Texas VIN Inspection for a Bonded Title (VTR-68-A)
If your vehicle has never been titled or registered in Texas, a bonded title application requires a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection on Form VTR-68-A, completed by an "auto theft investigator." TxDMV states plainly that "These inspections are not offered by TxDMV."
Texas is a licensed state, so you can start a quote above and estimate your bond amount with the title bond calculator. The VIN inspection sits inside the wider Texas bonded title process, which is one route within vehicle title bonds nationwide.
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When Texas requires a VIN inspection
TxDMV ties the inspection to one clear trigger. On its guidance for a vehicle bought with no title, TxDMV writes: "If the vehicle has never been titled or registered in Texas, then a vehicle identification number inspection is required from an auto theft investigator on the Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (Form VTR-68-A)." (See TxDMV: Bought a Vehicle With No Title.)
So the question to ask about your own vehicle is simple: has it ever been titled or registered in Texas before? If the answer is no, plan on the VTR-68-A inspection as part of your bonded title paperwork.
Form VTR-68-A and who performs it
The VTR-68-A is the "Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection." TxDMV names the inspector as an "auto theft investigator," and states that "These inspections are not offered by TxDMV." The form itself appears on the TxDMV forms library.
We have not found a published list of inspectors on TxDMV's page; confirm the inspector for your area with your TxDMV Regional Service Center.
Assembled, custom, and homemade vehicles
Texas treats assembled vehicles — custom, replica, street rod, and glider builds — as their own case. On the assembled-vehicles page, TxDMV writes: "If you do not have proper ownership evidence for the assembled vehicle, you may apply for a bonded title by submitting the Bonded Title Application or Tax Collector Hearing Statement of Fact (Form VTR-130-SOF) to the RSC." (See TxDMV: Assembled Vehicles and the VTR-130-SOF form.)
The same distinction shows up on TxDMV's VIN assignment page: "If a vehicle is assembled or homemade and ownership evidence is not available or acceptable, a bonded title can be used to establish ownership." If you are working on a custom or classic build, our page on a classic car title bond walks through the same idea from the vehicle's side.
Manufactured vehicles that need a VIN assigned
On its VIN assignment page, TxDMV draws a line between assembled vehicles and manufactured ones. For a manufactured vehicle in that process, TxDMV states: "If a vehicle is manufactured and ownership evidence is not available or acceptable, ownership must be established by a court order." (See TxDMV: VIN Assignment / Reassignment Process.) On that page, the bonded-title route is named for the assembled or homemade case. A manufactured vehicle you simply bought without a title is a different situation — see the Texas bonded title process — so confirm with TxDMV which applies to yours.
Newly assembled trailers
Trailers have their own VIN rule. TxDMV writes: "Newly-assembled trailers are required to have a VIN." The TxDMV trailers page references Forms VTR-68-A and VTR-68-N for a newly assembled trailer's VIN, along with the Trailer Verification Statement of Fact (Form VTR-141). If you are titling a trailer, see our Texas trailer title bond page for how the bond fits in.
Getting a VIN assigned or reassigned
Where a vehicle needs a VIN assigned or reassigned, TxDMV's VIN Assignment / Reassignment Process page lists "the $2.00 fee" for that step. That is separate from the bonded title's other costs — confirm which steps apply to your vehicle with TxDMV.
Where this fits in the bonded title process
The VTR-68-A is one requirement among several. A TxDMV Regional Service Center reviews the bonded title application, and the county tax office issues the title once the bond is in place; TxDMV also notes a "$15.00 administrative fee" for the review. If you are not sure which office handles your paperwork, start with where to file your Texas bonded title.
BuySuretyBonds is a licensed Texas insurance agency. We do not issue, place, or file the bond — the surety issues it — but Eric will walk you through the DMV steps and work with multiple surety carriers, as fast as he can. Eric speaks Spanish.
FAQ
When does Texas require a VIN inspection for a bonded title?
If the vehicle has never been titled or registered in Texas, TxDMV requires a vehicle identification number inspection from an auto theft investigator on the Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (Form VTR-68-A). TxDMV states that these inspections are not offered by TxDMV.
What is Form VTR-68-A?
Form VTR-68-A is the Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection. It is the form TxDMV names for the VIN inspection of a vehicle that has never been titled or registered in Texas.
Who performs the VTR-68-A inspection?
TxDMV names an auto theft investigator as the inspector and states that these inspections are not offered by TxDMV. We have not found a published list of inspectors on TxDMV's page; confirm the inspector for your area with your TxDMV Regional Service Center.
I built or assembled the vehicle myself and have no paperwork — can I get a bonded title?
Yes. TxDMV writes that if you do not have proper ownership evidence for the assembled vehicle, you may apply for a bonded title by submitting the Bonded Title Application or Tax Collector Hearing Statement of Fact (Form VTR-130-SOF) to the Regional Service Center.
My manufactured vehicle needs a VIN assigned and I have no paperwork — can I use a bonded title?
On its VIN assignment page, TxDMV states that if a vehicle is manufactured and ownership evidence is not available or acceptable, ownership must be established by a court order; the bonded-title route there is named for assembled or homemade vehicles. Confirm with TxDMV which applies to your vehicle.
Is there a fee to have a VIN assigned?
TxDMV's VIN Assignment / Reassignment Process page lists a $2.00 fee for that step. Confirm which steps apply to your vehicle with TxDMV.