FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, February 2, 2005

AUSTIN – Motorcyclists have always enjoyed the freedom of the road. Now there’s a great way for cycle enthusiasts to exercise their freedom of expression by displaying specialty license plates on the bumpers of their bikes. Motorcycle plates are TxDOT’s featured specialty plate for the month of February.

"All bikers are unique. Whether you ride a Harley Deluxe Classic, Texas Chopper or a Ducati, getting a specialty plate further distinguishes your bike from others," State Representative Norma Chávez said. "I know because I got the first SO (State Official) plate in Texas."

The Texas Department of Transportation offers a range of motorcycle specialty plates including Big Bend, Fight Terrorism, God Bless America, God Bless Texas, and Native Texan. Motorcyclists can also choose plates that recognize military service, including Airborne Parachutist, Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Vietnam Veteran, the most popular of the motorcycle specialty plates.

The military plates require qualifying certification before being issued and are available at no extra fee, excluding the Airborne Parachutist plate which has a $10 fee. The other specialty plates carry an annual fee of $30 or $40 in addition to regular registration fees. A portion of the annual fee for organizational specialty plates is earmarked for nonprofit organizations and often supports specific projects. Both military and organizational plates can be personalized for an additional $40 annually.

Applications for specialty plates are available at county tax offices, on TxDOT’s Web site (www.dot.state.tx.us), by calling the TxDOT Help Desk at (512) 465-7611, or by calling TxDOT’s

Fax-On-Demand forms line at (888) 232-7033.

TxDOT started its specialty license plate program in 1965. Today, there are more than 100 different plate designs, many of them benefiting a particular group, organization, college or university. Since 1994, more than $10 million have been raised for sponsoring organizations and scholarship funds.

For more information, call Darah Waldrip in TxDOT Vehicle Titles and Registration Division, (512) 302-2076.