Follow the same procedures as with any motor vehicle.
I
am disabled and would like to obtain license plates with the international
symbol of access. What should I do?
Texas law allows disabled residents to obtain (a) one set of plates with the
international symbol of access plus one placard, or (b) two placards. A placard
may be displayed in any vehicle being used to transport the disabled person. If
the vehicle does not have disabled-person license plates, the law requires that
the placard be displayed on the rear-view mirror whenever the vehicle is parked
in a disabled-person parking space. A disability statement form is available
from the Nueces County Tax Office. The applicant's physician must complete the
form, or provide a written prescription. The permanent disabled placards are issued free of charge. Temporary placards (6 months) are $5.00 each. Placards must be renewed every four years. There is an exchange fee of
30 cents (1.00 processing fee if done through the mail) for a set of
disabled-person license plates, if the registration is current. Additional sets
of disabled person plates may be obtained for vehicles specially equipped for
operation by a person who has lost the use of one or both legs.
For more information on disabled person placards and license plates, please see
the Frequently Asked Questions About Disabled Person Placards/License Plates
provided by the Texas Department of Transportation.
What
should I do if my license plates are damaged or stolen, or I need to replace a
windshield validation sticker?
You can obtain replacement plates or validation stickers at the Nueces County
Tax Office. If your plates are damaged or you are only missing one plate, bring
in your current registration receipt and fill out a replacement affidavit.
There will be a $6.30 fee.
Is
insurance required to purchase a one-trip or 30-day permit?
Yes, insurance must be on the vehicle the permit is for.
What
does "Registration Purposes Only" mean? What are the circumstances
for this type of transaction?
"Registration Purposes Only" means that the vehicle is registered, but
not titled, in Texas. This type of ownership document may be requested when a
vehicle that was registered or titled in another state is subject to
registration in Texas but the owner or operator cannot or does not wish to
surrender the negotiable out-of-state evidence of ownership in order to obtain
a Texas negotiable title.
How
do I obtain personalized license plates or other special plates?
You may obtain an Application for Personalized License Plates (VTR 35a) from the
Nueces County Tax Office or any VTR Regional Office. There is a charge in
addition to the regular registration fee. The amount charged for personalized
and special plates varies according to the type ordered. In some cases, the
applicant must meet eligibility requirements before applying for special
plates. Follow the instructions on the forms. See the Special License Plates
Listing for pictures of the specialty plates that are available in Texas. Some
special plates are available at the Nueces County Tax Office.
Can
I download forms that pertain to motor vehicles registration and titles?
Yes, the most-requested forms are available for download at
www.dot.state.tx.us.
Title Questions
I
lost my title. How do I get a duplicate?
Complete the Application for Certified Copy of Title (Form 34) which is
available at any Nueces County Tax Office. Make sure it has been signed by the
registered owner(s) or lien holder. Mail the form and the $2 fee (no cash) to
the address shown on the bottom of the form. For same-day service, an owner,
lien holder, or verified agent of either may apply at a VTR Regional Office,
and pay a $5.45 fee. These applicants must provide valid personal
identification that includes a photograph issued by an agency of the State of
Texas or the United States government. If a person is acting as an agent, he or
she must provide proof, verifiable by telephone, that he or she is authorized
to pick up the copy of the title. Otherwise, the application will be held for
four days before the copy is issued and mailed.
I
just sold a car. How do I transfer the title?
The seller must write the purchaser's name and address, the odometer reading and
date of sale in the title assignment. Purchaser and seller must each sign both
the title and the title application form (Form 130-U). Both signed documents
must be given to the purchaser, along with the registration receipt. The
purchaser must then go to any Nueces County Tax Office location and file the
title application. Proof of current insurance will be required. The fee is $13,
plus motor-vehicle sales tax (6.25 percent). There is also a $2.50 registration
fee. If the license is not current, there may be a registration fee. When you
purchase a vehicle from a licensed Texas dealer located in Nueces County, the
dealer is required to complete all the paperwork necessary to title and
register the vehicle in your name. The dealer is also required to file the
documents with the Nueces County Tax Office within 20 business days of the date
you purchased the vehicle.
I've
bought a vehicle and I have liability insurance on another car. What document
can I use to show proof of financial responsibility when I transfer title and
registration?
The personal automobile policy for any other vehicle an individual owns provides
30- day coverage after an additional vehicle has been acquired. Therefore, a
copy of the personal automobile insurance policy or the card issued for the
policy is acceptable as proof of financial responsibility.
I
applied for a title and neither my lien holder nor I have received it yet.
Customers should receive their titles within three weeks from the day the
application was filed. Contact the Nueces County Tax Office and ask to have the
record checked.
Why
does the state show a lien on my car if I paid it off?
This occurs if you have not advised the State of Texas that your lien has been
satisfied. To remove the lien information, fill out a Title Application Form
(130-U). Submit the application, title and a release of lien to the Nueces
County Tax Office. The fee for this service is $13.00. The state of Texas will
mail a title to you that does not show a lien.
What
is required to correct an error in the odometer reading after the title has
been issued?
A statement of fact will be required. This statement must address the
discrepancy and must be acknowledged by both the seller and the buyer involved
in the transaction in which the error was made.
If
my odometer reading is not available, what am I required to enter on the
Odometer Disclosure Statement?
The Odometer Disclosure Statement should contain an explanation from the seller
as to why a mileage reading is not available. If there is a reading of any sort
displayed on the odometer, this reading must be disclosed, and an indication as
to whether the mileage is actual, not actual, or exceeds mechanical limits must
be made.
I
sold my vehicle several months ago, but the registration and title have not
been changed to reflect the new owner's name and address. I'm, getting notices
about parking tickets involving that vehicle and the registration renewal
notice has also come to me. What can I do?
It is likely the new owner has not transferred title into his or her name.
Contact the Nueces County tax Office or VTR Regional Office and fill out the
Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification (Form VTR-346). Or write a letter to: Texas
Department of Transportation, Vehicle titles and Registration division,
Attention: Customer Information Services Branch, Austin, TX 78779-0001. Your
letter must provide the vehicle description (year, make, vehicle identification
number), date of sale, and purchaser's name and address. Upon receipt of the
fee and the form or letter, the State will place a notation on the motor
vehicle record stating that the vehicle has been transferred. The fee for this
service is five dollars ($5.00). Checks or money orders should be made payable
to the Texas Department of Transportation.
How
do I sell a vehicle that is registered and titled in a former spouse's or a
deceased spouse's name?
If the divorce decree awards the vehicle to you, provide the Nueces County tax
Office with a certified copy of the decree and apply for title. If the decree
does not award the vehicle to you, a properly assigned title will be required.
In the case of a deceased spouse, the ownership will be determined based on
whether there is a will, trust, etc. Contact the Nueces County Tax Office or a
VTR Regional Office for help.
My
title was issued incorrectly. What should I do?
Contact the Nueces County Tax Office and we'll help you resolve the problem.
Can
a certificate of title be issued to a vehicle which is displaying $6.30
Machinery License Plates?
No. Vehicles issued the $6.30 distinguishing Machinery License Plate cannot be
titled under the Certificate of Title Act.
How
do I register and title a rebuilt/salvage vehicle?
For information about rebuilt and salvage vehicles, contact our office (361)
888-0459.
How
do I turn a green Salvage Title into a blue negotiable Texas title?
If a salvaged vehicle for which a salvage title certificate has green issued is
repaired and placed in operable condition by a salvage yard or by a purchaser
of such salvaged vehicle, the salvage yard or the person or firm who purchased
and repaired the vehicle (Texas licensed dealers excepted) must apply for title
and registration in their name. The following must support the application for
title:
A salvage certificate
A form 61- Rebuilder's Affidavit
An inspection report completed by a law enforcement officer verifying the
vehicle identification number (VIN). The inspection report may be made either
on the reverse side of the title in the space provided or on the department's
prescribed form, VTRD-75-1. In lieu of the VIN inspection by a law enforcement
officer, a pencil tracing of the VIN may be submitted. However, in situations
when a pencil tracing cannot be made, the applicant must execute a Statement of
Physical Inspection (Form VTR-20). In either case an Identification Certificate
Form (VI-30-A) must be submitted, showing that the vehicle has been safety
inspected.
An odometer statement
A copy of the current license receipt
If the vehicle for which the salvage certificate has been issued has a
non-conforming USA VIN, proof of compliance with the Texas Department of
Transportation safety regulations is required.
In any case when a negotiable title is issued and a Salvage Certificate is in
evidence, the negotiable title will contain a notation to indicate that the
vehicle was previously damaged. "Flood Damaged" will be shown, when
applicable, or "Reconditioned" will be shown unless there is
different notation ("Rebuilt,""Reconstructed", etc.)
required. These notations are carried permanently in the master title records
and will appear on all subsequent titles.
Valid proof of financial responsibility, covering the described vehicle, in the
applicants name.
What
information is required and who is authorized to execute a Statement of Fact
should one be required to correct an error on a title assignment?
The statement must certify to the correct information and must include a
description of the vehicle identification number and the date the statement was
executed. Only the seller is authorized to execute the Statement of Fact.
However, if the Statement of Fact is required for the odometer disclosure
portion of the assignment, in addition to the seller's signature, the buyer
must also acknowledge the statement.
Why
can it be difficult to change a vehicle title to my name?
The title law protects ownership rights for more that 15 million vehicles in
Texas. Therefore, the statutes require transfer of ownership by proper
execution of certain ownership documents. When these specific documents are
incomplete or unavailable, Texas Statues require that the applicant apply for a
Tax Collector's hearing or bonded title.
What
is a bonded title and what is it used for?
A bonded title is a notation on a title document, as well as on the motor
vehicle records, which indicates that a Certificate of Title surety Bond has
been surrendered in support of the application for title. The bond is issued in
the title applicant's name, for a three-year period. The notation (bonded
title) is renewed for another three-year period. The bond is required by statue
in cases where proper ownership documents are unavailable. Purpose of a bonded
title is to protect previous and future owners of the vehicle, as well as lien
holders, from potential claims.
License/Registration
How
do I renew my registration by mail?
Follow the instructions on the renewal notice. Send the renewal notice,
registration fee and all requested information to the Nueces county Tax Office.
Add an additional $1.00 for the processing and mailing fee. Include a photocopy
of your current insurance card to show proof of financial responsibility.
Please make your check payable to Ramiro R. Canales. Our mailing address is
Ramiro R. Canales, Tax Assessor-Collector, 901 Leopard, Corpus Christi, Texas
78401.
I
registered my vehicle in August, so why does the registration expire in July?
A vehicle registration period is for 12 consecutive months or any portion
thereof. Registration for vehicles registered during August will expire on July
31.
Why
does it cost less to register my new pickup truck than it does my older car?
State law makes the fee structure for passenger vehicles different from that of
trucks. Passenger vehicle registration is determined by the manufacturer's
model year. The annual license fee for trucks is $25.00 plus an amount based on
the empty weight of the vehicle and its net carrying capacity.
Which
types of vehicles may be used on the highway without having to be registered?
The following vehicles may be operated upon the highway without registration:
A farm trailer or farm semi-trailer used in farming operations that does not
exceed 4,000 pounds gross weight
A farm tractor used in a farming operation and not "for hire" and
Implements of husbandry (those devices used to till the soil and harvest crops)
I'm
going out of town for vacation and my registration will expire while I am gone.
May I renew it in advance?
No. However, the Tax Office can mail your renewal to almost any location in the
world.
I
just moved to Texas. How do I register my vehicle?
Before it can be registered, your vehicle must pass State of Texas vehicle
safety inspection and a visual verification of the vehicle identification
number. These services are available at state-approved Safety Inspection
Stations. If you are leasing the vehicle you must have the vehicle inspected in
Texas.
The inspection facility will provide you with a Vehicle Identification
Certificate (Form VI-30-A). You must submit this form to the Nueces County Tax
Office along with an Application for Certificate of Title. You must also submit
your out-of-state title, or out-of-state registration, with the signed
Application. If your vehicle is leased, a copy of the lease agreement and a
copy of the bill of sale through which the leasing company purchased the
vehicle will be required. A New Resident Fee of $90.00 will be due. Title and
registration fees are due at the time the application for title is made. You
may do this in person at any Nueces County Tax Office or by mail. Proof of
liability insurance is required in Texas in order for these services to be
provided. If you have out-of-state insurance you will need to bring the policy
when registering the vehicle.
Will
my proof of insurance from either out-of-state or out-of-the-country be
acceptable to cover a vehicle required to be registered in Texas? If so, should
approval be based on the minimum amounts of coverage required in Texas?
The Texas Department of Insurance is unaware of provisions in the law which
limit proof of liability coverage to Texas companies. Nothing less than the
minimum limits as prescribed by law are acceptable as minimum amounts of
coverage in Texas.
For
how long may a new Texas resident operate his or her vehicle in this state
while displaying current out-of-state license plates?
He or she can operate the vehicle for a period of thirty days after establishing
residence or entering gainful employment, after which time the vehicle must be
registered in Texas.
I
have not received my registration renewal notice. What do I do?
Your vehicle registration can be renewed at any of the Nueces County Tax Office
locations, by using your license receipt from the previous year, the title, or
the license plate number along with proof of insurance and identification. Your
registration can be verified electronically by Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) or license plate number. The Department of Transportation can also mail
you another renewal notice, depending on the amount of time remaining before
your registration expires. Just call the Nueces County Tax Office (361)
888-0459 and we'll help you correct the problem.
I
moved to another location within Texas. How can I be sure that my registration
renewal notice will get to me when the time comes?
Your mail will be forwarded if you filed a Change of Address Form with the U.S.
Postal Service. However, the registration record will not be updated in the
State's system. Contact this office or one of ____ VTR Regional Offices and
fill out the Notice of Address Change for Texas Motor Vehicle Registration
(Form BTR-146). Or, write a letter to: Texas Department of Transportation,
Vehicle Titles and Registration Division, Attention: Customer Information
Services Branch, Austin, TX 78770-0001. They will take the information you have
provided and update your vehicle registration record accordingly. You must
provide the description of each vehicle you own. You may also call their
Customer Help Desk at (512) 465-7611, TDD (512) 302-2110.
I
did not receive my renewal notice and my registration has expired. Why am I
being forced to pay a 20% penalty?
The 20% penalty is required by law if a vehicle is driven on public highways
with expired registration after the five-day grace period.
Can
a vehicle be operated after its registration expires?
Yes. A vehicle may be operated for five days after its registration expires
without penalty.
What
if I haven't driven the vehicle since my registration expired. Do I still pay
the 20% penalty?
Anyone who re-registers after the five-day grace period can fill out a Non-Use
Affidavit (Form 64), or sign the Non-Use Affidavit located on the back of the
RTS 500 Receipt, if the vehicle has not been driven. The Nueces County Tax
Office will then pro-rate the registration fees for the remainder of the
vehicle's assigned registration year.