SECTION 217.29. Vehicle Registration Renewal via Internet

(a) Internet registration renewal program. The department will maintain a uniform Internet registration renewal process. This process will provide for the renewal of vehicle registrations via the Internet and will be in addition to vehicle registration procedures provided for in §217.28 of this title (relating to Vehicle Registration Renewal). The Internet registration renewal program will be facilitated by a third-party vendor.

(b) County participation in program. All county tax assessor-collectors shall process registration renewals through an online system designated by the department.

(c) Eligibility of individuals for participation. To be eligible to renew a vehicle's registration via the Internet, the vehicle owner must meet all criteria for registration renewal outlined in this subchapter and in Transportation Code, Chapter 502.

(d) Fees. This subsection applies to vehicle registrations expiring prior to January 1, 2017 that are submitted for renewal prior to July 1, 2017. A vehicle owner who renews registration via the Internet must pay:

(1) registration fees prescribed by law;

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

(3) a fee of $1 for the processing of a registration renewal by mail in accordance with Transportation Code, §502.197(a); and

(4) a convenience fee of $2 for the processing of an electronic registration renewal paid by a credit card payment in accordance with Transportation Code, §1001.009.

(e) Information to be submitted by vehicle owner. A vehicle owner who renews registration via the Internet must submit or verify the following information:

(1) registrant information, including the vehicle owner's name and county of residence;

(2) vehicle information, including the license plate number of the vehicle to be registered;

(3) insurance information, including the name of the insurance company, the name of the insurance company's agent (if applicable), the telephone number of the insurance company or agent (local or toll free number serviced Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), the insurance policy number, and representation that the policy meets all applicable legal standards;

(4) credit card information, including the type of credit card, the name appearing on the credit card, the credit card number, and the expiration date; and

(5) other information prescribed by rule or statute.

(f) Duties of the county. For vehicle registrations that expire prior to January 1, 2017 that are submitted for renewal prior to July 1, 2017, a county tax assessor-collector shall:

(1) accept electronic payment for vehicle registration renewal via the Internet;

(2) execute an agreement with the department as provided by the director;

(3) process qualified Internet registration renewal transactions as submitted by the third-party vendor;

(4) communicate with the third-party vendor and applicants via email, regular mail, or other means, as specified by the director;

(5) promptly mail renewal registration validation stickers and license plates to applicants;

(6) ensure that all requirements for registration renewal are met, including all requirements set forth in this subchapter, and in Transportation Code, Chapter 502;

(7) reject applications that do not meet all requirements set forth in this chapter, and in Transportation Code, Chapter 502; and

(8) register each vehicle for a 12-month period.

(g) Duties of the county. For vehicle registrations that expire on or after January 1, 2017, and registrations that expired prior to January 1, 2017 that are submitted for renewal on or after July 1, 2017, a county tax assessor-collector shall:

(1) accept electronic payment for vehicle registration renewal via the Internet;

(2) execute an agreement with the department as provided by the director;

(3) process qualified Internet registration renewal transactions as submitted by the third-party vendor;

(4) communicate with the third-party vendor and applicants via email, regular mail, or other means, as specified by the director;

(5) reject applications that do not meet all requirements set forth in this chapter, and in Transportation Code, Chapter 502; and

(6) register each vehicle for a 12-month period.

(h) Duties of the department. For vehicle registrations that expire on or after January 1, 2017, and registrations that expired prior to January 1, 2017 that are submitted for renewal on or after July 1, 2017, the department shall promptly mail renewal registration validation stickers and license plates to applicants.

Source Note: The provisions of this §217.29 adopted to be effective March 12, 2015, 40 TexReg 1096; amended to be effective August 8, 2016, 41 TexReg 5777