Texas registration issues and steps to navigate them

[dsm363]

Since Texas has some unique laws and people getting their cars early have had some issues, a new thread dealing with just this was thought to be a good idea by one of the other mods.

Post any issues you had getting your registration done in Texas and what steps you took to correct it.

This discussion started in Nigel's delivery thread:
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We got the same paper tag from California but it was also deemed to be not valid in Texas
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I had a ran into a few extra steps with my local credit union so wanted to update these steps to reflect my experience:

[hide][top]Updated Texas Delivery & Registration Process without a DS

Here's the updated process following the "finalize" step for Texas delivery without a Delivery Specialist:

1. Tesla contacts you with VIN. (As often as not this is you contacting Tesla. These guys are incredibly busy and the squeaky wheel really does get the grease.) Whoever you get in touch of here should be your contact through the rest of the process. This will be about 2 weeks before your car is ready and if you're getting a loan you may need every day of those two weeks so get to work.
2. At Tesla's request you send (fax or e-mail) copies of your driver's license and proof of insurance.
3. Tesla sends you the "final" Motor Vehicle Purchase Agreement (MVPA). The MVPA will show the amount of the car minus your $5k deposit. If you are getting a loan and putting more down than the $5k then don't bother signing this yet, it only wastes time. Find the page with wire instructions and immediately wire the remainder of your down payment to Tesla.
4. Call Tesla back the next day and make sure the wire went through if it did ask them to send you an updated MVPA that shows the remaining amount due (i.e. the amount you want to borrow.)
5. Call your bank, explain to them about 5 times that you're buying the car from a manufacturer and not a dealer and that you will need them to wire the final loan amount to Tesla. Ask them specifically if they can do that and what paperwork they need from Tesla in advance. At a minimum they will need a fully executed copy of the MVPA that shows the amount of the loan as the amount due.
6. When you get the MVPA back from Tesla sign it quickly and then wait a day or two for them to sign it. During this time reach out to your Tesla contact and get them any additional paperwork that you bank requires. In my case it was a custom "Letter of Guarantee" and a front and back copy of the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin.
7. I hate to say it, but call Tesla repeatedly through this part. By now your car is almost finished and you need to be squeaky wheel. Once you get all required documents back from Tesla send them on to your bank and ask them to wire the money.'
8. Once your bank says the money is wired call Tesla back to try and get shipping information.
9. Prior to shipment (hopefully), Tesla sends you the Mfr. Certificate of Origin (MCO), Texas Application for Title, Bill of Sale (hard copy of signed MVPA) and other paperwork. (If not, see Note 2, below.)
10. You file the Application for Title with your County Tax Office, pay the sales tax, show proof of insurance and get your registration sticker and license plates (temp or otherwise). (See Note 3, below.)
11. Your vehicle is delivered. You attach license plate(s) and go get a state inspection.
12. You receive your Texas Title in the mail sometime later.

Notes

1. I suggest that before you send the final payment you talk to someone and verify these steps. (Save their phone number.)
2. If you get the car before you get the Texas paperwork to register it, you can get temporary tags at the DMV for $25 to allow you to drive the car for up to 30 days.
3. If you have financing, fill in the lienholder information on the Title Application, if you have been instructed to do so by your lender, or bring the lender's paperwork with you.

[Babylonfive]

Dave, if I order my custom plates at a time to coincide with Model S delivery, would that minimize the inconvenience?

We got the same paper tag from California but it was also deemed to be not valid in Texas

[stephenpace]

@Babylonfive Potentially, but not over and above the standard plates. I took my paperwork to the TX DMW and had plates before I technically received the car (which was coming later that day). I then put a real plate on rather than a temporary. My personalized plate arrived later and I just swapped it when it arrived. Your process may be slightly different with the recent TX change (e.g. you'll have to pay the taxes when you pick up the plate until Tesla sorts through that) but once you do that, I don't see why you couldn't pick up a plate immediately.

[dsm363]

Yeah, I think you need to just get everything done the day of delivery if possible to minimize trouble (go to DMV and inspection station).

[Jrhodesmd]

For Texas folks - how do you get your plates? Have my S, have the paperwork from Tesla with application for Texas title, receipt from Tesla, and ordered custom plates which should be at tax assessors. Did you get it inspected first? Do you then go to the tax assessors office and pay your sales tax and they give you plates? I didn't get the custom delivery b/c Tesla can't right now in the state of Texas, and the employees in California don't know the answers to this.

[dsm363]

For Texas folks - how do you get your plates? Have my S, have the paperwork from Tesla with application for Texas title, receipt from Tesla, and ordered custom plates which should be at tax assessors. Did you get it inspected first? Do you then go to the tax assessors office and pay your sales tax and they give you plates? I didn't get the custom delivery b/c Tesla can't right now in the state of Texas, and the employees in California don't know the answers to this.

The place where you pick up your plates also probably has a DMV component so can get it all done in same place most likely.

[dsm363]

Since Texas has some unique laws and people getting their cars early have had some issues, a new thread dealing with just this was thought to be a good idea by one of the other mods.

Post any issues you had getting your registration done in Texas and what steps you took to correct it.

[STxTesla]

I was told that Tesla can no longer apply for Texas registration for buyers, (I know this isn't news), but I received a power of attorney document from Tesla as part of the final paperwork to sign. I guess that it is just included with all paperwork sent out although they will not really use it. I plan on going straight to the DMV just as soon as I get the returned paperwork and then getting my car inspected the same morning of delivery...(unless it falls on a Sunday).

[sublimaze1]

I was told that Tesla can no longer apply for Texas registration for buyers, (I know this isn't news), but I received a power of attorney document from Tesla as part of the final paperwork to sign. I guess that it is just included with all paperwork sent out although they will not really use it. I plan on going straight to the DMV just as soon as I get the returned paperwork and then getting my car inspected the same morning of delivery...(unless it falls on a Sunday).

You may need a green sheet from the inspection station first - so do that before you head over to the DMV

[Jrhodesmd]

Two things. First, STxTesla, I noticed you're in CC. I'm in Austin, but I'm going to be driving to CC tomorrow night (Wed) for thanksgiving weekend. Would it be an imposition, if you have a 220v set up, if I came over and charged? The trip is 211 miles and my father in law only has a 110v in his garage, which I figured will take at minimum 3 days to charge from empty, and that's if I don't drive it while in town. Would greatly appreciate it, I'll bring wine (or beer)!
Second, registered today. So I ordered my plates 6 weeks ago, so they were already in. Tesla mails you a packet with your receipt, your application for a Texas title, and a certificate of origin from California. You take this, your checkbook (taxes were $6900 ), drivers license, and proof of insurance to the Tax Assessors office. They register you and give you your plates. Next, you go get it inspected. This was hilarious. The guys had never seen a tesla before. They asked for help because "they needed to pop the hood to inspect the engine." That was a fun explanation. They then asked to see the battery to inspect it. Another explanation. They also wanted to see "the gas port." Basically I spent 20 min showing off the car to all of the mechanics. Then another 20 minutes to another couple guys in the parking lot who wanted to see it. It's been fun!