The latest update to the Motor Vehicle Title Manual (attached) is now available via Registration and Title System 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).

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

Chapter 6 – Application and Issuance of Motor Vehicle Title
Section 6.5, “Registration Purposes Only (RPO),” was updated to clarify the procedure for correcting a Registration Purposes Only record.

Chapter 8 – Refusal/Denial of Title
Section 8.3, “Bonded Title,” was updated to specify a bonding company is not required to complete the certification statement on the TxDMV rejection letter when a lien is on the motor vehicle record if a separate document with the same certification language is provided. Additionally, a surety bond remains effective for three years from the effective date of the bond, even if the vehicle changes ownership.

Chapter 10 – Evidence of Ownership
Section 10.2, “Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO),” was updated in accordance with Registration and Title Bulletin #005-18, which specified a new vehicle must be the subject of a first retail sale before a Texas title can be issued. Additionally, new motor vehicles sold in Texas must be sold by a licensed Texas franchise motor vehicle dealer.

Thank you,

Jeremiah Kuntz, Director

JK:TT:EG

Attachment

If you have any questions concerning this communication, please contact your local TxDMV Regional Service Center.

TO: All County Tax Assessor-Collectors
SUBJECT: January 2019 Registration Manual Update

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.

Chapter 7 – Farm Vehicles
Section 7.7, “Farm Vehicles,” was updated to include the list of documents that farmers’ cooperatives (co-op) or marketing associations may present when applying or renewing Farm License Plates as indicated on the Application for Farm License Plates (Form VTR-52-A). These entities were made exempt from the requirement to obtain the Texas Agricultural or Timber Exemption Registration Number issued by the comptroller’s office in the 84th legislative session.

Chapter 12 – Off-Highway, Log Loader, Forestry & Miscellaneous
Section 12.3, “Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV),” was updated to specify these vehicles are exempt from inspection verification.

Chapter 17 – Transfer of Registration When Applying for Title
Section 17.2, “Dealer Sales,” includes information from Administrative Code, Rule §215.155, which states Buyer Tags should only be displayed on vehicles with a valid inspection, unless the vehicle is exempt from inspection requirements.

Section 17.5, “Plate to Owner Transactions,” was updated with a chart that outlines the plate to owner transfer scenarios by vehicle type and weight limits.

Chapter 18 – Specialty and Personalized Plates
Section 18.2, “Personalized License Plates,” was updated to reflect changes from Administrative Code, Rule §217.27, regarding the criteria used by the department to deny personalized plate patterns.

Chapter 22 – Inspection Verification
Section 22.11, “Additional Inspection Information,” was updated to add a list of vehicles and/or plate types that are exempt from vehicle inspection requirements.

Thank you,

Jeremiah Kuntz, Director
Vehicle Titles and Registration Division
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

JK:TT:KJ

Attachment

If you have any questions concerning this communication, please contact your local TxDMV Regional Service Center.

Please review and distribute as appropriate.

We would like to inform you the Application for a Certified Copy of Title (Form VTR-34) has been revised. The revised Form VTR-34 is available on our website at www.TxDMV.gov and may be used immediately.

Existing versions of Form VTR-34 remain valid for use; however, we encourage you to begin utilizing the latest version available on our website.

Thank you,

Jeremiah Kuntz, Director
Vehicle Titles and Registration Division
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

Attachment

Good morning,

The scheduled maintenance was completed as of 6:00 AM Central Time, December 30, 2018. 

Please remember that after using an Internet Down tag, you must enter the information for that tag into eTAG as soon as the system is accessible. Doing this will ensure you always have the full allocation of unused Internet Down tags available when you need them. Also remember that unused Internet Down tags are valid for one year from the date they are printed.

If you would like to speak to a representative, please call us at 512-465-3000.  Consumer Relations Division representatives are available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.

Best regards,

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
4000 Jackson Ave
Austin, TX 78731
(512) 465-3000

Proposed 43 TAC, Ch. 217, New Subchapter K, §§217.301, 217.302, 217.303

Please review and distribute as appropriate.

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) has published in the Texas Register adopted changes to the Texas Administrative Code, which affect Chapter 217, Subchapter K. The adopted Texas Register language is attached and it is also available on the Office of the Secretary of State’s website at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/currview/index.shtml.

The web link is subject to change as the Texas Register is a weekly publication. Previous versions of the Texas Register are available at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/index.shtml

These adopted changes become effective on January 1, 2019 and the changes will be included in the Texas Administrative Code at http://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.viewtac.

Thank you,

Sarah Swanson

Interim General Counsel

Good morning,

On Saturday, December 29, 2018, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) will be performing system maintenance that will impact the webDEALER/eTAG system. The duration of the maintenance is scheduled for up to 8 hours beginning at 10:00 PM Central Time (12/29/2018) and lasting until 7:00 AM Central Time (12/30/18).  The webDEALER/eTAG system will experience a brief outage during the maintenance window. 

As a reminder, if you are unable to print buyer’s tags, you should use your pre-printed Internet Down buyer’s tags.   As you know, every dealer is now allowed a minimum of 30 Internet Down tags.  If you have less than 30 printed, print your full allocation now so you are prepared when the eTAG system is unavailable.  Please remember that after using an Internet Down tag, you must enter the information for that tag into eTAG as soon as the system is accessible.  This will ensure you always have the full allocation of unused Internet Down tags available when you need them. Also remember that unused Internet Down tags are valid for one year from the date they are printed.

Note: A reply to all will be sent when the maintenance is complete. If you would like to speak to a representative, please call us at 512-465-4010.  The Consumer Relations Division (CRD) is available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.

Thank you,

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
4000 Jackson Ave
Austin, TX 78731
(512) 465-4010

Good afternoon,

On Saturday, December 29, 2018, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) will be performing system maintenance that will impact the webDEALER/eTAG system. The duration of the maintenance is scheduled for up to 8 hours beginning at 10:00 PM Central Time (12/29/2018) and lasting until 7:00 AM Central Time (12/30/18).  The webDEALER/eTAG system will experience a brief outage during the maintenance window. 

As a reminder, if you are unable to print buyer’s tags, you should use your pre-printed Internet Down buyer’s tags.   As you know, every dealer is now allowed a minimum of 30 Internet Down tags.  If you have less than 30 printed, print your full allocation now so you are prepared when the eTAG system is unavailable.  Please remember that after using an Internet Down tag, you must enter the information for that tag into eTAG as soon as the system is accessible.  This will ensure you always have the full allocation of unused Internet Down tags available when you need them. Also remember that unused Internet Down tags are valid for one year from the date they are printed.

Note: A reply to all will be sent when the maintenance is complete. If you would like to speak to a representative, please call us at 512-465-4010.  The Customer Relations Division (CRD) is available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.

Thank you,

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
4000 Jackson Ave
Austin, TX 78731
(512) 465-4010

REMINDER: Certified Copy of Title (CCOs) Change Takes Effect December 31, 2018 at TxDMV

Lawfully obtained Certified Copy of Title (CCOs) will supersede and invalidate any previously issued title or certified copy, effective December 31, 2018. The goal of this new provision is to ensure that once a CCO is issued, it becomes the only valid proof of ownership. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) will implement this change as a result of Senate Bill 2076 [85(R)].

Texas dealers who take vehicles in on trade should be particularly aware of this change. Dealers should always submit a Vehicle Transfer Notification (VTN) right away to protect themselves from someone fraudulently obtaining a CCO after trade-in.

Completing and submitting a VTN is quick and easy. You can electronically submit a VTN via eTAG. From the eTAG Home Page, click on the “Tags” tab and select “Vehicle Transfer Notification” from the drop-down menu.

One of the pillars of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles mission is to “protect…the citizens and industries in the state with quality motor vehicle related services.” The department is confident that this new approach to CCOs will help us meet that mission, but we can’t do it without you. We encourage all dealers to adopt a habit of promptly submitting VTNs and, as always, we appreciate your partnership.