Texans: how long to get your Former MV plates?

[TexAndy]

The lady at the tax office won't let me title my truck until the FMV plates come in. She wants to do it all at the same time, both titling and registering.

I was finally able to get her to order some FMV plates (they didn't even have ONE at the office), but she has no clue how long it'll take them to get here. Nor does she care to find out. I think she's actually pissed at me for making her work a teeny tiny bit. Heck, I did all her research for her on how to do this.

Sigh. I wouldn't care about the wait, normally, but the VIN number for the Deuce comes up as invalid for my insurance provider and they've been kind enough to not cancel my policy while I get it titled and hopefully clear that up.

Again... why does this have to be difficult?

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

You are going down the path that I shall also travel soon. I will keep you in my prayers

Hopefully, the folks here in Tom Green County will be more understanding. My intent is to run without tags, and just use Bumper Numbers though.

Please keep us posted.

John

[edit] I don't suppose that it would help to gently remind her that she is a PUBLIC SERVANT, would it? Have you offered her lunch if she helps you along the way? Just some thoughts.

 

[NDT]

TexAndy, you are probably the first MV owner to ever ask for the metal plates. USAAFSS, you don't use the bumper number, you use the registration number, somthing like 4F1234. Make sure you have it painted on the tailgate and have your picture of the tailgate with you when you go to the tax office, along with the SF97, the Florida dealer reassignment, the VTR130 title application, the Former Military form, and your insurance card and you will be ridin' clean . . .

 

[101ABSniper]

it took 3 days for my FMV plate to get here in Copperas Cove when they order them for me went easy as pie and all the Ladys went out to look at it

 

[reallybigboat]

TexAndy - I am currently going through the exact same process here in Denton County, although the ladies are super nice. After about four separate calls to the "special plates" department in Austin, they figured it out. Even though this is my 5th FMV to license as such in Texas (using both the FMV plate & bumper numbers, depending on the vehicle), they had to determine the process on their own, with me politely standing at the window, 'coaching' them…and a line forming behind me.

The most important aspect is to pay your Texas state sales tax within the 20 day window... it's all on the 130-U form. Once you pay your sales tax, the clock stops ticking against the 20 day window for late payment of sales tax. If you pay outside the 20 (working) day window, then the penalty kicks-in. Get a receipt for the sales tax paid to be shown as proof when you license. I also had my proof of insurance at this time, but it’s not needed. I read somewhere (but have not verified), there is an exemption to the sales tax penalty if buy via SF-97. I read that here on SS somewhere.

They will not perform the title work until my Texas FMV plates arrive, as you indicate. They had to order an entire box of FMV plates, as there were none in Denton County (they checked all the other tax assessor office in the County) and one box was the minimum order quantity. I was in the tax office on 08/25 and they just called me today 09/03, indicating the FMV plates arrived. They can only order on certain days and fortunately, the 25th was an "order" day, or so they explained to me. So, that was just over 1 1/2 weeks for the arrival of the FMV plate.

Then, next step is to re-title using the 130-U information and previous title (mine was titled in another State, but the SF-97 process works the same), and assign the FMV plate (or use the last six of the bumper number as your plate). They would not perform the title work, until they could assign a plate, unless I wanted to do a "title only". The problem with a "title only" is you can't apply for plates until that "title only" arrives, which could be up to six weeks. Waiting for the FMV plate to arrive is much faster. You can however buy a temporary 30 day paper plate for ~$50.00 if I recall correctly, if you desire to drive your truck until the FMV plate arrives. No restriction on this 30 day plate. Heavier trucks it’s a 144 hour trip permit. I’ve gone the paper plate route on 3 of my 5 FMV’s and it’s worked well. No State Inspection is needed. Then, wait for the "title only" of FMV plate to arrive, and then get your FMV plate.

Another very important aspect is they typically demand a weigh scale ticket to verify empty weight on large trucks. In Texas, vehicles over 25 years old do not require a weigh ticket. This was another call to Austin... Make sure to know that one, otherwise you will need to have a weigh scale ticket from a certified scale to title. My out-of-State title had the empty weigh on it, but they still required a weigh ticket, until I explained (and they verified) the 25 year old exemption. (It’s kind of a catch 22 – I can’t legally drive until I have plates, so how can I drive to get it weighed to get my plates…???)

Also, notice on the 130-U form there is an additional 2.5% emissions penalty for diesel vehicle 1996 and older over 14,000 lbs GVWR. Nice.

Finally, typically they require a State safety / emission form indicating the vehicle has passed Texas State safety and emissions inspection and had the VIN verified. Since the FMV process falls under "antique" (another call to Austin), and antique vehicles are exempt from inspection, if licensed as such, no safety inspection is needed to title and license.

So, just be patient. We are fortunate in Texas we do have a very great legislation to recognize and license FMV's. In fact, compared to licensing a regular truck of the same GVWR, our FMV license fees are a super deal! Of course, we are very limited in use only for “parades, club activities, exhibitions, and other functions of public interest and will not be used for regular transportation.” You just have to research the Texas Motor Vehicle Laws, know the rules, and go to your tax office humble and informed. I've licensed all five of mine FMV’s through different Tax Assessor offices in my County and the ladies could not have been nicer. In addition, I own an amphibious car with a boat title, car title, boat registration, car registration, boat insurance, and car insurance on the same vehicle which also has a non-conforming (non-17 digit VIN number).... now that one really gave them a challenge!

Best of luck! I do suggest another office with nicer ladies. PM or reply back if I can help further.

 

[Pawnshop]

No, on a lot of the previous things mentioned in several posts.

Don't get FMV plates, use a marking already on the vehicle. Texas allows the FMV registration with any "military applied marking", does not have to be a bumper number, or the "USA" number, it can be ANY marking and it does not have to be on the outside of the vehicle. My M35A2 is registered with the military applied registration number on the inside of the doors. I know a former USMC motorcycle that is registered with "USMC" as the "plate" number (USMC is painted on the faring), his second choice if USMC was already issued was "TP30". I have verified and re-verified this several times over the last year, including again just yesterday, with the Travis County Tax Assessor Collector's office (in Austin).

There is no time limit on paying the sales tax if the item was purchased from the Government, and the sales tax is only collected from the sale amount (not including the 10% GL bidder fee).

30 day temp plates can not be used for vehicles over 11,000 GVW. Don't get plates and that is irrelevant.

There are no inspections of any kind required on a FMV registered vehicle. The VIN DOES have to be certified on a vehicle that has never been registered in Texas. That certification is done by the Auto Theft Interdiction unit of your local PD or county SO. There are no weight tickets required for FMV, that applies to commercial only.

The form number for the VIN cert is VTR-68-A, it is NOT the same one used by auto inspection stations.

 

[reallybigboat]

Here is the link for the application for Texas FMV plates:

http://www.dot.state.tx.us/txdotefo...eportError.jsp&configFile=WFServletConfig.xml

Please note the requirement on the above form Texas FMV form ...registration number..."shall be displayed in digits at least two inches high, in a design and location, which conforms with the vehicle's official military design and markings."

...and, you are required to attach a picture of your MV to the back of the application form.

Here is the Texas Motor Vehicle Code:

504.502. CERTAIN EXHIBITION VEHICLES; OFFENSE. (a)
The department shall issue specialty license plates for a passenger
car, truck, motorcycle, or former military vehicle that:
(1) is at least 25 years old, if the vehicle is a
passenger car, truck, or motorcycle;
(2) is a collector's item;
(3) is used exclusively for exhibitions, club
activities, parades, and other functions of public interest and is
not used for regular transportation; and
(4) does not carry advertising.
(b) The license plates must include the words "Antique
Auto," "Antique Truck," "Antique Motorcycle," or "Military
Vehicle," as appropriate.
(c) A person eligible for the license plates may instead use
license plates issued by this state in the same year as the model
year of the vehicle and approved by the department, provided that a
passenger car must bear passenger car or truck license plates and a
truck must bear passenger car or truck license plates. The
department may require attachment of a registration insignia to the
license plate in a manner that does not affect the display of
information originally on the license plate.
(d) License plates issued or approved under this section
expire on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance or approval.
(e) The fee for issuance or approval of license plates under
this section is:
(1) $10 for each year or portion of a year remaining in
the five-year registration period if the vehicle was manufactured
in 1921 or later; or
(2) $8 for each year or portion of a year remaining in
the five-year registration period if the vehicle was manufactured
before 1921.
(f) The department may exempt a former military vehicle from
the requirement to display a license plate or registration insignia
if the exemption is necessary to maintain the vehicle's accurate
military markings. The department may approve an alternative
registration insignia that is compatible with the vehicle's
original markings.
(g) A person entitled to specialty license plates or to
department approval under this section may register the vehicle
without payment of any fees paid for or at the time of registration
except the fee for the license plate. An owner of a vehicle
registered under this subsection who violates this section commits
an offense. An offense under this section is a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine of not less than $5 or more than $200.
(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a vehicle
issued license plates under Subsection (a) shall be required to
attach and display only one license plate on the rear of the
vehicle.
(i) In this section, "former military vehicle" means a
vehicle, including a trailer, regardless of the vehicle's size,
weight, or year of manufacture, that:
(1) was manufactured for use in any country's military
forces; and
(2) is maintained to represent its military design and
markings accurately.
(j) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution of an
offense under this section that at the time of the offense the
vehicle was en route to or from a location for the purpose of
routine maintenance of the vehicle.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1320, § 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 1318, § 1, eff. Sept. 1,
2005.


I mentioned what worked for me on my five FMV's. There are many postings out there from the "experts".

 

[Buckmaw]

Do you ever get any flak from the local police about running without a plate?

I wont be using mine as a daily driver, but it will be driven a few times a week.

I would like to go FMV route, but the whole "club, function, etc..." bothers me.

 

[Pawnshop]

"shall be displayed in digits at least two inches high, in a design and location, which conforms with the vehicle's official military design and markings."

Like I said, inside the door is where the Army put the number on my M35A2 and that is where The State of Texas and County of Travis recognize it as my FMV's registration number. You can put it on the outside if you wish (even though that has not been allowed by Army regs since the early 1970s) or you can run a plate if you wish, but you are not required to do either by Texas law.

 

[Pawnshop]

Do you ever get any flak from the local police about running without a plate?

I wont be using mine as a daily driver, but it will be driven a few times a week.

I would like to go FMV route, but the whole "club, function, etc..." bothers me.

I have not in over a year of sporadic Deuce driving. That said, a Deuce is an instantly recognized "Army truck", a CUCV looks like a civilian vehicle painted green (which it is), it looks like it SHOULD have plates on it. I do use my M1009 for a daily driver so it is registered as a Texas Passenger Vehicle, but if I ever do register it FMV I might go with the FMV plate for that reason. A friend who owns many FMV registered trucks (and motorcycles) got pulled over the other day for the first time, while driving his M1009, because the Trooper thought it should be displaying plates. He explained the reg to the trooper (who no doubt verified via radio) and was allowed to go on his way.

Join the local club then you have a defense to prosecution, and a lot of fun with your MV!

 

[Buckmaw]

I have not in over a year of sporadic Deuce driving. That said, a Deuce is an instantly recognized "Army truck", a CUCV looks like a civilian vehicle painted green (which it is), it looks like it SHOULD have plates on it. I do use my M1009 for a daily driver so it is registered as a Texas Passenger Vehicle, but if I ever do register it FMV I might go with the FMV plate for that reason. A friend who owns many FMV registered trucks (and motorcycles) got pulled over the other day for the first time, while driving his M1009, because the Trooper thought it should be displaying plates. He explained the reg to the trooper (who no doubt verified via radio) and was allowed to go on his way.

Join the local club then you have a defense to prosecution, and a lot of fun with your MV!

I probably will join... once I get the damn thing...

 

[TexAndy]

Could ya'll tell me where in the law it says I'm exempt from the late penalty on the tax if buying from the government? Because the invoice on this is from back in May, and I'm absolutely POSITIVE this lady is going to hit me up for the full amount of penalties.

 

[M813rc]

Ditto to what Pawnshop said, he does know what he is talking about.

You can use ANY number/letter combo on the vehicle so long as the letters/numerals are at least 2" high and in a "contrasting colour". Including "TP 50" if the mood strikes you.

Most counties will give you the window sticker, however it does NOT go on the window, it goes with your insurance etc. documents to be "displayed upon request". Texas Traffic Code defines that as showing it to the LEO when he asks to see it.

Attached is the actual state sheet for assessing late penalties, read the right side carefully. It is a PDF, so it will be slow loading. (It is on its side below for some reason, but opens the right way up if you right click and open in another window).

NOTE- THE ABOVE APPLIES TO TEXAS ONLY!!!!!!

Cheers

PS: He-who-got-stopped was stopped because the deputy saw him driving the m1009 (which despite the camo, is really not obviously an MV to the uninitiated) several times before in the same area and was curious about why it didn't have plates. Once he was told which number was the registration, he ran it, was quite happy with the result, and after discussing how to get an MV for himself sent said stopped-one on his way with a merry wave

 

[TexAndy]

Ditto to what Pawnshop said, he does know what he is talking about.

You can use ANY number/letter combo on the vehicle so long as the letters/numerals are at least 2" high and in a "contrasting colour". Including "TP 50" if the mood strikes you.

Most counties will give you the window sticker, however it does NOT go on the window, it goes with your insurance etc. documents to be "displayed upon request". Texas Traffic Code defines that as showing it to the LEO when he asks to see it.

Attached is the actual state sheet for assessing late penalties, read the right side carefully. It is a PDF, so it will be slow loading. (It is on its side below for some reason, but opens the right way up if you right click and open in another window).

NOTE- THE ABOVE APPLIES TO TEXAS ONLY!!!!!!

Cheers

PS: He-who-got-stopped was stopped because the deputy saw him driving the m1009 (which despite the camo, is really not obviously an MV to the uninitiated) several times before in the same area and was curious about why it didn't have plates. Once he was told which number was the registration, he ran it, was quite happy with the result, and after discussing how to get an MV for himself sent said stopped-one on his way with a merry wave

Thanks, it looks like the Deuce qualifies both because I bought it from the government via SF97 as well as the 25+ year old vehicle thing.

Yeah, I am aware that I don't NEED the Former MV plate, but I figured it would be a good idea, if for no other reason than reducing my chances of being stopped.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Thanks to all for the TEXAS info! This is developing into a nice, informative thread.

It would be great if SS could have a RESOURSE for each state and a step-by-step titling/registration How-To.

This thread could be a good outline for such a TEXAS resource.

HMMMmmmmmmm..... got me a thinkin' now, y'all

 

[runk]

penalty exemption

I just finished the title / registration process yesterday. You may need to (politely !) remind the tax office person that you are exempt from the 20 day penalty (if you've got an SF-97, or because the truck is eligible for antique plates). It is much less hassle to remove it before they print out the receipt then after....

Jeff

 

[M813rc]

You may need to (politely !) remind the tax office person.... Jeff

I will second the polite bit! Being polite and pleasant, and confident, with the folks in the tax office, along with being prepared with ALL the necessary documents, goes a long way toward getting what you want.

The first time I dealt with titling/registering one of these was my Unimog, which came straight out of Switzerland. One thing I took in with me was a sheet on which I had translated all of the pertinent Swiss paperwork items from German into English, along with converting the metric weights to pounds.
The lady said "You certainly know what you are doing" and "Thank you for doing that, how thoughtful" and let me walk her through the process. I walked out with title and registration in 20 minutes.
While it was the first time for me too, I appeared to know what I was doing, so she went along with it.

Now when I walk in, the ladies excitedly say "Here is one of the guys with the strange trucks! What have you brought us this time?"

Cheers

ps- a decent quality picture of the vehicle printed off the computer is acceptable.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

I will second the polite bit! Being polite and pleasant, and confident, with the folks in the tax office, along with being prepared with ALL the necessary documents, goes a long way toward getting what you want.

....................

While it was the first time for me too, I appeared to know what I was doing, so she went along with it.

Two things come to mind.....
para 1 above:
Sounds like the missing chapter from the book HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE;

and

para 2 above:
"If you can't baffle them with BRILLIANCE, befuddle them with B.S." also known as "Bluffing your way through".

Congrats on cutting through the beaurocratic red tape.

 

[Barrman]

I miss a few days taking Colton to the doctor and confusion is on a rampage. Thanks for posting the facts Sam and Rory, again.

Guys, Texas is super easy when it comes to the Former MV registration. Don't complicate things by adding plates, looking for taxes to pay and fines that don't apply. Adding plates means you have to have to drill holes and get stopped at night a lot because you don't have a light over the plate. You don't need a light because the vehicle didn't have one to begin with. Something else you will have to justify to the person that pulled you over.

Register as a regular vehicle, pay all the fines, fees and such yearly, add plates, plate light, go through inspections and drive happy. Or, take a picture of the numbers somewhere on your truck, register it as a FMV and spend $65 every 5 years with no plate, inspection or hassles. Just don't drive it to work 7 days a week at the same time of day. Whatever makes you happy.

Oh, Sam brought up joining a club. Doing that gives you a reason to be driving the vehicle. Our club in Austin has events just about every weekend somewhere. "I am testing out the brakes before the parade in _____ this weekend officer." is a very real, credible and honest answer.

Another good idea is to figure out what gas stations your city, county and DPS troopers have the contracts to fuel them. Drive your MV to that station to top off around shift change time. They will come to you and look it over, ask the usual questions about where you got it and what you do with it. Getting them familiar with you and the truck will get you waved at everytime you pass them in the future. Just drive proper and don't do dumb things in the truck.

 

[Westex]

Has anyone ever run without registering the thing just to get it home from where you recovered it. My dilemna is that I have my truck stored in Hondo and have gone through it this past weekend, fluids, etc. It's all o.k. to drive and I want to insure it and get it home to El Paso. I wonder if they will register it with just my paid in full invoice after filling out the application for FMV form?