How to get dealer plates in Texas
What Texas dealer plates cost, the types you can get, how to apply, and the rules on using them. Verified as of June 2026.
TX dealer plates at a glance:
- Issued by
- TxDMV (eLICENSING)
- Cost per plate
- ~$90 metal dealer plate; $10 dealer temp
- Requirement
- Active Texas GDN dealer license
- Use them for
- Dealer-owned inventory, demos, personal use
- Term
- Expires with your dealer license
Informational only — confirm current fees and rules with the Texas DMV (TxDMV) before you apply.
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What Texas dealer plates are
Texas dealer plates let a licensed dealer operate the vehicles in inventory — and, since House Bill 718, they're also how buyers leave the lot. As of July 1, 2025, Texas ended the old paper buyer temporary tags: dealers now issue a metal license plate at the time of sale, collecting a $10 fee from the buyer for a general-issue plate.
Metal dealer plates (for the dealership's own vehicles) are ordered through TxDMV's eLICENSING system once you hold a General Distinguishing Number (GDN). This guide covers what each plate type is, what it costs, how to order, and the rules — including the HB 718 change most older guides still get wrong.
Types of TX dealer plates
Standard plates for vehicles the dealership owns — inventory, demos, and business use. Roughly $90 per plate. They expire the same day your dealer license does, and Texas allows personal use by the dealer, the dealer's family, and employees.
Temporary metal plates a dealer can order through eLICENSING (about $10 each) for short-term use on inventory before standard plates are issued.
At the time of sale, the dealer now issues the buyer a metal license plate instead of a paper temp tag, and collects a $10 fee for a general-issue plate. The buyer keeps the sales receipt in the vehicle until the permanent plate/registration is finalized.
How to get dealer plates in Texas
- 1
Hold an active Texas GDN dealer license
Dealer plates require a General Distinguishing Number (GDN). You can't order plates before your TxDMV dealer license is approved.
- 2
Order plates through eLICENSING
Submit a Plate Application in your TxDMV eLICENSING account — the same process for standard metal dealer plates and dealer temporary plates. Specify the number and type of plates.
- 3
Pay the per-plate fees
Pay roughly $90 for each metal dealer plate, or about $10 for each dealer temporary plate. Your dealer-plate registration is tied to your license term.
- 4
Issue buyers a metal plate at sale (HB 718)
Since July 1, 2025, when you sell a vehicle you issue the buyer a metal plate at the time of sale and collect the $10 general-issue plate fee — no more paper buyer temp tags. Many dealers handle this electronically through webDEALER.
Rules on using TX dealer plates
- Metal dealer plates go on vehicles the dealership owns; Texas allows personal use by the dealer, the dealer's family, and employees.
- Dealer plates expire the same day your dealer license expires — renew them with your license.
- Since HB 718 (July 1, 2025), dealers issue buyers a metal plate at sale and collect a $10 fee — paper buyer temp tags are gone.
- Keep plate records clean; misuse of dealer plates (e.g., on vehicles the dealership doesn't own) is an enforcement issue.
Common questions
How much do Texas dealer plates cost?+
A metal dealer plate is typically around $90 per plate, and dealer temporary plates run about $10 each. Under HB 718, when you sell a vehicle you also collect a $10 fee from the buyer for the general-issue metal plate you issue at the sale.
How do I get dealer plates in Texas?+
Once you hold an active GDN dealer license, order plates through your TxDMV eLICENSING account by submitting a Plate Application and paying the per-plate fee. You can't get dealer plates before your license is approved.
What changed with Texas temp tags under HB 718?+
As of July 1, 2025, Texas eliminated paper buyer temporary tags. Dealers now issue a metal license plate to the buyer at the time of sale and collect a $10 fee for a general-issue plate. This cut down on fraudulent paper-tag schemes — and it's the part most older guides still describe incorrectly.
Can I use Texas dealer plates for personal driving?+
Yes, within limits. Texas allows metal dealer plates to be used for personal use by the dealer, the dealer's family, and employees, on vehicles the dealership owns. They can't be used on vehicles the dealership doesn't own.
When do Texas dealer plates expire?+
Metal dealer plates expire on the same day your dealer license expires, so they renew together. Keep your GDN license current to keep your plates valid.
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