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driver’s license gives an individual freedom and responsibility.
It becomes a primary form of a person’s identification. The
following is information regarding a driver’s privacy as well as
policies involving certain designations.
Effective December 1, 2000, the release and use of ALL Personal
information contained in ALL motor vehicle records that identifies a
person is RESTRICTED.
In general:
- The release of all personal information in ALL motor vehicle
records is restricted. All records are considered closed to the
release of personal information.
- The release or use of personal information from motor vehicle
records for the purpose of "bulk distribution of surveys,
marketing or solicitations" is strictly prohibited.
- Personal information will only be released in the following
cases:
- Upon certification that the information is requested for one of
the required or permitted uses provided by law.
- To a subject of the record, which is a person named in a motor
vehicle record.
- To a requester that presents "express written consent"
from a subject of the record.
Third party requests for information require
completing a Request for Texas Motor Vehicle Information (Form
VTR-275).
Required Uses:
Personal information shall be disclosed for use in connection with
matters of:
(1) Motor vehicle or driver safety and theft,
(2) Motor vehicle emissions,
(3) Motor vehicle product alterations, recalls, or advisories,
(4) Performance monitoring of motor vehicles and dealers by motor
vehicle manufacturers, and
(5) Removal of non-owner records from the original owner records of
motor vehicle manufacturers to carry out the purposes of the
Automobile Information Disclosure Act, the Motor Vehicle Information
and Cost Saving Act, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act
of 1966, the Anti-Car Theft Act of 1992, and the Clean Air Act.
Permitted Uses:
Personal information may be disclosed as follows:
(1) For use by any government agency, including
any court or law enforcement agency, in carrying out its functions, or
any private person or entity acting on behalf of a Federal, State, or
local agency in carrying out its functions.
(2) For use in connection with matters of:
- Motor vehicle or driver safety and theft,
- Motor vehicle emissions,
- Motor vehicle product alterations, recalls, or advisories,
- Performance monitoring of motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts and
dealers,
- Motor vehicle market research activities, including survey
research, and
- Removal of non-owner records from the original owner records of
motor vehicle manufacturers.
(3) For use in the normal course of business by a
legitimate business or its agents, employees, or contractors, but only
--
- To verify the accuracy of personal information submitted by the
individual to the business or its agents, employees, or contractors;
and
- If such information as so submitted is not correct or is no
longer correct, to obtain the correct information, but only for the
purposes of preventing fraud by, pursuing legal remedies against, or
recovering on a debt or security interest against, the individual.
(4) For use in connection with any civil,
criminal, administrative, or arbitrage proceeding in any Federal,
State, or local court or agency or before any self-regulatory body,
including the service of process, investigation in anticipation of
litigation, and the execution or enforcement of judgments and orders,
or pursuant to an order of a Federal, State, or local court.
(5) For use in research activities, and for use in
producing statistical reports, so long as the personal information is
not published, redisclosed, or used to contact individuals.
(6) For use by any insurer or insurance support
organization, or by a self-insured entity, or its agents, employees,
or contractors, in connection with claims investigation activities,
antifraud activities, rating or underwriting.
(7) For use in providing notice to the owners of
towed or impounded vehicles.
(8) For use by any licensed private investigative
agency or licensed security service for any purpose permitted under
this subsection.
(9) For use by an employer or its agent or insurer
to obtain and verify information relating to a holder of a commercial
driver's license that is required under the Commercial Motor Vehicle
Safety Act of 1986 (49 U.S.C. App. 2710 et seq.).
(10) For use in connection with the operation of
private toll transportation facilities.
(11) For use by any requester, if the requester
demonstrates it has obtained the written consent of the individual to
whom the information pertains.
(12) For any other use specifically authorized
under the law of the State that holds the record, if such use is
related to the operation of a motor vehicle or public safety.
Express Written Consent:
Written authorization from a subject of the record for release of that
person's personal information. (Note: Only the personal information of
the person providing the written consent may be released). A
"Request for Vehicle Information" form (form VTR-386),
properly executed by the requester, will be required in addition to
the written authorization from a subject.
Such consent or authorization may consist
of:
1) Form VTR-386,
Authorization for Release of Personal Information;
2) A Power of Attorney to Transfer a Motor Vehicle;
3) A written statement that specifically authorizes the release of a
person's personal information to another. The statement must include
all the information required on the Form VTR-386.
Download an application using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Disabled parking placards are issued by the office of
the county tax assessor-collector. As of July 10, 2008, the $5
placard fee no longer exists for BLUE PERMANENT placards. The
$5 fee is still charged for temporary placards. Placards allow vehicles
to park in designated areas. Drivers display placards from their vehicle's
rearview mirrors.
There are two types of placards available to
permanently disabled persons. A blue placard is issued to a person who
is mobility-impaired as defined in section 681.001(5)(B) or (C) of the
Transportation Code. A red placard is issued to all permanently
disabled persons who do not qualify for mobility-impaired status as
defined by statute. Temporary red placards are also issued to persons
who are temporarily disabled (six months or less).
Placards are often issued to those who display
disabled parking license plates. Individuals may choose a combination
of two: two placards, or one placard and one set of plates. Many
choose at least one placard.
Additional sets of Disabled Person License Plates
may be obtained for each motorcycle, passenger car, or light truck
specially equipped for operation by a person who has lost the use of
one or both legs.
Proof of Need:
As of September 1, 1999 applicants for new disabled parking placards
or plates must present documented proof of need from a physician. The
proof may be a notarized form from the applicant's physician or a
written prescription clearly defining the nature of the disability.
The tax office will work with customers and their physicians' offices
to minimize the inconvenience of this law.
Once a person provides proof of permanent disability
in Travis County, he or she will not be required to provide it again.
Placards expire four years from the date of issuance and there is no charge
to renew. If a disabled person moves to Travis County from another county
and applies for a placard or disabled plates, they must submit a copy
of the application they used in the previous county or, they must complete
a new application with physician's signature or prescription.
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