Open Records

If you cannot locate information you are interested in on our website, you may submit a PIA request. To assist us in handling your request as accurately and efficiently as possible, keep in mind the following tips:

1. Requests for public information must be made in writing.
2. Include your full name and contact information, including email address if you have one.
3. Be as specific as possible in describing the information you are seeking. Include date ranges if applicable. We will work with you to narrow or clarify your request to locate the records you are seeking.
4. Your request must be for records or information that already exists - the PIA does not require an agency to answer questions, perform legal research, or continue to provide records as they are created in the future.
5. By law, a request is considered to be received during regular business hours (between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.) on a regular business day (not a state holiday or skeleton crew day).
6. To expedite our response to your request, you may ask that we redact confidential information prior to releasing it to you.

Are you requesting motor vehicle records?
If you are requesting any motor vehicle records from TxDMV, such as title histories or vehicle registration information, you must submit your request through a Request for Texas Motor Vehicle Information (Form VTR-275). To be considered complete, the form must specify the type of records being requested in the section provided and you must include a copy of your identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. If your request includes a motor vehicle record that has an associated fee stated on the Form VTR-275, you must include payment in the form of a personal check, money order, or cashier's check made payable to TxDMV. Do not mail cash. You must mail your completed form, a copy of your identification, and any required payment or documentation to the following:

Are you requesting other records?
If you are requesting other TxDMV records, such as TxDMV enforcement data or files, compiled batch reports from databases, dealer or manufacturer licensing information, motor carrier information, or purchasing information, you must submit your request through one of the following methods:

PIA requests are handled in the order in which they are received. While TxDMV strives to release records as promptly as possible, the PIA allows agencies up to 10 business days to respond to a request. Depending on the scope of your request, we may need to contact various parts of the agency to ask several different employees to locate and compile responsive records.

Although the PIA creates a presumption that information in the possession of a governmental body is available to the public, exceptions exist that may limit the public disclosure of certain types of confidential, privileged, or sensitive information. If a governmental body believes that requested information is confidential or falls within an exception to disclosure in the PIA, it generally must request a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) within 10 business days of receiving the request. The OAG will determine in a letter ruling whether information is excepted from public disclosure or whether it must be released.

The OAG's website contains information on the PIA, including the rights of requestors, the responsibilities of governmental bodies, and procedural information.

Cost of Records

TxDMV may charge for releasing information in compliance with the cost rules established by the OAG. If a request for information will result in charges of more than $40, we will send you a cost estimate before doing any work on the request. You must respond to any written estimate of charges within 10 days or the request will be considered automatically withdrawn.

If estimated costs exceed $100, TxDMV may require a bond, prepayment or deposit.