Texas registration issues and steps to navigate them

[sublimaze1]

I just got my car today. I've called the product specialist and emailed him and I still don't have the fedex packet containing the "Application for Registration signed by Tesla". Should I have to wait long? I will keep calling, but thought I would ask you guys for the awesome wealth of information you have.

P51/VIN 1751
Grey/Tan performance.

That is an interesting statement.

To date (and all Texans, chime in here) I think that many if not all of us had our paperwork either delivered before, or at the same time as the car. However, don't fret. Since it is the holiday weekend, you probably want to take $25 (cash) to the Tax office (with proof of insurance) and get a temporary transit tag. This tag is used to take out of state cars for inspection, repair, etc. Having this bolted to the back of your car will lessen Mr. Plod in pulling you over than will that thin strip of paper. Come to think of it, you don't have that thin strip of paper either, do you?

Yeah, I would get the transit tag. That way you have something to drive for Christmas.

WJ

 

[mark]

Tesla is behind in processing paperwork - I have had my car 3 days and just got an email with a copy of the California new vehicle temporary identification. My DS said they have to send me the title application and I have to sign it and send it back. Only then they can generate the other documents. She also talked about Telsa reimbursing me for sales tax (would be nice but I haven't paid any yet). I have driven my S only twice around the neighborhood as I wait for the registration documents. Any suggestions?

 

[dsm363]

Tesla is behind in processing paperwork - I have had my car 3 days and just got an email with a copy of the California new vehicle temporary identification. My DS said they have to send me the title application and I have to sign it and send it back. Only then they can generate the other documents. She also talked about Telsa reimbursing me for sales tax (would be nice but I haven't paid any yet). I have driven my S only twice around the neighborhood as I wait for the registration documents. Any suggestions?

For $25 and a copy of your insurance (bring your final MPVA too if they can e-mail that to you) I believe you can get a temporary registration so at least you can drive your car around legally and get the inspection done while you wait. Cattledog had this done.

 

[TXjak]

Tesla is behind in processing paperwork - I have had my car 3 days and just got an email with a copy of the California new vehicle temporary identification. My DS said they have to send me the title application and I have to sign it and send it back. Only then they can generate the other documents. She also talked about Telsa reimbursing me for sales tax (would be nice but I haven't paid any yet). I have driven my S only twice around the neighborhood as I wait for the registration documents. Any suggestions?

It sounds like she isn't up on the Texas process. You should take the Texas Title Application and the Mfr Certificate of Origin to the Tax Office yourself. That's when you register and pay the tax. Tesla can't do that in Texas.

 

[Cattledog]

Temporary Registration in Texas

Tesla is behind in processing paperwork - I have had my car 3 days and just got an email with a copy of the California new vehicle temporary identification. My DS said they have to send me the title application and I have to sign it and send it back. Only then they can generate the other documents. She also talked about Telsa reimbursing me for sales tax (would be nice but I haven't paid any yet). I have driven my S only twice around the neighborhood as I wait for the registration documents. Any suggestions?

I went to DMV in San Antonio (can also be done at your county tax office) and got a 30 day temporary registration. I needed proof of insurance (make sure it shows at least 30 days of coverage from that date forward), VIN, driver's license, and $25. They give you a temporary tag to put on car. Don't have my car yet (Thursday now) but guy at desk wouldn't say if you could get state inspection with temp tag. I assume you can. One call to inspection place would probably answer that. Good luck.

 

[EngineerMom]

I'm excited that another Model S will hit Texas streets next week... mine! I read through this and other related threads which refer to what happens once you have the MCO, bill of sale and Texas application for registration. It looks like I'm still at the stage before this, though, and Tesla has sent me California documents. Was this the case for anyone who successfully took delivery and registered in Texas?

Specifically, according to the cover letter
- California Application for Registration of New Vehicle (Reg 397)
- California Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (Reg 262) [but which actually seems to be Reg 260 Power of Attorney for Tesla to complete all necessary documents to transfer ownership]
- Statement of Delivery Outside California Form (Reg 448)

Words from the wise would be greatly appreciated!

 

[sublimaze1]

@ engineermom

MCO - Texas will keep this. I made a copy. It has elon signature.

Texas forms. You just sign.

Insurance. Valid on date you show up.

$5K+

Done.

 

[mark]

I got the same packet as EngineerMom - no MCO included. My DS told me to complete and return the documents to Telsa. She said I could use the California DMV registration form with the final MVPA to register the car in Texas (no MCO required - there is a backlog in processing them). I was skeptical but she said she was pretty sure. I will try to go by tomorrow and see what they say - if she is wrong, I can at least get a temporary tag and get the car inspected.

 

[EngineerMom]

Thanks for the response. The final part seems well covered here in the forums. The FedEx package I received today didn't include the MCO or Texas forms, though. It just had the California forms mentioned. Were these California forms a step in your process before you received a second/final FedEx with the MCO and Texas forms?

 

[dsm363]

Thanks for the response. The final part seems well covered here in the forums. The FedEx package I received today didn't include the MCO or Texas forms, though. It just had the California forms mentioned. Were these California forms a step in your process before you received a second/final FedEx with the MCO and Texas forms?

Unless they have changed things, you are supposed to FedEx that paperwork back. They will then send you the final paperwork that you need to register your car.

 

[TXjak]

I'm excited that another Model S will hit Texas streets next week... mine! I read through this and other related threads which refer to what happens once you have the MCO, bill of sale and Texas application for registration. It looks like I'm still at the stage before this, though, and Tesla has sent me California documents. Was this the case for anyone who successfully took delivery and registered in Texas?

Specifically, according to the cover letter
- California Application for Registration of New Vehicle (Reg 397)
- California Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (Reg 262) [but which actually seems to be Reg 260 Power of Attorney for Tesla to complete all necessary documents to transfer ownership]
- Statement of Delivery Outside California Form (Reg 448)

Words from the wise would be greatly appreciated!

Yes, you should get another set for Texas which you'll take to your County Tax Office to register, etc. There have been cases of people getting their car before getting this set, in which case you can either wait for them or get some temporary tags for $25 to allow you to drive the car until they come (See here).

BTW what is your No.?

 

[TXjak]

Updated Texas Delivery & Registration Process without a DS

Here's the (final?) updated process following the "finalize" step for Texas delivery without a Delivery Specialist:

1. Tesla contacts you with VIN and shipment date, advises of balance due.
2. You pay the balance due. (See Note 1, below.)
3. As much as a week or two prior to shipment, Tesla may send you some California paperwork to sign, if not it should come with the Texas paperwork.
4. You return it to Tesla
5. Prior to shipment (hopefully), Tesla sends you the Mfr. Certificate of Origin (MCO), Texas Application for Title, Bill of Sale (hard copy of signed MVPA) and other paperwork. (If not, see Note 2, below.)
6. You file the Application for Title with your County Tax Office, pay the sales tax, show proof of insurance and get your registration sticker and license plates (temp or otherwise). (See Note 3, below.)
7. Your vehicle is delivered. You attach license plate(s) and go get a state inspection.
8. You receive your Texas Title in the mail sometime later.

Notes

1. I suggest that before you send the final payment you talk to someone and verify these steps. (Save their phone number.)
2. If you get the car before you get the Texas paperwork to register it, you can get temporary tags at the DMV for $25 to allow you to drive the car for up to 30 days. The Tesla cover letter for the Texas paperwork also says that you must register the car within 20 days of taking posession. My PS (Andy) said that you could just get an inspection instead of temporary TX tags to drive for up to 20 days.
3. If you have financing, fill in the lienholder information on the Title Application, if you have been instructed to do so by your lender, or bring the lender's paperwork with you.

 

[EngineerMom]

It looks like I'll be getting the car before the paperwork. The truck driver called between my first post and now. He's delivering two to Austin tomorrow so congrats to the other owner, too! I'll be making a trip to the tax office or DMV to get temporary tags in the morning on my way to work.

@TXjak 8739 was the reservation number. With the re-ordering as a result of it matching the config they were making at the time, it is actually 3216.

 

[TXjak]

I got the same packet as EngineerMom - no MCO included. My DS told me to complete and return the documents to Telsa. She said I could use the California DMV registration form with the final MVPA to register the car in Texas (no MCO required - there is a backlog in processing them). I was skeptical but she said she was pretty sure. I will try to go by tomorrow and see what they say - if she is wrong, I can at least get a temporary tag and get the car inspected.

Please do let us know how you fare with the Calif. registration.

 

[TXjak]

It looks like I'll be getting the car before the paperwork. The truck driver called between my first post and now. He's delivering two to Austin tomorrow so congrats to the other owner, too! I'll be making a trip to the tax office or DMV to get temporary tags in the morning on my way to work.

@TXjak 8739 was the reservation number. With the re-ordering as a result of it matching the config they were making at the time, it is actually 3216.

Congratulations! If you're interested, there is a Cars and Coffee meet-up at the Oasis on Sunday. Five or six other Model S's plan to be there.

 

[mark]

So I was told I could use the California registration paperwork to register the car and was going to give it a try today when the MCO showed up (I had asked several times about an ETA so I could avoid 2 trips to the DMV but got no firm date until it just appeared). I took everything to the tax office and they only wanted the MCO. But on the back of the MCO the car was first listed as transferred from Tesla to Tesla with odometer listed at 10mi (almost like from a factory to a dealer), then secondly to me (odometer of 95mi). Well - she refused to register the car unless there was a date listed for the day it was transferred from Tesla to Tesla. So I called my DS and got no answer (just waited 30min in line), so I just guessed a date around when it should have been completed in the factory. She then happily took my $5600 and gave me my plates. She never looked at the California paperwork. I would also add to the list of things to bring: the lien holder paperwork if you have a loan as this is supposed to be on the title application.

Got it inspected afterward – no problem – the guy even asked me to drive it for him because he was unsure he could do it. All the employees were crowding around looking at the dash in awe.

Didn’t put the front plate on yet and the inspector didn’t say a word.

Glad to have all that done – it was a stressful few days. It’s an amazing car and all worth it.

 

[TXjak]

So I was told I could use the California registration paperwork to register the car and was going to give it a try today when the MCO showed up (I had asked several times about an ETA so I could avoid 2 trips to the DMV but got no firm date until it just appeared). I took everything to the tax office and they only wanted the MCO. But on the back of the MCO the car was first listed as transferred from Tesla to Tesla with odometer listed at 10mi (almost like from a factory to a dealer), then secondly to me (odometer of 95mi). Well - she refused to register the car unless there was a date listed for the day it was transferred from Tesla to Tesla. So I called my DS and got no answer (just waited 30min in line), so I just guessed a date around when it should have been completed in the factory. She then happily took my $5600 and gave me my plates. She never looked at the California paperwork. I would also add to the list of things to bring: the lien holder paperwork if you have a loan as this is supposed to be on the title application.

Got it inspected afterward – no problem – the guy even asked me to drive it for him because he was unsure he could do it. All the employees were crowding around looking at the dash in awe.

Didn’t put the front plate on yet and the inspector didn’t say a word.

Glad to have all that done – it was a stressful few days. It’s an amazing car and all worth it.

Good going, Mark. Thanks for the update. I'll add another note to the process steps.

 

[stephenpace]

she refused to register the car unless there was a date listed for the day it was transferred from Tesla to Tesla. So I called my DS and got no answer (just waited 30min in line), so I just guessed a date around when it should have been completed in the factory.

Glad it worked out. I provided feedback to Tesla after I had to do a similar "guess the date" on my paperwork (which also sent my DS scrambling around), and now post-change, it looks like there is another one. Please also send feedback to Ownership so they can make sure they fill in that date on all future Texas paperwork. The end goal is you hand them the paperwork and it goes through with no issue the first time.

 

[SteveH]

(Re)Updated Texas Delivery & Registration Process without a DS

I had a ran into a few extra steps with my local credit union so wanted to update these steps to reflect my experience:

Updated Texas Delivery & Registration Process without a DS

Here's the updated process following the "finalize" step for Texas delivery without a Delivery Specialist:

1. Tesla contacts you with VIN. (As often as not this is you contacting Tesla. These guys are incredibly busy and the squeaky wheel really does get the grease.) Whoever you get in touch of here should be your contact through the rest of the process. This will be about 2 weeks before your car is ready and if you're getting a loan you may need every day of those two weeks so get to work.
2. At Tesla's request you send (fax or e-mail) copies of your driver's license and proof of insurance.
3. Tesla sends you the "final" Motor Vehicle Purchase Agreement (MVPA). The MVPA will show the amount of the car minus your $5k deposit. If you are getting a loan and putting more down than the $5k then don't bother signing this yet, it only wastes time. Find the page with wire instructions and immediately wire the remainder of your down payment to Tesla.
4. Call Tesla back the next day and make sure the wire went through if it did ask them to send you an updated MVPA that shows the remaining amount due (i.e. the amount you want to borrow.)
5. Call your bank, explain to them about 5 times that you're buying the car from a manufacturer and not a dealer and that you will need them to wire the final loan amount to Tesla. Ask them specifically if they can do that and what paperwork they need from Tesla in advance. At a minimum they will need a fully executed copy of the MVPA that shows the amount of the loan as the amount due.
6. When you get the MVPA back from Tesla sign it quickly and then wait a day or two for them to sign it. During this time reach out to your Tesla contact and get them any additional paperwork that you bank requires. In my case it was a custom "Letter of Guarantee" and a front and back copy of the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin.
7. I hate to say it, but call Tesla repeatedly through this part. By now your car is almost finished and you need to be squeaky wheel. Once you get all required documents back from Tesla send them on to your bank and ask them to wire the money.'
8. Once your bank says the money is wired call Tesla back to try and get shipping information.
9. Prior to shipment (hopefully), Tesla sends you the Mfr. Certificate of Origin (MCO), Texas Application for Title, Bill of Sale (hard copy of signed MVPA) and other paperwork. (If not, see Note 2, below.)
10. You file the Application for Title with your County Tax Office, pay the sales tax, show proof of insurance and get your registration sticker and license plates (temp or otherwise). (See Note 3, below.)
11. Your vehicle is delivered. You attach license plate(s) and go get a state inspection.
12. You receive your Texas Title in the mail sometime later.

Notes

1. I suggest that before you send the final payment you talk to someone and verify these steps. (Save their phone number.)
2. If you get the car before you get the Texas paperwork to register it, you can get temporary tags at the DMV for $25 to allow you to drive the car for up to 30 days.
3. If you have financing, fill in the lienholder information on the Title Application, if you have been instructed to do so by your lender, or bring the lender's paperwork with you.

 

[LagunaDallas]

I had a ran into a few extra steps with my local credit union so wanted to update these steps to reflect my experience:

Thanks Steve...very helpful!