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TITLE 43TRANSPORTATION
PART 10TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
CHAPTER 217VEHICLE TITLES AND REGISTRATION
SUBCHAPTER BMOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION
RULE §217.23Initial Application for Vehicle Registration

(a) An applicant for initial vehicle registration must file an application on a form prescribed by the department. The form will at a minimum require:

  (1) the signature of the owner;

  (2) the motor vehicle description, including, but not limited to, the motor vehicle's year, make, model, vehicle identification number, body style, carrying capacity for commercial motor vehicles, and empty weight;

  (3) the license plate number;

  (4) the odometer reading, or the word "exempt" if the motor vehicle is exempt from federal and state odometer disclosure requirements;

  (5) the name and complete address of the applicant; and

  (6) the name, mailing address, and date of any liens.

(b) The application must be accompanied by the following:

  (1) evidence of vehicle ownership as specified in §217.5 of this title (relating to Evidence of Motor Vehicle Ownership), unless the vehicle has been issued a nonrepairable or salvage vehicle title in accordance with Transportation Code, Chapter 501, Subchapter E;

  (2) registration fees prescribed by law;

  (3) any local fees or other fees prescribed by law and collected in conjunction with registering a vehicle;

  (4) evidence of financial responsibility required by Transportation Code, §502.046, unless otherwise exempted by law;

  (5) the processing and handling fee prescribed by §217.183 of this title (relating to Fee Amount); and

  (6) any other documents or fees required by law.

(c) An initial application for registration must be filed with the tax assessor-collector of the county in which the owner resides or any county tax assessor-collector who is willing to accept the application, except as provided in subsection (d) of this section.

(d) An application for registration, as a prerequisite to filing an application for title, may be filed with the county tax assessor-collector in the county in which:

  (1) the owner resides;

  (2) the motor vehicle is purchased or encumbered; or

  (3) a county tax assessor-collector who is willing to accept the application.


Source Note: The provisions of this §217.23 adopted to be effective March 12, 2015, 40 TexReg 1096; amended to be effective August 8, 2016, 41 TexReg 5777; amended to be effective March 1, 2022, 47 TexReg 968; amended to be effective November 14, 2024, 49 TexReg 8980

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