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LicensePlates Texas

Replacement License Plate in Texas

What is a License Plate Replacement in Texas?

An off-cycle operation that reissues a metal license plate for a registered vehicle in Texas. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles administers the program; county tax assessor-collector offices handle each replacement operation. The replacement operation has its own fee of $6.50 and its own application form, separate from the annual registration renewal fee.

  • Trigger conditions recognized in 43 Texas Administrative Code § 217.32: a license plate that is lost, stolen, damaged, or needs replacement for cosmetic or legibility reasons.
  • Replacement differs from renewal. Renewal extends the registration cycle for another year; replacement reissues the physical license plate outside of this cycle.
  • License plate continuity: Texas reissues the same license plate upon replacement. The number remains tied to the vehicle record; no documents associated with that number need updating after replacement.
  • Texas requires two license plates (front and rear) on most vehicles. One or both plates can be replaced on a single VTR-60 application for a total fee of $6.50 per transaction.

When Do You Need to Replace Your Texas License Plate?

Triggers that justify license plate replacement in Texas are defined in 43 Texas Administrative Code § 217.32: loss, theft, physical damage, or a cosmetic or legibility issue that renders the plate unfit for display. Each condition supports a replacement application; the process is the same regardless of which trigger applies.

  • A license plate that is lost or stolen qualifies immediately. Submit a VTR-60 form at your county tax office as soon as the plate is confirmed missing.
  • Texas does not require a police report to process a replacement, even for stolen plates. Reporting the theft to local law enforcement is recommended to prevent fraudulent use, but the county tax office will accept a signed VTR-60 statement without it.
  • Damaged or illegible plates qualify when the plate cannot be clearly read or is physically damaged; Texas does not set a fixed numerical window for completing a replacement after damage occurs. The legibility threshold is the trigger.
  • New residents must register their vehicles in Texas within 30 days of establishing residency, according to Texas Transportation Code § 502.040. Out-of-state plates must be surrendered and replaced with Texas plates at this time.
  • If you have any portion of a lost or damaged plate remaining, that residual part must be surrendered to the county tax office during replacement (43 Texas Administrative Code § 217.32(b)).

How to Get a Replacement License Plate in Texas

Each replacement begins at the county tax assessor-collector’s office, whether the owner applies in person or mails a package. Prepare these items before choosing a channel: your current vehicle registration record, government-issued photo ID, VTR-60 form (available on TxDMV License Plates), and any residual part of the damaged plate if you have it. Fees noted in the next section apply at the time of submission.

  • In person: Bring the VTR-60 form, photo ID, and $6.50 (cash, check, or money order; credit cards accepted with a convenience fee) to your county tax assessor-collector’s office. Surrender any plate parts you have. The county issues a replacement plate on the spot; the new plate is available the same day.
  • By mail: Send a completed, signed VTR-60 form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $6.50 made out to the county tax office. Do not send cash. Mail the package to your local county tax office’s address, which varies by county. Allow up to two weeks for delivery and processing.
  • An online portal for Texas plate replacement does not exist. The TxDMV online channel covers only registration renewals, according to TxDMV Receiving In-Person Motor Vehicle Services; replacement applications are processed exclusively through the county tax office, in person or by mail.

Can You Replace Texas License Plate Online?

No. Texas does not offer an online portal for replacing lost, stolen, damaged, or otherwise defective license plates. The TxDMV License Plates page directs all replacement inquiries to the county tax assessor-collector’s office. TxDMV online services cover registration renewals and address changes, but not replacement transactions.

The in-person route is the faster option. Bring the VTR-60 form, photo ID, and $6.50 to your county tax assessor-collector’s office. The replacement plate is issued on the spot the same day.

For replacement by mail, send the following package to your local county tax office:

Visit in person if speed is important; mail the package if your county office is not accessible within your schedule.

How Much is License Plate Replacement in Texas?

The base replacement fee is the easy part; a $0.50 automation fee is always added on top, and the payment methods accepted by the county affect whether a credit card convenience fee appears on the check as well.

  • $6.00 base replacement fee for a set of plates, established by Texas Transportation Code § 504.007. Applies to passenger vehicles, light trucks, motorcycles, and trailers.
  • Automation fee: $0.50, charged under Texas Transportation Code § 502.356(a) and added to each replacement transaction. Total statutory fee: $6.50.
  • Replacing one plate versus two plates has the same $6.50 fee. Texas Transportation Code § 504.007 sets the transaction price per set; replacing one front or rear plate costs the same as replacing both.
  • No additional county or local fees apply to replacement transactions. Of the $6.50 collected, $2.50 is retained by the county tax assessor-collector’s office, and the remainder is remitted to the TxDMV fund (Texas Transportation Code § 504.007(c)).
  • Credit card convenience fee: charged by individual county tax assessor-collector offices when payment is made by card in person; the amount varies by county. Mail payments must be by check or money order; the card option does not apply.
  • No fee applies if the county tax assessor-collector determines that the owner paid for plates that were mailed but never received (Texas Transportation Code § 504.007(g)).

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