Here’s Why Texans Will No Longer Get Temporary Paper Tags When They Buy A Car

If you are buying a new or used car in Texas soon, you will notice a big change has officially taken place. Thanks to a new law that went into effect on Tuesday, July 1, temporary paper tags are now a thing of the past when you purchase a new or used vehicle from a dealership.

And the Texas DMV has been preparing for this change for months now.

Why Is Texas Doing Away With Paper Tags

The state decided to do away with paper tags due to crime. According to FOX 26 in Houston, criminals were making millions of dollars selling fake paper license plates on the black market. Fake paper tags were also being used to commit crimes, evade tolls, speed cameras, and other crimes.

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What Will Drivers in Texas Get Now?

When purchase a vehicle from a dealership, you will now get a permanent, metal license plate put on your vehicle. You will also have to keep the buyer's plate receipt in the car until your registration sticker comes in. That way you can prove ownership if pulled over.

READ MORE: Is It Illegal To Jaywalk in Texas?

If you buy or sell a car privately, according to FOX 26, you should remove the plates and contact the Texas DMV.

If you sell a car privately, the DMV says you should remove the plates and registration sticker, and submit a Vehicle Transfer Notification to the DMV within 30 days.  The seller can transfer the plate to another vehicle they own, or to the new owner.  Buyers must submit a title and registration application to their county tax assessor and obtain new plates to register the vehicle within 30 days.

For those drivers who have paper tags on their vehicles right now, those will stop being legal 60 days after July 1st.