Vehicle Registration Plates Not Required

on

Former Military Vehicles

The Texas DOT web site has complete information on the various license plates available.  Go to http://www.dot.state.tx.us/insdtdot/orgchart/vtr/vtrreginfo.htm  and click on Specialty Plates.  Click on Title and Registration Forms | Special and Other License Plate Forms  to download the required forms.  Often, the County Tax Assessor does not have them all.   

Folks who have a restored military vehicle may register it as a Former Military Vehicle  ONLY IF they have authentic insignia, military registration numbers (usually on the hood) and correct paint schemes.  A former military vehicle that does not meet this requirement may only be registered as an Antique Vehicle, or Classic Auto, Classic Truck, or Classic Motorcycle.  For example, Bubba's M-37 hunting truck with the elevated shooting seat and the bogus camouflage (few M-37's had camouflage) cannot be registered as a Former Military Vehicle.  A civilian vehicle "in drag" (painted and equipped to look like a "real" military vehicle) it is not a Former Military Vehicle and may not be registered as such. 

Once we say the word, "military," we invoke "Catch 22."  The State issues a Former Military Vehicle registration plate, but no plate is required. IT IS OPTIONAL. This is clearly stated on DOT Form VTR135M.PDF which folks can download from the Title and Registration Forms | Special and Other License Plate Forms  link described above.

For the edification of the registration clerks who typically don't know this or have the forms, the verbiage of the law is contained in the Texas Transportation Code, CHAPTER 502. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES, Paragraph 275 (f), Certain Exhibition Vehicles; Offense. 

The link is http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/tr/tr050200.html#tr114.502.275   Scroll down to subparagraph (f). 

The vehicle registration form issued by the State uses the military registration (hood) number in the space that would normally contain the registration plate number.  This form must be carried whenever the vehicle is on any public thoroughfare. 

It is unlikely that a competent, knowledgeable police officer would stop the operator of a Former Military Vehicle for having no plates displayed.  Of course, there may be one police officer in the state that does not know the laws he has sworn to enforce.  Some may find it handy to print this paragraph of the Transportation Code and have it handy. 

This information is the result of research by the Kempner Power Wagon Museum.  Please pass it on to all Former Military Vehicle owners.