Registering Truck in Texas

[rcazwillis]

Sharing what I have learned.

Zane's 71 has been sitting since 1995. Title was issued in 1976 to my Dad. He is gifting the truck to Zane. The title says it needs to be notorized when signed by previous owner. Not sure newer titles have this requirement.

To gift a vehicle, form 14-317 must be completed. Previous owner must sign and be notorized. Form is taken to tax assessor and signed in front of clerk by new owner. Tax is $10. This saves sales tax on the vehicle.

Form 130-U Application for Title must also be signed by previous owner and submitted to county tax assessor.

When apply for new title, you can also register the vehicle at the same time. This would save a painful trip to tax office. The vehicle must be inspected prior to this point since the inspections are now digital records. The vehicle can't be inspected until it has insurance. Can you get insurance on a vehicle you don't yet own.

To avoid breaking the laws...I have to go to tax assessor for title change. Then get insurance on the vehicle. Then trailer the vehicle to local business for inspection. Then trailer it home. Then go to tax assessor for registration.

All this and I suspect Texas is one of the easy states. Hoping to get the inspection completed this weekend.

[67 chevelle]

Did he have a "power of attorney " , that would work ,, I think , or "executor of will"

[jocko]

I’ve never had to have anything notarized in TX on any form - and the 130U is the title app, that’s all I’ve had to fill out when transferring a title and registering, single document. All I’ve ever needed on any year truck purchase, including a 72, was to have title signed over to me - not notarized. No idea why gifting would be any different, it’s just a $0 sale. Yes, county tax assessor is basically your “local” DMV, it’s a little weird. I drove miles away to DPS until I discovered I could get it all done in my back yard. You’ve highlighted the order of steps to avoid wasting time at the tax assessor’s office - 1. Insurance 2. Inspection 3. Single DMV/tax assessor visit for the whole enchilada (title transfer and registration/plates). The big catch is that if you have to drive your truck to be inspected, you have to go to DMV/tax assessor first anyway (step 0....) to get a temp tag. Kinda maddening. I THINK there may be a way to print a one-time or one-day tag from their website, but I haven’t done that yet. I’ve gone in and gotten a 30 day tag. Also note that if you happen to get a DV tag, they don’t stock them at the tax assessor office - they will mail it to you about a month later.

[rcazwillis]

Originally Posted by 67 chevelle

Did he have a "power of attorney " , that would work ,, I think , or "executor of will"

Dad is still with us. Just 350 miles away. We have the signatures and notory as needed. Just fun stuff to organize.

[rcazwillis]

Originally Posted by jocko

I’ve never had to have anything notarized in TX on any form. I THINK there may be a way to print a one-time or one-day tag from their website, but I haven’t done that yet..

The gift of vehicle form requires the notory. First time I have used it, but for $10 tax it is worth the effort.

You are correct about the "Transit Permit". I could go this route. Evidently, it is a print and use temporary plate.

From TxDMV.GOV:
Only one Vehicle Transit Permit may be issued. Valid for 5 days from date of issuance. The start date is the day the permit is issued. Only issued for passenger cars and light trucks. Enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) carefully. If we cannot match the VIN a Vehicle Transit Permit cannot be printed. Insurance is required to legally operate a motor vehicle in Texas.
If traveling out of state, verify that this permit is valid for operation in that state. This permit may only authorize operation of the vehicle in Texas.
Reprint will be allowed prior to the expiration date of the Vehicle Transit Permit.

[jocko]

Why not just have your dad sell it to you for a couple bucks and avoid all the additional gifting notarizing etc? (You could pay him back with a trip to McDonald’s in the truck after it’s all over )

[rcazwillis]

Originally Posted by jocko

Why not just have your dad sell it to you for a couple bucks and avoid all the additional gifting notarizing etc? (You could pay him back with a trip to McDonald’s in the truck after it’s all over )

State of Texas uses Standard Presumptive Value for calculating taxes. They don't care what you paid for it. Tax would be well over the $10 gift fee. The only difference in forms would be the one gift form 14-317.

They have a calculator on-line, but it does not like the vin because it does not have enough digits. Go figure.

[rcazwillis]

Originally Posted by jocko

and the 130U is the title app,

I got the form numbers backwards. Corrected them in original post.

[TruDom]

Originally Posted by rcazwillis

The gift of vehicle form requires the notory. First time I have used it, but for $10 tax it is worth the effort.

You are correct about the "Transit Permit". I could go this route. Evidently, it is a print and use temporary plate.

From TxDMV.GOV:
Only one Vehicle Transit Permit may be issued. Valid for 5 days from date of issuance. The start date is the day the permit is issued. Only issued for passenger cars and light trucks. Enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) carefully. If we cannot match the VIN a Vehicle Transit Permit cannot be printed. Insurance is required to legally operate a motor vehicle in Texas.
If traveling out of state, verify that this permit is valid for operation in that state. This permit may only authorize operation of the vehicle in Texas.
Reprint will be allowed prior to the expiration date of the Vehicle Transit Permit.

i tried to get the 5 day permit earlier this week (to get truck inspected) and the tax office seemed oblivious to it. they said 1 time use point to point or 30 day temp permit. i just did the 30 day for $30... dont want to wait any longer for plates i want to drive it.
this was in travis county.

Originally Posted by rcazwillis

State of Texas uses Standard Presumptive Value for calculating taxes. They don't care what you paid for it. Tax would be well over the $10 gift fee. The only difference in forms would be the one gift form 14-317.

They have a calculator on-line, but it does not like the vin because it does not have enough digits. Go figure.

Vehicles 25 years old or older do not apply to the standard presumptive value.
So it's what ever you said you paid for it. i didnt rock the boat and used what i actually bought it for. but since this sounds like a family thing it shouldnt be an issue.

[rcazwillis]

Originally Posted by TruDom

i tried to get the 5 day permit earlier this week (to get truck inspected) and the tax office seemed oblivious to it. they said 1 time use point to point or 30 day temp permit. i just did the 30 day for $30... dont want to wait any longer for plates i want to drive it.
this was in travis county.



Vehicles 25 years old or older do not apply to the standard presumptive value.
So it's what ever you said you paid for it. i didnt rock the boat and used what i actually bought it for. but since this sounds like a family thing it shouldnt be an issue.

Good to know.
Just called insurance to get liability added. Guess the system did not do all the work for the guy. He sent the card, but could not tell me cost yet.

[dfwright]

Once you get the title, and register the vehicle, you can get a temporary permit without an inspection, that will allow you to drive the truck to get inspected and bypass the trailering requirement. The permits are for various time-frames, up to 30 days.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by rcazwillis

State of Texas uses Standard Presumptive Value for calculating taxes. They don't care what you paid for it. ... They have a calculator on-line, but it does not like the vin because it does not have enough digits. Go figure.

Originally Posted by TruDom

Vehicles 25 years old or older do not apply to the standard presumptive value. So it's what ever you said you paid for it. i didnt rock the boat and used what i actually bought it for. but since this sounds like a family thing it shouldnt be an issue.

TruDom's experience matches mine - in fact, I had a bill of sale for a <25 y/o truck (above market value for a very low mileage 2001) that was the basis for the sales tax when I bought (and I hosed myself... but the truck was worth it). So that brings us back to the original discussion - maybe can avoid the notary stuff if you haven't done it yet if your Dad sells it to you for a few bucks?

I do understand the gifting logic better now, thanks for explaining it, didn't sink in on the first post where you mentioned it. Yes, I agree better scenario then Std Presumptive value on newer or expensive vehicles - but maybe not the case on a dirt cheap older vehicle(?) If not too much pain in getting the stuff notarized, etc, then it is kinda cool to have it gifted to you from your Dad - that makes it feel even more like it never left the family than if you had to pay $5 for it Good luck, hope it all works out without too much pain.

[Hutch]

Years ago my Dad gifted me a Mustang that was registered and had current tags at the time and it cost $12.50 We were both present at the DMV office
When I changed the title on my project truck I had a notarized and signed title
They asked about inspection and insurance and tags I told them that it was in pieces and they just transferred the title for a small fee

[franken]

I've never used/needed a notary in TX for title transfers and I've done a few over the years. Title tranfer in TX is pretty easy.
I don't like the insurance then inspection then get new tags/sticker bit introduced not too long ago, but that's unrelated to title transfer.

[rcazwillis]

Originally Posted by franken

I've never used/needed a notary in TX for title transfers and I've done a few over the years. Title tranfer in TX is pretty easy.
I don't like the insurance then inspection then get new tags/sticker bit introduced not too long ago, but that's unrelated to title transfer.

I was betting a notary was not necessary for the title even though it is clearly listed on the back. We just notarized all the pieces that called for it so there would be no question. Dad has a notary that works for him and our neighbor is a notary. Not really an issue. Just wanted to show for those that may be going down the road what all is involved.

Truck needs front bumper, license plate light, steering wheel, speedometer connected behind dash, PCV connected, and should be ready for inspection.

Don't tell anyone, but I will just drive it around the corner for inspection...law breaker.