(a) With a non-repairable or salvage motor vehicle title. The ownership of a motor vehicle for which a non-repairable vehicle title, non-repairable record of title, salvage vehicle title, salvage record of title, or a comparable out-of-state ownership document has been issued, including a motor vehicle that has a "Flood Damage" notation on the title, may be sold, transferred, or released to anyone.
(b) Without a non-repairable or salvage motor vehicle title. If a non-repairable vehicle title, non-repairable record of title, salvage vehicle title, salvage record of title, or a comparable out-of-state ownership document has not been issued for a non-repairable or salvage motor vehicle, only a salvage vehicle dealer, used automotive parts recycler, metal recycler, insurance company, or governmental entity may sell, transfer, or otherwise release ownership of the motor vehicle. Such person may only sell, transfer, or otherwise release ownership of a motor vehicle to which this subsection applies to:
(1) a salvage vehicle dealer;
(2) a used automotive parts recycler;
(3) a metal recycler;
(4) a governmental entity; or
(5) an insurance company.
(c) Sale of self-insured non-repairable or salvage motor vehicle. The owner of a self-insured non-repairable or salvage motor vehicle that has been damaged and removed from normal operation shall obtain a non-repairable or salvage vehicle title before selling or otherwise transferring ownership of the motor vehicle.
(d) Casual sales. A salvage vehicle dealer, salvage pool operator, or insurance company may sell up to five non-repairable or salvage motor vehicles, for which non-repairable or salvage vehicle titles have been issued, to a person in a casual sale during a calendar year.
(e) Records of casual sales.
(1) A salvage vehicle dealer, salvage pool operator, or insurance company must maintain records of each casual sale made during the previous 36 months, in accordance with Transportation Code, §501.108, that at a minimum contain:
(2) Records may be maintained on a form provided by the department or in an electronic format.
(3) Records must be maintained on the business premises of the seller, and shall be made available for inspection upon request.
(f) Export-only sales.
(1) In accordance with Transportation Code, §501.099, only a licensed salvage vehicle dealer, including a salvage pool operator acting as agent for an insurance company, or governmental entity may sell a non-repairable or salvage motor vehicle to a person who resides outside the United States, and only:
(2) The seller must obtain the purchaser's certification, on a form prescribed by the department, that the purchaser will remove the motor vehicle from the United States and will not return the motor vehicle to any state of the United States as a motor vehicle titled or registered under its manufacturer's vehicle identification number.
(3) The seller must provide the buyer with a properly assigned non-repairable or salvage vehicle title.
(4) The seller must stamp FOR EXPORT ONLY and the seller's salvage vehicle dealer license number or the governmental entity's name, whichever applies, on the face of the title and on any unused reassignments on the back of the title.
(g) Records of export-only sales.
(1) A salvage vehicle dealer or governmental entity that sells a non-repairable or salvage motor vehicle for export-only must maintain records of all export-only sales.
(2) Records of each sale must include:
(3) The listing required by paragraph (2)(E) of this subsection must be maintained either on a form provided by the department or in an electronic format approved by the department.
(4) The salvage vehicle dealer or governmental entity shall submit the listing prescribed by paragraph (2)(E) of this subsection to the department within 30 days from the date of sale.
(5) Upon receipt of the listing prescribed by paragraph (2)(E) of this subsection, the department will place an appropriate notation on the motor vehicle record to identify it as a motor vehicle sold for export-only that may not be operated, retitled, or registered in this state.
Source Note: The provisions of this §217.88 adopted to be effective March 12, 2015, 40 TexReg 1096; amended to be effective August 8, 2016, 41 TexReg 5766