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TITLE 43TRANSPORTATION
PART 10TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
CHAPTER 215MOTOR VEHICLE DISTRIBUTION
SUBCHAPTER DGENERAL DISTINGUISHING NUMBERS AND IN-TRANSIT LICENSES
RULE §215.141Sanctions

(a) The board or department may take the following actions against a license applicant, a license holder, or a person engaged in business for which a license is required:

  (1) deny an application;

  (2) revoke a license;

  (3) suspend a license;

  (4) assess a civil penalty;

  (5) issue a cease and desist order; or

  (6) or take other authorized action.

(b) The board or department may take action described in subsection (a) of this section if a license applicant, a license holder, or a person engaged in business for which a license is required:

  (1) fails to maintain a good and sufficient bond or post the required bond notice if required under Transportation Code §503.033 (relating to Security Requirement);

  (2) fails to meet or maintain the requirements of §215.140 (relating to Established and Permanent Place of Business Premises Requirements);

  (3) fails to maintain records required under this chapter;

  (4) refuses or fails to comply with a request by the department for electronic records or to examine and copy electronic or physical records during the license holder's business hours at the licensed business location:

    (A) sales records required to be maintained by §215.144 of this title (relating to Vehicle Records);

    (B) ownership papers for a vehicle owned by that dealer or under that dealer's control;

    (C) evidence of ownership or a current lease agreement for the property on which the business is located; or

    (D) the Certificate of Occupancy, Certificate of Compliance, business license or permit, or other official documentation confirming compliance with county and municipal laws or ordinances for a vehicle business at the licensed physical location.

  (5) refuses or fails to timely comply with a request for records made by a representative of the department;

  (6) holds a wholesale motor vehicle dealer's license and sells or offers to sell a motor vehicle to a person other than a licensed or authorized dealer;

  (7) sells or offers to sell a type of vehicle that the person is not licensed to sell;

  (8) fails to submit a license amendment application in the electronic licensing system designated by the department to notify the department of a change of the license holder's physical address, mailing address, telephone number, or email address within 10 days of the change;

  (9) fails to submit a license amendment application in the electronic licensing system designated by the department to notify the department of a license holder's name change, or management or ownership change within 10 days of the change;

  (10) except as provided by law, issues more than one buyer's temporary tag for the purpose of extending the purchaser's operating privileges for more than 60 days;

  (11) fails to remove a license plate or registration insignia from a vehicle that is displayed for sale;

  (12) misuses a dealer's license plate or a temporary tag;

  (13) fails to display a dealer's license plate or temporary tag, as required by law;

  (14) holds open a title or fails to take assignment of a certificate of title, manufacturer's certificate, or other basic evidence of ownership for a vehicle acquired by the dealer, or fails to assign the certificate of title, manufacturer's certificate, or other basic evidence of ownership for a vehicle sold;

  (15) fails to remain regularly and actively engaged in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging vehicles of the type for which the GDN is issued by the department;

  (16) violates a provision of Occupations Code, Chapter 2301; Transportation Code Chapters 503 and 1001-1005; a board order or rule; or a regulation of the department relating to the sale, lease, distribution, financing, or insuring of vehicles, including advertising rules under Subchapter F of this chapter (relating to Advertising);

  (17) is convicted of an offense that directly relates to the duties or responsibilities of the occupation in accordance with §211.3 of this title (relating to Criminal Offense Guidelines);

  (18) is determined by the board or department, in accordance with §215.89 of this title (relating to Fitness), to be unfit to hold a license;

  (19) has not assigned at least five vehicles in the prior 12 months, provided the dealer has been licensed more than 12 months;

  (20) files or provides a false or forged:

    (A) title document, including an affidavit making application for a certified copy of a title; or

    (B) tax document, including a sales tax statement or affidavit;

  (21) uses or allows use of that dealer's license or location for the purpose of avoiding a provision of Occupations Code, Chapter 2301; Transportation Code, Chapters 503 and 1001 - 1005; or other laws;

  (22) omits information or makes a material misrepresentation in any application or other documentation filed with the department including providing a false or forged identity document or a false or forged photograph, electronic image, or other document;

  (23) fails to remit payment as ordered for a civil penalty assessed by the board or department;

  (24) sells a new motor vehicle without a franchised dealer's license issued by the department;

  (25) fails to comply with a dealer responsibility under §215.150 of this title (relating to Authorization to Issue Temporary Tags);

  (26) utilizes a temporary tag that fails to meet the requirements of §215.153 of this title (relating to Specifications for All Temporary Tags);

  (27) violates any state or federal law or regulation relating to the sale of a motor vehicle;

  (28) knowingly fails to disclose that a motor vehicle has been repaired, rebuilt, or reconstructed and issued a title under Transportation Code, §501.100 (relating to Application for Regular Certificate of Title for Salvage Vehicle);

  (29) fails to issue a refund as ordered by the board or department; or

  (30) fails to acquire or maintain a required certificate of occupancy, certificate of compliance, business license or permit, or other official documentation for the licensed location confirming compliance with county or municipal laws or ordinances or other local requirements for a vehicle business.


Source Note: The provisions of this §215.141 adopted to be effective February 11, 2010, 35 TexReg 883; amended to be effective August 2, 2012, 37 TexReg 5637; amended to be effective February 13, 2017, 42 TexReg 571; amended to be effective June 1, 2024, 4 TexReg 2704

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