Texas registration issues and steps to navigate them

Dave, if I order my custom plates at a time to coincide with Model S delivery, would that minimize the inconvenience?

 

@Babylonfive Potentially, but not over and above the standard plates. I took my paperwork to the TX DMW and had plates before I technically received the car (which was coming later that day). I then put a real plate on rather than a temporary. My personalized plate arrived later and I just swapped it when it arrived. Your process may be slightly different with the recent TX change (e.g. you'll have to pay the taxes when you pick up the plate until Tesla sorts through that) but once you do that, I don't see why you couldn't pick up a plate immediately.

 

For Texas folks - how do you get your plates? Have my S, have the paperwork from Tesla with application for Texas title, receipt from Tesla, and ordered custom plates which should be at tax assessors. Did you get it inspected first? Do you then go to the tax assessors office and pay your sales tax and they give you plates? I didn't get the custom delivery b/c Tesla can't right now in the state of Texas, and the employees in California don't know the answers to this.

 

I was told that Tesla can no longer apply for Texas registration for buyers, (I know this isn't news), but I received a power of attorney document from Tesla as part of the final paperwork to sign. I guess that it is just included with all paperwork sent out although they will not really use it. I plan on going straight to the DMV just as soon as I get the returned paperwork and then getting my car inspected the same morning of delivery...(unless it falls on a Sunday).

 

You may need a green sheet from the inspection station first - so do that before you head over to the DMV

 

Two things. First, STxTesla, I noticed you're in CC. I'm in Austin, but I'm going to be driving to CC tomorrow night (Wed) for thanksgiving weekend. Would it be an imposition, if you have a 220v set up, if I came over and charged? The trip is 211 miles and my father in law only has a 110v in his garage, which I figured will take at minimum 3 days to charge from empty, and that's if I don't drive it while in town. Would greatly appreciate it, I'll bring wine (or beer)!
Second, registered today. So I ordered my plates 6 weeks ago, so they were already in. Tesla mails you a packet with your receipt, your application for a Texas title, and a certificate of origin from California. You take this, your checkbook (taxes were $6900 :scared, drivers license, and proof of insurance to the Tax Assessors office. They register you and give you your plates. Next, you go get it inspected. This was hilarious. The guys had never seen a tesla before. They asked for help because "they needed to pop the hood to inspect the engine." That was a fun explanation. They then asked to see the battery to inspect it. Another explanation. They also wanted to see "the gas port." Basically I spent 20 min showing off the car to all of the mechanics. Then another 20 minutes to another couple guys in the parking lot who wanted to see it. It's been fun!

 

Sent you a PM. Will be glad to charge your car...I have a 240V 14-50 NEMA setup in the garage, so I guess that will be around 25-30 miles per hour of charge. Friday may be difficult as I am on call so I don't know when I will be home. BTW...I live out on Padre Island.
I hope to hear from you...and congrats your your new Tesla!

 

So the question here is: How do you get the green sheet when you can't drive the car to the inspection station because of no license?

 

I think with a vehicle transit permit: https://vision21.txdmv.gov/Vehicle/VehicleLookupForPermit.aspx

 

I have no idea. Found it with guidance from sublimaze1 after reading about the problems in Texas.

 

Once you get all the steps, perhaps they can go in it's own thread and make that thread a sticky. It also needs to be in the bulletin board in the TM forum.

 

Note: "If we cannot match the VIN a Transit Permit cannot be printed."

I don't think it will work for a vehicle that hasn't been registered before.

- - - Updated - - -

According to this post, you can get your plates before you get it inspected.

 

It looks like the post I was referring to has been moved/removed (the one from STxTesla) that said you take the green sheet to the DMV to get your plates).

 

Just to confirm, Texas allows you to get plates without having the car inspected. Two separate processes. I don't know what would happen if you got stopped on the way to getting it inspected, but as long as you were respectful to the cop, I'm thinking you would just get a warning, especially if you showed them you just got the car that day and told them that you were getting it inspected later that day. Even if you got a ticket, you could just get the car inspected, get your paperwork together, and tell your story to the judge. Texas also has a 5 day grace period which may help you:

Is there a grace period to replace an expired inspection sticker? - DMV Answers

Or pay the fine--how much could it be be?