How to Junk a Car in Texas
Junking a car in Texas is simple when you follow the correct process. Since 2016, Junk Car Medics has helped thousands of Texans junk their cars legally and for the most cash. We make the process fast, secure, and fully compliant with Texas state laws. Get an instant offer now or keep reading to learn everything you need to know.
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What Counts as a Junk Car in Texas?
A junk car in Texas is any vehicle that is undrivable, unsafe, or declared a total loss. Vehicles sold for parts or scrap also fall under this definition. Learn more at our What Is a Junk Car? page.
Step-by-Step Process to Junk a Car in Texas
- Get Your Offer: Provide your car's details to receive a guaranteed offer good for 7 days.
- Schedule Free Pickup: We set up towing at a time that works for you with a licensed carrier.
- Sign the Title: Fill out the back of the Texas Certificate of Title (Form VTR-346 if selling to a dismantler). Include seller information and odometer reading if the car is under 10 years old.
- Get Paid on the Spot: We pay you immediately at the time of pickup and remove the vehicle.
- Submit a Vehicle Transfer Notification: File the Texas Vehicle Transfer Notification online or using Form VTR-346 with the Texas DMV.
- Cancel Insurance: Contact your insurance provider after the transfer to end your coverage.
What You Need to Junk a Car in Texas
Texas law requires specific documentation to legally transfer ownership of a vehicle to a junk car buyer. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) outlines what’s needed below:
- Vehicle Title: Required to prove ownership. If you’ve lost the title, apply for a duplicate using Form VTR-34.
- Valid ID: A Texas driver’s license or state-issued ID is necessary to verify your identity.
- Odometer Disclosure: Needed for vehicles under 10 years old, as required by federal law. Complete this on the title or a separate disclosure form.
- Form VTR-346: Submit this Vehicle Transfer Notification to release liability and officially record the sale.
What Are the Legal Requirements for Junking a Car in Texas?
To junk a car in Texas, you must have the title in your name. If you lost it, request a duplicate from the Texas DMV using Form VTR-34. The title must not have a lien unless a lien release is submitted.
Before a vehicle is dismantled, remove the VIN plate. You must destroy the plate or submit it to the DMV with ownership paperwork. Keep copies of all submitted documents.
Can You Junk a Car Without a Title in Texas?
No. A valid Texas title is required to junk a car. If the title is missing, you must apply for a replacement using Form VTR-34. Other documents like registration or a bill of sale are not accepted as ownership proof for junking.
Do You Need Current Registration to Junk a Car in Texas?
No. Expired registration does not prevent you from junking your vehicle as long as the title is in your name.
Do I Need to Notify the DMV?
Yes. File a Vehicle Transfer Notification (Form VTR-346) and remove your license plates. Cancel your registration if the vehicle is being scrapped. Remove the VIN plate before disposal and include it with your forms.
Licensed dismantlers in Texas must submit acquisition details to the DMV and maintain records for inspection.
We recently helped a customer in Houston junk their old F-150 that hadn’t run in 3 years. They had the title and we paid $560 cash the same day with free pickup. They filed the transfer online and were done in minutes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Junking a Car in Texas
- Not submitting the Vehicle Transfer Notification: Failing to do this can leave you responsible for the car even after it's sold.
- Signing the title incorrectly: Crossed-out names or missing signatures can invalidate the transfer.
- Leaving personal property in the vehicle: Double-check the car before it’s towed away.
- Junking through an unlicensed buyer: Only use licensed auto dismantlers and trusted buyers like Junk Car Medics.
Helpful Resources
- Texas DMV (TxDMV): Access title forms, replacement title (VTR-34), and vehicle transfer notification: txdmv.gov
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ): Oversees vehicle dismantling and salvage compliance: tceq.texas.gov
- Texas Auto Recyclers Association: Find certified auto recyclers across Texas.
Junk a Car in Texas
We provide fast, legal junk car removal across Texas — from Dallas and Houston to Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, and beyond. Whether you're in a major city or rural county, Junk Car Medics makes it easy to sell your car for cash and stay compliant with Texas law.
Find your location below or get your free quote today.