TxDMV Motor Vehicle Division and Enforcement Division is pleased to offer services to our existing dealers/licensees and those in the application process. We are here to serve you. Whatever your needs are, our goal is to assist you quickly with clear, straightforward information. Stay tuned for rule updates on the website, and let us know how we can make your experience with TxDMV a better one! We appreciate working with you.
Phase 1 of webDEALER included statewide rollout to dealers of new vehicles. Phase 2 has included rollout to dealers of used vehicles, beginning with a pilot group and extending statewide to all dealers March 1, 2015. Future phases of webDEALER will expand use to salvage dealers and private party sales.
If you would like to sign up for webDEALER, contact your local county tax office.
Tools at Your Service
These applications have icons to quickly launch the tool you need. Here’s what these tools do for you:
License Application Status Check
Visit License Application Status Check
Check the status of your license application by entering your assigned work item number
Motor Vehicle Inquiry
Establish a motor vehicle inquiry account that allows for remote access to motor vehicle title and registration records under certain conditions
We also have tools to help you with your business needs:
- Dealer Training Seminars
TxDMV offers free training seminars for dealers to educate the licensee body about the rules and regulations that govern their business
Dealer Tips
The TxDMV Dealer Tips section provides motor vehicle dealers with abbreviated guidelines, observations or considerations to increase your success in complying with the Texas Rules and Statutes.
Electronic Lien Titles
Electronic Lien Titles:
Helpful tips for handling Electronic Lien Titles (or e-titles) on vehicles taken in trade.
Use of Power of Attorney and Dealer Reassignment Forms
Eligibility
Licensee categories eligible for metal dealer plates include:
- Distributor
- Franchised or Independent motor vehicle dealers
- Franchised or Independent motorcycle dealers
- Franchised or Independent travel trailer dealers
- In-transit operator
- Independent mobility motor vehicle dealers
- Manufacturer
- Motor vehicle converter
- Motorcycle converter
- Utility trailers or Semi-trailer dealers
- Wholesale dealer
Licensees may apply for metal plates online in eLICENSING.
More Information
Additional information can be found on the Dealer License Plate page
License Renewals
License holders are required to regularly renew their licenses in order to continue business activities. All license holders, except Salvage Dealers, renew every two years. Salvage Dealers renew annually.
Renew your license directly within the eLICENSING system by logging on and choosing Renew a License.
Renewals must be received by TxDMV before the expiration date in order to continue your business activities. A license holder may not engage in licensed activities with an expired license. The license holder may submit a renewal application along with a late fee as follows:
- Salvage Dealers – may be submitted up to one year after the license expires. If your renewal is received before your expiration date, no late fee is charged and you may continue to operate. If it is received after the expiration date you may not engage in licensed activities until the renewal is approved.
- All others – may submit up to one year after the license expires. If your renewal is received before your expiration date, no late fee is charged and you may continue to operate. If it is received after the expiration date you may not engage in licensed activities until the renewal is approved.
- All others – may submit up to 90 days after the license expires. If your renewal is received before your expiration date, no late fee is charged and you may continue to operate. If it is received after the expiration date you may not engage in licensed activities until the renewal is approved.
Note:If you do not submit a renewal application by the end of the grace period, you will have to apply for a new license to resume operations.
Renewal Fees
| License Type | Renewal Fee | Plate Renewal Fee* (per plate) | License Period | Late Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer/Distributor | $1800 + $40 for each dealer franchised | $90 | 2 years | 50% of license fee for each 30 days late |
| Franchise | $350 - $1,500 (depending on sales) + $400 for each GDN + $200 for each service-only facility (without a showroom) | $90 | 2 years | 50% of license fee for each 30 days late |
| GDN | $400 | $90 | 2 years | 50% of license fee for each 30 days late |
| In Transit | $90 | $10 | 2 years | 50% of license fee for each 30 days late |
| Converter | $750 | $40 | 2 years | 50% of license fee (Converter) for each 30 days late |
| Lessor | $350 - $1500 (depending on number of vehicles leased) | n/a | 2 years | 50% of license fee for each 30 days late |
| Lease Facilitator | $750 | n/a | 2 years | 50% of license fee for each 30 days late |
| Salvage Dealer | Salvage licenses that expire after 9/1/19 will require a new application for the comprehensive license at the time of renewal. Renewal notices for the comprehensive license will be emailed 90 days before the expiration date. | n/a | 1 year |
*The annual fee for personalized prestige dealer's license plates is $40, in addition to all regular fees.
Mediation for Franchise Dealers and Manufacturers
Mediation is an informal process used to resolve disputes by negotiation and settlement. Mediation facilitates communication and provides guidance towards reaching an agreement. MVD’s Mediation is for contested cases between (1) franchised dealers or (2) franchised dealers and a manufacturer or distributor. If you have another type of complaint or dispute, go to the complaints page.
Mediation Basics
Texas Occupations Code §2301.703 requires parties to contested cases filed under Chapter 2301 or Chapter 503 of the Transportation Code to participate in mediation before they may have a hearing at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). The MVD Mediation Program provides mediators to help settle contested cases at no charge. MVD mediators are:
- Licensed attorneys who have mediation training and experience
- Impartial
- Knowledgeable of relevant laws, department precedent, and division procedures.
Benefits of Mediation
The goal of mediation is to reach a settlement among the parties and thus avoid the need for a contested case hearing. MVD mediators have no authority to make judicial or arbitration-type decisions. MVD mediators help by facilitating focused dialogue, offering guidance, suggesting possible options, and assisting the parties to communicate their interests. Any information provided by a party to a mediator is confidential and will not be shared without the express permission of the party.
Mediation Process
Getting Started
A contested case begins when a protest or complaint is filed with MVD. The mediator(s) send a letter to the parties with acknowledgement of the case and information about the mediation process.
Mediator Preference
In response to the letter, each party must return the Mediation Preference Request Form choosing to use the MVD mediator(s); to request another MVD mediator; or to hire an outside mediator. When MVD receives the signed form selecting MVD Mediation, a mediator contacts each party by phone to discuss the case, the issues, and the mediation process.
How It Works
MVD mediator(s) continue to discuss the issues and desired outcomes with the parties involved and work to find a solution. Communications may be by phone, by email, or in-person. Cases often settle without the need for an in-person mediation meeting.
Mediation is scheduled to conclude within 60 days from the date the MVD Acknowledgement Letter is sent. However, extensions may be granted.
If an in-person meeting is necessary, it will be held at TxDMV headquarters in Austin, Texas. Each party is required to bring at least one person who has full settlement authority. The mediation meetings may be individual or joint sessions among the parties. The mediator(s) will discuss what each party hopes to gain from the process. It is not the mediator's role to discourage protests or pressure parties into settling.
Conclusion of the Mediation Process
If a settlement is reached, the mediators will offer to draft a written agreement for all parties to sign before the meeting is over. If full settlement is not reached, the remaining issues will be referred to SOAH.
Within 10 days of the conclusion of mediation, the mediator(s) will provide a written report to the MVD Director and to the parties stating:
• whether the parties participated in mediation;
• whether the matter settled in whole or in part;
• any unresolved issues; and
• any other information the parties agree to report.
Need More Information?
If you have questions about this process or are unsure whether it applies to your matter, call MVD at (512) 465-4029, and ask for the Motor Vehicle Division docket clerk.