ONE-TRIP OR 30-DAY TRIP LICENSE PLATES.

(a) The department may issue a temporary metal license plate in lieu of registration for a vehicle subject to registration in this state that is not authorized to travel on a public highway because of the lack of registration in this state or the lack of reciprocity with the state or country in which the vehicle is registered.

(b) A license plate issued under this section is valid for:

(1) one trip, as provided by Subsection (c); or

(2) 30 days, as provided by Subsection (d).

(c) A one-trip license plate is valid for one trip between the points of origin and destination and those intermediate points specified in the application and registration receipt. Unless the vehicle is a bus operating under charter that is not covered by a reciprocity agreement with the state or country in which the bus is registered, a one-trip license plate is for the transit of the vehicle only, and the vehicle may not be used for the transportation of any passenger or property. A one-trip license plate may not be valid for longer than 15 days from the effective date of registration.

(d) A 30-day license plate may be issued only to a passenger vehicle, a private bus, a trailer or semitrailer with a gross weight of not more than 10,000 pounds, a light truck, or a light commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds that will operate unladen. A person may request from the department an extension of the period a 30-day license plate is valid. The department may issue a single registration receipt to apply to all of the periods for which the vehicle is registered.

(e) A person may obtain a license plate under this section by:

(1) applying as provided by the department to:

(A) the county assessor-collector of the county in which the vehicle will first be operated on a public highway; or

(B) the department in Austin or at one of the department's vehicle title and registration regional offices;

(2) paying a fee, in the manner prescribed by the department including a registration service charge for a credit card payment or escrow account of:

(A) $5 for a one-trip license plate; or

(B) $25 for each 30-day license plate; and

(3) furnishing evidence of financial responsibility for the vehicle in a form listed under Section 502.046(c).

(f) The department shall prepare the design and specifications of a license plate issued under this section. The license plate must contain all pertinent information required by this section and must be displayed as prescribed by department rule. The registration receipt must be carried in the vehicle at all times during the period in which it is valid.

(g) The department may refuse and may instruct a county assessor-collector to refuse to issue a license plate for any vehicle if, in the department's opinion, the vehicle or the owner of the vehicle has been involved in operations that constitute an abuse of the privilege granted by this section. A license plate issued after notice to a county assessor-collector under this subsection is void.

(h) A vehicle operated with a license plate under this section is exempt from the inspection requirements of Chapter 548.