Texas Statutes
Subchapter B. Certificate of Title Requirements
Section 501.022. Motor Vehicle Title Required

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

Texas Statutes

Transportation Code

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 501.0276. Denial of Title Receipt, Title, or Record of Title for Failure to Provide Proof of Emissions Testing

Section 501.028. Signatures

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