Sec. 501.022. MOTOR VEHICLE TITLE REQUIRED. (a) The owner of a motor vehicle registered in this state:
(1) except as provided by Section 501.029, shall apply for title to the vehicle; and
(2) may not operate or permit the operation of the vehicle on a public highway until the owner:
(A) applies for title and registration for the vehicle; or
(B) obtains a receipt evidencing title for registration purposes only under Section 501.029.
(b) A person may not operate a motor vehicle registered in this state on a public highway if the person knows or has reason to believe that the owner has not applied for a title for the vehicle.
(c) The owner of a motor vehicle that is required to be titled and registered in this state must obtain a title to the vehicle before selling or disposing of the vehicle.
(d) Subsection (c) does not apply to a motor vehicle operated on a public highway in this state with a metal dealer's license plate or a dealer's or buyer's temporary tag attached to the vehicle as provided by Chapter 503.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 67, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 793 (S.B. 1235), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 (H.B. 2357), Sec. 7, eff. January 1, 2012.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 (H.B. 2357), Sec. 8, eff. January 1, 2012.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1135 (H.B. 2741), Sec. 42, eff. September 1, 2013.
Structure Texas Statutes
Title 7 - Vehicles and Traffic
Subtitle A - Certificates of Title and Registration of Vehicles
Chapter 501 - Certificate of Title Act
Subchapter B. Certificate of Title Requirements
Section 501.021. Title for Motor Vehicle
Section 501.022. Motor Vehicle Title Required
Section 501.023. Application for Title
Section 501.0234. Duty of Vehicle Dealer on Sale of Certain Vehicles
Section 501.0235. Personal Identification Information for Obtaining Title
Section 501.0236. Issuance of Title and Permits When Dealer Goes Out of Business
Section 501.024. Title Receipt
Section 501.025. Manufacturer's Certificate Required on First Sale
Section 501.027. Issuance of Title
Section 501.0275. Issuance of Title for Unregistered Vehicle
Section 501.029. Acceptable Proof of Ownership
Section 501.030. Motor Vehicles Brought Into State
Section 501.0301. Certain Off-Highway Vehicles Purchased Outside This State
Section 501.031. Rights of Survivorship Agreement
Section 501.0315. Beneficiary Designation
Section 501.032. Identification Number Inspection Required
Section 501.0321. Identification Number Inspection
Section 501.0322. Alternative Identification Number Inspection
Section 501.033. Assignment and Reassignment of Identification Number by Department
Section 501.0331. Motor Number Required for Registration
Section 501.0332. Application for Motor Number Record
Section 501.034. Issuance of Title to Government Agency
Section 501.0341. Issuance of Title to Government Agency for Travel Trailer
Section 501.035. Title for Former Military Vehicle
Section 501.036. Title for Farm Trailer or Farm Semitrailer
Section 501.037. Title for Trailers or Semitrailers
Section 501.038. Certificate of Title for Custom Vehicle or Street Rod