Vehicles frequently asked questions (2023)

Vehicle Registration

Where's my renewal notice?

We don’t know. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) is responsible for your renewal notice. Here are two steps you can take:

  • If you moved within the past year, go to the TxDMV’s online change of address tool. Make sure you have your license plate number and the last four digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to update your address.
  • · If you did not move since receiving your last renewal notice, then it may be lost in the mail. While you do need your current, original and complete TxDMV renewal notice to get your sticker from a participating H-E-B or AAA store, you do not need it to renew your registration online at Texas.gov.

2. Sign up for eReminder. In addition to the mailed paper renewal notice, the TxDMV will email when your vehicle registration is due so you never miss a renewal deadline.

Why did I receive a renewal notice for a vehicle I sold?

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) prints renewal notices three months in advance. It is possible the TxDMV printed the renewal notice before you sold the vehicle or the purchaser did not file for a new title.

Anything special I need to do when I sell a vehicle?

File the TxDMV’s Vehicle Transfer Notification. If you file within 30 days, state law says you are not responsible for anything the new owner may do with the vehicle (parking tickets, toll violations, fines, etc.). If it is after 30 days, you should still file the transfer notification to record the sale in the official state motor vehicle database.

I moved. How do I change my renewal notice address?

Easy. Go to Texas.gov to change your address. You will need your vehicle’s license plate number and the last four digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Where's my vehicle registration sticker?

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) offers a registration sticker-tracking tool, called “Dude, where’s my sticker?” It will tell you when the agency mailed your sticker. You should receive your sticker within 14 days of renewing online or by mail.

We are sorry, but the TxDMV rules state you must pay $6.50 for a replacement sticker if your sticker was:

  • Damaged
  • Misplaced
  • Stolen

Fill out the Application for Replacement Registration Sticker (VTR-60). Send the form and a check for $6.50 to:

Travis County Tax Office
Motor Vehicle Division
P.O. Box 149326
Austin, TX 78714-9326

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How can I get a replacement sticker?

Simply fill out the Application for Replacement Registration Sticker (VTR-60). Send the form and a check for $6.50 to:

Travis County Tax Office
Motor Vehicle Division
P.O. Box 149326
Austin, TX 78714-9326

Can I legally drive my vehicle after the registration expires?

State law gives you a five-day grace period. Renew your registration at Texas.gov and you will receive a receipt that allows you to drive legally for 31 days until your sticker arrives in the mail. Just be sure to carry the receipt in your vehicle.

My registration expires today. How can I renew right away?

If you have current registration and your complete Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) Renewal Notice and your vehicle inspection report, you can receive your sticker on the spot at any participating H-E-B or AAA store in Travis County.

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Renew your registration online at Texas.gov and you will receive a receipt that allows you to drive legally for 31 days until your sticker arrives in the mail. Just be sure to carry the receipt in your vehicle.

My sticker expired, how do I renew now?

You can renew online up to six months after your sticker expires. Renew your registration online at Texas.gov and you will receive a receipt that allows you to drive legally for 31 days until your sticker arrives in the mail. Just be sure to carry the receipt in your vehicle.

You also can visit one of our four tax office locations. If you plan to come in person, be sure to make an appointment.

I got a ticket for expired registration. Now what?

You need to renew your vehicle registration immediately at one of our four locations:

  • Southwest Austin (our least busy location), 8656 West HWY 71, Building B, 2nd Floor
  • Southeast Austin, 4011 McKinney Falls Parkway
  • Central Austin, 5501 Airport Blvd.
  • Pflugerville, 15822 Foothill Farms Loop

Be aware you will need to tell the customer representative about the ticket and pay an additional 20 percent penalty on what you owe. Be sure to bring your vehicle inspection report and proof of insurance that meets the Texas minimums.

You will receive a receipt showing you renewed and paid the penalty. This receipt is often required to have your ticket reduced or dismissed.

Disabled Veteran Placards/Plates

Do disabled veteran (DV) license plates allow you to use any marked disabled parking spot?

Yes and no. Texas law allows those with disabled veteran (DV) plates to have the same parking privileges as civilian persons with disabled plates and placards. However, the federal government has different rules and you cannot park in designated disabled parking spots at federal buildings unless your license plates display the International Symbol of Access or you also have a placard with the symbol on it hanging from your rear-view mirror.

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Where do I report disabled parking violators?

Go to the Disabled Parking Enforcement Program under Precinct 5 Constable Carlos Lopez.

Can I transfer my disabled license plates to a new vehicle?

Yes. You will need your disabled plate number, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of your car or truck, and a valid, government-issued, photo identification (i.e. driver’s license). There is a 50-cent transfer fee.

Can relatives, friends or health workers apply for my disabled placards and/or plates?

Yes, but they must bring a completed Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate (VTR-214) with your doctor’s prescription.

Can I keep my license plates when I sell my vehicle?

Yes. You can transfer them to another vehicle that is in your name. Be sure to remove and destroy the registration sticker on the vehicle you are selling when you take off the plates. The buyer will need a Vehicle Transit Permit, which gives the buyer five days to drive legally in order to come to the tax office to apply for a new title and vehicle registration.

I traded my car in to a deal and the dealership took off the plates and sticker. Why?

Dealers are required to remove the plates and registration stickers from any vehicles they buy or take in trade. They usually offer to give you the plates. If you don't want to use the plates again, you may deface them with indelible black ink or some other method that would prevent someone else from using them.

What should I do with my old license plates?

License plates are aluminium and can be recycled after they are defaced to make them unusable. You should deface the front of the plates with a permanent marker and place them in your recycle bin.

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Vehicle Sales

How do I know the sales tax amount if the vehicle is a gift from a non-family member?

State sales tax is 6.25 percent and based on the Standard Presumptive Value (SPV). This is what the vehicle would sell for, based on similar sales in the Texas region. The value is updated weekly by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and that means what you owe can change. Find your vehicle’s Standard Presumptive Value.

I sold my vehicle. What can I do now to make sure the vehicle record shows I sold it?

  • If you are selling a vehicle to a private individual, the best way to make sure that the buyer transfers the title out of your name is for the two of you to come to any of our four tax office locations to complete the title transfer.
  • · If you are selling the vehicle to a dealer or if the seller is unable to come in-person, complete and file the Vehicle Transfer Notification with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) within 30 days of the sale. This protects you from anything the buyer might do with the vehicle while it is still in your name, removing your liability. If it is after 30 days, still file the transfer notification as the state will mark the vehicle as sold in the state motor vehicle database.

I keep receiving Texas Toll Tag tickets for a vehicle that I sold. What can I do?

Complete and file the Vehicle Transfer Notification with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to note in the state motor vehicle database that the vehicle is sold and no longer in your possession.

Temporary Permits

Is my Texas permit good in another state?

This is up to the state in which you are traveling. Before taking an out-of-state trip, research whether the state(s) you are driving through recognize a Texas permit as valid.

Why would I need a 72-or 144-hour permit?

Non-Texas residents may use these permits to:

  • Operate an unregistered commercial truck, trailer or bus in Texas
  • Use out-of-state, licensed commercial vehicles (trucks, trailers or buses) for business inside Texas (intrastate operation)

Texas residents may use these permits to operate:

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  • An unregistered, commercial truck, trailer or bus in Texas
  • A registered Texas commercial vehicle with a gross weight that exceeds its current registration

How many temporary permits can I purchase for a vehicle?

  • A maximum of three, 30-day or one-trip temporary permits allowed per vehicle.
  • No limits on 72- and 144-hour permits for commercial vehicles (trucks, trailers and buses).

FAQs

What are some good questions about cars? ›

Here's What You Need to Ask Before Buying a Used Car
  • Why are they selling the car? ...
  • How old is the car? ...
  • What's the mileage? ...
  • How long have they owned the car? ...
  • How many previous owners? ...
  • Are they selling the car as is, or is it under warranty? ...
  • What problems are there, and what repairs need to be made?
Jan 29, 2022

What are the 10 most important pieces of a vehicle? ›

Top 10 Car Parts You Should Know About
  • Battery. Your car's battery is a critical component; without it your vehicle won't turn on, as it provides the electricity needed to power and start your car's engine. ...
  • Axles. ...
  • Brakes. ...
  • Pistons. ...
  • Radiator. ...
  • Shock Absorbers. ...
  • Air Filters. ...
  • Muffler.
Apr 19, 2022

What are 3 things to know about your vehicle? ›

5 things everyone should know about their car
  • Year, make and model. The first thing you should know about your car is the year it was manufactured, the make of the car, and the specific model. ...
  • VIN. Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is your car's fingerprint. ...
  • Maintenance schedule. ...
  • Tire pressure. ...
  • Engine light.

What is the most common vehicle problem? ›

1. A Bad Battery. If you're having trouble starting your car (and it may not be because the weather's 20 below zero) and your car's clock and radio presets frequently get wiped out, you may have battery problems that could lead to a dead silent engine.

Did you know facts about vehicles? ›

  • The first electric car was made 190 years ago.
  • The man who invented Cruise Control was blind.
  • First speeding ticket was issued for driving at 13kmph.
  • Car with most mileage has been around the world 130 times.
  • Steering wheels were not used before 1894.
Apr 28, 2022

What are the types of cars questions? ›

6 Common Questions on the CARS section of the MCAT
  • Given Information or Retrieval Questions. ...
  • Inference Questions. ...
  • New Information Questions. ...
  • Author's Opinion or Main Idea Questions. ...
  • Except, Least, or Not Questions. ...
  • Roman Numeral questions.
May 19, 2017

What is the most common thing in all vehicles? ›

What's the one thing all automobiles have in common? They all need tires if they're going to get around. Tires are one of those parts people tend to take for granted, but they're one of the most vital parts of any vehicle. This is where the importance of rubber comes into play in auto manufacturing.

What 3 items must always be in your car? ›

It may seem obvious, but you should always have your license, registration, and insurance in the car whenever you are driving it.
...
Keep all of your important car documents in a file folder in the glovebox:
  • Owner's manual.
  • Car maintenance receipts.
  • Registration.
  • Insurance.
  • Emergency contact information.
Jan 12, 2017

What are the 5 most important parts of a car? ›

Whether your car has a traditional or electric engine, it can't run without it!
  • Battery. Your car's battery has several important jobs, including providing your vehicle with power to start when you turn on the ignition. ...
  • Alternator. ...
  • Brakes. ...
  • Transmission. ...
  • Shock Absorbers.
Mar 23, 2021

What is the most important part of your vehicle? ›

Engine: It is one of the most important components of a vehicle, and the performance of the vehicle depends on it. It can be said that it is the heart of every vehicle. It is a complex machine built to convert heat from burning gas into the force that turns the road wheels.

What vehicle cause the most accidents? ›

The 25 Vehicles That Have Been Involved in the Most Fatal Car Accidents
RankCarTotal
1Chevrolet Silverado8,777
2Ford F-1507,502
3Honda Accord5,368
4Toyota Camry5,023
21 more rows

What are the most unsafe vehicles? ›

What Are the 10 Most Dangerous Vehicles in America?
  1. Ford Fiesta. The first of the most dangerous cars to drive on the IIHS's list is the Ford Fiesta mini 4-door car. ...
  2. Hyundai Accent (4-Door Car) ...
  3. Chevrolet Sonic. ...
  4. Nissan Versa Note. ...
  5. Fiat 500. ...
  6. Hyundai Elantra and the Kia Forte. ...
  7. Nissan Versa. ...
  8. Kia Rio.
Dec 20, 2022

What are two interesting facts about cars? ›

If you drove at an average rate of 60 MPH, you could make it to the moon in less than six months. 70 million cars are produced every year! The average US driver spends 42 hours per year stuck in traffic.

Why are vehicles so important? ›

The automobile gave people access to jobs, places to live, and services. It also contributed to the rise of leisure activities.

What are the three types of vehicles? ›

India has a diverse range of cars available to own but most cars come in one of seven car body types: Hatchback, Sedan, SUV, MUV, Coupe, Convertible, and Pickup Truck.

What are common vehicles? ›

Best selling cars
  • Chevrolet Silverado.
  • Ford F-Series.
  • Toyota RAV4.
  • Ram 1500/2500/3500.
  • Toyota Camry.
  • Honda CR-V.
  • GMC Sierra.
  • Toyota Tacoma.

What are the four parts of a car? ›

(i) A steel frame, which is a major part. body and other accessories, which are not involved in the movement of the vehicle. (iii) Other major components include engine, transmission system, front and rear axle, steering system, suspension system, wheels, tyres and brakes.

Which two vehicles run without wheels? ›

Boat, ship are the two vehicles that moves without wheel.

What can all vehicles run on? ›

  • Vehicles can run on diesel, petrol, coal, CNG, electricity, etc.
  • If the number of vehicles keeps on increasing we would not get space to move on the road. ...
  • People do not travel by buses for their own convenience. ...
  • Some ways to deal with the problems arising out of the growing number of vehicles are:

What are most vehicles made of? ›

Virtually every car on the road is formed primarily of steel, including its chassis and body. Steel finds heavy use in vehicle manufacturing because it is relatively inexpensive and easy to form by tools like stamping presses.

What is the most important part in a engine? ›

The cylinder block is the most important component and is the basis of a car engine. The main function is to accommodate the crankshaft mechanism. Inside the cylinder block, you can find several engine cylinders, each of which is connected to the piston and crankshaft at the other end of the road.

What is the most popular car color? ›

America's Most Popular Car Colors (according to iSeeCars.Com) Grayscale colors (white, black, gray, and silver) represent a total of 78.5% of all vehicles on the road in the United States. White sits atop the list as the most popular choice.

What not to keep in your car? ›

19 Things You Should Never Leave In Your Car
  • Electronics. Not only are expensive electronics an invitation to thieves – but the information they store is often more valuable than the device itself.
  • Water bottles. ...
  • Medication. ...
  • Purse or wallet. ...
  • Important documents. ...
  • Wine. ...
  • Canned beverages. ...
  • Pets.
Feb 10, 2022

What is the most common DOT inspection? ›

Level I inspections are the most common and most thorough level of DOT inspections. During these checks, the DOT inspector looks at important documents, such as: the vehicle operator's commercial driver's license (CDL);

What is the top of a car called? ›

July 11, 2021. A headliner is the material that covers the ceiling of a vehicle, but it does more than hide bare metal with color-coordinated soft fabric.

What five 5 features do you need in a vehicle? ›

Top 5 Vehicle Safety Features, According to California Personal Injury Attorneys
  • #1 – Airbags. ...
  • #2 – Forward Collision Warning and Braking. ...
  • #3 – Blind spot monitoring. ...
  • #4 – Lane Keep Assist. ...
  • #5 – Inattentive driving monitor.
Jul 20, 2021

What are the 4 most important parts of a car? ›

Four (4) Most Important Automobile Components
  • Chassis.
  • Engine.
  • Transmission System.
  • i. Clutch.
  • ii. Gearbox.
  • The Body.
  • i. The steering system.
  • ii. Braking system or brakes.
Dec 16, 2021

What is the most complex part of a car? ›

Every car has a transmission system, and no car can operate without one. This vital piece of equipment is often considered the most complex aspect of a vehicle, and with good reason.

What are the four C's of driving? ›

The 4Cs (crash history, family concerns, clinical condition, and cognitive functions): a screening tool for the evaluation of the at-risk driver. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2010 Jun;58(6):1104-8. doi: 10.1111/j.

What are the 4 A's of driving? ›

In the past, some have called the topics in this lesson Aggression, Alcohol, Accidents and Awareness.

What are the 10 basic rules of driving? ›

Important Traffic Rules To Follow To Ensure Safety While Driving
  • Always wear a seatbelt. ...
  • Avoid distractions. ...
  • Do not cross the speed limits. ...
  • Service your car regularly. ...
  • Follow traffic signals. ...
  • Maintain lane discipline. ...
  • Be careful during bad weather. ...
  • Maintain a safe distance.

What is the safest car to drive? ›

What are the Safest Cars?
  • 2022 Subaru BRZ. ...
  • 2022 Subaru Legacy. ...
  • Tesla Model 3. ...
  • 2022 Toyota Camry. ...
  • 2022 Toyota Corolla. ...
  • 2022 Volvo S60/S60 Recharge. ...
  • 2022 Volvo S90/S90 Recharge. Best Safety Value: $53,750 (Momentum + Advanced Pkg) ...
  • 2022 Volvo V60 Cross Country/V60 Recharge. Best Safety Value: $47,600 (Cross Country + Advanced Pkg)
Jun 24, 2022

What is the safest car of all time? ›

Eight years ago no vehicle model had zero driver deaths, but nine different 2011 models have not had a single fatality.
...
The nine safest vehicles--with zero driver deaths--were:
  • Lexus RX 350 4WD.
  • Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 4WD.
  • Subaru Legacy 4WD.
  • Toyota Highlander hybrid 4WD.
  • Toyota Sequioa 4WD.
  • Volvo XC90 4WD.
Jan 29, 2015

What is the safest car in an accident? ›

What 2022 vehicles were rated the safest by the NHTSA and IIHS?
  • Honda Accord.
  • Honda Civic.
  • Honda Insight.
  • Acura TLX.
  • Lexus ES.
  • Lexus IS.
  • Toyota Camry.
  • Toyota Corolla.
Nov 22, 2022

What are 4 main causes of accidents? ›

CATEGORY: Auto Accidents, Personal Injury, Top 25 Causes of Car Crashes
  • Distracted Driving.
  • Speeding.
  • Drunk Driving.
  • Reckless Driving.
  • Rain.
  • Running Red Lights.
  • Running Stop Signs.
  • Snow and Ice.
Nov 6, 2015

What are the 4 main types of crashes? ›

4 Common Collisions And How To Avoid Them
  • Front-Impact Collisions. What They Are. ...
  • Side-Impact Collisions. What They Are. ...
  • Rear-End Collisions. What They Are. ...
  • Parking Lot Collisions. What They Are.

What are the top 3 causes of accidents? ›

Speed kills, and traveling above the speed limit is an easy way to cause a car accident. Drunk Driving. Driving under the influence of alcohol causes car accidents every day, even when they are one the top causes that can be avoided. Reckless Driving.

What is the strongest safest car? ›

With sturdy construction and the latest in safety technology, these models have racked up the highest safety scores in 2022.
...
These Are The 10 Safest Cars In The World In 2022
  1. 1 Nissan Rogue Sport.
  2. 2 Genesis G90. ...
  3. 3 Mercedes EQS. ...
  4. 4 Mazda 3. ...
  5. 5 Volvo C40. ...
  6. 6 Mercedes C-Class. ...
  7. 7 Subaru Outback. ...
  8. 8 Polestar 2. ...
Aug 16, 2022

What is the least safest car? ›

Probably the worst-rated vehicle on Top 10 Most Dangerous Vehicles in America list, the Hyundai Accent sedan gets an overall rating of poor from the IIHS. The structure and safety cage is rated as poor and drivers may experience severe injuries to their hip, thigh, legs and feet if involved in a crash.

What brand of car is stolen the most? ›

These 2020 statistics highlight what vehicles are the most desirable by thieves. 2020 is the second year in a row that Ford's full-size pickup truck tops the list as the most stolen car in America. Japanese model sedans are the most popular stolen cars, taking six out of 10 slots within the top 10.

What are 2 facts about cars? ›

If you drove at an average rate of 60 MPH, you could make it to the moon in less than six months. 70 million cars are produced every year! The average US driver spends 42 hours per year stuck in traffic.

What is a cars reasoning question? ›

Reasoning Within the Text questions require a generally higher level of critical analysis of the MCAT CARS passage. These question types ask you to infer something from the passage, or to bring together two disparate pieces of information and recognize the relationship between them.

What is important about a car? ›

For over a hundred years, the private car has transformed modern society by providing independence and freedom of mobility. Mobility is becoming more and more important due to ever-increasing distances between home, work, educational institutions, shopping and leisure facilities.

Why are cars called cars? ›

The English word car is believed to originate from Latin carrus/carrum "wheeled vehicle" or (via Old North French) Middle English carre "two-wheeled cart", both of which in turn derive from Gaulish karros "chariot". It originally referred to any wheeled horse-drawn vehicle, such as a cart, carriage, or wagon.

What are the basics of car? ›

What are the basic parts of a car that one should know about? The essential car components include engine, gearbox, clutch, battery, brakes, radiator, steering and suspension. Basic knowledge about these components can be helpful as a car owner.

What makes a car the best? ›

Good cars are safe, fast, affordable to purchase, economical to operate, reliable, capacious, comfortable, and attractive. No, of course you can't get all of those characteristics in one car; each conflicts with one or more of the others. Safe and fast, for example... obviously incompatible, right?

How many parts are in a car? ›

The average car has roughly 30,000 parts if you count all parts down to the nuts and bolts. If you consider large parts such as the engine as one part, you can say that a car has about 1,800 separate parts. The engine alone has thousands of individual parts inside it.

How many cars are made a day? ›

Did You Know 60 Million Cars Are Produced Worldwide Each Year? That is the equivalent of 165,000 cars per day! Just think about that for a second.

How many cars questions are there? ›

Most questions on the MCAT (44 in the science sections, all 53 in the CARS section) are passage-based. The science sections have 10 passages each and the CARS section has 9.

What are vehicles answer? ›

A vehicle (from Latin: vehiculum) is a machine that transports people or cargo.

What is a car made of and why? ›

Steel is the main material in many major car components. From the engine block to the chassis as well as body sheet metal, hinges, bolts, screws, and rivets, you'll find steel from one end of a car to the other. It's a low-cost, easily sourced material that's used for strength and holding its shape well.

What is the most important thing in a vehicle? ›

Most drivers do not know that the most important parts of any car are its tires. The tires have an enormous influence on the safety and performance of an automobile. While tires may appear to be simple devices, developing them is an extremely complex process.

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