What's your plate say?

[GTOger]

Mine says "A ZR1".

Originally Posted by USAZR1

Texas used to charge $40 extra for a personalized plate. Now,it's $195 for one year or $500/five years.

Well, if you go through "myplates", the private contractor, that is true. And you'll pay more if you want 6 characters instead of 5, or even 7 characters.

However, you still have the option of getting some plates directly from the State, at prices that are lower than the private contractor, and the proceeds will benefit something other than a fat-cat's pockets.

For instance, my plates are "State of the Arts", which cost $70 (tag fee and personalization). According to the State's description: "From the $30 specialty plate fee, $22 goes to the Texas Commission on the Arts to foster the development of a receptive climate for the arts that will culturally enrich and benefit Texas citizens." So... music and dance and sculpture and stuff. Which I can totally get behind. And it's an attractive design, as well.

You can also get them to benefit other state organizations like Parks & Wildlife (rattlesnake), Keep Texas Beautiful (don't mess with Texas logo) and so on.

Of course, that's on top of the regular registration fee, so it DOES get pricey, no doubt. But I feel better sending my funds this way than going through the commercial contractor. I get the plates I want, plus I get to do something philanthropic.

FWIW: I registered "WEB SYT" a few years ago for one of my daily drivers before there was a commercial / private contractor. I'm grandfathered on that plate and still retain it today. When I went for "TCP IP" after that, I was unable to get the "plain" personalized plate directly through the state and opted to go State of the Arts with it. (Yes, I run a hosting provider).