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David_L
08-14-2025, 07:39 PM
Hi All!

Due to all the issues and time it took me to get my title and Registration done on my car I’m going to post exactly what was needed for my MK4.
Hopefully this will make it easier for everyone going through this process. The Key is to make sure that you register your car as an “Assembled Custom Vehicle” to avoid emissions!
If it helps, I can provide copies of any of these forms, just ask.

Here’s the checklist used by the DMV with the complete list of documents required by the Texas DVM Regional Service Center (RSC) in Fort Worth. Highlighted documents are what I provided.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=217583&d=1755215787

The following are the documents required:
(Form 130-U) Application for Texas Title and/or Regustration

Key information


VIN is your frame SN (All other forms use SN as well)


Year is current year


Make is ASVE. (All other forms use ASVE as well)
Government issued photo ID
Evidence of Ownership

Bill of sale from FF

Certificate of Origin
Motor Bill of Sale
(Form VTR-852) ASE Safety inspection and Application for Custom Vehicle or Street Rod License Plates Note: You don’t need to get personalized plates, just Custom.

You must use this form as we have to be titled as a “Custom Vehicle”.

Replica Year and Make, I used 1965 Shelby

Make sure the Master Tech initials each box and provides comments in blanks.

Get a copy of Master Techs A1-A8 certs

There’s great information on page 2 of this form that talks about “Custom Vehicle”. You only need the equipment to comply with what was required in 1965, Including emissions.

So the place I used was very close it me called Auto Experts of Colleyville. They changed $250 which I thought was a little high. I actually found it using the ACE website. https://www.ase.com/repair-centers.

(Form VTR-61) Rebuilt Vehicle Statement

Work Performed: I have completed a 1965 Replica Kit Car. The kit was purchased new from Factory Five Racing Inc. (FFR), Wareham Massachusetts. The engine is from Forte's Parts Connection in Framingham Mass. The majority of the parts all came included with the purchase of the kit and are listed on the Sales Order from FFR

Page two I included my frame, Engine and transmission SN.

(Form VRT-68-A) Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection. Nothing magic here except have your receipts. The officer didn’t try to crawl under the car to verify SN’s. lol I went to the Mansfield inspection site. It took me 3 weeks for a spot and 2 hours baking in the sun before my turn for inspection came up.
Pictures of each corner: Just make sure they are printed out on 8x11 paper and B&W works fine. 2 views per page works
Include a photo of the car you are a replica of. When I looked for original photos, I could find more 1966 than 1965? Print it with correct label on an 8x11 paper.

Take all the above paperwork to your TxDMV. Mine was the TxDMV Fort Worth Regional Service Center at 2425 Gravel Dr, Fort Worth. Once the DMV has verified all paperwork is in order, they will include “The Letter” stating you have everything you need to proceed with title and registration at the Tax office.
Verify the following are checked on this letter:

Replica 1965 Factory Five
This vehicle does not qualify for the following license plates:

Classic or Antique is X’ed out

Custom Vehicle or Street Rod (Is Unchecked) Note: Long story but first time this was checked so I had to go back and have them redo the letter.


Now you are ready to head over to the County Tax Collector Auto Registration Office. In my case it was the Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector in Southlake Tx
Tell them you need title and registration for “Custom Vehicle” that you built from parts. There IS no Sales tax on your car if built from the ground up. See link:
I finally walked out with my temp plate and window registration and it only cost me $95!

My title has the following:

Make" ASVE
Body Style: CV
Year model: 2025
VIN is FF SN
Odometer Reading is 75 miles
Remarks: Not Actual Mileage (I hope this is what was expected?)
Replica: 1965 CBRA

Have them reference this Link:
https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/publications/96-254/home-shop-made.php#:~:text=Motor%20vehicle%20tax%20is%20due% 20from%20the%20person%20who%20custom,to%20build%20 the%20motor%20vehicle.

Homemade or Shop-Made Motor Vehicles
No Initial Motor Vehicle Tax for Builder
No motor vehicle tax is due upon the initial titling or registration of a homemade or shop-made motor vehicle by the manufacturer or individual who actually built the vehicle, as no sale of a motor vehicle has occurred.
Motor vehicle tax is due on any sale by the manufacturer or original builder and on all subsequent sales by the vehicle owner.

Bill Elliott
08-14-2025, 09:16 PM
Not to cause any problems here , but when I did mine last year I found after reading the entire Assembled vehicle manual many times, that the law enforcement inspection is not required if the vin is assigned by the maker of the kit . This is as stated from the manual
Vehicle identification number (VIN) verification document, as applicable to the type of assembled vehicle:
a Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (Form VTR-68A) establishing the vehicle identification number assigned by the manufacturer of the component part by which the assembled vehicle will be identified;
a Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (Form VTR-68A), and Notice of Assigned or Reassigned Identification Number (Form VTR-68-N);
Certificate of Origin if VIN is assigned by the maker of the kit used to construct the assembled vehicle, or
Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin if VIN is assigned by the manufacturer of the replica, custom vehicle, street rod, or glider kit.

David_L
08-14-2025, 10:16 PM
Not to cause any problems here , but when I did mine last year I found after reading the entire Assembled vehicle manual many times, that the law enforcement inspection is not required if the vin is assigned by the maker of the kit . This is as stated from the manual
Vehicle identification number (VIN) verification document, as applicable to the type of assembled vehicle:
a Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (Form VTR-68A) establishing the vehicle identification number assigned by the manufacturer of the component part by which the assembled vehicle will be identified;
a Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (Form VTR-68A), and Notice of Assigned or Reassigned Identification Number (Form VTR-68-N);
Certificate of Origin if VIN is assigned by the maker of the kit used to construct the assembled vehicle, or
Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin if VIN is assigned by the manufacturer of the replica, custom vehicle, street rod, or glider kit.

Bill, I've also heard that the weight cert is not required, but both are on the list that the TxDMV verifies as needed for documentation (Included above). So, ether way you can take your chances without, but I would recommend having both documents to streamline the process. If you can get the "letter" without it then great.

Bill Elliott
08-14-2025, 10:32 PM
weight cert is required. TXDMV assembled vehicle manual is very clear on all required items you have to know what chapters and sections that apply to your vehicle. Our vehicles are kit cars which is chapter 4. It's not taking a chance when it is printed in txdmv manual.

Chapter 4
KIT CARS
A kit is an incomplete vehicle that is purchased in pieces and is assembled by a hobbyist.
The Certificate of Origin will often cover the frame and body, but will not include the
motor. The vehicle will be identified with the vehicle identification number assigned on
the Certificate of Origin by the maker of the kit.
If the maker of a kit assembles a complete vehicle with a body, frame, and motor, the
vehicle will only be eligible for title or registration if the vehicle is a replica, custom
vehicle, street rod, or glider kit and the maker of the kit is a licensed manufacturer that has
sold the vehicle through a licensed motor vehicle dealer network.
4.1 Application for Title and Supporting Documentation
An application for Texas title on a kit car must include the following:
• Approval letter/checklist from the TxDMV RSC;
• Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U);
• Government-issued photo ID;
• Evidence of Ownership:
• Kit (evidence typically covers the body and frame) - Bill of sale or
Certificate of Origin;
• Frame (if not included in kit) - Bill of sale, Component Part(s) Bill of Sale
(Form VTR-63), Invoice/Receipts for material used, Certificate of Origin,
title, or photocopy of title (if titled in applicant’s name);
• Motor - Bill of sale, Component Part(s) Bill of Sale (Form VTR-63), or
photocopy of title (if titled in applicant’s name);
• Rebuilt Vehicle Statement (Form VTR-61);
• Vehicle Inspection Report (if applying for registration that is not custom
vehicle/street rod);
• ASE Safety Inspection performed by an ASE Certified Master Technician:
• ASE Safety Inspection for Assembled Vehicles (Form VTR-64); or
• If applying for Custom Vehicle or Street Rod License Plates, the ASE
Safety Inspection and Application for Custom Vehicle or Street Rod
License Plates (Form VTR-852); and
• The printout of the master technician’s ASE Certification Status, showing
the master technician has the required A1 through A8 certifications.
• VIN verification in the form of one of the following:
• Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (Form VTR-68-A);
• If an assigned/reassigned number is obtained, the Law Enforcement
Identification Number Inspection (Form VTR-68-A) and Notice of
Assigned or Reassigned Identification Number (Form VTR-68-N). The
original Form VTR-68-A will remain with the TxDMV RSC, and a copy
will be submitted to the county; or
Kit Cars
Assembled and Reconstructed Vehicle Manual 4-2 TxDMV October 2022
• Vehicle identification number provided on the Manufacturer’s Certificate
of Origin.
• Photographs of the front, rear, side, and if a replica, a photograph of what the
vehicle replicates; and
• Certified weight certificate.


https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/body-files/Assembled_and_Reconstructed_Vehicle_Manual.pdf

Its Bruce
08-15-2025, 12:28 AM
Completely agree with Bill. I registered in Harris County without VTR-68A, but I did come with a photo of the frame SN and a pencil trace.

Mike.Bray
08-15-2025, 09:54 AM
• VIN verification in the form of one of the following:
• Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (Form VTR-68-A);
• If an assigned/reassigned number is obtained, the Law Enforcement
Identification Number Inspection (Form VTR-68-A) and Notice of
Assigned or Reassigned Identification Number (Form VTR-68-N). The
original Form VTR-68-A will remain with the TxDMV RSC, and a copy
will be submitted to the county; or
Kit Cars
Assembled and Reconstructed Vehicle Manual 4-2 TxDMV October 2022
• Vehicle identification number provided on the Manufacturer’s Certificate
of Origin.

That's interesting. There was debate when I registered mine as to whether the VIN inspection was actually necessary with some Texas forum members saying it was and others saying it wasn't. To be safe I went ahead and did it. When I went to the DMV I got lucky and got a nice lady who had been through the process before. I asked her about the VIN inspection and she said she wanted to see it. I suppose in Texas since they use the S/N assigned by FFR for the VIN you probably don't need the VIN inspection but I would definitely take a few pictures of the S/N that's stamped on the frame by FFR.

Spot on about the tax, Texas only collects tax on the sale of a motor vehicle. Since this is the first time the car has been registered and basically become a car it's not taxed. Any parts that were purchased and not taxed like the kit from Factory Five should have a use tax collected but that's not the job of the DMV. If they try to collect sales tax d not pay it!

TXeverydayDad
11-06-2025, 01:01 PM
Thank you very much for this post Dave! It saved me a bunch of time, especially the point about checking the letter that the check box for custom vehicle is not checked. The RSC had no clue and gave a bunch of wrong information, but having read this thread was helpful.

A few additions/clarifications:
- Have a picture of the full side, front and rear. They didn’t accept the quarter view pictures of the entire car that I had.
- Bring a picture of the VIN
- The new checklist is now updated indicating that a VTR-68A isn’t needed if you have an MCO
- There are no costs associated with getting the letter/check-list from the RSC

Mike.Bray
11-06-2025, 03:00 PM
Just a note here, if you don't register as a Custom Vehicle you will most likely be required to pass emissions test when renewing your tags. So you most definitely want to follow the above steps and get registered as a Custom Vehicle.

And don't pay any sales tax!

tundra2050
11-06-2025, 03:03 PM
Thanks gentlemen for paving the way! I hope nothing changes, unless for the better, by the time I'm ready for registration.

TXeverydayDad
11-06-2025, 09:00 PM
Just a note here, if you don't register as a Custom Vehicle you will most likely be required to pass emissions test when renewing your tags. So you most definitely want to follow the above steps and get registered as a Custom Vehicle.

And don't pay any sales tax!

Exactly. Can’t stress this enough! The RSC and DPS will give you wrong and conflicting information. Just stand your ground and make sure it’s registered as a custom vehicle.

I walked out with a paper plate (thought we had gotten rid of those…) and had paid $103.75 all-in.

sread
01-10-2026, 08:43 PM
I know this thread is slightly dated but wanted to add my 2 cents. I went thru all this 3 years ago when trying to get my 33 hotrod titled. I was thoroughly familiar with the Texas Assembled Vehicle Manual and followed it to the letter but it still took a couple months and numerous trips to the DMV regional service center jumping thru various hoops because some clerk said it was required. In the end they did charge me sales tax in the amount of $1250, plus a sales tax penalty fee of $125, plus a penalty for delinquent transfer of title $250 because 2 years elapsed from the time I bought the kit, built the car, and applied for title...even though there was no title to transfer because the car was not built yet. I knew it was total bull**** but ended up just taking it up the *** like a man. By that time, I was so thoroughly disgusted and and pissed off I just wanted it done.
I am now coming up for my 4'th annual registration renewal and have a feeling it is about to start all over again....because Texas recently (1/2025) changed the law regarding inspections/emissions testing. As you know they eliminated the requirement for safety inspection all together and only required an emissions test in certain counties. I live in one of those counties. My car was/is registered under form VTR 852 as a streetrod and has been exempt from both. All the previous registration renewal notices I have received showed a statement near the top which specified "no inspection required". I have had to argue with the clerk a couple of times about it before but after looking it up themselves they agreed and let me renew my tags. I just received my next renewal notice and now it just has the same statement that all the notices have, which states that no safety inspection is required but because I live in an emissions county I must present a certificate of a passed emissions test. I am really dreading trying to renew my tags now because I have a sinking feeling that the nightmare is about to start all over again.
Is there anybody in Texas that lives in an emissions county that has renewed their registration for an exempt vehicle since the new law took effect?

ptstew
01-11-2026, 11:42 AM
I just renewed mine this past October. Did it on line with no inspection and no problem. Live in Houston.

sread
01-11-2026, 01:41 PM
That's good to hear. In the past I have usually renewed all my other cars online but for some reason when the one for the hot rod came due it said "not eligible for online renewal" I assumed was because of the specialty "streetrod" plates. I live in Fort Bend county so maybe that has something to do with it. Will try again and see what happens.

Mike.Bray
01-11-2026, 05:08 PM
That's good to hear. In the past I have usually renewed all my other cars online but for some reason when the one for the hot rod came due it said "not eligible for online renewal" I assumed was because of the specialty "streetrod" plates. I live in Fort Bend county so maybe that has something to do with it. Will try again and see what happens.

It's the VIN number, the online system doesn't recognize the FFR number that Texas uses for the VIN. I've had to go to the DMV to renew mine.

Sorry you got hosed on the sales tax, that is 100% wrong. I would be fighting to get that back as you did not purchase a complete and titled car which is what Texas sales tax applies to, not a basket of parts.

ptstew
01-12-2026, 11:00 AM
My VIN is an 8 digit alpha numeric assigned in California where I built and initially titled and registered the car. Texas DMV never questioned it when I registered it here as a Custom Vehicle 9 years ago nor have I had an issue renewing on line every year.
I hope that by saying this I am not jinxing myself!