PURPOSE
To clarify that machinery/equipment type vehicles should not be issued a Texas Certificate of Title.

DETAILS
There are machinery and equipment type vehicles that do not fall within the definition of "motor vehicle" under the provisions of Chapter 501 of the Texas Transportation Code. Therefore, "title only" certificates of title should not be issued for these vehicles. Since the state began issuing titles without registration in 1999, some titles have been issued inadvertently, primarily in order to record a lienholder.

A list of such equipment that should not be titled would include the following:

• Construction machinery (unconventional vehicles);
• Machinery used exclusively for drilling water wells (water well drilling units);
• Construction machinery not designed to transport persons or property;
• Implements of husbandry and farm equipment, such as combines.

COUNTY ACTION
If the owner/lienholder of non-titled machinery or equipment wishes to apply for a Certificate of Title in order to record a lien, they should be instructed to file the lien information with the Texas Secretary of State’s Office. Please have owners and lienholders contact the Uniform Commercial Code Section of the Secretary of State’s Office at (512) 475-2700, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST, for more information.

DEPARTMENT ACTION
Revisions to the Vehicle Title Manual will be made at the next available opportunity.

CONTACT
If you have any questions or need more information about this bulletin, please contact your local Vehicle Titles and Registration Division Regional Office. Thank you very much.

In some cases the Registration and Title Bulletins (RTB) contain attachments. If you require a copy of the original signed RTB and the attachments, please email your request with the RTB number to VTR Info Request/Open Records. Repeat requests are subject to charges in accordance with Open Record policies. A subscription service is also available for an annual fee of $250. Subscribers will automatically receive all RTB mailings as they are issued.