Texas Governor Greg Abbott suspends vehicle registration and title rules
Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday he is temporarily suspending various rules related to vehicle registration, titling and disabled parking placards, in an effort to limit in-person contact and prevent Texans from facing penalties as the coronavirus spreads.
The actions are part of a series of declarations Abbott has made since issuing a state of disaster Friday. In a news release following Abbott’s announcement, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles said the waived rules will apply to vehicle owners in all Texas counties.
“The State of Texas continues to implement a comprehensive plan to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and that includes strategies to reduce preventable in-person contact,” Abbott said in a statement. “By suspending these rules, Texans can avoid unnecessary crowds and in-person contact without fear of being penalized. We encourage all Texans to continue practicing social distancing and to take preventative actions to protect their health and the health of those around them.”
Some of the suspended regulations include:
Renewing vehicle registration ahead of its expiration.
Filing a certificate of title with the the county assessor-collector within 30 days after purchasing a used car, and late fees associated with it.
Registering a vehicle within 30 days after purchasing it or becoming a Texas resident.
Certain delinquent registration provisions.
Various offenses for driving with an expired license plate, or for not properly displaying registration.
Expiration dates for disabled parking placards, and provisions related to enforcement of handicapped parking spaces.
As part of the waived regulations, Abbott also granted a temporary extension to individuals with an expired 30-day temporary permit to obtain another permit or Texas registration.
The regulations will be waived until 60 days after TxDMV notifies the public that normal vehicle registration, vehicle titling and related services have resumed, according to a news release.
The TxDMV informed offices of county tax assessor-collectors and law enforcement of the waived regulations, according to the news release. And Texans can also renew their registration and more online at renew.txdmv.gov.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is also temporarily waiving expiration dates for Texas driver’s licenses.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 5:37 PM.
