Texas Motor Vehicle Surety Bonds
Whether you need a bonded title for a vehicle with missing paperwork, a $50,000 dealer bond for your GDN license, or a dealer registration bond for your county, Lavon Insurance helps Texas vehicle owners and dealers get the right bond.
Which Motor Vehicle Bond Do You Need?
These bonds serve very different purposes. Pick the situation that matches what you’re trying to do.
Texas Title Bond
For owners who can’t provide the normal ownership documents needed to title a vehicle. The bond is 1½ times the vehicle’s value.
Learn About Texas Title Bonds →Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond
A $50,000 bond required for most Texas General Distinguishing Number (GDN) dealer licenses.
Learn About the $50,000 Dealer Bond →Dealer Registration Bond
Required when a county tax assessor-collector authorizes a dealership to perform title and registration work as a dealer deputy.
Learn About Dealer Registration Bonds →Three Bonds With Very Different Purposes
| Bond | Who Needs It | Bond Amount | Requested By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title Bond | Vehicle owners without proper title documents | 1½ times the vehicle’s value | TxDMV, on its bonded title notice |
| Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond | Most GDN dealer license holders | $50,000 | TxDMV, for the GDN license |
| Dealer Registration Bond | Dealers acting as dealer deputies | Set by the county | County tax assessor-collector |
The $50,000 Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond is for your GDN license. The Dealer Registration Bond is a separate county bond for dealer-deputy title and registration work. Some dealers need both.
Need a Texas Bonded Title?
If you bought a vehicle without a title, or your ownership paperwork is lost or incomplete, Texas offers a bonded title process. TxDMV reviews your application, sets the vehicle’s value and issues a notice listing the bond amount you need.
The bond is 1½ times the vehicle’s value. TxDMV uses the Standard Presumptive Value first, then NADA, then a licensed dealer or adjuster appraisal.
- Must be a Texas resident, or military stationed in Texas, with possession of the vehicle
- Apply to a TxDMV Regional Service Center with Form VTR-130-SOF
- Buy the bond within one year of TxDMV’s notice
- Take the bond to your county tax office within 30 days to title the vehicle
- Trailers use a flat value of $4,000 (under 20 ft) or $7,000 (20 ft or longer)
Opening or Renewing a Texas Dealership?
Since September 1, 2021, most Texas GDN dealer license holders must file a $50,000 Motor Vehicle Dealer Surety Bond with TxDMV, up from $25,000.
You pay a premium for the bond, not the full $50,000. Your premium depends on credit and surety underwriting.
- Franchised dealers with a GDN tied to a franchised dealer license
- Trailer / semitrailer GDN holders
- Non-motorized travel trailer GDN holders
Has Your County Requested a Dealer Registration Bond?
When a county tax assessor-collector authorizes a dealership to process title and registration work as a dealer deputy, the county may require an Automobile Dealer Motor Vehicle Registration Bond.
Requirements vary by county, so get the required bond amount, bond form and instructions from your county tax office before you buy.
- Bond amount required by your county
- The county’s required bond form
- Your dealership’s legal name and GDN
- Any instructions from the tax assessor-collector
Motor Vehicle Surety Bond Help From a Local Texas Agency
Vehicle Owners
Get your title bond once TxDMV sends your bonded title notice.
Auto Dealers
Apply for GDN dealer bonds and county dealer registration bonds.
Personal Help
Not sure which bond is being requested? Send us the notice or form before you buy.
Texas Motor Vehicle Bond FAQs
What is a Texas motor vehicle surety bond?
It’s a bond that guarantees a vehicle-related obligation. The three most common in Texas are title bonds for vehicle owners, $50,000 motor vehicle dealer bonds for GDN licenses, and dealer registration bonds for dealer deputies.
How much is a Texas title bond?
The bond amount is 1½ times the vehicle’s value as set by TxDMV. You pay a premium to the surety, not the full bond amount.
How much is the Texas motor vehicle dealer bond?
The Texas Motor Vehicle Dealer Surety Bond is $50,000 for most GDN license holders. You pay a premium set by the surety rather than the full $50,000.
Which Texas dealers don’t need the $50,000 bond?
Franchised dealers with a GDN tied to a franchised dealer license, and trailer/semitrailer and non-motorized travel trailer GDN holders, are not subject to the $50,000 dealer bond requirement.
Is a title bond the same as a dealer bond?
No. A title bond is for a vehicle owner who needs a bonded title. A motor vehicle dealer bond is required for a dealer’s GDN license.
Is the dealer registration bond also $50,000?
Not necessarily. The amount depends on the county and the dealer-deputy arrangement. Confirm the required amount and form with your county tax assessor-collector.
Does every Texas dealer need both dealer bonds?
No. The GDN dealer bond is for licensing, while the dealer registration bond is only for dealers authorized by their county to perform dealer-deputy title and registration work.
What if I don’t know which bond I need?
Send Lavon Insurance the notice, letter or form from TxDMV or your county tax office, and we’ll help identify the right bond before you apply.
Other Texas Surety Bonds
Trucking Surety Bonds
Oversize permit, weight tolerance and freight broker bonds.
Trucking Surety Bonds →License & Compliance Bonds
Bonds required for Texas business licenses and permits.
License & Compliance Bonds →All Surety Bonds
Browse every bond type we offer in Texas.
View All Surety Bonds →Find the Texas Motor Vehicle Surety Bond You Need
From bonded titles to dealer licensing and county registration bonds, we can help you get the right bond and start your application.
Bond requirements, amounts, eligibility, premium and underwriting vary by bond type, agency, county, applicant and surety. Confirm current requirements with TxDMV or your county tax assessor-collector.