The Texas Delivery & Registration Process

[bollar]

Has anyone moved personalized plates from an existing car to a new Tesla? I understand that, typically, one only can move personalized plates to a vehicle purchased from a dealer or through a private sale, but I didn't know if someone worked around that.

Frankly, I'm not all that concerned with the vanity plates, but I have 'em. I may as well keep 'em.

It's no problem. Just do that when you're at the county tax collector/assessor.

 

[TexLaw]

It's no problem. Just do that when you're at the county tax collector/assessor.

Terrific. Thank you!

 

[JasJ]

Have a MS arriving later this month. Went on myplates.com and ordered for delivery to Harris county. I was never asked for my VIN. I see others were asked. Did something change or did I do something wrong?

 

[brkaus]

So, you have to pay before the car leaves the factory. Do you still have a chance to note problems, due bill?

Much less leverage than other states.

 

[AndrewTX]

So, you have to pay before the car leaves the factory. Do you still have a chance to note problems, due bill?

Much less leverage than other states.

That hasn't been true for me. My DS tells me that my car has arrived in Houston and I haven't paid anything more than the original $2500 deposit.

 

[brkaus]

That hasn't been true for me. My DS tells me that my car has arrived in Houston and I haven't paid anything more than the original $2500 deposit.

Hope that is the case. I received an email that contained this -

• Your vehicle must be fully paid for before it leaves our factory in California, including any payments from all lenders.

 

[AndrewTX]

Hope that is the case. I received an email that contained this -

• Your vehicle must be fully paid for before it leaves our factory in California, including any payments from all lenders.

I have my delivery scheduled for the middle of next week and still haven't made final payment.

 

[JasJ]

My delivery is Tuesday and Tesla wanted the paperwork signed and funding by Monday. TechCU funded today (6yr loan at 1.74%) AFTER I signed the final motor vehicle purchase agreement.

You only have to pay before the vehicle leaves California if you are not taking delivery @ a Tesla service center. e.g. A direct delivery -- something they offered to me at Christmas (before they built my car wrong and had to rebuild it)

Note this clause in the MVPA:

Delivery. We will notify you of when we expect your Vehicle to be ready for delivery at your local Tesla Service Center, or other location as we may agree to. You agree to schedule and take delivery of your Vehicle within one week of this date. If you are unable to take delivery within the specified period, your Vehicle may be made available for sale to other customers. The estimated delivery date of your Vehicle indicated in this Agreement is an estimate only and is not a guarantee of when your Vehicle will actually be delivered. If, on your behalf, we are coordinating the shipping of the Vehicle to you via a third party common carrier, you agree that delivery of the Vehicle, including the transfer of title and risk of loss, will occur at the time your Vehicle is loaded onto the common carrier’s transport (i.e., FOB shipping point). The carrier will insure your Vehicle while in transit and you will be the beneficiary of any claims for damage to the vehicle or losses occurring while the vehicle is in the possession of a common carrier. To secure your final payment and performance under the terms of this Agreement, we will retain a security interest in the Vehicle and all proceeds therefrom until your obligations have been fulfilled.

 

[TexLaw]

I know it's been mentioned on other threads, but Texas delivery and registration has been streamlined to the point where the word "process" really no longer applies. They now can handle all the logistics on their end, as well as collect the tax and registration fees. I paid cash, but I could have financed the TTL, as well. You just have to sign a couple other forms (for registration), but that's it. They installed the paper plates before I left--no need for the temporary sticker.

This appears to be a VERY recent development, as my DS (Dayan) mentioned that my March 11 delivery was one of the first he could handle that way (if not the first--I don't recall). I was all geared up for a visit to the courthouse, but it's just not necessary any longer. Can I get a "Hallelujah"?

Regarding the payment, Dayan mentioned that I just had to put in the funds transfer prior to driving away. That took all of about five minutes to do.

With the new developments, this was absolutely the smoothest delivery I've ever taken on a car. No F&I Guy, or anything like that. It was just a matter of initialing and signing a few things, doing the walkthrough, getting the phone charger and paper plates installed, and drive away. Beautiful.

 

[brkaus]

I believe that "feature" is only in Houston at this time. Hopefully they expand it soon.

 

[TexLaw]

I believe that "feature" is only in Houston at this time. Hopefully they expand it soon.

Ah. Thanks.

Yes, let's hope they get that statewide soon.

 

[ACExpress]

I believe that "feature" is only in Houston at this time. Hopefully they expand it soon.

I had the same experience as @TexLaw on my 3/14 delivery in Dallas. I was ready to hit the county courthouse and all of those headaches, but it was not meant to be! Hopefully I'll have my permanent plates in 2-3 weeks, as my temp tags expire 4/7.

 

[brkaus]

Great update! I'll find out about Austin on Wednesday morning, assuming I get my financing finished in time.

 

[JasJ]

Hmm, I ordered custom plates (see avatar on left), guess I'm still making a visit downtown whenever Tesla finishes with my car. Wonder if they can mail them to me instead.

 

[TexLaw]

Hmm, I ordered custom plates (see avatar on left), guess I'm still making a visit downtown whenever Tesla finishes with my car. Wonder if they can mail them to me instead.

They cannot mail them directly to you. However, if you have an annex nearby, they can mail them there. At least, that was the case five years ago.

 

[JasJ]

They cannot mail them directly to you. However, if you have an annex nearby, they can mail them there...

Thanks. The annex near me(us) is usually busier than downtown. Maybe, I'll take the train if that's near a stop as my work is by a stop in the med center.

@TexLaw Guess I should update my location to Bellaire as well.

 

[Zaphod]

I know it's been mentioned on other threads, but Texas delivery and registration has been streamlined to the point where the word "process" really no longer applies. They now can handle all the logistics on their end, as well as collect the tax and registration fees. I paid cash, but I could have financed the TTL, as well. You just have to sign a couple other forms (for registration), but that's it. They installed the paper plates before I left--no need for the temporary sticker.

This appears to be a VERY recent development, as my DS (Dayan) mentioned that my March 11 delivery was one of the first he could handle that way (if not the first--I don't recall). I was all geared up for a visit to the courthouse, but it's just not necessary any longer. Can I get a "Hallelujah"?

Regarding the payment, Dayan mentioned that I just had to put in the funds transfer prior to driving away. That took all of about five minutes to do.

With the new developments, this was absolutely the smoothest delivery I've ever taken on a car. No F&I Guy, or anything like that. It was just a matter of initialing and signing a few things, doing the walkthrough, getting the phone charger and paper plates installed, and drive away. Beautiful.

To clarify, are the paper plates from TX or from CA?

 

[TexLaw]

To clarify, are the paper plates from TX or from CA?

Texas.

 

[Zaphod]

Texas.

Thanks. Wow, that is quite the change in the process. I wonder what changed that they are now able to do it this way.

 

[kash]

DS said they are skirting the law!