Tex. Transportation Code § 501.109 — TX Code / Code tn / Chapter 501 / Section 501.109
§ 501.109. OFFENSES.
Status: in_force

(a) A person commits an offense if the person:

(1) applies to the department for a title for a motor vehicle; and

(2) knows or reasonably should know that:

(A) the vehicle is a nonrepairable motor vehicle that has been repaired, rebuilt, or reconstructed;

(B) the vehicle identification number assigned to the motor vehicle belongs to a nonrepairable motor vehicle that has been repaired, rebuilt, or reconstructed;

(C) the title issued to the motor vehicle belongs to a nonrepairable motor vehicle that has been repaired, rebuilt, or reconstructed;

(D) the vehicle identification number assigned to the motor vehicle belongs to an export-only motor vehicle;

(E) the motor vehicle is an export-only motor vehicle; or

(F) the motor vehicle is a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle for which a nonrepairable vehicle title, salvage vehicle title, or comparable ownership document issued by another state or jurisdiction has not been issued.

(b) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly sells, transfers, or releases a salvage motor vehicle in violation of this subchapter.

(c) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly fails or refuses to surrender a regular certificate of title after the person:

(1) receives a notice from an insurance company that the motor vehicle is a nonrepairable or salvage motor vehicle; or

(2) knows the vehicle has become a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle under Section 501.1001.

(c-1) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly:

(1) fails to obtain or falsifies information required under Section 501.098(c);

(2) falsifies the information required under Section 501.098(b) or (h);

(3) falsifies the statement required under Section 501.098(b)(8) or (h)(4);

(4) sells a vehicle under Section 501.098 that is the subject of a security interest or lien other than a security interest or lien described by Section 501.098(a)(4)(A)(ii); or

(5) otherwise violates Section 501.098.

(d) Except as provided by Subsection (e), an offense under Subsection (a), (b), (c), or (c-1) is a Class C misdemeanor.

(e) If it is shown on the trial of an offense under Subsection (a), (b), (c), or (c-1) that the defendant has been previously convicted of:

(1) one offense under Subsection (a), (b), (c), or (c-1), the offense is a Class B misdemeanor; or

(2) two or more offenses under Subsection (a), (b), (c), or (c-1), the offense is a state jail felony.

(f) Subsection (c) does not apply to an applicant for a title under Sections 501.0925 and 501.0935.

(g) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly provides false or incorrect information or without legal authority signs the name of another person on:

(1) an application for a title to a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle;

(2) an application for a certified copy of an original title to a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle;

(3) an assignment of title for a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle;

(4) a discharge of a lien on a title for a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle; or

(5) any other document required by the department or necessary for the transfer of ownership of a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle.

(h) An offense under Subsection (g) is a felony of the third degree.

(i) Money generated from penalties collected for offenses under Subsection (c-1) may be used only for enforcement, investigation, prosecution, and training activities related to motor vehicle related offenses.