| (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(f) A standard license plate is no longer valid for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.
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