Texas Title Transfer Guide (2026)
| Titling agency | Texas DMV ↗ |
| Transfer deadline | 30 days from sale |
| Sales / use tax | 6.25% · Tax based on Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) or purchase price, whichever is higher |
| Bill of sale notary | Not required |
| VIN inspection (out-of-state) | Required · Out-of-state vehicles must pass a Texas safety inspection before registration. No separate VIN inspection form, but the safety inspection verifies VIN. |
| Lien release form | VTR-262 ↗ |
| Gift / family exemption | Form 14-317 ↗ |
Texas title transfer in 8 steps
- 1Gather documents — original title (or duplicate if lost), valid government ID, current registration, lien release (VTR-262) if applicable, and odometer disclosure for vehicles under 20 years old.
- 2Complete the bill of sale — record buyer + seller full legal names and addresses, vehicle VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, sale price, and sale date.
- 3Sign the title — seller endorses the title assignment section on the back, fills in buyer info, odometer reading, and sale date. Texas requires odometer disclosure for vehicles under 15 years old.
- 4Complete VIN inspection — Texas requires VIN inspection for out-of-state vehicles. Schedule with Texas DMV or a licensed inspector. Out-of-state vehicles must pass a Texas safety inspection before registration. No separate VIN inspection form, but the safety inspection verifies VIN.
- 5Buyer files at Texas DMV — within 30 days of the sale, the buyer brings the signed title, bill of sale, and ID to Texas DMV.
- 6Pay tax and fees — 6.25% sales/use tax on the sale price plus any local surtax, plus the title fee ($15-$50).
- 7Receive new title — Texas DMV issues a new title in the buyer's name (typically by mail within 2-4 weeks).
- 8Seller files release of liability — to remove future ticket/toll responsibility from the seller's record, file a notice of transfer with Texas DMV the same day as the sale.
Texas lien release procedure
- Obtain Form VTR-262 from the TxDMV website.
- Lienholder completes Part A (lienholder information) and notarizes.
- Owner submits VTR-262 with title application at the county tax assessor-collector.
- Pay title fee ($33).
- Receive clean title by mail within 2–4 weeks.
Inherited vehicle title transfer
Texas estate transfers require either a small-estate affidavit (for estates below the state threshold, typically $50,000-$150,000) or letters of administration from probate court. The successor presents probate paperwork plus the original title to Texas DMV. For family transfers without sale, Texas accepts Form 14-317 for sales-tax exemption.
Need a Texas bill of sale to complete the transfer?
Compliant with Texas DMV requirements. From $9 — instant DMV-ready PDF, no signup.
Create Texas Bill of Sale →Frequently Asked Questions — Texas
How long do I have to transfer a car title in Texas?▾
Texas requires the buyer to file the title transfer within 30 days of the sale date. Missing the deadline triggers late penalties (typically $25-$50) and accrued use tax. TX does not require a notarized bill of sale; however, Form 14-317 (Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer) must be notarized.
What does a Texas title transfer cost?▾
Texas charges 6.25% state sales/use tax on the transfer price plus any local surtax. Tax based on Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) or purchase price, whichever is higher The title fee itself is typically $15-$50 depending on vehicle class.
Do I need a bill of sale to transfer a title in Texas?▾
Yes — Texas requires a written bill of sale documenting the buyer, seller, vehicle (VIN, year, make, model), odometer reading, and sale price. Texas DMV uses the bill of sale to calculate sales tax and confirm transfer terms.
What if there's a lien on the title in Texas?▾
In Texas, the lender must complete VTR-262 (available at https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/form_files/VTR-262.pdf) confirming lien satisfaction before title transfer. Some lenders provide an electronic release directly to Texas DMV. The buyer cannot register the vehicle until the lien is cleared.
How do I transfer a title for an inherited vehicle in Texas?▾
Texas inherited-vehicle transfers require either a small-estate affidavit or letters of administration depending on estate value. The successor presents probate paperwork plus the original title (or duplicate) to Texas DMV, along with a bill of sale for any sale to a third party. For family transfers, Texas accepts Form 14-317 to claim the sales tax exemption.
Source: Texas DMV ↗ · Last verified 2026-05-07