Texas has scrapped paper licence plates, replacing them with permanent metal tags that must be installed by dealers at the point of sale under House Bill 718, which took effect on 1 July 2025. The measure, signed by Governor Greg Abbott in June 2023, applies to all vehicles sold by licensed dealers; drivers now leave the lot with plates already attached. Lawmakers moved after years of abuses involving counterfeit paper tags. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles estimates about 1.8 million fake temporary plates were in circulation in 2021, enabling toll evasion and hindering police investigations. Toll operators in North Texas alone reported more than $69 million in unpaid charges linked to unregistered vehicles. To maintain flexibility, TxDMV has introduced four colour-coded temporary metal plates: blue for dealer use, green for out-of-state buyers, purple for buyer-provisional situations and red for short-term registration. Each metal plate carries a $10 fee. Motorists who obtained paper tags before 1 July have a 60-day grace period to convert. Police welcome the move but warn thieves may shift to stealing metal plates. Authorities advise drivers to fit tamper-resistant screws and check plates regularly to reduce the risk of theft.