What to Do With License Plates When You Sell in Texas

BySell Any Car Cash Team

Quick answer: In Texas, when you sell your car to someone who is not a dealer, you remove the license plates. Within 10 days you can transfer them to another vehicle titled in your name (same vehicle classification, approved by your county tax office), or permanently mark the front of each plate with “VOID” or a large “X” and destroy it, recycle it through a registered metal recycler, or return it to TxDMV or your county tax office. When you sell or trade in to a dealer, the dealer removes the general-issue plates. Specialty plates always stay with you.

Texas plate rules changed in 2025. If you sold a car years ago, the process may be different now. Here’s what applies in 2026.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Confirm the current rules with TxDMV or the Harris County Tax Office.

What Changed in 2025

Two changes matter for sellers:

  • House Bill 718 (passed in 2023): starting July 1, 2025, Texas dealers began issuing metal license plates directly to buyers instead of paper temporary tags.
  • Senate Bill 1902 (2025): updated Transportation Code §504.901. TxDMV adopted rules implementing it in 43 TAC §217.53, effective on or about October 9, 2025. Those rules spell out what a seller must do with plates in a sale where neither party is a dealer.

Your Options at a Glance

Who’s buying What happens to general-issue plates Specialty plates
Private buyer (not a dealer) You remove them. Transfer to another vehicle in your name, or void and dispose of them within 10 days Stay with you
Dealer (sale or trade-in) Dealer removes them. Dealer may move them to another vehicle of the same type it sells within 10 days, otherwise they’re destroyed Stay with you

Selling to a Private Buyer: Step by Step

Under 43 TAC §217.53, when neither the buyer nor the seller is a dealer:

  1. Remove the plates. The rule says the plates shall be removed from the vehicle by the seller.
  2. Remove the registration sticker, too. TxDMV notes the registration sticker is not transferred.
  3. Choose what to do with the plates within 10 days:
    – Transfer them to another vehicle titled in your name, if it’s the same vehicle classification and your county tax assessor-collector accepts the request; or
    – Void them by permanently marking the front of each plate with the word “VOID” or a large “X,” and then destroy them, recycle them through a metal recycler registered under Occupations Code Chapter 1956, or return them to TxDMV or a county tax assessor-collector.
  4. File the Vehicle Transfer Notification within 30 days of the sale, online at TxDMV.gov/VTN or with Form VTR-346. The form asks for the Texas license plate number, so write it down before you remove the plates.

What about the buyer?

Without your plates, the buyer needs another way to drive the car legally. TxDMV says a buyer in a non-dealer sale may obtain one vehicle transit permit, and notes this can come up for weekend sales when the seller has removed the plates and sticker. The buyer must then register the vehicle and get plates within 30 days of purchase.

Selling or Trading In to a Dealer

TxDMV’s HB 718 materials say dealers are required to remove general-issue license plates upon trade-in or sale to the dealer. The dealer may transfer those plates to another vehicle of the same type that it sells within 10 days; otherwise the plates must be destroyed. The adopted rule also says a dealer receiving a vehicle must dispose of the registration sticker.

When you sell to SellAnyCarCash, a licensed dealer, we remove the general-issue plates at pickup, so you don’t have to. If you have specialty or personalized plates, tell us when you schedule pickup so we can go over them with you.

Specialty and Qualifying Plates

TxDMV is clear: when a vehicle is sold, specialty and qualifying plates always remain with the seller. That includes plates you ordered and paid for, like personalized or specialty designs. Take them off before the car leaves. You can order and manage specialty plates at any Harris County Tax Office.

Other Things to Take Care Of

Plates aren’t the only loose end. Before or right after the sale:

  • Copy down the plate number and VIN for your Vehicle Transfer Notification.
  • Remove personal items, including garage door openers and anything in the glove box.
  • Update your insurance once the sale is complete.
  • Review any toll account tied to the vehicle so future tolls aren’t billed to you.
  • Keep records of the sale. TxDMV recommends keeping the buyer’s contact information, the sale date and the VIN.

If tickets or toll bills still show up after you filed the notification, TxDMV says you can request a confirmation email or submit Form VTR-275, which shows the month and year the vehicle was transferred.

Selling Your Car in Houston

SellAnyCarCash has been buying cars around Houston for 26 years. When you sell to us:

  1. Tell us about your car online (VIN, or plate and state, or year, make and model, plus mileage, condition and asking price).
  2. Get an offer by phone within 30 minutes during business hours, Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 7 PM.
  3. The offer is valid for 7 days.
  4. Free same-day pickup at your home or work.
  5. Same-day payment by cash, check or Zelle.
  6. Help with the Texas title paperwork. Ask us about your plates when we schedule pickup.

We buy cars, trucks, SUVs and vans, including those with loans or liens, high mileage, or a failed inspection. We don’t buy junk, damaged, flood or no-title vehicles.

For the rest of the selling process, read How to Sell a Car in Texas: Step-by-Step and Texas Title Transfer for Sellers: Form 130-U and VTR-346. Comparing buyers? See Carvana vs a Local Cash Buyer, CarMax vs a Local Cash Buyer, and our compare page.

FAQ

Do license plates stay with the car in Texas?

Not anymore in a private sale. Under current TxDMV rules, the seller removes the plates when neither party is a dealer. When you sell to a dealer, the dealer removes general-issue plates. Specialty plates always stay with the seller.

How long do I have to transfer or get rid of my old plates?

Ten days. If the plates aren’t transferred to another vehicle in your name within 10 days after removal, mark them “VOID” or with a large “X” and destroy, recycle or return them.

Can I put my old plates on my new car?

Yes, if the new vehicle is titled in your name, is the same vehicle classification, and your county tax assessor-collector accepts the transfer. TxDMV notes the registration sticker does not transfer.

What do I do with the registration sticker?

Remove it. TxDMV says the registration sticker is not transferred. In a dealer sale, the dealer disposes of it.

How does the buyer drive the car home without plates?

In a non-dealer sale, TxDMV says the buyer may obtain one vehicle transit permit. The buyer must register the vehicle and get plates within 30 days of purchase.

Do I still need to file a Vehicle Transfer Notification if I removed my plates?

Yes. Removing plates doesn’t notify TxDMV. File online or with Form VTR-346 within 30 days of the sale to help protect yourself from liability, tickets and tolls.

Ready to Sell?

Get your offer or call (908) 699-1600. Learn how we buy cars in Houston, see our Better Offer Guarantee (conditions apply), or visit our home page.

SellAnyCarCash, 17000 Northwest Fwy #104, Jersey Village, TX 77040. Open Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 7 PM.

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