These documents contain text of correspondence sent by TxDOT to the county tax assessor-collectors, statutory agents who provide vehicle registration and titling services for citizens in Texas. This information is provided to apprise the general public of issues affecting the state’s vehicle titling and registration process.

PURPOSE

To provide information regarding changes to RTS for the issuance and tracking of disabled placards and other RTS changes.

DETAILS

Updates to the RTS application to be covered in version 5.9.0 Release Notes include:

e-Pay Internet Trace Number
Internet Vehicle Title and Registration Services (IVTRS) - TexasSure Verification
IVTRS - New Credit Card Types
Electronic Placard Database
Optional Plate Replacement Age
New Specialty License Plate Inventory Patterns
Local Options/Security
RTS Fixes and County Activity Changes

The statewide release will be distributed the evening of Tuesday, December 16, and will be available for use on Wednesday, December 17, 2008.

ELECTRONIC PLACARD DATABASE
We are very pleased to announce the implementation of the new Electronic Placard Database. This database will provide the counties with the ability to inquire by Applicant ID (Driver License/Identification [DL/ID]), Existing Placard Number(s), Name (first, middle and/or last) or by Institution Name to verify the number of placards issued. In early 2009, the database will also be accessible by law enforcement through the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System. Law enforcement will have query capability using the Placard Number and/or a DL/ID Number. In addition, there have been changes to the existing Disabled Parking Card event to allow for placard replacement and expanded reporting capabilities.

Be on the watch, in early 2009 a new placard design will be introduced!

OPTIONAL PLATE REPLACEMENT
As we previously mentioned in RTB #006-08, there has been a significant increase in license plate issuance this year. To help off-set the increased plate production requirements, the four, five or six year optional license plate replacement under the NEEDS program is no longer offered. Unless the plates have been significantly damaged in some way, there should be no safety or legibility factor that would require replacement of the plates prior to the mandatory replacement time. At seven years, the customer is notified of the need to replace the plates through receipt of a vehicle registration renewal notice with the remark “New Plates Required.”