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Please review and distribute as appropriate.
On August 11, 2022, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) board adopted amendments to Texas Administrative Code, §217.5, Evidence of Motor Vehicle Ownership, and Texas Administrative Code, §217.9, Bonded Titles. The rules are effective August 31, 2022.
The amendments to §217.5 allow applicants to apply for a title using a surety bond as ownership evidence when applying for an assigned or reassigned number from the department. The surety bond may then be used by the applicant to obtain a title in their name at the county tax assessor-collector’s office. The surety bond is an alternative to the applicant obtaining a court order awarding them ownership of the vehicle. The amendment is intended to streamline processes for applicants and align requirements between manufactured vehicles and assembled vehicles.
The amendments to §217.9 clarify portions of the rule, remove duplicate information, and provide alternatives for establishing the vehicle value, for owners of vehicles 25 years old or older and owners of trailers and semitrailers. The amendments allow owners of vehicles that are 25 years old or older applying for a bonded title the option to obtain an appraisal in lieu of using a national reference guide. In addition, the amendments allow owners of trailers and semitrailers to use the department’s established value of the trailer or semitrailer based on the length of the trailer, in lieu of having to obtain an appraisal. The established values identified in rule are $4,000, if the trailer is under 20 feet in length, or $7,000, if 20 or more feet in length.
Policy and procedure updates have been provided to TxDMV Regional Service Centers relative to these amendments. Updates to the Motor Vehicle Title Manual to reflect these changes will occur with the October revision.
Thank you,
Roland D. Luna, Sr., Deputy Executive Director
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
If you have any questions concerning this communication, please contact your local TxDMV Regional Service Center.
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