Sec. 502.040. REGISTRATION REQUIRED; GENERAL RULE. (a) Not more than 30 days after purchasing a vehicle or becoming a resident of this state, the owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer shall apply for the registration of the vehicle for:
(1) each registration year in which the vehicle is used or to be used on a public highway; and
(2) if the vehicle is unregistered for a registration year that has begun and that applies to the vehicle and if the vehicle is used or to be used on a public highway, the remaining portion of that registration year.
(b) The application must be accompanied by personal identification as determined by department rule and made in a manner prescribed by the department through:
(1) the county assessor-collector of the county in which the owner resides; or
(2) any county assessor-collector who is willing to accept the application.
(c) A provision of this chapter that conflicts with this section prevails over this section to the extent of the conflict.
(d) A county assessor-collector, a deputy county assessor-collector, or a person acting on behalf of a county assessor-collector is not liable to any person for:
(1) refusing to register a vehicle because of the person's failure to submit evidence of residency that complies with the department's rules; or
(2) registering a vehicle under this section.
Transferred, redesignated and amended from Transportation Code, Section 502.002 by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 (H.B. 2357), Sec. 78, eff. January 1, 2012.
Amended by:
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1135 (H.B. 2741), Sec. 63, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 968 (S.B. 2075), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 592 (S.B. 876), Sec. 5, eff. March 1, 2022.
Structure Texas Statutes
Title 7 - Vehicles and Traffic
Subtitle A - Certificates of Title and Registration of Vehicles
Chapter 502 - Registration of Vehicles
Subchapter B. Registration Requirements
Section 502.040. Registration Required; General Rule
Section 502.041. Initial Registration
Section 502.042. Title Required for Registration
Section 502.043. Application for Registration and Certain Permits
Section 502.0435. Online Registration Renewal
Section 502.044. Registration Period
Section 502.045. Delinquent Registration
Section 502.046. Evidence of Financial Responsibility
Section 502.047. Registration-Based Enforcement of Motor Vehicle Inspection Requirements
Section 502.048. Refusal to Register Unsafe Vehicle
Section 502.055. Determination of Weight and Seating Capacity
Section 502.056. Disputed Classification of Vehicle
Section 502.057. Registration Receipt
Section 502.058. Duplicate Registration Receipt
Section 502.059. Issuance of Registration Insignia
Section 502.060. Replacement of Registration Insignia
Section 502.061. Registration by Owner With Condition That Impedes Effective Communication