Texas is taking aim at a tool frequently exploited by criminals: the temporary paper license plate. Fraudulent paper tags have long allowed bad actors to obscure their identity and hide that a vehicle may be stolen, making them a persistent headache for law enforcement.
Supporters of the change argue that other states should follow suit, since these flimsy tags are notoriously easy to counterfeit. By phasing them out, Texas hopes to close a loophole that has enabled everything from toll evasion to far more serious crimes on its roads.
When I registered my first vehicle in Wisconsin, I went down to the county courthouse, turned in the paperwork and paid the tax on the vehicle (I bought it from a private party), and they handed me a plate right over the counter right there on the spot. Now, you have to do everything online or by mail.
Although you can always find one of the few DMV offices still in operation, get there when it is open, wait a half-hour or more, pay your money (along with a ‘counter convenience fee’ for coming there in person to do your business), and then wait at least a week or more before you finally get your metal plates by return mail…
If Tex-ass is going to do something like this, they’d better have metal plates in hand and available at DMV facilities, car dealerships, country clerks’ offices, and anywhere else vehicle registration/renewals are processed.