Tex. Transp. Code Section 503.038
Cancellation of General Distinguishing Number


(a)

The department may cancel a dealer’s general distinguishing number if the dealer:

(1)

falsifies or forges a title document, including an affidavit making application for a certified copy of a title;

(2)

files a false or forged tax document, including a sales tax affidavit;

(3)

fails to take assignment of any basic evidence of ownership, including a certificate of title or manufacturer’s certificate, for a vehicle the dealer acquires;

(4)

fails to assign any basic evidence of ownership, including a certificate of title or manufacturer’s certificate, for a vehicle the dealer sells;

(5)

uses or permits the use of a metal dealer’s license plate or a dealer’s temporary tag on a vehicle that the dealer does not own or control or that is not in stock and offered for sale;

(6)

makes a material misrepresentation in an application or other information filed with the department;

(7)

fails to maintain the qualifications for a general distinguishing number;

(8)

fails to provide to the department within 30 days after the date of demand by the department satisfactory and reasonable evidence that the person is regularly and actively engaged in business as a wholesale or retail dealer;

(9)

has been licensed for at least 12 months and has not assigned at least five vehicles during the previous 12-month period;

(10)

has failed to demonstrate compliance with Sections 23.12 (Inventory), 23.121 (Dealer’s Motor Vehicle Inventory; Value), and 23.122 (Prepayment of Taxes by Certain Taxpayers), Tax Code;

(11)

uses or allows the use of the dealer’s general distinguishing number or the location for which the general distinguishing number is issued to avoid the requirements of this chapter;

(12)

misuses or allows the misuse of a temporary tag authorized under this chapter;

(13)

refuses to show on a buyer’s temporary tag the date of sale or other reasonable information required by the department; or

(14)

otherwise violates this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter.

(a)

The department may cancel a dealer’s general distinguishing number if the dealer:

(1)

falsifies or forges a title document, including an affidavit making application for a certified copy of a title;

(2)

files a false or forged tax document, including a sales tax affidavit;

(3)

fails to take assignment of any basic evidence of ownership, including a certificate of title or manufacturer’s certificate, for a vehicle the dealer acquires;

(4)

fails to assign any basic evidence of ownership, including a certificate of title or manufacturer’s certificate, for a vehicle the dealer sells;

(5)

uses or permits the use of a dealer’s license plate on a vehicle that the dealer does not own or control or that is not in stock and offered for sale;

(6)

makes a material misrepresentation in an application or other information filed with the department;

(7)

fails to maintain the qualifications for a general distinguishing number;

(8)

fails to provide to the department within 30 days after the date of demand by the department satisfactory and reasonable evidence that the person is regularly and actively engaged in business as a wholesale or retail dealer;

(9)

has been licensed for at least 12 months and has not assigned at least five vehicles during the previous 12-month period;

(10)

has failed to demonstrate compliance with Sections 23.12 (Inventory), 23.121 (Dealer’s Motor Vehicle Inventory; Value), and 23.122 (Prepayment of Taxes by Certain Taxpayers), Tax Code;

(11)

uses or allows the use of the dealer’s general distinguishing number or the location for which the general distinguishing number is issued to avoid the requirements of this chapter; or

(12)

otherwise violates this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter.

(b)

The department shall cancel a dealer’s general distinguishing number if the dealer obtains the number by submitting false or misleading information.

(c)

A person whose general distinguishing number is canceled under this chapter shall surrender to a representative of the department each license, license plate, temporary tag, sticker, and receipt issued under this chapter not later than the 10th day after the date the general distinguishing number is canceled. The department shall direct any peace officer to secure and return to the department any plate, tag, sticker, or receipt of a person who does not comply with this subsection.

(c)

A person whose general distinguishing number is canceled under this chapter shall surrender to a representative of the department each license, license plate, sticker, and receipt issued under this chapter not later than the 10th day after the date the general distinguishing number is canceled. The department shall direct any peace officer or designated department employee to secure and return to the department any plate, sticker, or receipt of a person who does not comply with this subsection.

(d)

A person whose general distinguishing number is canceled automatically loses any benefits and privileges afforded under Chapter 501 (Certificate of Title Act) to the person as a dealer.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.69(i), eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 871, Sec. 4, 11(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1320, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 793 (S.B. 1235), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 668 (H.B. 718), Sec. 10, eff. July 1, 2025.

Source: Section 503.038 — Cancellation of General Distinguishing Number, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.­503.­htm#503.­038 (accessed Apr. 20, 2024).

503.001
Definitions
503.002
Rules
503.003
Display or Sale of Nonmotorized Vehicle or Trailer
503.004
Buying, Selling, Exchanging, or Manufacturing Vehicles
503.005
Notice of Sale or Transfer
503.006
Notice of Change of Address
503.007
Fees for General Distinguishing Number
503.008
Fees for License Plates
503.009
Procedure for Certain Contested Cases
503.010
Term of General Distinguishing Number, License, or License Plate
503.011
Prorating Fees
503.012
Collected Money
503.013
Dealer Transfer of Certain Assembled Vehicles Prohibited
503.021
Dealer General Distinguishing Number
503.022
Wholesale Motor Vehicle Auction General Distinguishing Number
503.023
Drive-a-way Operator License
503.024
Exclusions for Dealer
503.025
Wholesale Motor Vehicle Auction Exception
503.026
Requirement for Each Type of Dealer Vehicle
503.027
Requirements Relating to Dealer Location
503.028
Requirements Relating to Wholesale Motor Vehicle Auction Location
503.029
Application for Dealer General Distinguishing Number
503.030
Application for Wholesale Motor Vehicle Auction General Distinguishing Number
503.031
Application for Drive-a-way In-transit License
503.032
Established and Permanent Place of Business
503.033
Security Requirement
503.034
Issuance and Renewal or Denial of Dealer or Wholesale Motor Vehicle Auction General Distinguishing Number
503.035
Issuance and Renewal of Drive-a-way In-transit License
503.036
Reassignment of Evidence of Ownership
503.037
Rights of Wholesale Motor Vehicle Auction
503.038
Cancellation of General Distinguishing Number
503.039
Public Motor Vehicle Auctions
503.040
Sales of Certain Used Motor Vehicles Constitute Private Disposition
503.061
Dealer’s License Plates
503.062
Dealer’s Temporary Tags
503.063
Buyer’s Temporary Tags
503.064
Manufacturer’s License Plates
503.065
Buyer’s Out-of-state License Plates
503.066
Application for Dealer’s or Manufacturer’s License Plates
503.067
Unauthorized Reproduction, Purchase, Use, or Sale of Temporary Tags
503.068
Limitation on Use of Dealer’s License Plates and Tags
503.069
Display of License Plates and Tags
503.070
Removal of Out-of-state License Plates
503.071
Notice of Driving or Towing from out of State
503.091
Enforcement Agreement
503.092
Action to Enforce Chapter
503.093
Action to Enforce Subchapter
503.094
Criminal Penalty
503.095
Civil Penalty
503.096
Towing of Vehicles
503.0295
Independent Mobility Motor Vehicle Dealers
503.0296
Independent Motor Vehicle Dealer Education and Training Requirement
503.0615
Personalized Prestige Dealer’s License Plates
503.0618
Converter’s License Plates
503.0625
Converter’s Temporary Tags
503.0626
Dealer’s and Converter’s Temporary Tag Database
503.0631
Buyer’s Temporary Tag Database
503.0632
Department Regulation of Temporary Tags and Access to Temporary Tag Databases
503.0633
Department Regulation of Dealer-issued License Plates and Access to Database of Dealer-issued License Plates
503.0671
Unauthorized Use or Distribution of Dealer-issued License Plate

Accessed:
Apr. 20, 2024

§ 503.038’s source at texas​.gov