SECTION 217.404. Initial Application for Title

(a) Prior to applying for title, an applicant must submit to the department a complete application for title. The application may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically, to the department. The application must include:

(1) photographs of the front, rear, and side of the assembled vehicle, and if a replica, a photograph of what the vehicle is a replica of;

(2) evidence of ownership of the basic component parts of the assembled vehicle as described in §217.405 of this subchapter (relating to Evidence of Ownership), as applicable to the type of assembled vehicle;

(3) if applicable, proof, on a form prescribed by the department, of a safety inspection required under §217.143 of this chapter (relating to Assembled Vehicle Inspection Requirements), and Transportation Code §731.101;

(4) if applicable, a copy of the Automobile and Light Truck certification, or a successor certification, for the master technician who completed the inspection described in paragraph (3) of this subsection;

(5) a copy of the inspection that may be required under Transportation Code Chapter 548 if the assembled vehicle is to be registered for operation on the roadway;

(6) a Rebuilt Vehicle Statement;

(7) a weight certificate;

(8) identification as required in §217.5(d) of this chapter (relating to Evidence of Motor Vehicle Ownership); and

(9) any of the following means to establish the vehicle identification number:

(A) an Application for Assigned or Reassigned Number, and Notice of Assigned Number or Installation of Reassigned Vehicle Identification Number, on forms prescribed by the department;

(B) an Application for Assigned or Reassigned Number, establishing the vehicle identification number assigned by the manufacturer of the component part by which the assembled vehicle will be identified;

(C) acceptable proof, as established by the department, of a vehicle identification number assigned by the maker of the kit used to construct the assembled vehicle; or

(D) acceptable proof, as established by the department, of a vehicle identification number assigned by the manufacturer of the replica, custom vehicle, street rod, or glider kit.

(b) Following receipt of all information required under subsection (a) of this section, the department will review the application for completeness and to determine that the vehicle meets assembled vehicle qualifications.

(c) If the department determines that the application is complete and the vehicle meets assembled vehicle qualifications, the department will issue a letter to the applicant on department letterhead, stating that the application is complete and that the vehicle qualifies as an assembled vehicle. The letter shall include a list of the supporting documents and information identified in subsection (d)(2) of this section.

(d) Following receipt of the department's letter described in subsection (c) of this section, the applicant may then submit the letter and the completed application to the county tax assessor-collector for processing. The application must include:

(1) the department-issued letter described in subsection (c) of this section;

(2) copies of all items required to be submitted to the department in subsection (a)(1) - (9) of this section; and

(3) the requirements as identified in §217.23 of this chapter (relating to Initial Application for Vehicle Registration) if obtaining registration.

Source Note: The provisions of this §217.404 adopted to be effective June 22, 2020, 45 TexReg 4058