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:
______________________
We got the same paper tag from California but it was also deemed to be not valid in Texas
___________
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:
______________________
We got the same paper tag from California but it was also deemed to be not valid in Texas
___________
I had a ran into a few extra steps with my local credit union so wanted to update these steps to reflect my experience:
Updated Texas Delivery & Registration Process without a DS
Here's the updated process following the "finalize" step for Texas delivery without a Delivery Specialist:
- 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.
- At Tesla's request you send (fax or e-mail) copies of your driver's license and proof of insurance.
- 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.
- 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.)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.'
- Once your bank says the money is wired call Tesla back to try and get shipping information.
- 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.)
- 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.)
- Your vehicle is delivered. You attach license plate(s) and go get a state inspection.
- You receive your Texas Title in the mail sometime later.
Notes
- I suggest that before you send the final payment you talk to someone and verify these steps. (Save their phone number.)
- 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.
- 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.
Last edited: