Text of section effective until July 01, 2025
Sec. 503.063.  BUYER'S TEMPORARY TAGS.  (a)  Except as provided by this section, a dealer shall issue to a person who buys a vehicle one temporary buyer's tag for the vehicle.
(b)  Except as provided by this section, the buyer's tag is valid for the operation of the vehicle until the earlier of:
(1)  the date on which the vehicle is registered; or
(2)  the 60th day after the date of purchase.
(c)  The dealer:
(1)  must show in ink on the buyer's tag the actual date of sale and any other required information;  and
(2)  is responsible for displaying the tag.
(d)  The dealer is responsible for the safekeeping and distribution of each buyer's tag the dealer obtains.
(e)  The department may not issue a buyer's tag or contract for the issuance of a buyer's tag but shall prescribe:
(1)  the specifications, color, and form of a buyer's tag; and
(2)  procedures for a dealer to:
(A)  generate a vehicle-specific number using the database developed under Section 503.0631 and assign it to each tag;
(B)  generate a vehicle-specific number using the database developed under Section 503.0631 for future use for when a dealer is unable to access the Internet at the time of sale; and
(C)  clearly display the vehicle-specific number on the tag.
(f)  The department shall ensure that a dealer may generate in advance a sufficient amount of vehicle-specific numbers under Subsection (e)(2)(B) in order to continue selling vehicles for a period of up to one week in which a dealer is unable to access the Internet due to an emergency.  The department shall establish an expedited procedure to allow affected dealers to apply for additional vehicle-specific numbers so they may remain in business during an emergency.
(g)  For each buyer's temporary tag, a dealer shall charge the buyer a registration fee of not more than $5 as prescribed by the department to be sent to the comptroller for deposit to the credit of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles fund.
(h)  A federal, state, or local governmental agency that is exempt under Section 503.024 from the requirement to obtain a dealer general distinguishing number may issue one temporary buyer's tag in accordance with this section for a vehicle sold or otherwise disposed of by the governmental agency under Chapter 2175, Government Code, or other law that authorizes the governmental agency to sell or otherwise dispose of the vehicle.  A governmental agency that issues a temporary buyer's tag under this subsection:
(1)  is subject to the provisions of Sections 503.0631 and 503.067 applicable to a dealer; and
(2)  is not required to charge the registration fee under Subsection (g).
(i)  A vehicle may be issued and display a buyer's tag without satisfying the inspection requirements of Chapter 548 if:
(1)  the buyer of the vehicle is not a resident of this state; and
(2)  the vehicle:
(A)  at the time of purchase, is not located or required to be titled or registered in this state;
(B)  will be titled and registered in accordance with the laws of the buyer's state of residence; and
(C)  will be inspected in accordance with the laws of the buyer's state of residence, if the laws of that state require inspection.
(j)  A vehicle may be issued and display a buyer's tag without satisfying the inspection requirements of Chapter 548 if the vehicle is purchased at public auction in this state and is:
(1)  an antique vehicle as defined by Section 683.077(b); or
(2)  a special interest vehicle as defined by Section 683.077(b) that:
(A)  is at least 12 years of age; and
(B)  has been the subject of a retail sale.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 296, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Subsec. (e) amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 871, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by: 
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 258 (S.B. 11), Sec. 8.05, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1336 (S.B. 1786), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 793 (S.B. 1235), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 793 (S.B. 1235), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1287 (H.B. 2202), Sec. 33, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 910 (H.B. 3760), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 729 (H.B. 3927), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2021.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 668 (H.B. 718), Sec. 16, eff. July 1, 2025.