Title TN, Transportation Code

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. …

Sec. 501.177. SERVICE CHARGE. If, for any reason, the payment of a fee under this chapter by electronic funds transfer, credit card, or debit card is not honored by the funding institution, or by the electronic funds transfer, credit card, or debit card company on which the funds…

Sec. 501.178. DISPOSITION OF FEES. All fees collected under this subchapter shall be deposited to the credit of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles fund. 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., …

Sec. 501.179. RELATION TO ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES IN GLOBAL AND NATIONAL COMMERCE ACT. This subchapter modifies, limits, and supersedes the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. Section 7001 et seq.) but does not modify, limit, or supersede Se…

Sec. 502.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) Repealed by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1233 (H.B. 1548), Sec. 41(3), eff. June 14, 2019. (2) "Apportioned license plate" means a license plate issued in lieu of a truck, motor bus, or combination license plate to a motor carrie…

Sec. 502.0021. RULES AND FORMS. (a) The department may adopt rules to administer this chapter. (b) The department shall post forms on the Internet and provide each county assessor-collector with a sufficient supply of any necessary forms on request. Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg.,…

Sec. 502.00211. DESIGN OF REGISTRATION INSIGNIA. The department shall prepare the designs and specifications to be used as the registration insignia. Transferred, redesignated and amended from Transportation Code, Section 502.052 by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 (H.B. 2357…

Sec. 502.0023. EXTENDED REGISTRATION OF COMMERCIAL FLEET VEHICLES. (a) Notwithstanding Section 502.044(c), the department shall develop and implement a system of registration to allow an owner of a commercial fleet to register the motor vehicles, semitrailers, and trailers in the…

Sec. 502.0024. EXTENDED REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN TRAILERS. (a) Notwithstanding Section 502.044(c), the department shall develop and implement a system of registration to allow an owner of a trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer having an actual gross weight or registered gross wei…

Sec. 502.0025. EXTENDED REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN COUNTY FLEET VEHICLES. (a) In this section, "exempt county fleet" means a group of two or more nonapportioned motor vehicles, semitrailers, or trailers described by Section 502.453(a) that is owned by and used exclusively in the ser…

Sec. 502.0026. EXTENDED REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN RENTAL VEHICLES. (a) Notwithstanding Section 502.044, the initial registration period is three years for a passenger car or light truck: (1) that is sold in this state or purchased by a commercial fleet buyer described by Section 50…

Sec. 502.003. REGISTRATION BY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION PROHIBITED. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a political subdivision of this state may not require an owner of a motor vehicle to: (1) register the vehicle; (2) pay a motor vehicle registration fee; or (3) pay an occupa…

Sec. 502.004. INFORMATION ON ALTERNATIVELY FUELED VEHICLES. (a) In this section, "alternatively fueled vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is capable of using a fuel other than gasoline or diesel fuel. (b) The department by rule shall establish a program to collect information ab…

Sec. 502.005. REGISTRATION OF AUTOCYCLE. (a) In this section, "autocycle" means a motor vehicle, other than a tractor, that is: (1) designed to have when propelled not more than three wheels on the ground; (2) equipped with seat belts and a steering mechanism; (3) equipped with s…

Sec. 502.006. REGISTRATION OF MINIATURE VEHICLE. For purposes of registering a vehicle under this chapter, a miniature vehicle is considered to be a motor vehicle. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 505 (S.B. 1816), Sec. 3, eff. June 20, 2025.

Sec. 502.010. COUNTY SCOFFLAW. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a county assessor-collector or the department may refuse to register a motor vehicle if the assessor-collector or the department receives information that the owner of the vehicle: (1) owes the count…

Sec. 502.011. REFUSAL TO REGISTER VEHICLE FOR NONPAYMENT OF TOLL OR ADMINISTRATIVE FEE. (a) A county assessor-collector or the department may refuse to register or renew the registration of a motor vehicle if it has received written notice from a toll project entity that the owne…

Sec. 502.012. NOTICE REGARDING WHETHER CERTAIN TRAILERS ARE SUBJECT TO INSPECTION. The department shall include in each registration renewal notice for a vehicle that is a trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer a statement regarding whether the vehicle is subject to inspection und…

Sec. 502.013. VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE OF MILITARY STATUS BY REGISTRATION APPLICANT. (a) When a person registers or renews the registration of a motor vehicle under this chapter, the department shall provide the person with the option to indicate whether the person is a member of the…

Sec. 502.040. REGISTRATION REQUIRED; GENERAL RULE. (a) Not more than 30 days after purchasing a vehicle or becoming a resident of this state, the owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer shall apply for the registration of the vehicle for: (1) each registration year in w…

Sec. 502.041. INITIAL REGISTRATION. (a) Notwithstanding Section 502.040, the owner of a vehicle may concurrently apply for a title and for registration through the county assessor-collector of the county in which: (1) the owner resides; (2) the vehicle is purchased or encumbered;…

Sec. 502.042. TITLE REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION. The department may not register or renew the registration of a motor vehicle for which a title is required under Chapter 501 unless the owner: (1) obtains a title for the vehicle; or (2) presents satisfactory evidence that a title wa…

Sec. 502.043. APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION AND CERTAIN PERMITS. (a) An application for vehicle registration or a permit described by Section 502.094 or 502.095 must: (1) be made in a manner prescribed and include the information required by the department by rule; and (2) contain…

Sec. 502.0435. ONLINE REGISTRATION RENEWAL. If a person is otherwise eligible to renew a vehicle registration under this chapter, the person may renew the vehicle registration through an online registration system maintained by the department. Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S.,…

Sec. 502.044. REGISTRATION PERIOD. (a) The department shall designate a vehicle registration year of 12 consecutive months to begin on the first day of a calendar month and end on the last day of the 12th calendar month. (a-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the department shall …