HOUSTON – The days of flapping paper tags fluttering from the back of Texas vehicles are coming to an end. Starting July 1, 2025, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) will begin replacing temporary paper license plates with metal plates at the time of vehicle purchase — a move aimed at curbing fraud, improving safety, and simplifying the registration process.

For years, temporary paper tags have been the standard in Texas for new or used vehicle purchases. While convenient and quick, the system became a magnet for criminal misuse, with law enforcement uncovering massive black-market operations producing fake tags — some linked to organized crime and untraceable vehicles.

According to the TxDMV, over 1.2 million fraudulent paper tags were sold in Texas in recent years, prompting widespread concern from state officials, police departments, and lawmakers alike.

“We’ve seen people printing paper tags with nothing more than a laptop and a printer,” said a Houston Police Department spokesperson. “They’re being used on stolen cars, in hit-and-runs, and even drive-by shootings.”

Under the new system, buyers will receive their permanent metal license plates at the point of sale, eliminating the need for temporary tags altogether. Car dealerships across the state are preparing for the shift, working closely with the DMV to ensure a seamless transition.

The benefits go beyond fraud prevention. Motorists will no longer need to worry about faded tags, weather damage, or being pulled over for expired paper tags that got lost in the mail.

This change also brings Texas in line with several other states that have moved toward more secure, on-the-spot vehicle identification practices.

TxDMV officials assure the public that the new policy won’t delay the car-buying process. The metal plates will be printed and assigned instantly, using the same vehicle identification number (VIN) protocols currently in place.

For residents, this means a more secure, streamlined experience, and for law enforcement, a major tool in cracking down on unregistered or suspicious vehicles.

So next time you buy a car in Texas — whether it’s a fresh-off-the-lot SUV or a used pickup — say goodbye to that flimsy paper slip and hello to your permanent metal badge of Texas pride.