SECTION 217.58. Digital License Plate Eligibility

(a) Vehicles eligible for a digital license plate. The following vehicles are eligible for a digital license plate, subject to the exceptions in subsection (b) of this section:

(1) any vehicle owned or operated by a governmental entity; or

(2) a vehicle owned or operated by a person other than a governmental entity if the vehicle is:

(A) part of a commercial fleet, as defined by Transportation Code, §502.001; or

(B) a truck, motorcycle, moped, trailer, semitrailer, sport utility vehicle, or other vehicle that is required to be registered under Transportation Code, Chapter 502.

(b) Vehicles not eligible for a digital license plate.

(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a vehicle is not eligible for a digital license plate if the vehicle is not required to display a license plate on the rear of the vehicle, including:

(A) truck-tractors; or

(B) trucks with combination registration under Transportation Code, §502.255.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section, a vehicle registered as a passenger vehicle is not eligible for a digital license plate.

(c) Requirements for Eligibility Verification and Issuance of Digital Plates.

(1) An applicant for a digital license plate may not obtain a digital license plate from a digital license plate provider if the vehicle for which a digital license plate is being sought is not registered. The individual must first submit a complete initial application for registration and the accompanying documents and fees at the county tax assessor-collector's office, or at the department for vehicles that must be registered directly through the department under this chapter. After receipt of the necessary documentation and fees, the department will issue one or two metal license plates, in accordance with this chapter, to the applicant for the digital license plate, depending on the type of vehicle. After the department issues the metal license plate or plates to the applicant, the applicant may then proceed with obtaining a digital license plate from a digital license plate provider.

(2) A digital license plate provider must obtain the following information from a digital license plate applicant before it verifies the vehicle's eligibility for a digital license plate:

(A) the last four digits of the vehicle identification number; and

(B) the existing metal license plate number.

(3) A digital license plate provider may not issue a digital license plate for a vehicle that has not been issued Texas registration in the name of the applicant for the digital license plate.

(4) Any metal license plate issued for the rear of the vehicle and any associated plate sticker issued for a rear metal license plate must be carried in or on the vehicle at all times when using a digital license plate.

Source Note: The provisions of this §217.58 adopted to be effective July 12, 2020, 45 TexReg 4358