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Before finalizing any purchase in Garland, you should verify the vehicle's history using the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) online Title Check service. By entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), you can see if the title is clean or if it has been "branded" as salvaged, rebuilt, or flood-damaged. This step is critical to ensure the seller is the legitimate owner and that you aren't inheriting any hidden legal or mechanical issues.
Although the state of Texas eliminated annual safety inspections for most non-commercial personal vehicles in 2025, an emissions test is still mandatory for vehicles registered in Garland. Because Garland is part of Dallas County, it falls under local emissions regulations. This requirement applies to most gasoline-powered vehicles between 2 and 24 years old. You will need to provide proof of a passing emissions test to successfully register the vehicle in your name.
As a buyer in Garland, you are responsible for paying a 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax. This tax is calculated based on either the purchase price or the vehicle's standard presumptive value (SPV), whichever amount is higher. In addition to the sales tax, you must pay title transfer fees and registration fees when you process the paperwork at a Dallas County Tax Office location.
While Texas law does not strictly mandate a bill of sale for private vehicle transactions, obtaining one is highly recommended in Garland. This document acts as your official proof of purchase and provides legal protection for both you and the seller. A proper bill of sale should include the date of the transaction, the sale price, the vehicle's VIN, year, make, and model, as well as the printed names and signatures of both parties.
In Texas, license plates are tied to the owner, not the car. The seller must remove their license plates before you drive the vehicle away. You will be issued new license plates when you register the car under your name at the county tax office. It is also important for the seller to file a Vehicle Transfer Notification with the TxDMV to officially release their liability for the vehicle.
If the vehicle title indicates an active lien, the seller has not fully paid off their loan. You cannot transfer the title into your name until the lien is satisfied. The seller must pay off the debt and provide you with an official lien release letter from the lender. Do not hand over payment for the car until you have inspected the original title and the signed lien release document.
6010 W. Spring Creek Pkwy,
Plano, TX 75024
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