The Texas DMV has released more information about its plans to close a loophole that’s allowing unsafe cars to get temporary tags.
NBC 5 Investigates first told you about this on Thursday.
Our team discovered that most county tax offices that can issue temporary tags do not check to make sure a car has passed inspections before issuing a paper tag.
The tax offices told us, state rules do not allow them to require inspection paperwork.
But in a letter sent to tax offices Friday, the DMV confirmed it will now require counties to verify that cars have been inspected.
The DMV also said it plans to create a new application form for temporary tags.
Law enforcement officials tell NBC 5 Investigates the loophole has to be closed.
They fear more people are turning to tax offices to get 30-day tags for unsafe cars because the DMV is cracking down on shady dealers who sell temporary tags illegally.
As we’ve reported, those tags are often bought by people who own cars that can’t pass inspection.
As well as people looking to hide the ownership of cars used in crimes.
PREVIOUS REPORTS
April 7, 2022 – Police Warn of Fake Paper Tags Used to Cheat Car BuyersApril 5, 2022 – Texas Senate Will Investigate Illegal Paper Tag Crimes, SmugglingMarch 9, 2022 – Texas Paper Tag Crime Danger Extends NationwideMarch 5, 2022 – Texas House Will Hold Hearings on Paper Tag MessFeb. 28, 2022 – License to Smuggle: Drug Cartels and Human Smugglers Use Paper Texas Tags to EvadeFeb. 15, 2022 – Fort Worth Police Announce Special Operation Targeting Paper TagsFeb. 14, 2022 — Crash Victim’s Parents Want More Cops to Police Paper Tag FraudFeb. 13, 2022 – More Funding Need to Fight Criminals Using Bogus Paper Tags: PoliceFeb. 10, 2022 – Police Report Drop in Fraudulent Tags But Warn Crooks Are AdaptingFeb. 9, 2022 – Texas DMV Shuts Down Six More Dealers Suspected of Selling Paper License TagsFeb. 7, 2022 – TxDMV Director Resigns Amidst Paper Tag MessJan. 27, 2022 – TxDMV Takes Emergency Action to Keep Crooks From Selling Paper TagsJan. 21, 2022 – Dallas Police Operation Targets Fraudulent Paper TagsJan. 17, 2022 – Recording Shows Police Warned TxDMV of Paper Tag Security Flaw Years AgoDec. 16, 2021 – DMV Committee Recommends Fingerprinting Some Dealers to Slow Paper Tag FraudDec. 14, 2021 – Texas House Transportation Chair Vows to Stop Paper Tag FraudDec. 6, 2021 – Texas DMV Boss Deflects Blame for Paper Tag DebacleNov. 23, 2021 – Illegal Paper Tags Costing Texas Taxpayers and Toll Roads MillionsNov. 10, 2021 – Suspected Paper Tag Peddler Shut Down Tuesday, Reopens Wednesday: InvestigatorsNov. 8, 2021 – How Texas Paper Tags Became a $200M Criminal Enterprise: NBC 5 Investigates
