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If you’re buying a car from an individual or
dealer, you need to know how to protect yourself and about the state laws that
require vehicle buyers to keep their records accurate. Financial Penalties
You will face financial penalties if you don’t title the vehicle into your name
within 20 business days from the date of the sale. If you don’t file on time,
you will be charged an automatic $25 penalty and additional $25 for each month
or partial month you are late.
When you purchase a vehicle from an individual, be sure to take the seller
with you to the county tax office to transfer the title. This way you can be
sure the vehicle doesn’t have any legal or salvage issues. There are financial
penalties for buyers for late transfers of title and
registration. Learn more about these
penalties. Buyer’s
Checklist:
- Take the seller with you to the county tax office to transfer the title.
- Be sure the seller has signed, dated and entered the odometer reading on
the vehicle’s title.
- File the Application for Texas Certificate of Title form (130-U)
at the county tax office within 20 days of buying the vehicle. The seller
also MUST sign the form and fill in vehicle sale price. If you don’t file on time, you will be
charged an automatic $25 penalty and additional $25 for each month or
partial month you are
late.
- Print a
Vehicle Transit Permit if the seller
took off the license plates. You are legally required to have the permit to
drive the vehicle to the county tax office to title and register it in your
name.
- Ask for the seller to give you the vehicle’s records, including the
Texas registration receipt and any other supporting documents.
- Keep a record of the date of sale, and the seller’s name, address and
phone number.
Questions?
See our
tips for sellers. Instructional
Videos
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