agent-Specific Temporary Tags (also known as “Dealer Temporary Tags”) and can be used by dealers starting July 1, 2025.
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Starting July 1, 2025, the Dealer Temporary Plate can be used for:
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Demonstrating vehicles to prospective buyers;
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Loaner vehicles while a customer’s vehicle is being serviced;
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Transporting vehicles from one of the dealer’s premises to another of their premises;
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Transporting vehicles to and from auctions;
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Transporting vehicles from the dealership to a place where it will be repaired, reconditioned, or serviced;
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Transporting vehicles from the state line, or a location in this state where the vehicle is unloaded, to the dealer’s premises;
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Transporting vehicles from the dealer’s premises to another dealer’s premises;
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Road testing the vehicle; or
- Allowing a vehicle to be used by a charitable organization.
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The Dealer Temporary Plate does not replace the Standard Dealer Plate already being issued by TxDMV. Dealers can continue using their currently assigned Standard Dealer Plates after July 1, 2025. The only difference between the Dealer Temporary Plate and the Standard Dealer Plate is that the Standard Dealer Plate can be used for personal use. A Dealer Temporary Plate cannot be used for personal use.
Standard Dealer Plate
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Dealer Temporary Plate Allotment: The number of Dealer Temporary license plates a dealer can order will be based on the type of dealer license held and the number of vehicles the dealer sold the previous year.
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Fee: The fee for the Dealer Temporary Plate is $10.
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Delivery of License Plates: All license plates issued to dealers by the TxDMV—including dealer plates—will be shipped to the licensed physical location associated with your dealer’s license. If you have moved, please notify the department as soon as possible. You must submit an amendment application via eLICENSING to update your licensed physical location. You are required by law to notify the department of a change to your address via an amendment application no later than the 10th day after the date the change occurred. Click here to access your eLICENSING account
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Ordering your Dealer Temporary Plates: Log in to your eLICENSING account. From the home page, select “Apply” under the “Plates and Stickers” application.
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New Plate Storage Requirements for Dealers: Rules adopted by the TxDMV Board in October 2024 require dealers to secure plates in a locked room, closet, or one or more securely locked, substantially constructed safes or steel cabinets bolted to the floor or wall.
Closing Your Dealer License: If you want to close your dealer license and no longer engage in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging vehicles in Texas, you must submit an application to close your license via your eLICENSING account. Click here to access your eLICENSING account.
Please note that you are required to surrender all dealer license plates, temporary tags, dealer plate stickers or dealer plate receipts in your possession to the department within 10 days of closing your license. In addition, dealers who elect to close their license are responsible for ensuring that all outstanding titles are transferred to purchasers and that the registration is completed within 30 days of the sale or 45 days if seller-financed. Dealers must also collect motor vehicle tax from the purchaser and remit it to the tax assessor-collector, unless an exclusion applies. For more information on closing your license, you may contact the TxDMV at (888) 368-4689.
Other Plates Associated with HB 718: Please note that the eLICENSING Plate Application is only for ordering your Dealer Temporary Plates or Standard Dealer Plates. Your initial allocation of any other plates associated with HB 718, including the metal plates you will issue to retail customers, does not require submission of an application or fees.
IMPORTANT DATES
May 2025
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Dealers may submit dealer plate applications for the new dealer temporary plate via their eLICENSING account. Dealer temporary plates received between May and June 2025 cannot be used until July 1, 2025.
July 1, 2025
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Dealers may begin using new dealer temporary plates, replacing Vehicle-Specific and Agent-Specific temporary tags.
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Dealers must use webDEALER to process title and registration applications for vehicle sales. IMPORTANT: Dealers without webDEALER accounts on July 1, 2025, will not be able to complete motor vehicle transactions.
Attached to this bulletin are Dealer Temporary Plate Frequently Asked Questions and additional information regarding HB 718.
Please scan this QR code for more information on HB 718 and webDEALER training:
Monique Johnston, Director
Motor Vehicle Division
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
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