Tex. Transp. Code Section 501.002
Definitions


In this chapter:

(1)

“Assembled vehicle” has the meaning assigned by Section 731.001 (Definitions).

(1-a)

“Certificate of title” means a printed record of title issued under Section 501.021 (Title for Motor Vehicle).

(2)

“Credit card” means a card, plate, or similar device used to make a purchase or to borrow money.

(3)

“Dealer” has the meaning assigned by Section 503.001 (Definitions).

(4)

“Debit card” means a card that enables the holder to withdraw money or to have the cost of a purchase charged directly to the holder’s bank account.

(5)

“Department” means the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

(6)

“Distributor” has the meaning assigned by Section 2301.002 (Definitions), Occupations Code.

(7)

Repealed by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 485 (H.B. 2188), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2019.

(8)

“First sale” means:

(A)

the bargain, sale, transfer, or delivery of a motor vehicle, other than an assembled vehicle, that has not been previously registered or titled, with intent to pass an interest in the motor vehicle, other than a lien, regardless of where the bargain, sale, transfer, or delivery occurred; and

(B)

the registration or titling of that vehicle.

(9)

“House trailer” means a trailer designed for human habitation. The term does not include manufactured housing.

(10)

“Importer” means a person, other than a manufacturer, that brings a used motor vehicle into this state for sale in this state.

(11)

“Importer’s certificate” means a certificate for a used motor vehicle brought into this state for sale in this state.

(12)

“Lien” means:

(A)

a lien provided for by the constitution or statute in a motor vehicle;

(B)

a security interest, as defined by Section 1.201 (General Definitions), Business & Commerce Code, in a motor vehicle, other than an absolute title, created by any written security agreement, as defined by Section 9.102 (Definitions and Index of Definitions), Business & Commerce Code, including a lease, conditional sales contract, deed of trust, chattel mortgage, trust receipt, or reservation of title; or

(C)

a child support lien under Chapter 157 (Enforcement), Family Code.

(13)

“Manufactured housing” has the meaning assigned by Chapter 1201 (Manufactured Housing), Occupations Code.

(14)

“Manufacturer” has the meaning assigned by Section 503.001 (Definitions).

(15)

“Manufacturer’s permanent vehicle identification number” means the number affixed by the manufacturer to a motor vehicle in a manner and place easily accessible for physical examination and die-stamped or otherwise permanently affixed on one or more removable parts of the vehicle.

(16)

“Motorcycle” has the meaning assigned by Section 521.001 (Definitions) or 541.201 (Vehicles), as applicable.

(17)

“Motor vehicle” means:

(A)

any motor driven or propelled vehicle required to be registered under the laws of this state;

(B)

a trailer or semitrailer, other than manufactured housing, that has a gross vehicle weight that exceeds 4,000 pounds;

(C)

a travel trailer;

(D)

an off-highway vehicle, as defined by Section 551A.001 (Definitions); or

(E)

a motorcycle or moped that is not required to be registered under the laws of this state.

(18)

“New motor vehicle” has the meaning assigned by Section 2301.002 (Definitions), Occupations Code.

(19)

“Owner” means a person, other than a manufacturer, importer, distributor, or dealer, claiming title to or having a right to operate under a lien a motor vehicle that has been subject to a first sale.

(20)

“Purchaser” means a person or entity to which a motor vehicle is donated, given, sold, or otherwise transferred.

(21)

“Record of title” means an electronic record of motor vehicle ownership in the department’s motor vehicle database that is created under Subchapter I.

(22)

“Seller” means a person or entity that donates, gives, sells, or otherwise transfers ownership of a motor vehicle.

(23)

“Semitrailer” means a vehicle that is designed or used with a motor vehicle so that part of the weight of the vehicle and its load rests on or is carried by another vehicle.

(24)

“Serial number” means a vehicle identification number that is affixed to a part of a motor vehicle and that is:

(A)

the manufacturer’s permanent vehicle identification number;

(B)

a derivative number of the manufacturer’s permanent vehicle identification number;

(C)

the motor number;

(D)

the vehicle identification number assigned by the department; or

(E)

the vehicle identification number assigned by the maker of a kit, if the vehicle is an assembled vehicle that is assembled from a kit.

(25)

“Steal” has the meaning assigned by Section 31.01 (Definitions), Penal Code.

(26)

“Subsequent sale” means:

(A)

the bargain, sale, transfer, or delivery of a used motor vehicle, with intent to pass an interest in the vehicle, other than a lien; and

(B)

the registration of the vehicle if registration is required under the laws of this state.

(27)

“Title” means a certificate or record of title that is issued under Section 501.021 (Title for Motor Vehicle).

(28)

“Title receipt” means a document issued under Section 501.024 (Title Receipt).

(29)

“Trailer” means a vehicle that:

(A)

is designed or used to carry a load wholly on the trailer’s own structure; and

(B)

is drawn or designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle.

(30)

“Travel trailer” means a house trailer-type vehicle or a camper trailer:

(A)

that is a recreational vehicle defined under 24 C.F.R. Section 3282.8(g); or

(B)

that:
(i)
is less than eight feet six inches in width or 45 feet in length, exclusive of any hitch installed on the vehicle;
(ii)
is designed primarily for use as temporary living quarters in connection with recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use;
(iii)
is not used as a permanent dwelling; and
(iv)
is not a utility trailer, enclosed trailer, or other trailer that does not have human habitation as its primary function.

(31)

“Used motor vehicle” means:

(A)

a motor vehicle that has been the subject of a first sale; or

(B)

an assembled vehicle that has been issued a title.

(32)

“Vehicle identification number” means:

(A)

the manufacturer’s permanent vehicle identification number affixed by the manufacturer to the motor vehicle that is easily accessible for physical examination and permanently affixed on one or more removable parts of the vehicle; or

(B)

a serial number affixed to a part of a motor vehicle that is:
(i)
a derivative number of the manufacturer’s permanent vehicle identification number;
(ii)
the motor number;
(iii)
a vehicle identification number assigned by the department; or
(iv)
the vehicle identification number assigned by the maker of a kit, if the vehicle is an assembled vehicle that is assembled from a kit.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 414, Sec. 2.42, eff. July 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 14A.821, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 586 (H.B. 1646), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 972 (S.B. 228), Sec. 64, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 933 (H.B. 3097), Sec. 2D.01, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1136 (H.B. 2553), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 (H.B. 2357), Sec. 1, eff. January 1, 2012.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 969 (S.B. 2076), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 485 (H.B. 2188), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 882 (H.B. 3171), Sec. 2.02, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1079 (H.B. 1755), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1233 (H.B. 1548), Sec. 8, eff. June 14, 2019.

Source: Section 501.002 — Definitions, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.­501.­htm#501.­002 (accessed Apr. 20, 2024).

501.001
Short Title
501.002
Definitions
501.003
Purpose
501.004
Applicability
501.006
Alias Title
501.008
Title for Autocycle
501.021
Title for Motor Vehicle
501.022
Motor Vehicle Title Required
501.023
Application for Title
501.024
Title Receipt
501.025
Manufacturer’s Certificate Required on First Sale
501.027
Issuance of Title
501.028
Signatures
501.029
Acceptable Proof of Ownership
501.030
Motor Vehicles Brought into State
501.031
Rights of Survivorship Agreement
501.032
Identification Number Inspection Required
501.033
Assignment and Reassignment of Identification Number by Department
501.034
Issuance of Title to Government Agency
501.035
Title for Former Military Vehicle
501.036
Title for Farm Trailer or Farm Semitrailer
501.037
Title for Trailers or Semitrailers
501.038
Certificate of Title for Custom Vehicle or Street Rod
501.0041
Rules
501.051
Grounds for Refusal to Issue or for Revocation or Suspension of Title
501.052
Hearing on Refusal to Issue or Revocation or Suspension of Title
501.053
Filing of Bond as Alternative to Hearing
501.071
Sale of Vehicle
501.072
Odometer Disclosure Statement
501.073
Sales in Violation of Chapter
501.074
Transfer of Vehicle by Operation of Law
501.076
Limited Power of Attorney
501.091
Definitions
501.095
Sale, Transfer, or Release
501.097
Application for Nonrepairable Vehicle Title or Salvage Vehicle Title
501.099
Sale of Export-only Motor Vehicles
501.100
Application for Regular Certificate of Title for Salvage Vehicle
501.104
Rebuilder to Possess Title or Other Documentation
501.107
Applicability of Subchapter to Recycler
501.108
Record Retention
501.109
Offenses
501.110
Enforcement of Subchapter
501.111
Perfection of Security Interest
501.112
Sale or Security Interest Not Created by Certain Vehicle Leases
501.113
Recordation of Security Interest
501.114
Assignment of Lien
501.115
Discharge of Lien
501.116
Cancellation of Discharged Lien
501.117
Electronic Lien System
501.132
Duplicate Title Receipt
501.134
Certified Copy of Lost or Destroyed Certificate of Title
501.135
Record of Stolen or Concealed Motor Vehicle
501.138
Collection and Disposition of Fees
501.139
Electronic Funds Transfer
501.145
Filing by Purchaser
501.146
Title Transfer
501.147
Vehicle Transfer Notification
501.148
Allocation of Fees
501.151
Placement of Serial Number with Intent to Change Identity
501.152
Sale or Offer Without Title Receipt or Title
501.153
Application for Title for Stolen or Concealed Vehicle
501.154
Alteration of Certificate or Receipt
501.155
False Name, False Information, and Forgery
501.156
Duty of Transporters to Determine Right of Possession
501.157
Penalties
501.158
Seizure of Stolen Vehicle or Vehicle with Altered Vehicle Identification Number
501.161
Execution of Transfer Documents
501.162
Motor Number Required for Registration
501.163
Application for Motor Number Record
501.171
Application of Subchapter
501.172
Definitions
501.173
Electronic Titling System
501.174
Validity of Electronic Documents
501.175
Recording of Documents
501.176
Payment of Fees by Electronic Funds Transfer or Credit Card
501.177
Service Charge
501.178
Disposition of Fees
501.179
Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act
501.0234
Duty of Vehicle Dealer on Sale of Certain Vehicles
501.0235
Personal Identification Information for Obtaining Title
501.0236
Issuance of Title and Permits When Dealer Goes out of Business
501.0275
Issuance of Title for Unregistered Vehicle
501.0276
Denial of Title Receipt, Title, or Record of Title for Failure to Provide Proof of Emissions Testing
501.0301
Certain Off-highway Vehicles Purchased Outside This State
501.0315
Beneficiary Designation
501.0321
Identification Number Inspection
501.0322
Alternative Identification Number Inspection
501.0331
Motor Number Required for Registration
501.0332
Application for Motor Number Record
501.0341
Issuance of Title to Government Agency for Travel Trailer
501.0521
Court Ordered Title Changes
501.0721
Delivery of Receipt and Title to Purchaser of Used Motor Vehicle
501.0925
Insurance Company Not Required to Surrender Certificates of Title in Certain Situations
501.0935
Issuance of Title to Salvage Pool Operator
501.1001
Salvage Motor Vehicles or Nonrepairable Motor Vehicles for Insurance Companies or Self-insured Persons
501.1002
Owner-retained Vehicles
501.1003
Salvage Dealer Responsibilities
501.09111
Rights and Limitations of Nonrepairable Vehicle Title, Nonrepairable Record of Title, Salvage Vehicle Title, or Salvage Record of Title
501.09112
Appearance of Nonrepairable Vehicle Title or Salvage Vehicle Title
501.09113
Out-of-state Salvage or Rebuilt Salvage Vehicle

Accessed:
Apr. 20, 2024

§ 501.002’s source at texas​.gov