Obtaining Texas Motorcycle License Plates

If you're a new motorcycle owner, you'll be happy to hear that the process for getting motorcycle license plates is the same vehicle registration process you follow for your personal car or truck.
 
You can get Lone Star Texas (or, general issue) license plates or personalized and specialty license plates.

"Lone Star Texas" License Plates

General issue license plates, also known as "Lone Star Texas" plates, are issued when you complete the motorcycle registration process. These plates are manufactured in mass quantities using predetermined plate patterns. Therefore, you'll have no control over the appearance of your motorcycle license plate if you choose this option.

Personalized and Specialty License Plates

Many Texas residents interested in motorcycle riding like to make a statement with their motorcycles.
 
If you wish, you can choose to order personalized license plates or specialty license plates for your motorcycle. You can't have messages that are deliberately offensive or already taken by another driver, but there is still plenty of room for creativity in this area.
 
As for specialty plate designs, there are options available in Texas pride themes as well as plates that support various athletic teams, charities, and community organizations.

You can learn more about license plate options in the state of Texas by visiting the MyPlates.com website. Most plate designs are $30, plus $40 for personalized messages or number combinations.

Transferring License Plates

One important difference between getting license plates for a car or truck and getting motorcycle plates is that license plates for your motorcycle can't be transferred when you sell or trade in your vehicle. You'll need to get new plates at this time.

However, because the TX Department of Transportation (DOT) requires new plates every seven years regardless of vehicle type, this won't be much of an added expense in most cases.