Application for Authority to Dispose of a Motor Vehicle to a Demolisher
Information for Applicants Who Are the Motor Vehicle Owners
Applicants with a motor vehicle last titled in Texas must surrendered the Texas Certificate of Title if not lost or
destroyed
; however, the Texas Certificate of Title is not required if the department is able to verify the applicant is the
owner in the department’s system.
Applicants with a motor vehicle last titled outside of Texas must submit the certificate of title in their name.
Applicants who are not the recorded owner must submit a certificate of title or other valid ownership evidence
showing the motor vehicle has been transferred to the applicant. Other valid ownership evidence includes, but is not
limited to, a manufacturer’s certificate of origin, registration receipt (if the motor vehicle is non-titled), or law
enforcement auction sales receipt.
Information for Applicants Applying on Abandoned Motor Vehicles
A motor vehicle is abandoned if it:
1) is inoperable, is more than five years old, and has been left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours;
2) has remained illegally on public property for more than 48 hours;
3) has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in charge of the property for more
than 48 hours;
4) has been left unattended on the right-of-way of a designated county, state, or federal highway for more than 48
hours;
5) has been left unattended for more than 24 hours on the right-of-way of a turnpike project constructed and
maintained by the Texas Turnpike Authority division of the Texas Department of Transportation or a controlled
access highway; or
6) is an impounded commercial motor vehicle at a vehicle storage facility and the delinquent administrative penalty
has not been paid to the Texas Department of Public Safety by the 11th day after being impounded.
Department Notification Required
If an application is received for an abandoned motor vehicle, the department is required to send a notice to any
owner(s) and lienholder(s) of the abandoned motor vehicle identified in the department’s system. If no record is
found in the department’s system, the department is required to publish a notice on the department’s website. The
owner(s) or lienholder(s) have 20 days from the date the notice is mailed or published to claim the motor vehicle. If
the department is not informed the vehicle has been claimed by the 20
th
day, the department will issue the Certificate
of Authority to the applicant.
As a result of these requirements, issuance of a Certificate of Authority may take up to 30 days from the date the
application is received by the department.
Claimed Abandoned Motor Vehicles
If the abandoned motor vehicle is claimed after this application has been submitted to the department, please contact
the Vehicle Titles and Registration Division immediately at (512) 465-5659, option 1, to prevent the Certificate of
Authority from being issued. However, the $2.00 application fee is non-refundable.
Identifying the Correct Vehicle Identification Number
The identification number on the body is recognized as the vehicle identification number (VIN) for most vehicles;
however, the identification number on the frame or motor may be recognized as the VIN for certain vehicles based on
the make and year of the vehicle. Refer to the Assembled and Reconstructed Vehicle Manual (Section 2.3) for
additional information on determining the appropriate identification number based on the year and make of the
vehicle.
Odometer Reading Information
An odometer reading is required if the vehicle is subject to odometer disclosure. If the odometer reading cannot be
established, please indicate “1” and mark “Not Actual.” If the vehicle is exempt from odometer disclosure, you must
mark the odometer reading as “Exempt.”
VTR-71-2 Rev 11/20 Form available online at www.TxDMV.gov Page 2 of 2
