The federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) restricts the release of personal information in vehicle records and regulates how recipients of that information may use the information. While access to personal information is restricted by the DPPA, this information is legally available to those who have a required or permissible use for the personal information. Non-personal information from a motor vehicle record is available to any requester if the personal information in that record is not provided.

Beginning December 1, 2000, TxDOT will restrict the release of all personal information in all motor vehicle records as a result of amendments to the DPPA. Personal information may only be released if the person, business, or organization requesting the information certifies that they qualify under one of the required or permissible uses allowed by law. Additionally, no personal information contained in vehicle records will be released for bulk distribution of surveys, marketing, or solicitation. Social security numbers are not publicly available and are not released. Information about the vehicle, or the registration or title status, may be released without restriction.

Before any personal information may be released, a requester must provide written certification of their intended use of the personal information on a Form VTR-275, Request for Texas Vehicle Information*. The requester may only share or redisclose the personal information they receive with others if the recipient has a required or permissible use for the information. Anyone sharing or redisclosing the personal information they obtained must keep a record for five years that includes whose personal information was shared, the identity of the recipient, and the recipient’s permitted use.

If you have questions regarding the release of personal information, please contact your local County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office or the VTR Customer Help Desk at (512) 465-7611.

REQUIRED DISCLOSURES

The department is required to disclose:

1. motor vehicle or motor vehicle operator safety,

2. motor vehicle theft,

3. motor vehicle emissions,

4. motor vehicle product alterations, recalls, or advisories,

5. performance monitoring of motor vehicles and motor vehicle dealers by a motor vehicle manufacturer,

6. removal of non-owner records from the original owner records of a motor vehicle manufacturer to carry out the purposes of:

1. the Automobile Information Disclosure Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 1231 et seq.;

2. 49 U.S.C. Chapters 301, 305, 323, 325, 327, 329, and 331;

3. the Anti Car Theft Act of 1992, 18 U.S.C. Sections 553, 981, 982, 2119, 2312, 2313, and 2322, 19 U.S.C. Sections 1646b and 1646c, and 42 U.S.C. Section 3750a et seq., all as amended;

4. the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq., as amended; and

5. any other statute or regulation enacted or adopted under or in relation to a law included in Paragraphs (a)-(d), and

6. child support enforcement under Chapter 231, Family Code.

PERMITTED DISCLOSURES

The department may release all information contained in the department records, including personal information, if the person requesting the information certifies that the use of the information will be strictly limited to:

1. Use by a government agency, including any court or law enforcement agency, in carrying out its functions, or a private person or entity acting on behalf of a government agency in carrying out the functions of the agency.

2. Use in connection with matters of:

- motor vehicle or motor vehicle operator safety,

- motor vehicle theft,

- motor vehicle product alterations, recalls, or advisories,

- performance monitoring of motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts or motor vehicle dealers,

- motor vehicle market research activities, including survey research, or

- removal of non-owner records from the original owner records of motor vehicle manufacturers.

3. Use in the normal course of business by a legitimate business or an authorized agent of the business, but only:

1. to verify the accuracy of personal information submitted by the individual to the business or the agent of the business; and

2. if the information is not correct, to obtain the correct information, for the sole purpose of preventing fraud by, pursuing legal remedy against, or recovering on a debt or security interest against the individual.

4. Use in connection with a civil, criminal, administrative, or arbitral proceeding in any court or government agency or before any self-regulatory body, including the service of process, investigation in anticipation of litigation, execution or enforcement of a judgment or order, or under an order of any court.

5. Use in research or in producing statistical reports, but only if the personal information is not published, redisclosed, or used to contact any individual.

6. Use by an insurer or insurance support organization, or by a self-insured entity, or an authorized agent of the entity in connection with claims investigation activities, antifraud activities, rating or underwriting.

7. Use in providing notice to an owner of a towed or impounded vehicle.

8. Use by a licensed private investigator agency or licensed security service for a purpose permitted under this section.

9. Use by an employer or an agent or insurer of the employer to obtain or verify information relating to a holder of a commercial driver's license that is required under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 313.

10. Use in connection with the operation of a private toll transportation facility.

11. Use for any other purpose specifically authorized by law that relates to the operation of a motor vehicle or to public safety.

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* (Documents are in Adobe Acrobat format)