Registration and Title Bulletin #033-07

These documents contain text of correspondence sent by TxDOT to the county tax assessor-collectors, statutory agents who provide vehicle registration and titling services for citizens in Texas. This information is provided to apprise the general public of issues affecting the state’s vehicle titling and registration process.

PURPOSE
To provide you with information regarding HB 1260 that exempts certain military personnel from payment of title application fees.

DETAILS
HB 1260 exempts military personnel who are preparing to be deployed to serve in a hostile fire zone from payment of the $28/$33 title application fee. To receive the exemption, the person must be a member of:

• the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty in a hostile fire zone
• the National Guard on federal active duty in a hostile fire zone

The exemption from payment applies only to title application transactions in which the service member is an applicant and is subject to payment of a title application fee.

COUNTY ACTION
An applicant must present a copy of their military orders as proof of being deployed to serve in a hostile fire zone. The military orders must be reviewed to determine where they have been deployed to. The Purpose area on most military orders will provide the purpose of the orders, such as “Mobilization for Operation Iraqi Freedom” (see attached examples). In some cases, the Report to area will only provide where the member is to go for deployment preparation and not necessarily where they are being deployed. Examples of military orders are attached. A list of the current hostile fire zones is also attached for your use to ensure the service member is being deployed to one of the designated hostile fire zones and is eligible for the exemption.

If the applicant is eligible, on the Form 130-U you must indicate the applicant was exempted from payment by writing “Military/Exempt” to the right of the application fee area in Box 21 (see example)

CONTACT
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact your local Vehicle Titles and Registration Division Regional Office.

In some cases the Registration and Title Bulletins (RTB) contain attachments. If you require a copy of the original signed RTB and the attachments, please e-mail us and include the RTB number. Repeat requests are subject to charges in accordance with Open Record policies.