Latest news with #HB718
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Bell County: State Law Simplifies Process for Metal License Plates
AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 44) – Texans will soon experience a more streamlined process for receivingmetal license plates when they purchase a car from a dealer thanks to a new state law. According to Bell County, House Bill 718 was passed by the 88th Legislature in 2023 and says motor vehicle dealers will begin issuing metal license plates directly to buyers of new and used vehicles starting July 1, 2025. 'Bell County Vehicle Registration has been working closely with our over 200 Bell Countyauto dealers since HB 718 was passed in 2023 to prepare for all the changes,' said BellCounty Tax Assessor-Collector Shay Luedeke. Buying from a Dealer: Consumers purchasing a vehicle from a Texas dealer willreceive metal license plates instead of paper temporary tags, driving off the lot withtheir plates already in place. Until their registration sticker arrives from their countyoffice, customers must keep their buyer's plate receipt in the vehicle to be able toverify the purchase and pending registration to law enforcement. Trading in a Vehicle: When consumers sell or trade in a vehicle with general issueplates, dealers may transfer the plates to another vehicle sold within ten days if theplates match the appropriate vehicle type, per Senate Bill 1902, passed by the 89thLegislature this year. Consumers with specialty license plates will keep their plates. Buying/Selling a Vehicle in a Private Sale: The private party sales process remainsunchanged:– Sellers should remove their license plates and registration stickers from thevehicle when they deliver the vehicle to the buyer.– The seller can request to transfer the plates to another vehicle they own—ifappropriate for the vehicle type—by visiting their county tax assessorcollector's office.– Sellers should submit a Vehicle Transfer Notification to the TexasDepartment of Motor Vehicles within 30 days of the sale of the vehicle.– Buyers must submit a title and registration application at their county taxassessor-collector's office and obtain new plates to register the vehicle intheir name within 30 days of purchase. 'For consumers, the most notable change will be when they drive their new car off the lot,they will have their permanent metal plate already installed,' Luedeke said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
No more paper license plates: Smith County holds training for new law going into effect on July 1
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Starting on July 1, Texas will no longer be issuing paper license plates. Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 718 into law back in 2023 which will now require dealers to issue metal plates to buyers at the time of sale. READ THE BILL: Final version of HB 718 eliminating paper license plates Another major change included in the bill is that all title transactions must now be processed electronically through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle's online webDEALER system. On Tuesday, the Smith County Tax Office hosted a free training for vehicle dealers regarding the new law. Paper tags issued prior to July 1 will remain valid until expiration. The different types of tags that will be provided are as follows: Buyer's Temporary Tags Dealer's Temporary Tags 30-Day & One-Trip Permits Dealer Agent Tags Dealer Vehicle Specific Tags Internet Down Tags Texans buying a vehicle from a dealer will receive metal license plates at the time of delivery, allowing them to immediately display the plates while awaiting their registration window sticker. When a customer sells or trades a vehicle with general issue plates, dealers will be able to remove the plates and transfer them to another vehicle of the same class sold within 10 days. The process remains unchanged for person-to-person vehicle sales. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Texas replacing paper license plates with metal ones. See when new law goes into effect
Soon, paper license plates will be a thing of the past in Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 718 on June 12, 2023 during the 88th Legislative Session, replacing all Texas paper license plates with metal ones. The new law will go into effect this summer. Here is what you need to know about HB 718. All licensed car dealers must issue metal license plates to buyers at the time of sale starting July 1, according to HB 718. Temporary tags will no longer be available for printing. The Texas Legislature enacted HB 718 in 2023 to address concerns related to the fraudulent use of paper license tags. Bootleg paper license plates have raised civil and criminal concerns in Texas. For example, according to the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), more than 16 million vehicles traveled on North Texas toll roads without making payments, resulting in over $69 million in outstanding toll charges. Grand Prairie Police Chief Daniel Scesney hopes HB 718 will rid the state of dangerous drivers. In November 2022, fellow Grand Prairie police officer Brandon Tsai died in a crash while in pursuit of a driver with a fraudulent paper tag. Here is a list of complications that law enforcement and lawmakers have cited that led to the signing of this bill: Paper tags could easily be manipulated. License holders were able to access the state's electronic tag system, input fraudulent details, and generate authentic Texas paper tags, which were then illegally sold on social media platforms. Counterfeit paper tags have been utilized to bypass toll payments, leading to substantial financial losses for toll authorities. Counterfeit tags have been used to conceal uninsured or unsafe vehicles, creating potential hazards for other motorists. Counterfeit paper tags hinder law enforcement efforts to trace vehicles and individuals engaged in criminal activities. Paper license plates are being replaced with metal plates, effective July 1, 2025. Dealers will now be required to issue temporary metal tags to replace the paper plates at the time of sale. Here are the four limited metal tags and what each color means: Buyer provisional (purple): Refers to a buyer who has expressed interest in purchasing something but hasn't fully committed yet. If you're interested in buying a car, you've told the seller you're considering it, but haven't signed the paperwork or made the payment. That's a "buyer provisional" situation. Dealer temporary (blue): A dealer temporary tag is a short-term license plate given by an authorized vehicle dealer, allowing them to legally drive vehicles on public roads for specific reasons. These tags are typically used for test drives, transporting vehicles to auctions or other dealers, and providing loaner cars. Out-of-state buyer (green): An out-of-state buyer license plate is a temporary tag issued to someone who purchases a vehicle in one state but plans to register it in another. These plates allow the buyer to legally drive the vehicle while they complete the registration process in their home state. Limited use plate (red): A limited use plate refers to a vehicle registration or license plate that comes with restrictions on how the vehicle can be used. For example, the vehicle is used for agricultural production, utility work, or emergency services, provided it travels a limited distance and is operated during the daytime. Here is what you need to know about license plates under HB 718: Metal license plates will be $10 and issued instead of the current paper one-trip and 30-day temporary permits. Car dealers must provide metal license plates issued by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of vehicle sale. The new law guarantees that dealers can secure an adequate supply of license plates in advance, allowing them to sell vehicles without significant business interruptions caused by plate shortages. All licensed dealers must use webDEALER to process title and registration applications for vehicle sales. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas is replacing paper license tags with metal plates. See deadline
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
County to close 2 tax offices temporarily
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Office of the El Paso County Tax Assessor-Collector announced that it is temporarily closing two offices, effective March 1. The offices that will be closed are at the Welcome Center on Fort Bliss and the Westside office at 424 Executive Center Blvd. The Tax Assessor-Collector's Office said that the implementation of HB 718 mandates that licensed automobile dealers report title transfers electronically to their office by July 1. 'I cannot address these changes without the proper staffing and space to focus on this major change statewide,' said Ruben P. Gonzalez, tax assessor-collector. Here is the rest of his statement: 'It is with a deep sense of frustration and regret that I must decide to close the TAC offices that serve our citizens on the Westside and our Fort Bliss Military community. Starting on March 1, 2025, I will temporarily close to the public the Tax Offices located at the Welcome Center on Fort Bliss and at 424 Executive Center Blvd. As a result of the implementation of HB718 which mandates that Licensed Automobile Dealers report title transfers electronically to my office by July 1, 2025, l cannot address these changes without the proper staffing and space to focus on this major change statewide. 'Currently, my office is assisting the Department of Motor Vehicles to get dealers to comply; otherwise, they will not be able to transfer title ownership to the buyers and lienholders. Likewise, I must transition my staff to prepare for the increase of title transfers approvals coming our way. Without staff and space, owners and lienholders cannot receive a title, we cannot collect timely Motor Vehicle Fees and Taxes, Dealers will not get reimbursed by lienholders to buy more inventory, and will not be able to make payroll for their staff, etc. 'Under new TxDMV Administrative Rules on the implementation of HB718; employee training is a vital need in my department. All Divisions in my department will be affected. This mandate is an attempt to prevent statewide fraud in temporary paper permits and dealer tags. 'Included is title fraud and Motor Vehicle Tax evasion. At the point in our county budget process that I receive additional resources, I will be more than happy to continue my duties in serving our community. Please accept my sincerest apologies for any inconveniences that are created due to my decision. I trust that you understand my predicament.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
