1930:

• Same design as 1929, except "TEXAS-1930" at top.
• 1,401,748 registered vehicles.
• Motorcycle Sidecar plates introduced.
• The Railroad Commission first issues plates for a variety of transport vehicles.
• Passenger plate color: blue/black on yellow.

• "TEX 31" down right side.
• Lone star precedes last four digits this year only.
• Serial letters used on Texas plates for the second time, in place of the hundred thousands digit.
• A-P except I & O made.
• Plates with a letter prefix have a smaller star.
• Passenger plate color: white on black.

• "TEXAS-1932" along bottom of plate.
• Serial letters now issued in the order A, F, K, N, V. A=1 million, F=1.1 mil, K=1.3 mil, etc.
• Exempt plates introduced for government vehicles.
• Passenger plate color: white on green.

• "TEXAS-1933" along top of plate.
• The depression caused the state to extend the expiration of 1932 plates to April 1, 1933. This April-to-March registration year became the standard until 1978. 
• Early plates have a thicker die style.
• Passenger plate color: orange on white (University of Texas colors).

1934 

• "TEXAS-1934" along bottom of plate.
• Farm plates introduced.
• Passenger plate color: black on orange.

1935:

• "TEXAS-1935" along top of plate.
• Production of plates began at the State Prison at Huntsville. The facility has since moved to a different prison just outside of Huntsville.
• Passenger plate color: white on maroon (Texas A&M colors).

• Texas "Centennial" plates issued. This was the only "slogan" on Texas plates until 1968.
• "19 CENTENNIAL 36" along bottom of plate, "TEX" vertically in place of the lone star.
• Passenger plate color: blue/black on light yellow.

1937:

• Continues 1932 design with "TEXAS-1937" along the top.
• Passenger plate color: ivory on black.

• Shorter, taller plate than 37, with "TEXAS-1938" bottom.
• State Official plates first issued. The governor's vehicle carried the number "SO-1", as it still does today.
• Passenger plate color: black on white.

• "TEXAS 1939" along top in thicker letters than 38.
• Four different Exempt series begin: HX (highway dept), SX (state office), X (other exempt), and X motorcycle.  HX & X plates are unverified in collections.
• Plates began having "turned-in" edges. The "Helpful Hints" book claims this was to reduce the chance of cutting one's hands while washing a vehicle.
• Passenger & commercial registration reaches 1,702,507.
• A resolution to replace the "lone star" with a longhorn steer is defeated.
• Passenger plate color: blue/black on orange.