SECTION 217.406. Title Issuance

(a) Issuance. The county tax assessor-collector shall process the application for title and issue a receipt upon receiving:

(1) a completed application for title;

(2) required documents identified in §217.404(d) of this subchapter (relating to Initial Application for Title);

(3) the statutory fee for a title application, unless exempt under:

(A) Transportation Code §501.138; or

(B) Government Code §437.217, and copies of official military orders are presented as evidence of the person's active duty status and deployment orders to a hostile fire zone; and

(4) any other applicable fees.

(b) Form of Title. In addition to the requirements under Transportation Code §731.053, an assembled vehicle, other than an assembled trailer, will be titled using the year it was assembled as the model year and "ASVE" for assembled as the make of the vehicle unless it is established to the department's satisfaction to be constructed from original parts that reflect an established year and make of a manufactured vehicle. An assembled vehicle constructed from original parts that reflect an established year and make of a manufactured vehicle will be titled by that year and make, but must reflect a "RECONSTRUCTED" remark if the component parts, excluding the motor, used to construct the vehicle are not original to that vehicle. An assembled vehicle not utilizing an original body may obtain a title with a "REPLICA" remark featuring the year and make of the replica if the vehicle resembles a prior model year vehicle. This subsection applies regardless of how the vehicle's model year or make was previously identified in this or any other jurisdiction. An assembled trailer will be titled using the year it was assembled as the model year and "HMDE" for homemade as the make. A vehicle that is titled under Transportation Code Chapter 731 and this subchapter that cannot be transferred to or by a dealer under Transportation Code §503.013 shall have a "NOT FOR DEALER RESALE" remark included on the title.

(c) Distribution. The department will issue and mail or deliver a title to the applicant, or if a lien is disclosed in the application, to the first lienholder unless the title is an electronic record of title.

(d) Receipt. The receipt issued at the time of application for title may be used only as evidence of title and may not be used to transfer any interest or ownership in a motor vehicle or to establish a new lien.

Source Note: The provisions of this §217.406 adopted to be effective June 22, 2020, 45 TexReg 4058