What Black Texas License Plates Are and Who Can Get Them

Black Texas license plates are specialty plates with a black background instead of the standard white. Texas offers several black plate designs through its specialty plate program, each supporting a different cause or organization. The most common is the In God We Trust plate, which features the state motto on a black background. Other black designs include plates for military service, law enforcement support, and various charitable organizations.

To get a black plate, you must first own a vehicle registered in Texas and then request the specific black plate design during registration or renewal. The process involves choosing your design, paying an additional fee beyond your standard registration cost, and submitting the request to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Not all designs are available in all counties, so availability depends on where you register your vehicle.

Key Takeaways

  • Black Texas plates are specialty plates available through the DMV that cost more than standard plates but support specific causes or organizations.
  • You can request a black plate when you register a new vehicle or renew your current registration, either online, by mail, or in person at your county tax assessor-collector's office.
  • Each black plate design has its own fee, which ranges depending on the organization or cause the plate supports.
  • Some black plate designs have waiting lists or limited availability, so you should check the DMV website to confirm your chosen design is currently available in your county.

How to Order a Black Plate When Registering a New Vehicle

When you register a new vehicle in Texas, you can request a black specialty plate at the same time. Start by visiting the Texas DMV website and reviewing the available black plate designs. Each design has its own page showing the image, the organization it supports, and the additional fee. Write down the plate design code — for example, "IGWT" for In God We Trust — because you will need this when you submit your request.

Next, gather your vehicle documents: the manufacturer's certificate of origin (MCO) or title, proof of insurance, and proof of residency. Visit your county tax assessor-collector's office in person, or check whether your county allows online registration through the DMV website. If registering in person, tell the clerk you want the black specialty plate and provide the design code. If registering online, the specialty plate option will appear during the registration process. Pay the standard registration fee plus the additional specialty plate fee, which varies by design.

How to Switch to a Black Plate During Renewal

You can change to a black plate when your current registration expires. About 60 days before your registration expires, the Texas DMV mails you a renewal notice. On that notice or on the DMV website, you will see the option to add or change your plate design. Select the black plate design you want and note its code.

You can renew online through the Texas DMV website if your vehicle has no liens and you have not had any registration suspensions. During online renewal, you will be asked whether you want to keep your current plate or change it. Choose the black plate option, select your design, and pay the renewal fee plus the specialty plate surcharge. If you prefer to renew by mail or in person, include a note with your renewal form stating which black plate design you want, or tell the clerk at the tax assessor-collector's office.

Fees and What They Support

Black specialty plates cost more than standard white plates. The additional fee depends on which black design you choose. Some plates, like In God We Trust, have a modest surcharge of around $25 to $35 per year. Other designs, particularly those supporting specific organizations or causes, may cost more. The Texas DMV website lists the exact fee for each design.

Part of the specialty plate fee goes to the organization or cause the plate supports. For example, plates supporting military charities, law enforcement foundations, or educational institutions direct a portion of the fee to those groups. This means choosing a black plate is also a way to contribute to causes you care about. The fee is in addition to your standard registration renewal cost, so budget for both when your registration comes due.

Checking Availability and Waiting Lists

Not every black plate design is available in every Texas county at all times. Some designs have waiting lists because demand exceeds the number of plates the organization can support. Before you request a black plate, check the Texas DMV website to see which designs are currently available in your county.

If your chosen design has a waiting list, you can still request it. The DMV will place you on the list, and you will receive your black plate when it becomes available. In the meantime, you will receive a standard white plate. Once your black plate is ready, the DMV will mail it to you, and you can install it on your vehicle. Some designs move through waiting lists quickly; others may take several months. The DMV website shows estimated wait times for designs with active lists.

Transferring a Black Plate to a Different Vehicle

If you own a black specialty plate and want to use it on a different vehicle, you can transfer it. You must own both the old vehicle and the new vehicle, and both must be registered in Texas. Visit your county tax assessor-collector's office with the title or registration for both vehicles and request a plate transfer.

There is usually no additional fee to transfer a plate between your own vehicles, though you will still pay the standard registration fee for the new vehicle. The tax assessor-collector will remove the black plate from the old vehicle's registration and attach it to the new one. If you sell the vehicle with the black plate still attached, you can remove the plate and keep it for your next vehicle, or leave it with the vehicle if the buyer wants to keep the design.

Replacing a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Black Plate

If your black specialty plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement from your county tax assessor-collector's office. Bring your vehicle registration and a form of identification. The office will issue a replacement plate with the same design and number.

The cost of a replacement plate is typically lower than the original specialty plate fee — usually around $10 to $20 — because you are not paying the full surcharge again. If your plate was stolen, some counties ask you to file a police report first. Keep your registration documents handy so the tax assessor-collector can look up your plate information quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my current license plate number when I switch to a black plate?

No. When you change to a specialty plate design, you receive a new plate number. If you want to keep your current number, you would need to request a personalized plate, which is a separate process with additional costs. Standard specialty plates, including black plates, come with new numbers assigned by the DMV.

What happens to my black plate if I move out of Texas?

If you move to another state, you will need to register your vehicle in that state and cannot keep a Texas black plate. When you register in your new state, you will receive that state's plates. If you move back to Texas later, you can request a black plate again at that time.

Do black plates have any special legal benefits or exemptions?

No. Black specialty plates are purely decorative and do not provide any legal exemptions, parking privileges, or toll discounts. They function exactly like standard plates for registration and legal purposes. The only difference is the design and the fact that part of your fee supports a specific cause.

Can I get a black plate with a personalized message?

Some black specialty plate designs allow personalized characters, but not all. Check the specific design page on the Texas DMV website to see whether personalization is available for the black plate you want. If it is, you can request custom characters during registration or renewal for an additional fee.

How long does it take to receive a black plate after I order it?

If the plate design is in stock and not on a waiting list, you should receive it within two to four weeks. If the design has a waiting list, the timeline depends on how many people are ahead of you. The DMV website shows estimated wait times for designs with active lists. You can drive with your standard white plate while you wait for the black plate to arrive.