Transportation Code · §502.040

Vehicle Registration Required

Vehicle Registration Required (§502.040): key points and worked practice questions for Texas peace officer exam preparation.

Key points

  • Owner must apply for registration within 30 days after buying the vehicle or becoming a Texas resident (§502.040(a))
  • Operating an unregistered vehicle or one with expired registration is a separate offense (§§502.407, 502.472), generally a fine of up to $200

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Worked examples

Worked example 1

Expired motor vehicle registration is a violation of:

  1. §502.040 (registration required); §502.473 (operation without current registration) Correct
  2. §601.191 (financial responsibility)
  3. §543.001 (officer authority)
  4. §545.351 (safe speed)
Why: All vehicles operated on Texas public roads must be registered. Operating without current registration is generally a Class C misdemeanor.
Statute: Tex. Transp. Code §502.040 / §502.473