License Plate Roundup: Texas

Texas: History and Interesting Facts

Before we tackle Texas’ license plates, let’s first dabble into some of the State’s colorful history. In this section, we’re covering basic state information, standout monuments and features, and some interesting facts.

When Was Texas Established as a State?

On December 29, 1845, Texas formally entered the Union as the 28th state. While concerns brewed regarding adding Texas to the Union, the benefits outweighed any worry, as the massive land mass helped to further President James Polk’s vision of a country that spanned the entire North American continent. 

Before 1845, Texas passed through several hands, including self-governance from 1836 to 1845 as the Republic of Texas, Mexican leadership from 1821 to 1836, and Spanish ownership from 1519 to 1821.

What Is Texas Known For?

Topographically, Texas is known for its coastal plains, sweeping hills, prairies, and even the Davis, Santiago, and Guadalupe mountain ranges of the Rockies to the West. This variable topography makes Texas an extremely unique state, though, in reality, any land mass spanning 268,000 sq/mi is bound to offer numerous natural features. 

Economically, Texas is the largest producer of crude oil in the United States, making up 43 percent of the country’s oil production. Houston is also known as the world's energy capital, as it houses the headquarters and intellectual capital of every energy industry sector, including exploration, production, transmission, marketing, supply, and technology. 

Other standout features of the state include its unmatched cowboy culture, world-renowned Texas BBQ, and the infamous Battle of the Alamo—a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution that occurred at the Alamo Mission near San Antonio.

What Is Texas’ Nickname?

Texas has long been referred to as the Lone Star State, which hails from the single star on the state's 1836 flag, used during the days of the Republic of Texas. The single star represented Texas' independence from Mexico and the sacrifices made in the name of freedom.

Texas’ License Plate Designs

With history and background information covered, let’s check out some of Texas’ standout license plate designs. In this section, we discuss the processes of acquiring Texas license plates, our staff’s top ten designs, and the requirements to purchase each.

Regular, Custom, Special Interest, and Other License Plates

Acquiring license plates in Texas is relatively straightforward. As with most states,  license plates vary in up-front pricing and annual renewal fees.

Regular Passenger, Commercial, and Motorcycle Plates

Texas’ standard-issue license plate, dubbed “the Texas Classic,” is issued free of charge with every new vehicle. Replacement standard plates come in at six dollars and require a .50-cent fee.

Personalized and Special Interest License Plates

Personalized and Special Interest plates aren’t handled through the DMV, as with most states. Instead, Texas outsources these services to myplates.com—an authorized third-party provider of custom and special-interest license plate designs. 

Like other states, ordering special-interest or personalized license plates through myplates.com requires additional fees, most of which are annual. Special interest plates typically cost around 35–50 dollars a year (depending on the term), while personalized special interest plates typically run between 100–195 dollars a year (depending on the term). 

Personalized plates must be approved by the DMV and may not contain foul language or obscenities.

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Texas offers hundreds of personalized plate designs through myplates.com, making this selection a serious undertaking. After some deliberation, here are our top ten Texas license plate designs.

The Texas Classic

This traditional, standard-issued license plate features a classic black-over-white design featuring a nautical star, bold TEXAS text, and “the Lone Star State” text, paying homage to the state’s nickname. Two high-visibility threads increase visibility and make discerning legitimate plates from fakes far easier. 

The Texas Classic license plate is free for first-time issuances. After which, replacements cost six dollars with a .50-cent service fee.

Texas ‘Don’t Tread on Me’

Don’t mess with Texas! The Texas ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ plate gives Texans the chance to rebel against oppressive forces, celebrating free will and independence. This plate features a traditional black-over-yellow color theme, “Don’t Tread on Me” text, the iconic rattlesnake logo, and the lone-star-flag-patterned state silhouette. 

Pricing for the Texas ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ license plate is as follows:

Texas Barbed Wire

The Texas Barbed Wire plate is an homage to the rough and tough ranchers and cowboys operating in Cowboy Country—Texas. This stylish white and black plate is available in inverse colors (black over white and white over black). It features a rugged barbed wire border and “All Hail the Mighty State” text. 

Pricing for the Texas Barbed Wire license plate is as follows:

Texas Oil and Gas

Celebrate Texas’ position as the country’s number one producer of crude and refined oil with the Texas Oil and Gas plate. This plate features a black and white design with a silhouette of an oil rig on one side, a flame on the other, and “Oil and Gas” text. 

Pricing for the Texas Oil and Gas license plate is as follows:

Texas Tough

The Texas Tough plate showcases just how rugged Texans are, sporting a stylish diamond-plate background and “Texas Tough” text. This black and white design features a star and state silhouette bordering the “TEXAS” text. 

Pricing for the Texas Tough license plate is as follows:

Texas ‘Remember the Alamo’

The state-sponsored ‘Remember the Alamo’ plate honors those who lost their life during the 13-day assault at the Alamo mission—a pivotal point in the Texas Revolution. This plate features a white background, blue “The Alamo” silhouette, and red “Remember” text. 

State-sponsored plates carry a 30-dollar fee for the background and a 70-dollar personalization fee.

Texas Premium Embossed

Texas Premium Embossed plates feature a stylish, premium appearance with embossed numerals and text. These plates are offered in several colors, ensuring a flawless match to any vehicle paint finish or accent color. Texas offers multiple Premium Embossed license plates available in several colors, including:

• Black over gold

• Gold over black

• Yellow over black

• White over black

• Gold over blue

• White over carbon fiber

Pricing for Texas Premium Embossed license plates is as follows:

Texas Lone Star

Texas Lone Star license plates are sleek, stylish, and available in numerous colors, ensuring a perfect match to your vehicle. Texas offers its “Lone Star” plates in numerous colors, including: 

• White over black

• Silver over black

• White over carbon fiber

• White over blue

• White over pink

• White over red

• Black over silver

• Black over white 

Pricing for the Texas Lone Star license plate is as follows:

Texas Parks and Wildlife: Rattlesnake

Keep Texas wild with the Texas Parks and Wildlife license plate design, featuring a curled-up rattlesnake and red “Keep Texas Wild” text.

State-sponsored plates carry a 30-dollar fee for the background and a 70-dollar personalization fee.

Texas ‘Hook Em Horns’

Show your support for Texas LongHorns football with the “Hook Em Horns” plate design, featuring a white silhouette of the Longhorns logo over a black background. Orange “Hook ‘em Horns” text at the bottom of the page. 

Pricing for the Texas “Hook Em Horns” license plate is as follows:

License Plate Products and Accessories

Texas undoubtedly offers some of the nation’s most unique and customizable license plate designs. If you reside in the Lone Star State, display your truck, Jeep®, or SUV’s license plate proudly using our selection of license plate frames, holders, brackets, and relocation solutions. 

Stay tuned for our next License Plate Roundup feature, where we tackle another state’s top license plate artwork. And as always, contact the experts for all product inquiries and order assistance.