Sec. 503.068. LIMITATION ON USE OF DEALER'S LICENSE PLATES AND TAGS. (a) A dealer or an employee of a dealer may not use a dealer's temporary tag as authorization to operate a vehicle for the dealer's or the employee's personal use.

(b) A person may not use a metal dealer's license plate or dealer's temporary tag on:

(1) a service or work vehicle, except as provided by Subsection (b-1); or

(2) a commercial vehicle that is carrying a load.

(b-1) An independent motor vehicle dealer or an employee of an independent motor vehicle dealer may use a metal dealer's license plate on a service or work vehicle used to transport a vehicle in the dealer's inventory to or from a point of sale. This subsection does not authorize a person to operate a service or work vehicle as a tow truck, as defined by Section 2308.002, Occupations Code, without a license or permit required by Chapter 2308, Occupations Code.

(c) For purposes of this section, a boat trailer carrying a boat is not a commercial vehicle carrying a load. A dealer complying with this chapter may affix to the rear of a boat trailer the dealer owns or sells a metal dealer's license plate or temporary tag issued under Section 503.061, 503.062, or 503.063.

(d) This section does not prohibit the operation or conveyance of an unregistered vehicle using the full-mount method, saddle-mount method, tow-bar method, or a combination of those methods in accordance with Section 503.062 or 503.063.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 793 (S.B. 1235), Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 886 (H.B. 894), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.