1. (a) Metal dealer license plates shall be attached to the rear license plate holder of vehicles on which such plates may be displayed pursuant to Transportation Code, §503.061. Although not a requirement, a copy of the receipt for the metal dealer's plate issued by the division should be carried in the vehicle so that it can be presented to law enforcement personnel upon request.

2. (b) Metal dealer license plates may not be displayed on laden commercial vehicles being operated or moved upon the public streets or highways or on the dealer's service or work vehicles, except as provided by Transportation Code, §503.068(b-1).

   1. (1) Examples of vehicles considered as service or work vehicles for purposes of this subsection are:

      1. (A) a vehicle used for towing or transporting other vehicles;
      2. (B) a vehicle, including a light truck, used in connection with the operation of the dealer's shops or parts department;
      3. (C) a courtesy car on which a courtesy car sign is displayed;
      4. (D) a rental or lease vehicle; and
      5. (E) a boat trailer owned by a dealer or manufacturer that is used to transport more than one boat.

   2. (2) A light truck is not considered to be a laden commercial vehicle when it is:

      1. (A) mounted with a camper unit; or
      2. (B) towing a trailer for recreational purposes.
   3. (3) As used in this subsection, "light truck" has the meaning assigned by Transportation Code, §541.201.
3. (c) Metal dealer license plates may be displayed only on the type of vehicle for which the general distinguishing number is issued and which a dealer is licensed to sell. Non-franchised dealers may not display metal dealer plates on new motor vehicles.

4. (d) A dealer shall maintain a record of each dealer metal plate issued to that dealer that contains:

   1. (1) the assigned metal plate number;
   2. (2) the year and make of the vehicle to which the plate is affixed;
   3. (3) the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle; and
   4. (4) the name of the person in control of the vehicle.
5. (e) Dealer metal plates that cannot be accounted for shall be voided in the dealer's record and reported as missing to the department within three days of the date that the discovery is made. After a plate is reported as missing, it is no longer valid for use.
6. (f) The dealer's record required under subsections (d) and (e) of this section shall be available at the dealer's location during normal working hours for review by a representative of the department.

Source Note:The provisions of this §215.138 adopted to be effective February 11, 2010, 35 TexReg 883; amended to be effective February 6, 2014, 39 TexReg 501.