Tex. Codes » Transportation Code · TITLE 7. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC · SUBTITLE A. CERTIFICATES OF TITLE AND REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES · CHAPTER 501. CERTIFICATE OF TITLE ACT
Texas Codes

Tex. Transp. Code § 501.022 (2026)

Motor Vehicle Title Required

✓ current as of May 2026
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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 dealer's license plate 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.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 668 (H.B. 718), Sec. 4, eff. July 1, 2025.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases, 1997–2019 · leading case: Lundy v. First Nat'l Bank (In Re Dota), 288 B.R. 448 (S.D. Tex. 2003).
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Lundy v. First Nat'l Bank (In Re Dota), 288 B.R. 448 (S.D. Tex. 2003). “The duties imposed on owners are those included in Tex. Trans. Code § 501.022, and § 501.071 discussed above.”
State v. Southwind Auto Sales, 951 S.W.2d 849 (Tex. App. 1997). “6687-1 § 27 (Vernon 1977) (amended 1995) (current version at Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 501.022 (Vernon Pamphlet 1997)).”
Wesley Perkins v. Whitney Brewster (5th Cir. 2019). “one powered by an internal combustion engine, a battery or fuel-cell, or a combination of these.” Vehicle, BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY (11th ed.”
Ibrahim M. Eterm D/B/A Prestige Motors v. Rhonda L. Crampton & Lane Crampton (Tex. App. 2009). “006 (Vernon 2006) (documentary fee); Tex. Transp. Code Ann. §§ 501.022 , .0234 (Vernon 2007) (requiring certificate of title, duty of vehicle dealer).”
— Tex. Transp. Code § 501.022(a) — 1 case
Wesley Perkins v. Whitney Brewster (5th Cir. 2019). “one powered by an internal combustion engine, a battery or fuel-cell, or a combination of these.” Vehicle, BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY (11th ed.”
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