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.
|
