AUSTIN (November 02, 2009)-Beginning Monday, Texas motorists will title and register their vehicles through the newly formed Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

Motorists however will likely not notice a difference in the titling and registration process because county tax offices already provide most vehicle title and registration services.

TxDMV merely consolidates the duties of four different divisions of the Texas Department of Transportation into one agency and allows TxDOT to concentrate on its primary role to build and maintain the state's transportation system.

The sole focus of TxDMV will be on the motoring public and its related businesses, such as registering and titling passenger vehicles, granting operating authority to commercial motor carriers, regulating dealerships and helping to prevent auto burglary and theft.

TxDMV's role is to ensure that motor carriers meet minimum statutory insurance requirements to protect the safety of the traveling public and the transportation infrastructure and to ensure that motor carriers comply with consumer protection requirements.

Some of the services provided by the TxDMV include:

• Vehicle titling and registration
  
• License plates
  
• Disabled placards
  
• Vehicle dealer licensing and enforcement
  
• Motor carrier operating authority
  
• Grants to law enforcement to prevent vehicle theft
  
• Texas Lemon Law assistance
  

TxDMV additionally provides consumer awareness and education initiatives on vehicle registration compliance, buying and selling a vehicle, household goods movers, and preventing burglary and theft.

The new agency however will not issue driver's licenses; that function remains the responsibility of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Oversize and overweight permits will also remain TxDOT's responsibility, including any administrative enforcement functions related to permitting.

For more information the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, call 1-888-DMVGOTX (368-4689) or visit the agency’s website.