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How to Register a Vehicle
In Texas, you have 30 days to get the automobile titled from the initial sale date. When purchasing a vehicle from a private seller, it is recommended that both buyer and seller appear at your local County Tax Office with the following paperwork:
- The title to the vehicle being sold is completed with an odometer reading statement and the seller’s signature.
- An authorized Lien Release if there is a lien visible on the Title.
- A fully filled-out Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U).
- Proof of the vehicle passing inspection and accessible within the state’s database or if there is none currently on file, obtain a Vehicle Inspection Report from the seller (According to § 548.051).
- Evidence of current valid Texas car insurance policy.
- Payment for all necessary taxes and fees:
- Motor Vehicle Sales Tax – 6.25 percent of the sale price or standard presumptive value (highest of the two).
- Title Application Fee – $28 – 33
- Regional and County Fee – $31.50
- Insurance Authentication and Application Processing Fee – $2
If the exchange occurs on a weekend when the County Tax Office is closed, make sure to gather all pertinent information on the sale vehicle, including:
- Seller’s Information (Name, Address, Phone Number).
- Vehicle Information (Color, Body Type, Year, Make, Model, and VIN).
- Sale Information (Sale Date and Amount).
In the case that the transaction is finalized and the seller wishes to retain their license plates, you will need to download a Vehicle Transit Permit. This is a Temporary 5-day license that will allow you to legitimately travel only to the County Tax Office to carry out the registration process.
How to Register a Vessel
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is the leading authority in Texas, enforcing the mandate that, should you choose to use a boat within the jurisdiction, you will be required to furnish registration and a certificate of title for your vessel. All watercraft propelled by vessel or sail with an outboard motor will be required to register and title with the state of Texas with the exemption of:
- Boats with active registration in another state or country that plan to utilize Texas waters for no more than 90 consecutive days in a calendar year.
- Sailboats are not equipped with an outboard motor with a length of 14 feet or fewer.
- Government-owned watercraft.
- Documented vessels.
Remember that you have 20 days from the date of purchase to register and/or title a vessel to avoid an enforced penalty. Compile the following forms and required paperwork to present in-person, at your closest county tax assessor’s office or Texas Parks and Wildlife Department facility:
- A filled-out and endorsed Texas Vessel/Boat Application (Form PWD-143).
- If the boat is equipped with an outboard motor, a completed Texas Verification of Vessel Outboard Motor Serial Number (Form PWD-144).
- An executed bill of sale.
- Valid evidence of Ownership, such as a manufacturer’s certificate of origin for newly purchased vessels or a reassigned title and prior owner’s registration for private party sales.
- If the boat has never been titled or registered in Texas, include a finalized Texas Affidavit of Fact (Form PWD-314).
- Photo identification via an up-to-date driver’s license or identification card.
- Payment for fees associated with titling and registration of the vessel.
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