(a) A manufacturer, distributor, or converter may apply for a manufacturer or converter standard license plate for use on a new unregistered vehicle of the same vehicle type assembled or modified in accordance with Transportation Code §503.064 or §503.0618, as applicable:
  (1) when applying for a new or renewal license, or
  (2) by submitting a standard license plate request application electronically in the system designated by the department.
(b) A manufacturer may use a manufacturer's standard license plate to test a prototype motor vehicle on a public street or highway including a commercial motor vehicle prototype designed to carry a load. A manufacturer's standard license plate may not be used on a commercial motor vehicle prototype or new commercial motor vehicle to carry a load for which the manufacturer or other person receives compensation.
(c) A manufacturer, distributor, or converter shall attach a standard license plate to the rear of a vehicle in accordance with §217.27 of this title (relating to Vehicle Registration Insignia).
(d) A manufacturer, distributor, or converter shall maintain a record of each standard license plate issued to the manufacturer, distributor, or converter by the department. The license plate record must contain:
  (1) the license plate number;
  (2) the year and make of the vehicle to which the license plate is affixed;
  (3) the VIN of the vehicle, if one has been assigned; and
  (4) the name of the person in control of the license plate.
(e) If a manufacturer, distributor, or converter cannot account for a standard license plate or a standard license plate is damaged, the manufacturer, distributor, or converter shall:
  (1) document the license plate as "void" in the license plate record in subsection (d); and
  (2) within three days of discovering that the license plate is missing or damaged, report the license plate as lost, stolen, or damaged electronically in the system designated by the department; and
  (3) if found after reported missing, cease use of the license plate.
(f) A standard license plate is no longer valid for use after the manufacturer, distributor, or converter reports to the department that the license plate is lost, stolen, or damaged. A manufacturer, distributor, or converter must render a void license plate unusable by permanently marking the front of the plate with the word "VOID" or a large "X" and once marked, shall destroy or recycle the license plate, or return the license plate to the department within 10 days.
(g) The license holder's license plate record must be available for inspection and copying by the department during normal business hours or be available to submit electronically to the department upon request.
(h) In evaluating requests for additional standard license plates, the department shall consider the business justification provided by a license holder including the following:
  (1) the number of vehicles assembled or modified;
  (2) the highest number of motor vehicles in inventory in the prior 12 months;
  (3) the size and type of business;
  (4) how the license holder typically uses standard licenses plates;
  (5) the license holder's record of tracking and reporting missing or damaged license plates to the department; and
  (6) any other factor the Department in its discretion deems necessary to support the number of license plates requested.
(i) a license holder shall return a department-issued license plate to the department within 10 days of the license holder closing the associated license or the associated license being revoked, canceled, or closed by the department.

Source Note: The provisions of this §215.120 adopted to be effective June 1, 2024, 49 TexReg 2704