Tex.
Transp. Code Section 501.109
Offenses
(a)
A person commits an offense if the person:(1)
applies to the department for a title for a motor vehicle; and(2)
knows or reasonably should know that:(A)
the vehicle is a nonrepairable motor vehicle that has been repaired, rebuilt, or reconstructed;(B)
the vehicle identification number assigned to the motor vehicle belongs to a nonrepairable motor vehicle that has been repaired, rebuilt, or reconstructed;(C)
the title issued to the motor vehicle belongs to a nonrepairable motor vehicle that has been repaired, rebuilt, or reconstructed;(D)
the vehicle identification number assigned to the motor vehicle belongs to an export-only motor vehicle;(E)
the motor vehicle is an export-only motor vehicle; or(F)
the motor vehicle is a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle for which a nonrepairable vehicle title, salvage vehicle title, or comparable ownership document issued by another state or jurisdiction has not been issued.(b)
A person commits an offense if the person knowingly sells, transfers, or releases a salvage motor vehicle in violation of this subchapter.(c)
A person commits an offense if the person knowingly fails or refuses to surrender a regular certificate of title after the person:(1)
receives a notice from an insurance company that the motor vehicle is a nonrepairable or salvage motor vehicle; or(2)
knows the vehicle has become a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle under Section 501.1001 (Salvage Motor Vehicles or Nonrepairable Motor Vehicles for Insurance Companies or Self-insured Persons).(d)
Except as provided by Subsection (e), an offense under Subsection (a), (b), or (c) is a Class C misdemeanor.(e)
If it is shown on the trial of an offense under Subsection (a), (b), or (c) that the defendant has been previously convicted of:(1)
one offense under Subsection (a), (b), or (c), the offense is a Class B misdemeanor; or(2)
two or more offenses under Subsection (a), (b), or (c), the offense is a state jail felony.(f)
Subsection (c) does not apply to an applicant for a title under Sections 501.0925 (Insurance Company Not Required to Surrender Certificates of Title in Certain Situations) and 501.0935 (Issuance of Title to Salvage Pool Operator).(g)
A person commits an offense if the person knowingly provides false or incorrect information or without legal authority signs the name of another person on:(1)
an application for a title to a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle;(2)
an application for a certified copy of an original title to a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle;(3)
an assignment of title for a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle;(4)
a discharge of a lien on a title for a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle; or(5)
any other document required by the department or necessary for the transfer of ownership of a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle.(h)
An offense under Subsection (g) is a felony of the third degree.
Source:
Section 501.109 — Offenses, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.501.htm#501.109
(accessed Apr. 20, 2024).