Texas Vehicle Storage Facility First-Notice Mailing Requirements
A Texas vehicle storage facility generally must send the first notice to the registered owner and primary lienholder by certified or registered mail with return receipt, within the deadline tied to the vehicle’s registration state.
Trigger
A vehicle is accepted for storage and has not been released before the notice deadline.
Sender
The licensed vehicle storage facility
Recipient
The registered vehicle owner and primary lienholder identified by the motor-vehicle record search
Timing
For Texas-registered vehicles, no sooner than 24 hours and no later than the fifth day; out-of-state vehicles generally use a 14-day outside deadline.
Mailing method
Certified or registered mail, return receipt requested; current rules also address qualifying electronic-certified notice providers.
Jurisdiction
Texas; verified 2026-08-01
- Identify the licensed VSF, vehicle, tow, storage location, rates, fees, and release hours.
- Include owner-rights and hearing information required by statute and rule.
- Use the record-search owner and lienholder data exactly as returned.
- Start the notice clock when the vehicle arrives and complete the required record search immediately.
- Generate owner and lienholder copies from the same vehicle record and proof-review every identifier.
- Retain the notice, certified return receipt, search result, and vehicle file for the required period.
Where KiteCourier fits
Excellent high-frequency asset-recovery workflow for bulk generation, tracking, electronic receipts, exception queues, and audit records.
Product constraint
A VSF must confirm that its chosen mailing or electronic-notice provider satisfies current TDLR requirements; KiteCourier is not represented as a TDLR-approved third-party website.
Alternatives
- A department-approved electronic certified-mail or notification process may apply when all current program rules are met.
Exceptions and qualifications
- Different timing and publication procedures apply when owner or lienholder information cannot be obtained.
- TDLR rules and approved-provider requirements can change independently of the statute.
Source record
Verify the current authority
Texas Occupations Code § 2303.151
Defines the owner and lienholder notice obligation, timing, and registered-or-certified method.
TDLR Vehicle Storage Facility Inspection Checklist
Summarizes timing, Certified Mail or electronic-certified return receipt, contents, and records.
Reviewed 2026-08-01 by KiteCourier research. This guide summarizes the cited sources; it is not legal advice and does not determine whether a rule applies to a particular matter. Rules, forms, fees, and agency guidance can change.
Related requirement guides
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