1. (a) A dealer may issue and secure a buyer's license plate or a buyer's temporary license plate only on a vehicle:

   1. (1) from the selling dealer's inventory;
   2. (2) that can be legally operated on the public streets and highways;
   3. (3) for which a sale or lease has been consummated; and

   4. (4) that has a valid inspection in accordance with Transportation Code Chapter 548, unless:

      1. (A) an inspection is not required under Transportation Code §503.063(i) or (j); or
      2. (B) the vehicle is exempt from inspection under Chapter 548.
2. (b) A dealer may not issue a buyer's general issue or temporary license plate to the buyer of a vehicle that is to be titled but not registered.

3. (c) For a wholesale transaction, a dealer may not issue a buyer's license plate; rather the purchasing dealer places on the motor vehicle its own:

   1. (1) dealer's temporary license plate; or
   2. (2) dealer's standard or personalized prestige license plate.

4. (d) A buyer's temporary license plate is valid until the earlier of:

   1. (1) the date on which the vehicle is registered; or
   2. (2) the 60th day after the date of purchase.

5. (e) A dealer shall charge a buyer a fee of $10, unless the vehicle is exempt from payment of registration fees under Transportation Code, §502.453 or §502.456. A dealer shall remit the fee to the county with the title transfer application for deposit to the credit of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles fund. If the vehicle is sold by a dealer to an out-of-state resident:

   1. (1) the dealer shall remit the entire fee to the department for deposit to the credit of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles fund if payment is made through the department's designated electronic system; or
   2. (2) the dealer shall remit the fee to the county for deposit to the credit of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles fund.
6. (f) A governmental agency may charge a buyer a fee of $10 unless the vehicle is exempt from payment of registration fees under Transportation Code, §502.453 or §502.456. If collected by a governmental agency, the fee must be sent to the county for deposit to the credit of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles fund.

Source Note:The provisions of this §215.155 adopted to be effective February 11, 2010, 35 TexReg 883; amended to be effective February 13, 2017, 42 TexReg 571; amended to be effective June 28, 2017, 42 TexReg 3274; amended to be effective November 4, 2018, 43 TexReg 7720; amended to be effective October 21, 2020, 45 TexReg 7441; amended to be effective January 27, 2022, 47 TexReg 662; amended to be effective June 1, 2024, 49 TexReg 2704; amended to be effective July 1, 2025, 49 TexReg 8953; amended to be effective October 9, 2025, 50 TexReg 6506.