Title TN, Transportation Code

Sec. 501.095. SALE, TRANSFER, OR RELEASE. (a) If the department has not issued a nonrepairable vehicle title, nonrepairable record of title, salvage vehicle title, or salvage record of title for the motor vehicle and a comparable out-of-state ownership document for the motor vehi…

Sec. 501.097. APPLICATION FOR NONREPAIRABLE VEHICLE TITLE OR SALVAGE VEHICLE TITLE. (a) An application for a nonrepairable vehicle title, nonrepairable record of title, salvage vehicle title, or salvage record of title must: (1) be made in a manner prescribed by the department an…

Sec. 501.098. EXCEPTION TO TITLE REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a used automotive parts recycler may purchase a motor vehicle without obtaining a title to the vehicle if: (1) the vehicle is at least 13 years old and is purchased solely for pa…

Sec. 501.099. SALE OF EXPORT-ONLY MOTOR VEHICLES. (a) This section applies to a nonrepairable motor vehicle or a salvage motor vehicle that is offered for sale in this state to a person who resides in a jurisdiction outside the United States. (b) A person may purchase a nonrepair…

Sec. 501.100. APPLICATION FOR REGULAR CERTIFICATE OF TITLE FOR SALVAGE VEHICLE. (a) The owner of a motor vehicle for which a nonrepairable vehicle title issued prior to September 1, 2003, or for which a salvage vehicle title or salvage record of title has been issued may apply fo…

Sec. 501.1001. SALVAGE MOTOR VEHICLES OR NONREPAIRABLE MOTOR VEHICLES FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES OR SELF-INSURED PERSONS. (a) Except as provided by Section 501.0925, an insurance company that is licensed to conduct business in this state and that acquires, through payment of a claim…

Sec. 501.1002. OWNER-RETAINED VEHICLES. (a) If an insurance company pays a claim on a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle and the insurance company does not acquire ownership of the motor vehicle, the insurance company shall: (1) submit to the department, before …

Sec. 501.1003. SALVAGE DEALER RESPONSIBILITIES. (a) If a salvage vehicle dealer acquires ownership of a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle for the purpose of dismantling, scrapping, or destroying the motor vehicle, the dealer shall, before the 31st day after the…

Sec. 501.104. REBUILDER TO POSSESS TITLE OR OTHER DOCUMENTATION. (a) This section applies to a person engaged in repairing, rebuilding, or reconstructing more than five motor vehicles, regardless of whether the person is licensed to engage in that business. (b) A person described…

Sec. 501.107. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER TO RECYCLER. (a) This subchapter does not apply to a sale to, purchase by, or other transaction by or with, a metal recycler except as provided by Subsections (b) and (c). (b) A metal recycler shall submit to the department the properly a…

Sec. 501.108. RECORD RETENTION. (a) Each licensed salvage vehicle dealer, used automotive parts recycler, or insurance company that sells a nonrepairable motor vehicle or a salvage motor vehicle at a casual sale shall keep on the business premises of the dealer or the insurance c…

Sec. 501.109. OFFENSES. (a) A person commits an offense if the person: (1) applies to the department for a title for a motor vehicle; and (2) knows or reasonably should know that: (A) the vehicle is a nonrepairable motor vehicle that has been repaired, rebuilt, or reconstructed; …

Sec. 501.110. ENFORCEMENT OF SUBCHAPTER. (a) This subchapter shall be enforced by the department and any other governmental or law enforcement entity, including the Department of Public Safety, and the personnel of the entity as provided by this subchapter. (b) The department, an…

Sec. 501.111. PERFECTION OF SECURITY INTEREST. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person may perfect a security interest in a motor vehicle that is the subject of a first or subsequent sale only by recording the security interest on the title as provided by this chapter.…

Sec. 501.112. SALE OR SECURITY INTEREST NOT CREATED BY CERTAIN VEHICLE LEASES. Notwithstanding any other law, an agreement for the lease of a motor vehicle does not create a sale or security interest by merely providing that the rental price is permitted or required to be adjuste…

Sec. 501.113. RECORDATION OF SECURITY INTEREST. (a) Recordation of a lien under this chapter is considered to occur when: (1) the department's titling system is updated; or (2) the county assessor-collector accepts the application of title that discloses the lien with the filing …

Sec. 501.114. ASSIGNMENT OF LIEN. (a) A lienholder may assign a lien recorded under Section 501.113 without making any filing or giving any notice under this chapter. The lien assigned remains valid and perfected and retains its priority, securing the obligation assigned to the a…

Sec. 501.115. DISCHARGE OF LIEN. (a) When a debt or claim secured by a lien has been satisfied, the lienholder shall, within a reasonable time not to exceed the maximum time allowed by Section 348.408 or 353.405(b), Finance Code, as applicable, execute and deliver to the owner, o…

Sec. 501.116. CANCELLATION OF DISCHARGED LIEN. The department may cancel a discharged lien that has been recorded on a title for 10 years or more if the recorded lienholder: (1) does not exist; or (2) cannot be located for the owner to obtain a release of the lien. Acts 1995, 74t…

Sec. 501.117. ELECTRONIC LIEN SYSTEM. (a) The department by rule shall develop a system under which a security interest in a motor vehicle may be perfected, assigned, discharged, and canceled electronically instead of by record maintained on a certificate of title. The department…

Sec. 501.132. DUPLICATE TITLE RECEIPT. Except as otherwise provided by department rule, the department may not issue a duplicate title receipt unless the original title receipt or certificate of title is surrendered. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amen…

Sec. 501.134. CERTIFIED COPY OF LOST OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATE OF TITLE. (a) If a printed title is lost or destroyed, the owner or lienholder disclosed on the title may obtain, in the manner provided by this section and department rule, a certified copy of the lost or destroyed ti…

Sec. 501.135. RECORD OF STOLEN OR CONCEALED MOTOR VEHICLE. (a) The department shall: (1) make a record of each report to the department that a motor vehicle registered in this state has been stolen or concealed in violation of Section 32.33, Penal Code; and (2) note the fact of t…

Sec. 501.138. COLLECTION AND DISPOSITION OF FEES. (a) An applicant for a title, other than the state or a political subdivision of the state, must pay a fee of: (1) $33 if the applicant's residence is a county located within a nonattainment area as defined under Section 107(d) of…

Sec. 501.139. ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER. A county assessor-collector that transfers money to the department under this chapter shall transfer the money electronically. Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1135 (H.B. 2741), Sec. 59, eff. September 1, 2013. SUBCHAPTER H. PENALT…

Sec. 501.145. FILING BY PURCHASER; APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER OF TITLE. (a) Not later than the later of the 30th day after the date of assignment on the documents or the date provided by Section 152.069, Tax Code, the purchaser of the used motor vehicle shall file with the county a…

Sec. 501.146. TITLE TRANSFER; LATE FEE. (a) If the application for the transfer of title is not filed during the period provided by Section 501.145, the late fee is to be paid to the county assessor-collector when the application is filed. If the seller holds a general distinguis…

Sec. 501.147. VEHICLE TRANSFER NOTIFICATION. (a) On receipt of a written notice of transfer from the seller of a motor vehicle or a dealer who holds a general distinguishing number issued under Chapter 503, the department shall indicate the transfer on the motor vehicle records m…

Sec. 501.148. ALLOCATION OF FEES. (a) The county assessor-collector may retain as commission for services provided under this subchapter half of each late fee. (b) The county assessor-collector shall report and remit the balance of the fees collected to the department on Monday o…

Sec. 501.151. PLACEMENT OF SERIAL NUMBER WITH INTENT TO CHANGE IDENTITY. (a) A person commits an offense if the person stamps or places a serial number on a vehicle or part of a vehicle with the intent of changing the identity of the vehicle. (b) It is an affirmative defense to p…

Sec. 501.152. SALE OR OFFER WITHOUT TITLE RECEIPT OR TITLE. (a) Except as provided by this section, a person commits an offense if the person: (1) sells, offers to sell, or offers as security for an obligation a motor vehicle registered in this state; and (2) does not possess the…

Sec. 501.153. APPLICATION FOR TITLE FOR STOLEN OR CONCEALED VEHICLE. A person commits an offense if the person applies for a title for a motor vehicle that the person knows is stolen or concealed in violation of Section 32.33, Penal Code. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, ef…

Sec. 501.154. ALTERATION OF CERTIFICATE OR RECEIPT. A person commits an offense if the person alters a manufacturer's certificate, a title receipt, or a title. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 (H.B. 2357),…

Sec. 501.155. FALSE NAME, FALSE INFORMATION, AND FORGERY. (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly provides false or incorrect information or without legal authority signs the name of another person on: (1) an application for a title; (2) an application for a certi…

Sec. 501.156. DUTY OF TRANSPORTERS TO DETERMINE RIGHT OF POSSESSION; OFFENSE. (a) The master or captain of a ship or airplane or a person who owns or controls the operation of a ship or airplane, in whole or part: (1) may not take on board or allow to be taken on board the ship o…

Sec. 501.157. PENALTIES. (a) Unless otherwise provided by this chapter, an offense under this chapter is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $1 or more than $100 for the first offense. If a person is subsequently convicted of the same offense, at the jury's discre…

Sec. 501.158. SEIZURE OF STOLEN VEHICLE OR VEHICLE WITH ALTERED VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. (a) A peace officer may seize a vehicle or part of a vehicle without a warrant if the officer has probable cause to believe that the vehicle or part: (1) is stolen; or (2) has had the s…

Sec. 501.161. EXECUTION OF TRANSFER DOCUMENTS; PENALTY. (a) A person who transfers a motor vehicle in this state shall complete in full and date as of the date of the transfer all documents relating to the transfer of registration or title. A person who transfers a vehicle commit…

Sec. 501.162. MOTOR NUMBER REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION; PENALTY. A person commits an offense if the person violates Section 501.0331. An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $100. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S.…

Sec. 501.163. APPLICATION FOR MOTOR NUMBER RECORD; PENALTY. A person who fails to comply with Section 501.0332 commits an offense. An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $10 and not more than $100. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S.,…

Sec. 501.171. APPLICATION OF SUBCHAPTER. This subchapter applies only if the department implements a titling system under Section 501.173. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1290 (H.B. 2017), Sec. 23, eff. September 1, 2011. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 (H.…

Sec. 501.172. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Document" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. (2) "Electronic" means relating to technology having electrical, digit…

Sec. 501.173. ELECTRONIC TITLING SYSTEM. (a) The board by rule may implement an electronic titling system. (b) A record of title maintained electronically by the department in the titling system is the official record of vehicle ownership unless the owner requests that the depart…

Sec. 501.174. VALIDITY OF ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS. (a) If this chapter requires that a document be an original, be on paper or another tangible medium, or be in writing, the requirement is met by an electronic document that complies with this subchapter. (b) Except as otherwise prov…

Sec. 501.175. RECORDING OF DOCUMENTS. (a) Under the titling system, the department may: (1) receive, index, store, archive, and transmit electronic documents; (2) provide for access to, and for search and retrieval of, documents and information by electronic means; and (3) conver…

Sec. 501.176. PAYMENT OF FEES BY ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER OR CREDIT CARD. (a) The department may accept payment by electronic funds transfer, credit card, or debit card of any title or registration fee that the department is required or authorized to collect under this chapter. …