What is a vehicle transfer on death designation in Texas?

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Texas names a beneficiary who receives your vehicle directly at your death, without probate (Tex. Transp. Code 501.0315; Tex. Estates Code ch. 115). You keep full ownership and control during your lifetime and can change or cancel the designation at any time.

Free Texas Vehicle Transfer on Death

Free Texas vehicle transfer on death form. Name a beneficiary to inherit your vehicle without probate. No notarization required. PDF download.

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Owner Information

Enter your information as the registered owner. If the vehicle is jointly owned, you can add the second owner below.

How is the vehicle titled?*

Choose "Jointly owned" if two people are on the title. Joint owners must hold title with a recorded Rights of Survivorship Agreement (Form VTR-122). All joint owners must make the designation together; the beneficiary takes only after the last surviving owner's death.

I am the sole ownerJointly owned with one other person

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*

Driver License / ID Number

Most state titling forms ask for the owner’s driver license or ID number.

Street Address*

City*

State*

ZIP Code*

State Where the Vehicle Is Titled*

County Where You Live

Texas files vehicle titles at a county office rather than a central DMV.

Email Address*

Phone Number*

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Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Texas names a beneficiary who receives your vehicle directly at your death, without probate. You keep full ownership and control during your lifetime, and can change or cancel the designation at any time.

In Texas, you make the designation through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), through county tax assessor-collector offices using Beneficiary Designation for a Motor Vehicle (Form VTR-121). Notarization is not required. See all Texas signing requirements.

If no designated beneficiary survives you in Texas, the designated beneficiary must survive the owner (or last surviving owner) by 120 hours. If the beneficiary fails to survive by 120 hours, the share lapses, notwithstanding Estates Code 111.052, and passes in accordance with Estates Code Subchapter D, Chapter 255 (antilapse), as if the beneficiary designation were a devise made in a will.

Texas allows a single beneficiary on a vehicle TOD designation. Consult the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), through county tax assessor-collector offices for any exceptions.

Yes. A vehicle TOD designation in Texas is revocable during your lifetime at any time. Texas recognizes: Submit a new Form VTR-121 (marking the "changing" or "revoking" box) with an Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U) and the current Texas title before death.; A change or revocation not submitted to the department before the owner's death is invalid (Tex. Transp. Code 501.0315(e))..

No. A vehicle TOD designation only transfers the vehicle named on the title. Bank accounts, your home, and other property pass through whatever else you have in place — a will (probate) or a trust. A revocable living trust covers everything in one document. Set up a revocable trust if you want a single instrument for the whole estate.

Texas Vehicle Transfer on Death

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Texas lets you name a beneficiary who receives your vehicle at death, bypassing probate for that vehicle (available in Texas: Yes). The designation has no effect during your lifetime: you remain the sole owner and can revoke it whenever you choose.

In Texas, the designation is made through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), through county tax assessor-collector offices using Beneficiary Designation for a Motor Vehicle (Form VTR-121). Notarization is not required. A new certificate of title is issued showing the beneficiary.

In Texas, the designation covers motor vehicle. Available only when all recorded owners are individuals. If any recorded owner is an entity (such as a business or trust), the beneficiary designation cannot be applied.

This designation is a focused tool — one vehicle at a time. For families with assets beyond a vehicle, a revocable living trust handles everything in one place and adds incapacity planning. The trust vs. will comparison shows the trade-offs.

SimplyTrust Editorial

Legal Sources

Tex. Transp. Code 501.0315; Tex. Estates Code ch. 115

Data sourced from Texas statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

Texas allows a single beneficiary on a vehicle TOD designation. Consult the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), through county tax assessor-collector offices for any exceptions.

Texas Vehicle Transfer on Death

Free Texas Vehicle Transfer on Death

Owner Information

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations