Texas registration issues and steps to navigate them

[EngineerMom]

I am still working to get mine titled. The car was delivered on the 10th. I have been fighting the same battle as SteveH with many, many calls to various parties. Today my MCO finally showed up... and was wrong. On the title app it showed a 2012 model year. On the MCO 2013. The dates on the face of the documents didn't match and both the Tesla-Tesla and Tesla-me sale dates were not filled in on the back of the MCO. Tesla says they will send another corrected document set on Monday. Here is hoping this works out!

 

[grisnjam]

I am still working to get mine titled. The car was delivered on the 10th. I have been fighting the same battle as SteveH with many, many calls to various parties. Today my MCO finally showed up... and was wrong. On the title app it showed a 2012 model year. On the MCO 2013. The dates on the face of the documents didn't match and both the Tesla-Tesla and Tesla-me sale dates were not filled in on the back of the MCO. Tesla says they will send another corrected document set on Monday. Here is hoping this works out!

Sorry to hear that, my 60 kWh should be here late this week or early next. Hoping I have better luck

 

[pete8314]

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.
   

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It's working out a little differently for me so far:
1. Emailed scans of my drivers license and current insurance on Jan 22
2. Got the VIN on Jan 24 (after asking a couple of time, my delivery window is/was supposed to be Jan 26-Feb 10).
3. Got the final MVPA today (Jan 29). As I'd already given my PS all the details, this already showed what I need to pay ("Amount Due from Buyer"), and what Penfed will pay.
4. I've faxed (apparently that's faster - go figure) the final MVPA over to Penfed, with a request for an expedited check delivery
5. PS has confirmed that Tesla will be happy with a scan of the Penfed check, my check (assuming I don't wire) and a tracking number showing they're on the way.

So I've not had to wire anything to Tesla to get the final MVPA, all they have of mine right now is still the $5k deposit. Now I just need to see how quick PenFed can move...​

 

[EngineerMom]

Victory! My corrected MCO arrived yesterday. It was still missing the Tesla to Tesla transfer dates on the back that some people have been asked for, but it at least had the right model year. I took the completed title application, MCO, MVPA, the "out of state" safety inspection slip the inspection station gave me and said I'd need at the title office, and my checkbook. I had a very friendly title clerk who started by asking, "What's a Tesla?" We talked about the car, and she said she'd like to see it if she could after we were done. There was no hassle about not having the Tesla to Tesla transfer date on the back. She said she didn't need the inspection form since it was a brand new car and the MCO read "50 state vehicle." She then went on to tell me that if it's a 50 state vehicle she thought they would have completed the Texas inspection in California. She didn't ask for my insurance card (maybe because I had the inspection paperwork?). In any case, when we were done she did slip away from her desk to the front door to get a peek at the car in the lot. Her reaction on seeing it? *gasp* "It's BEAUTIFUL!!!"

 

[garyrodr]

just got my CA paperwork

So just fedEx'ed my CA paperwork. Anyone have any ideas of how long it would be before delivery? I have preapproval letter that has been given to Tesla, but they have not asked for payment from me or my CU (as far as I am aware of...).
Any suggestions on when I should try to get insurance? Do I need anything more than a VIN number to get it insured?
A little intimidated by the process and uncertainty of all this, but excited!

 

[dsm363]

Congrats! They won't load car on truck until payment is in so if you are comfortable with it, find out how much you need to send in and go ahead and do it. That way your car isn't sitting there waiting for payment.

 

[garyrodr]

Thanks dsm! I was never given any routing number for a wire transfer (I am assuming that is the best way to pay). Not sure when or what I have to tell the CU, guess I need to talk to my DS.
Originally had a delivery window of Jan21 - Feb 4 (yesterday), two more email arrived on Jan 30 with the same info along with a letter saying that paperwork would arrive soon. I imaging my car is sitting around somewhere waiting for payment or paperwork.
Last week I thought I have made my last gasoline purchase, but todday it looks like I will have to fill up my Prius one last time!

 

[dsm363]

Thanks dsm! I was never given any routing number for a wire transfer (I am assuming that is the best way to pay). Not sure when or what I have to tell the CU, guess I need to talk to my DS.
Originally had a delivery window of Jan21 - Feb 4 (yesterday), two more email arrived on Jan 30 with the same info along with a letter saying that paperwork would arrive soon. I imaging my car is sitting around somewhere waiting for payment or paperwork.
Last week I thought I have made my last gasoline purchase, but todday it looks like I will have to fill up my Prius one last time!

Do you have your final paperwork? The back page should have the routing number. If not, try calling the ownership team and have them e-mail it to you. Good luck.

 

[pete8314]

I sent my final payment checks (one from PenFed, the other from me) back in the same packet as the registration docs after I checked with my PS that it was OK. He was happy to release the car for shipping on the basis of the check scans, and the FedEx tracking number. That was on Saturday, as of Monday, the car is 'on a truck', but I've no idea where.

 

[garyrodr]

Cool Pete. wish mine were on the same truck, but I guess not!
I called DS and apparently they said they had sent the final paperwork via Docusign on Jan 30! I never received that email, so they resent it. Wired my portion of the money, hopefully the CU can cut a check today. They said they usually FedEx payment.
Now on to insurance and registration!

 

[pete8314]

My PS also said there's 2 or 3 trucks a week heading to (or through?) Texas...not entirely convinced of that, but who knows. I'm working on insurance at the moment, not even thought about registration yet, but I do have the little doohickey from Tesla to put on my rear screen, so I guess I'm ok for a few days.

 

[garyrodr]

My PS also said there's 2 or 3 trucks a week heading to (or through?) Texas...not entirely convinced of that, but who knows. I'm working on insurance at the moment, not even thought about registration yet, but I do have the little doohickey from Tesla to put on my rear screen, so I guess I'm ok for a few days.

That registration paper from Tesla, is for CA registration, I doubt it would do much for the TX DMV, though you could feign ignorance!

 

[Babylonfive]

You won't believe this, but I got a county clerk with nerd cred - She not only knew what a Tesla was, but when she saw te custom plate I selected, she said "does that stand for Amperes?". My mouth was hanging open... "yes", I said... "wow, how do you know that?"... it was a bit surreal.

In any case, I followed the steps from the OP and had absolutely no issues with the data on my materials, and no issue getting registered. My only problem was that Tesla was slow getting me the final docs, so I drove around a few days with only the CA temp reg.

David

 

[pete8314]

That registration paper from Tesla, is for CA registration, I doubt it would do much for the TX DMV, though you could feign ignorance!

Ah. Well, the feigning bit would have come quite naturally if I'd not read this

I exchanged emails with my PS this afternoon, he confirmed that my car is at the Dallas service center, so should just be a few days before it's delivered. So, I need to get my insurance and registration sorted out! My wife bought me a plate at Christmas which is sat at the DMV (I assume), so need to get all of that worked out.

 

[brianman]

You won't believe this, but I got a county clerk with nerd cred - She not only knew what a Tesla was, but when she saw te custom plate I selected, she said "does that stand for Amperes?". My mouth was hanging open... "yes", I said... "wow, how do you know that?"... it was a bit surreal.

In any case, I followed the steps from the OP and had absolutely no issues with the data on my materials, and no issue getting registered. My only problem was that Tesla was slow getting me the final docs, so I drove around a few days with only the CA temp reg.

David

So you bought her coffee right? And maybe offered a test ride?

 

[garyrodr]

ok, got insurance. still waiting on Credit Union! We to tax office to try and get license plates, would not give them to me without bill of sale. Go the 30 day temp registration instead. Was hoping 1x 1.5 hr wait in line would be it, guess not!

 

[garyrodr]

Now the CU is giving me a bit of a hassle. Need to write a letter stating that I am responsible for the taxes (since they are not on the MVPA), and that I will put their name on the title...Out of the office today or I would go in an sign it. Hopefully they can cut a check today and FedEx it over, with luck I will have the car by the weekend!

 

[pete8314]

Which CU? PenFed didn't care about that on my application. At least you have your temp tags (did you have to show current insurance on the Tesla to get them?), that was my big panic late last Friday before collecting the car. Tax office is nice and quiet at 4.45 on a Friday though, so I was in and out in 5 minutes.

 

[garyrodr]

Premier America CU. I went to the tax office on Friday afternoon, 4:15, by 4:30 there was a line out the door! Did you go downtown? I went to the Spring Branch office, it was a zoo!. I did have to show insurance to get the temp tags.....

- - - Updated - - -

Not really sure you have to show insurance though. They did ask to see it, but that was when I was attempting to get the permanent tags. Had to settle for the temps....BTW CU said that they would FedEx the check today. Hope to get my Tesla by the weekend....lots of friends have sent be the NY Times article about the bad Tesla experience. Glad it does not get that cold down here in Houston!

 

[pete8314]

No, I went to the Hurst (Mid cities) tax office. I've got the rest of the paperwork from Tesla now, so I need to go to the tax office in downtown Fort Worth, as they have my vanity plate there. I'm sure that'll be a lot slower...