|
Please review 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 Title and Reg).
Updates for this release are marked with red change bars in the text.
The majority of the manual revisions include changes from the 86th Legislative Session. The following are brief summaries of the chapters updated in the October 2019 revision.
Chapter 3 – Disabled Persons
Section 3.4, “Parking Placard Application,” was updated as a result of HB 643, which amended Transportation Code, Section 681.003, and detailed in RTB #006-19. HB 643 allows a resident of Texas to apply for a Disabled Parking Placard in the county where they are seeking medical treatment. Previously, a Texas resident could only apply for a placard in the county in which they reside.
Chapter 9 – Registration Fees
Section 9.5, “Mopeds,” was updated as a result of HB 3171, which amended the definition of a moped to a motor vehicle with a maximum speed of 30 mph with a motor that produces not more than five-brake horsepower. If an internal combustion engine is used, the maximum piston displacement is 50cc.
Chapter 10 – General Provisions
Section 10.1, “Definitions,” was updated as a result of recent legislation. The updates include changes to the definitions of a commercial motor vehicle as a result of HB 3171 and motorized mobility device as a result of Senate Bill (SB) 969, and the addition of a definition for former military vehicle as a result of HB 1755.
Chapter 12 – Off-Highway, Log Loader, Forestry & Miscellaneous
Section 12.1, “Off-Highway Vehicles,” replaces the previous Sections 12.1, “All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV),” and 12.2, “Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles (ROV),” to incorporate the definitions and operation of all off-highway vehicles into one section. As a result of HB 1548 and HB 1755, off-highway vehicles include ATVs, ROVs, utility vehicles, and sand rails. The following subsequent sections from 12.2 to 12.13 were renumbered as a result of changes from HB 1548 and HB 1755.
Section 12.7, “Log Loader Vehicle,” was updated to eliminate the placement of the registration sticker and single plate for Log Loader vehicles.
Chapter 14 – Application for Registration
Section 14.4, “Initial Registration,” was updated to add a new section regarding Communication Impediment as a result of SB 976 and detailed in RTB #003-19.
Section 14.6, “Registration Year” also was updated as a result of SB 976. The update specifies that the communication impediment indicator may be added at any time, including at registration renewal, by the applicant submitting the Certification of Communication Impediment (Form VTR-216).
Section 14.11, “Refusal to Register Vehicles (Scofflaws),” was updated to clarify when a county tax assessor-collector has the option to refuse to register a motor vehicle.
Chapter 19 – Military Specialty License Plates
Section 19.3, “Disabled Veteran Specialty License Plates,” was updated as a result of HB 3068, which amended Transportation Code, Section. 504.202, to specify that previously issued embossed Disabled Veteran plates may be used as long as the specific qualifications are met. The specific qualifications have been updated in Chapter 19. RTB #007-19, which was distributed previously, also discusses the specific qualifications for the use of previously issued embossed Disabled Veteran plates.
Chapter 21 – Miscellaneous Specialty License Plates
Section 21.1, “Antique and Former Military,” was updated as a result of HB 1755 and detailed in RTB # 005-19. The update specifies a former military vehicle designated as “Off-Highway Use Only” may be registered for on-road use if the vehicle is a high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle (known as Humvee) with a GVWR less than 10,000 lbs. As a result of HB 3068 and detailed in RTB #007-19, which amended Transportation Code, Section 504.502, updates were made to specify that as of September 1, 2019, the alpha or numeric characters on the old plate must be embossed.
Section 21.2, “Classic Motor Vehicles and Travel Trailer; Custom Vehicles; Street Rods,” was updated as a result of HB 3068 to specify that as of September 1, 2019, the alpha or numeric characters on the previously issued plate must be embossed. This information also was detailed in RTB #007-19.
Thank you,
Jeremiah Kuntz, Director
Vehicle Titles and Registration Division
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
JK:TT:TM
Attachment
If you have any questions concerning this communication, please contact your local TxDMV Regional Service Center.
|
