FAQs
Learn the rules for junking a car in Texas. Titles, liens, registration – get clear answers to the most common questions drivers ask.
Instant Cash Offer For Your Vehicle
Fair Quote, Free Pickup, Fast Cash, Gone Today.
Sell your car today
Free pickup
Best price offered
All vehicles accepted
Fair Quote, Free Pickup, Fast Cash, Gone Today.
Sell your car today
Free pickup
Best price offered
All vehicles accepted
Ultimate Guide
HOW TO JUNK A CAR IN TEXAS
Every form, address, and portal you need to junk your car – organized by situation. Whether you need help transferring ownership or figuring out what forms you need to junk an inherited car, choose the scenario that fits you and get everything you need at a glance.
WHAT SITUATION DO YOU NEED HELP WITH?
EXPERT SUPPORT
TOP 3 THINGS TO DO BEFORE JUNKING YOUR CAR IN TEXAS
Check for outstanding liens
Use a VIN lookup tool, such as CARFAX, to check that the vehicle has no outstanding liens.
Check title brand
Not sure what title brand it has? Run the VIN with a vehicle history tool to find out. Knowing the title brand helps you make sure you have the correct paperwork to sell your vehicle.
Remove license plates
Remove your license plates before you sell. Either transfer them to another vehicle you own, keep them for a future one, or deface and dispose of them.
Pickup-Day Checklist
- Make sure your title is signed.
- Remove your license plates.
- Take your toll tag out of the windshield.
- Clear out all personal belongings.
- Have Form VTR-346 ready to file after the sale.
- Keep your insurance active until the vehicle and plates have been properly handled.
HOW TO TRANSFER A CAR TITLE IN TEXAS
Junking your car in Texas? You and the buyer must sign the title within 30 days to transfer ownership. Got your title? Our section on signing your Texas car title breaks it down even further.
No title? Whether it’s got lost between the couch cushions or buried under that pile of old paperwork – don’t worry. You can apply for a duplicate title using Form VTR-34 in person at a TxDMV Regional Service Center, or by mail to:
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
1601 Southwest Parkway, Suite A
Wichita Falls, TX 76302
Check out our guide to replacing missing titles in Texas for more specialist support.
Form VTR-34
LOST YOUR CAR TITLE? YOU CAN APPLY FOR A DUPLICATE WITH FORM VTR-34.
Duplicate Title Application
- Application method: In person or by mail
- Fee: $2 (mail), $5.45 (in person)
- Processing time: In person – Instant. Mail – several weeks.
HOW TO SIGN YOUR CAR TITLE
Transferring your title to a new owner? Make sure it’s signed correctly to prevent delays or confusion. Where to sign depends on whether the vehicle has one or more owners.
The seller(s) must enter their printed name(s), signature(s) and, for 2011 model year and newer vehicles, the odometer reading on the appropriate lines on both the front and back of the title.
The buyer will then complete their information in the designated section.
KEY INSTRUCTIONS
Follow the instructions for single and joint owners below, using the annotated images to help.
SINGLE OWNERS
Single owners must sign their name once on the front of the title on the ‘signature of owner or agent must be in ink’ line, and once on the back of the title on the ‘signature of seller / agent’ line.
JOINT OWNERS
Each owner named on the title must sign their name once on the front of the title on the “signature of owner or agent must be in ink” line, and once on the back on the “signature of seller / agent” line.
JUNK A CAR WITH AN ETITLE
In Texas, vehicles with an outstanding lien typically have an electronic title, which is stored digitally through the state’s Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) Program.
If your vehicle has an e-title, you’ll need to pay off the lien before you can junk the car. Once the lien is released, you should receive a physical copy of the title, which you’ll need to complete the sale or junk the vehicle.
If the lien has been cleared but you haven’t received your physical title, or you’ve lost it, you can request a replacement using Form VTR-34.
Junking with Wheels Away? You must request a physical title first.
Form VTR-34
IF YOU DON’T HAVE ONE, YOU CAN GET A PHYSICAL COPY OF YOUR LIEN-FREE TITLE USING FORM VTR-34.
Duplicate Title Application
- Application method: In person or by mail
- Fee: $2 (mail), $5.45 (in person)
- Processing time: In person – Instant. Mail – several weeks.
JUNK A CAR WITH NO TITLE IN TEXAS
In Texas, you can’t junk a car without a title.
If you don’t have a title or you’ve lost yours, apply for a duplicate title using the form below, and apply in person at a TxDMV Regional Service Center, or by mail.
Want to learn more? Our guide to junking a car without a title in Texas gives you more information on fees and processing times and answers your most frequently asked questions about replacing missing titles.
Form VTR-34
YOU NEED A TITLE TO JUNK YOUR CAR. APPLY FOR A NEW ONE USING THE FORM BELOW.
Duplicate Title Application
- Application method: In person or by mail
- Fee: $2 (mail), $5.45 (in person)
- Processing time: In person – Instant. Mail – several weeks.
SURRENDER OR TRANSFER YOUR LICENSE PLATE
When you sell your car in Texas, you can either remove and deface your plates, or transfer them to a new vehicle.
If you’re not transferring your plate, you can keep it for a future vehicle or deface and dispose of it to help prevent fraudulent use.
If you’re not transferring your plate, you can keep it for a future vehicle or deface and dispose of it to help prevent fraudulent use. If you decide not to transfer it, dispose of the plate within 10 days of removing it from the vehicle.
You can also keep the plate and transfer it to a new car.
We break down how to cancel your registration in the next section.
TRANSFER YOUR LICENSE PLATES
As long as both vehicles are in the same class, you can transfer your old Texas plate to your new vehicle for free.
Simply take your old plate to your local county tax assessor-collector’s office when you register the new vehicle, and they’ll handle the rest.
When registering your new vehicle, depending on whether it was bought from a licensed dealer or a private sale, you may also need:
- An emissions inspection, if you’re in one of Texas’s 17 emissions counties
- ID and proof of ownership
- Proof of insurance
For exact requirements, contact your local county tax assessor-collector.
CANCEL YOUR REGISTRATION
In Texas, there’s no separate process for canceling your registration when you junk your car.
When you sign the title over to the buyer, and it’s classified as a junk or non-repairable vehicle, this tells the DMV that it is no longer suitable for road use. Your registration will then be taken care of by the DMV.
You’ll also need to notify the DMV of the transfer of ownership using Form VTR-346 as part of the process.
NOTIFY TXDMV OF VEHICLE SALE
When you junk your car in Texas and sign the title over to the buyer, you’ll also need to notify the DMV of the sale.
Submit a Texas Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification (Form VTR-346) within 30 days of selling the vehicle. This will help protect you from future liability for the vehicle.
Once the vehicle is destroyed, the buyer is responsible for surrendering the ownership evidence to TxDMV. This helps update the vehicle record to show that it has been dismantled or destroyed and is no longer tied to you as an active vehicle.
You’ll also need to cancel your insurance.
Form VTR-346
NOTIFY THE DMV OF YOUR VEHICLE SALE USING FORM VTR-346.
Notification of Vehicle Transfer
- Application method: Online, in person or by mail
- Processing time: Instant
JUNK AN ABANDONED CAR (PRIVATE PROPERTY)
In Texas, a vehicle is considered abandoned if it’s been parked illegally on private property for more than 48 hours.
You can apply for permission to dispose of a vehicle that’s been abandoned on your property using Form VTR-71-2.
Once the Certificate of Authority is granted, just ask Wheels Away to tow it away for free!
APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO DISPOSE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE TO A DEMOLISHER
NEED TO JUNK A VEHICLE THAT’S BEEN ABANDONED ON YOUR PROPERTY? USE FORM VTR-71-2.
FORM VTR-71-2
- Fee: $2
Before submitting your application, make sure the vehicle meets the definition of abandoned listed in this form.
JUNK AN ABANDONED CAR (PUBLIC PROPERTY)
In Texas, any vehicle that’s been abandoned on public property (such as a highway, street, or government-owned parking lot) should be reported to local law enforcement.
The vehicle must have been left for 24-48 hours depending on the location, and also meet one or more of the other definitions of abandoned below:
| Situation | When it’s considered abandoned |
| Inoperable vehicle over 5 years old on public property | More than 48 hours |
| Vehicle illegally left on public property | More than 48 hours |
| Vehicle on a county, state, or federal highway right-of-way | More than 48 hours |
| Vehicle on a turnpike project or controlled-access highway right-of-way | More than 24 hours |
Once reported, law enforcement becomes responsible for the vehicle. You can’t use a removal service like Wheels Away to tow it for you.
JUNK AN INHERITED VEHICLE
Inherited your vehicle through survivorship rights? Follow the steps below.
IF YOU HAVE THE VEHICLE TITLE
If you’ve still got the original title and you’re the surviving joint owner (with rights of survivorship), you can usually junk the car yourself. You may need to provide additional paperwork, like the death certificate and proof of ID.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
- Sign the title (front and back) as the surviving owner.
- Show the buyer a copy of the death certificate and ID (if requested) to prove ownership of the vehicle.
IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE VEHICLE TITLE
LOST THE TITLE? YOU CAN APPLY FOR A NEW TITLE USING FORM 130-U AND A COPY OF THE DEATH CERTIFICATE.
APPLICATION FOR TEXAS TITLE
- Application method: In person.
- Fee: $28-$30 (varies by county)
- Processing time: Up to 20 business days.
JUNK A CAR THAT’S REGISTERED OUT OF STATE
If your vehicle is in Texas but is titled in another state, you can usually just sign the valid out-of-state title directly over to the buyer.
If you’ve lost your title, you’ll need to request a replacement from the state that originally issued it. Use our state replacement title finder below to select your state and quickly see everything you need to get a replacement title, including required forms, fees, processing times, application methods, and more.
JUNK A CAR WITH AN EXPIRED REGISTRATION
You can still junk a vehicle with an expired registration as long as you can prove ownership with the title. An expired registration only means you can’t legally drive the vehicle on public roads.
No title? Whether it’s lost, damaged, or you never received one, use the form below to apply for a replacement.
Form VTR-34
YOU NEED A TITLE TO JUNK YOUR CAR. APPLY FOR A NEW ONE USING THE FORM BELOW.
Duplicate Title Application
- Application method: In person or by mail
- Fee: $2 (mail), $5.45 (in person)
- Processing time: In person – Instant. Mail – several weeks.
JUNK A CAR WITH A LIEN
Already paid off your loan? Apply for a replacement title below and get your car ready to junk.
Wheels Away and other vehicle brokers and buyers can’t buy vehicles with liens. If there’s still a lien on your car, you’ll need to have it cleared before you can junk it.
Usually, this means:
- Pay off the remaining balance on your loan in full.
- Get permission from your lender to junk the vehicle and use the proceeds to pay off the loan. This option is rare and depends on your lender.
Once the loan is paid off, your lender will provide a lien release confirming that the debt has been settled and you have full rights to sell or junk the vehicle.
Form VTR-34
NEED A REPLACEMENT TITLE? ONCE THE LIEN IS CLEARED, APPLY FOR A NEW ONE USING FORM VTR-34.
Duplicate Title Application
- Application method: In person or by mail
- Fee: $2 (mail), $5.45 (in person)
- Processing time: In person – Instant. Mail – several weeks.
NOT SURE IF THERE’S A LIEN? CHECK THE VIN.
If you’ve inherited a vehicle or are looking to junk an abandoned car, it’s a good idea to check for any outstanding liens first.
You can check the vehicle’s history by running the VIN through an NMVTIS-approved provider or a vehicle history service such as CARFAX.
Not sure where to find the VIN? Here are the most common locations. Keep in mind, the exact location can vary depending on the vehicle’s age, make, and model.
HELP CENTER
Got questions? We’ve got answers. From junking a car without a title to getting the best possible offer, our Texas Junk Car Help Center covers everything you need to know about selling and junking your vehicle in Texas.
Junking a car in Texas? Get all the forms, fees, and processes you need, organized by situation- from title signing and transfer to plate disposal. Learn how to junk a car in Texas without a title. Step-by-step guide to get cash for your vehicle even if you don’t have the paperwork! Looking to sell a junk car in Texas? See how prices are set, how recycling helps the planet, and what components fetch the highest payouts!
How To Junk A Car
Missing Title
Junk Car Prices
Ready to Get Cash for Your Junk Car?
Get a free, instant quote in minutes!
✔ Top-dollar offers for your junk car
✔ Free and fast towing
✔ No paperwork hassle—we handle everything!
