Please review the following information and distribute as appropriate.

The latest update to the Salvage/Nonrepairable Vehicle Manual (attached) is now available via Registration and Title System (RTS) workstations and at www.txdmv.gov.

We welcome your feedback and encourage you to email any comments or suggestions to VTR_Title_Reg-Manual-Update@txdmv.gov (please note the underscores between VTR and Title and between Title and Reg). This mailbox is not monitored for questions and is only intended for feedback, comments, and suggestions.

Updates for this release are marked with red change bars in the text.

Chapter 4 – Insurance Companies
Section 4.3, “Applications Without Proper Evidence of Ownership” was updated to indicate that insurance companies are required to electronically submit Owner Retained reports to the department through webSALVAGE as of January 1, 2025.

Chapter 5 – Salvage Vehicle Dealers and Independent Motor Vehicle Dealers
Section 5.4, “Dismantled, Scrapped, or Destroyed Vehicles” was updated to state that a copy of the of the applicable Surrendered Ownership Evidence for Vehicles to be Dismantled, Scrapped, or Destroyed (Form VTR-340) must be provided to metal recycler to confirm the evidence of ownership was surrendered to the department.

Chapter 6 – Rebuilt Salvage Motor Vehicles
Section 6.2, “Salvage Vehicle Safety Inspection” was removed as a result of House Bill (HB) 3297 related to the elimination of vehicle safety inspections.

Section 6.3, “Application Procedures” was updated to remove evidence of inspection from list of supporting documents. Other updates to this section include clarification of the VIN certification process for vehicles previously titled out of state, confirming VIN certification will occur through an applicable state inspection or through self-certification on the Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form VTR-130-U).

Chapter 7 – Owners and Other Entities
Section 7.5 “Metal Recycler” was updated to state that a copy of the applicable Surrendered Ownership Evidence for Vehicles to be Dismantled, Scrapped, or Destroyed (Form VTR-340) must be provided to the metal recycler to confirm the evidence of ownership was surrendered to the department.

Thank you,

Annette Quintero, Director
Vehicle Titles and Registration Division
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

Salvage_Nonrepairable Manual – October 2025.pdf

If you have any questions concerning this communication, please contact your local Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Regional Service Center.

Please review the following information and distribute as appropriate.

The latest update to the Motor Vehicle Registration Manual (attached) is now available via Registration and Title System (RTS) workstations and at www.txdmv.gov.

We welcome your feedback and encourage you to email any comments or suggestions to VTR_Title_Reg-Manual-Update@txdmv.gov (please note the underscores between VTR and Title and between Title and Reg). This mailbox is not monitored for questions and is only intended for feedback, comments, and suggestions.

Updates for this release are marked with red change bars in the text. HB 718 related changes will not reflect in the manual until the January 2026 revision.

Several chapters within the manual were updated to remove the word “inspection” and/or replace “inspection” with “commercial and/or emissions inspection.”

Chapter 5 – Emissions
Section 5.4, “Emissions Inspection Exemptions and Affidavit Reasons,” is a new section created to explain when a vehicle owner may be exempt from the emissions inspection requirements.

Chapter 6 – Exempt License Plates
Section 6.3, “Regular Exempt License Plates,” is updated to explain that a vehicle owned and operated by a nonprofit food bank and used for food bank purposes is exempt from the taxes imposed on the purchase, use, or rental of the motor vehicle.

Chapter 14 – Application for Registration
Section 14.2, “Application for Registration and Certain Permits,” section was updated to specify the emissions description that will display on the renewal notice when an emissions inspection is required.

Chapter 16 – Temporary Permits
Multiple sections of the chapter were updated to remove inspection information due to the elimination of the safety inspection program effective January 1, 2025.

Chapter 21 – Miscellaneous Specialty License Plates
Section 21.2, “Classic Motor Vehicles and Travel Trailer; Custom Vehicles; Street Rods,” was updated to specify that once a vehicle is approved for Custom Vehicle or Street Rod license plates, the vehicle is exempt from the Texas vehicle emissions inspection.

Chapter 22 – Inspection Verification
Multiple sections of the chapter were updated to address changes in inspection requirements due to the elimination of the safety inspection program effective January 1, 2025. Updates include information on when an emissions inspection will or will not be required, when the Inspection Replacement Fee and Emissions Inspection Fee will be collected, renewal notice verbiage related to inspections, and removal of the trailer and self-certification of trailer sections since trailers no longer need to obtain a passing safety inspection.

Thank you,

Annette Quintero, Director
Vehicle Titles and Registration Division
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

Motor Vehicle Registration Manual – October 2025.pdf

If you have any questions concerning this communication, please contact your local Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Regional Service Center.

Please review the following information and distribute as appropriate.

The latest update to the Assembled and Reconstructed Vehicle Manual (attached) is now available via Registration and Title System (RTS) workstations and at www.txdmv.gov.

We welcome your feedback and encourage you to email any comments or suggestions to VTR_Title_Reg-Manual-Update@txdmv.gov (please note the underscores between VTR and Title and between Title and Reg). This mailbox is not monitored for questions and is only intended for feedback, comments, and suggestions.

Updates for this release are marked with red change bars in the text.

The manual was updated throughout multiple chapters to clarify that a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) is required when the applicant is applying for registration in an emissions county, as applicable.

Chapter 1 – Assembled Vehicles
Section 1.5, “ASE Safety Inspection for Assembled Vehicles” was updated to remove the reference to a vehicle safety inspection as a result of House Bill 3297 and elimination of the safety inspection.

Chapter 8 – Assembled Trailers
Section 8.1, “Application for Title and Supporting Documentation” was updated to remove the requirement of a VIR for assembled trailers.

Thank you,

Annette Quintero, Director
Vehicle Titles and Registration Division
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

Assembled Vehicle Manual – October 2025.pdf

If you have any questions concerning this communication, please contact your local Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Regional Service Center.

Please review the following information and distribute as appropriate.

The latest update to the Motor Vehicle Title Manual (attached) is now available via Registration and Title System (RTS) workstations and at www.txdmv.gov.

We welcome your feedback and encourage you to email any comments or suggestions to VTR_Title_Reg-Manual-Update@txdmv.gov (please note the underscores between VTR and Title and between Title and Reg). This mailbox is not monitored for questions and is only intended for feedback, comments, and suggestions.

Updates for this release are marked with red change bars in the text.

Chapter 5 – Certificate of Title Requirements
Section 5.7, “Issuance of Title to Exempt Entities,” was updated as a result of House Bill 4226 to include that vehicles owned and operated by a nonprofit food bank are exempt from the taxes imposed on the purchase, use, or rental of the motor vehicle.

Chapter 8 – Refusal/Denial of Title
Section 8.2, “Tax Assessor Collector Hearing,” was updated as a result of Senate Bill 1464 to state that vehicles subject to any pending litigation or court proceedings in which ownership or possession of the vehicle has been awarded to another person, or vehicles that are being held as evidence in a criminal investigation, are not eligible for a TAC hearing.

Section 8.3, “Bonded Title,” was updated to state that an original release of lien(s) or a letter(s) of no interest is required for bonded title eligibility for any vehicle record that reflects a lien of less than 10 years old, and requirements for when this information is not provided, in accordance with Registration and Title Bulletin (RTB) #004-24.

Chapter 9 – Transfer of Ownership
Section 9.6, “Emissions Test on Resale,” was updated to include applicable emissions requirements and reasons for exemptions, in accordance with RTB #005-24.

Section 9.8, “Vehicle Transfer Notification,” was updated as a result of House Bill 718 to state that purchasing dealers are required to complete a vehicle transfer notification electronically in ePLATE for vehicles previously titled in Texas.

Chapter 14 – Vehicle Types
Section 14.12, “Miniature Vehicles,” was updated to include the definition of a miniature vehicle as a result of Senate Bill 1816 and to state that a photograph of the vehicle identification number (VIN) is required for mini vehicles with a non-conforming 17-digit VIN when a Form VTR-68-A is not required as part of the title application process.

Chapter 18 – Out of State Requirements
Section 18.5, “VIN Certification,” was renamed and updated to provide detailed information on VIN certification requirements for vehicles last registered and/or titled out of state in accordance with RTB #005-24. In addition, Section 18.6, “Vehicles Not Subject to Inspection,” was removed and subsequent sections renumbered.

Chapter 25 – Motor Vehicle Dealers
Section 25.8, “Dealer License Number and Buyer Plate Issuance Validations,” was updated to include a note that clarifies that ePLATE system limitations or lack of plate inventory that prevents the dealer from issuing a plate to a transaction would not be a reason to file a dealer complaint.

Thank you,

Annette Quintero, Director
Vehicle Titles and Registration Division
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

Title Manual – October 2025.pdf

If you have any questions concerning this communication, please contact your local Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Regional Service Center.