• There is written consent from the individual
• It can be certified that the information will be used for a lawful, legitimate purpose

Personal information will not be released for any other reason. To request information, fill out a request form [pdf, 2 pages, 142kb] and certify the information will be used for a lawful, permitted purpose.

Yes. Learn more about vehicle requirements for new residents.
 

• license receipt from the previous year,
• license plate number, or
• vehicle identification number (VIN).

Ask the county tax office to verify your correct mailing address. If the correct address is not on file, please change your address.

We can also mail you another renewal notice if there is enough time left before your registration expires. For assistance, please call the county tax office or our customer help desk at (512) 465-7611.
 

At the time of printing, our record still showed you as the recorded owner. If you believe the buyer of your vehicle did not transfer the vehicle title to his/her name, you may consider submitting a vehicle transfer notification form [pdf, 2 pages, 272kb]. This form lets us know that you no longer own the vehicle.

You may also call our call center at (512) 465-7611 with the vehicle identification number of the car you sold for more information.
 

Plates may only be transferred to the same vehicle classification, car-to-car or truck-to-truck.

Plates that are seven years old or older (these plates must be replaced due to loss of reflectivity).
 

A motor vehicle inquiry at the county.

A registration receipt in your name that shows the plate number.
 

 
• No. You and the seller should go to the county tax office during regular business hours to transfer the vehicle title. The county will provide new plates (unless you are supplying your own plates) and a registration sticker.
• You may also move the un-plated vehicle on a trailer (no permit required) if you need to move it prior to contacting the county.

Note: Operating a vehicle on public roadways without valid license plates and a registration sticker is against the law, and the driver is subject to fines by law enforcement.
 

On the title application, the recipient should check the "$10 Gift Tax" box found in Section 21. The recipient will have to provide proof of auto insurance at the county tax office to register the vehicle.

When you keep your license plates, the buyer has to transfer the vehicle title and this helps to protect you.

When you take off the plates, the buyer will need a Vehicle Transit Permit to drive the vehicle to the county tax office to re-title the car or truck.

Provide the buyer with all the documents needed to transfer the title:

• A signed title
• A signed vehicle title application [pdf, 2 pages, 157kb]
• The vehicle's latest registration receipt
• Any other supporting documents, such as a release of lien, power of attorney, etc.

Then, accompany the buyer to the county tax office to verify the buyer files a new vehicle title application under his/her name. If you sell or trade in your vehicle to a dealer, or if the buyer can't go to the tax office, you need to:

• Notify us of the sale by submitting a vehicle transfer notification form [pdf, 2 pages, 272kb] within 30 days of selling the vehicle.
• keep copies of all documents provided to the buyer as evidence of the sale.

After we receive your transfer notification request, we will update the record to show the vehicle as sold. When you file the notification within 30 days, you cannot be held responsible for such things as parking tickets and toll violations that may be committed by the person who bought your vehicle.

Another way to protect yourself, is to always keep your license plates whenever you sell a vehicle. You can transfer the plates to another vehicle.

 

After we receive and process your vehicle transfer notification, the buyer is presumed to be the new owner and may be subject to criminal and civil liability for the vehicle. For this reason, make sure to request the buyer's contact information before the sale is complete, and include this contact information on your vehicle transfer notification.

The vehicle transfer notification does not remove your name from the state’s record, but the record is marked to show that you have notified us that you no longer own the vehicle. Your name will not be removed from the record until a new title is applied for and issued to the new owner.
 

• A confirmation letter (no fee) from TxDOT indicating that the vehicle is sold. Call us at (512) 465-7611 to request a letter.
   
• A copy of the vehicle transfer notification form you submitted to us (no fee), which you can get by completing a request for vehicle information form [pdf, 2 pages, 142kb].
  
  In the “Information Requested” section, check the third box (other) and then write "Vehicle Transfer Notification" and the month and year you sold the vehicle.
   
• A "title and registration verification" ($2.30 fee) that shows the month and year the vehicle title was transferred, which you can order by completing a request for vehicle information form [pdf, 2 pages, 142kb].

Some agencies may not accept all of the documents mentioned above, so please contact the agency that issued your citation before you request any of these documents.
 

A licensed motor vehicle dealer is not required to apply for a new title until the vehicle is sold to a retail purchaser.
 

If your spouse did not have a will, you can fill out an affidavit of heirship (VTR Form-262).

Yes. If your medical condition meets the legal definition of an eligible disability:

• Submit a completed and notarized copy of Form VTR-214 [pdf, 2 pages, 156kb] with your specialty plate order in person or by mail to your local county tax office. ISA orders are not available online.
• The original Form VTR-214 must be submitted when the new plates are picked up at the county tax office.

For a My Plates specialty license plate

Yes. If your medical condition meets the legal definition of an eligible disability:

• Submit a completed and notarized Form VTR-214 [pdf, 2 pages, 156kb], "Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate," to My Plates via fax, e-mail or regular mail.
• A My Plates customer service representative will contact you and assist with the processing of the new plate.
• The original Form VTR-214 must be submitted when the new plates are picked up at the county tax office.

• Only to the same type of vehicle (ex. car to car, truck to truck).
• Between vehicles you own. Your local county tax office will issue a new registration sticker and assist with the transfer.
• To a vehicle purchased from a dealer. Remove the specialty plates and request that the dealer transfer the plates to the new vehicle.
• To a vehicle purchased from a private party. Register the specialty plates with the county tax office when you title the vehicle in your name.

Note: Plates seven years old or older cannot be transferred to another vehicle. New plates must be manufactured due to safety concerns related to the loss reflectivity.

Reflectivity allows the plate to be seen from long distances at night and is helpful in locating vehicles at night or off roads.

My Plates specialty plates begin at $95 annually and may go up to $795 for some 10-year plate purchases. Only My Plates may offer specialty plates that are issued for multiple years (five and 10 years). This does not include vehicle registration and local fees. My Plates are more expensive because the state does not pay My Plates any taxpayer money to market its specialty license plates. The vendor incurs all marketing overhead costs and the price of the plates must cover those costs, make a profit for the company and provide revenue for the state.

If you purchase a multi-year specialty plate, nothing will change, and you will receive an annual notice for your vehicle registration only.

My Plates are provided by a private vendor. In 2005, the Legislature directed TxDOT to contract with a third party to provide specialty plates, with a portion of the income going to the General Revenue Fund.

This arrangement is unique to Texas - TxDOT is unaware of any similar agreements regarding specialty license plates and is a new and innovative way to create new revenue for the state.

Charity plates may be ordered in person at a tax office and mailed directly to you.