# Tex. Transportation Code § 501.022: MOTOR VEHICLE TITLE REQUIRED

> Texas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ctn_C501_S501.022

## Section

- **Citation:** Tex. Transportation Code § 501.022
- **Heading:** MOTOR VEHICLE TITLE REQUIRED
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TX Code / Code tn / Chapter 501 / Section 501.022

## Text

(a) The owner of a motor vehicle registered in this state:

(1) except as provided by Section 501.029, shall apply for title to the vehicle; and

(2) may not operate or permit the operation of the vehicle on a public highway until the owner:

(A) applies for title and registration for the vehicle; or

(B) obtains a receipt evidencing title for registration purposes only under Section 501.029.

(b) A person may not operate a motor vehicle registered in this state on a public highway if the person knows or has reason to believe that the owner has not applied for a title for the vehicle.

(c) The owner of a motor vehicle that is required to be titled and registered in this state must obtain a title to the vehicle before selling or disposing of the vehicle.

(d) Subsection (c) does not apply to a motor vehicle operated on a public highway in this state with a dealer's license plate attached to the vehicle as provided by Chapter 503.

## Nearby sections

- [Tex. Transportation Code § 501.001 § 501.001. SHORT TITLE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ctn_C501_S501.001.md)
- [Tex. Transportation Code § 501.002 § 501.002. DEFINITIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ctn_C501_S501.002.md)
- [Tex. Transportation Code § 501.003 § 501.003. PURPOSE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ctn_C501_S501.003.md)
- [Tex. Transportation Code § 501.004 § 501.004. APPLICABILITY.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ctn_C501_S501.004.md)
- [Tex. Transportation Code § 501.005 § 501.005. CONFLICTS WITH BUSINESS & COMMERCE CODE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ctn_C501_S501.005.md)
- [Tex. Transportation Code § 501.006 § 501.006. ALIAS TITLE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ctn_C501_S501.006.md)
- [Tex. Transportation Code § 501.008 § 501.008. TITLE FOR AUTOCYCLE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ctn_C501_S501.008.md)
- [Tex. Transportation Code § 501.009 § 501.009. TITLE FOR MINIATURE VEHICLE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ctn_C501_S501.009.md)
- [Tex. Transportation Code § 501.021 § 501.021. TITLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ctn_C501_S501.021.md)
- [Tex. Transportation Code § 501.022 § 501.022. MOTOR VEHICLE TITLE REQUIRED.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ctn_C501_S501.022.md)
- [Tex. Transportation Code § 501.023 § 501.023. APPLICATION FOR TITLE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ctn_C501_S501.023.md)
- [Tex. Transportation Code § 501.024 § 501.024. TITLE RECEIPT.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ctn_C501_S501.024.md)
- [Tex. Transportation Code § 501.025 § 501.025. MANUFACTURER'S CERTIFICATE REQUIRED ON FIRST SALE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ctn_C501_S501.025.md)
- [Tex. Transportation Code § 501.027 § 501.027. ISSUANCE OF TITLE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ctn_C501_S501.027.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Ctn_C501_S501.022. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.