Q) How do I obtain a Salvage Dealer License?
A) You obtain a Salvage Dealer License by obtaining a Texas Department of Transportation form VTR-437 and completing it and sending a $95.00 license fee.

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Q) Where can I find this form and information... ?
A) You can get a copy of this form and a booklet that has been prepared for you by the Harris County Sheriff's Auto Theft Office closest to your business.

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Q) Who will be inspecting my business ... ?
A) A peace officer may inspect the inventory on the premise of the salvage vehicle dealer at any reasonable time in order to verify, check, or audit the records. A salvage vehicle dealer or an employee of the dealer shall allow and shall not interfere with a full and complete inspection by a peace officer of the inventory, premises, and inventory records of the dealer.

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1. "Salvage vehicle dealer" has the meaning assigned by Article 6687-1a, Revised Statutes.
   
   
2. "Component part" means the front end assembly or tail section of a motor vehicle, the cab of a truck (light or heavy), the bed of a one ton or lighter truck, and interior component part of a motor vehicle, a special accessory part, or a vehicle part that contains or should contain a federal safety sticker, motor number, serial number, manufacture's permanent vehicle identification number, or a derivative of a vehicle identification number.
   
   
3. "Front-end assembly" means the hood, right or left front fender, grill, bumper, radiator, or radiator support, if two or more such parts are assembled together as one unit.
   
   
4. "Tail section" means the roof, floor pan, right or left quarter panel, deck lid, or rear bumper, if two or more of such parts are assembled together as one unit.
   
   
5. "Federal safety sticker" means a sticker, label, or tag required by 49 U.S.C. section 30115 or rules adopted under that section.
   
   
6. "Interior component part" means the front or rear seat or radio of a motor vehicle.
   
   
7. "Special accessory part" means the tire, wheel, tailgate, or removable glass top of a motor vehicle.
   
   
8. "Motor vehicle" has the meaning given by Subsection (b), Section 2, Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways (Article 6701d, Vernonn's Texas Civil Statutes).
   

If you are interested in becoming a Salvage Dealer, please contact the Auto Theft Task Force for more information. If your new business is going be be located East of I-45 please contact the EAST SIDE Auto Theft Office or if it is located West of I-45 please contact the WEST SIDE Auto Theft Office.

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Q) What Information do I have to keep...?
A) A salvage vehicle dealer shall keep an accurate and legible inventory of each used component part purchased by or delivered to the dealer, as follows;

1. date of purchase or delivery;
   
   
2. name, age, address, sex, and driver's license number of the seller and a legible photocopy of the seller's driver's licenses;
   
   
3. the license number of the motor vehicle used to deliver the used component part;
   
   
4. a complete description of the item purchased, including the type of material and, if applicable, the make, model, color, and size of the item; and
   
   
5. the vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle from which the used component part was removed.

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Harris County Sheriff's Department Auto Theft Task Force.