Whenever you buy or sell a used vehicle in Texas, you must disclose the odometer reading at the time of transfer. This simple written statement helps protect both buyer and seller from fraud. Federal law under the Odometer Act requires anyone transferring a vehicle to provide an honest odometer reading. Texas law mirrors this requirement and uses a specific form (VTR-346) to record the mileage and certify its accuracy.
Completing the odometer disclosure is more than a paperwork step. It creates a legal record of the vehicle’s mileage at the point of sale. That record can be critical if questions arise later about tampering or hidden wear.
Let us walk through who must fill out the form, what counts as an exemption, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Odometer disclosure statement is a simple but highly significant document that records a vehicle’s odometer reading upon transfer, whether it be by exchange, gift, or sale. Think of it as a mileage “snapshot” that protects both buyers and sellers by creating an open record of the number of miles a vehicle has traveled.
Why is it significant? Because mileage directly affects the condition and value of a vehicle. Lower mileage cars tend to fetch a better price, and more mileage is often synonymous with more wear and tear. Some dishonest sellers, however, would try to roll back or tamper with the odometer to inflate the price. The odometer disclosure statement is a safeguard against such fraud in that it requires the seller to officially make the mileage statement and, therefore, a legal document one can use as a point of reference in case of any questions or dispute arising in the future.
The requirement is founded on both Texas state law and federal law. The federal Truth in Mileage Act of 1986 mandates a truthful odometer reading at every transfer of vehicle and provides penalties for fraud, including heavy fines and even imprisonment. Texas is conforming to these federal regulations and utilizes a specific form (Form VTR-346) for reporting mileage upon transferring titles.
Knowing which parties must fill out the form, and when, ensures a smooth title transfer. Here’s how it breaks down:
Certain vehicles are not subject to odometer disclosure:
Pro Tip: Even if your vehicle qualifies for an exemption, write “EXEMPT” in the mileage box. This small step prevents unnecessary delays at the county tax office.
Filing your odometer disclosure promptly and in the right place keeps you protected and speeds up the title transfer process.
You must submit the Texas Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification (Form VTR-346) within 30 days of the vehicle’s date of transfer. Filing late won’t invalidate your disclosure, but it does leave you exposed to liability for toll violations, parking tickets, or criminal activities committed in the vehicle after sale.
In Person
Bring the completed Form VTR-346 to your local county tax assessor-collector’s office that processes your title application.
By Mail
Mail the signed form to the address shown on the form itself (Vehicle Titles and Registration Division, P.O. Box address in Austin). Include a brief cover note with your name, address, and the vehicle’s VIN so staff can match it to your title.
Electronically
Licensed dealers and fleet owners may submit disclosures online via the TxDMV e-File system. Contact your county tax office to confirm availability and set up access.
Pro Tip: Always attach your completed odometer disclosure to the vehicle title application (Form 130-U). Submitting them together avoids needless processing delays.
Understanding why you complete an odometer disclosure helps you see it as more than just another form.
A formal odometer statement creates a verifiable trail that deters mileage tampering. When discrepancies arise, such as readings that “exceed mechanical limits” or “not actual mileage”, future buyers and investigators can spot potential fraud faster.
Accurate mileage data lets new owners plan maintenance schedules, verify warranty eligibility, and estimate resale value. Knowing the odometer reading is properly certified gives buyers assurance they’re making an informed investment.
Federal regulations (49 C.F.R. § 580.5) require that every title, at the time of transfer, include the transferor’s disclosed mileage and a warning that falsification may result in fines or imprisonment. Texas law echoes this under Transportation Code § 501.072. Failing to disclose, or knowingly misstating, mileage can lead to civil penalties (up to $10,000), criminal charges, and delayed title issuance.
Dealers, distributors, and auctioneers must retain odometer statements for five years under 49 C.F.R. § 580.8. This archive supports investigations into fraud and ensures a clear history of each vehicle’s mileage over multiple ownerships.
Understanding the legal framework and potential consequences ensures you, and your buyer, stay protected.
Under the Federal Odometer Act and its implementing regulation (49 C.F.R. § 580.5), every transferor must provide a written disclosure of the vehicle’s odometer reading and certify its accuracy or note any discrepancy. The statement must include a warning that falsifying mileage is punishable by law.
Texas Transportation Code Chapter 727 makes it unlawful to disconnect, reset, alter, or display any device that causes an odometer to register a false mileage. Violations can lead to:
Dealers, distributors, lessors, and auction companies must retain copies of every odometer statement and related power of attorney for at least five years, in a retrievable format that prevents unauthorized alteration. This archive supports law enforcement investigations and helps resolve future disputes.
Filling out the Texas Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form VTR-346) correctly the first time saves you time and hassle. Follow these straightforward steps:
Visit the TxDMV website, locate “VTR-346” under Title & Registration Forms, and download a PDF you can print and fill out. If you prefer paper, pick one up at your county tax assessor-collector’s office.
In the top section, carefully transcribe the vehicle’s year, make, model, and the full 17-digit VIN exactly as shown on the title. Even a single typo in the VIN can stall your transfer.
Write the odometer reading in whole miles. Do not include tenths. Then check the box that best describes the reading:
Clearly print the full legal names and current mailing addresses for both parties. Make sure the seller signs in the seller’s signature block and the buyer signs in the buyer’s block. Signatures should match the names exactly as printed and must be dated on or before the actual transfer date.
Enter the sale date in the designated field. This date begins your 30-day window to file the form with the county.
Staple or clip the completed odometer disclosure to your title application (Form 130-U) and submit both to the county tax office, either in person or by mail. Dealers and fleet owners may have the option to e-file through the TxDMV system.
Completing each field clearly, using black ink and block letters, and double-checking for accuracy ensures your paperwork moves smoothly through the system.
Odometer disclosure isn’t a one-size-fits-all law—there are exceptions to be made for some types of vehicles and situations. Here’s the scoop if you’re dealing with electric vehicles, hybrids, leased cars, salvaged or rebuilt vehicles, or out-of-state transfers into Texas.
Even though electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids do not have traditional engines, they are still fitted with odometers that do register mileage. An odometer disclosure is required by Texas law for EVs and hybrid vehicles as well as gasoline-powered vehicles, unless otherwise exempt (i.e., unless more than 20 years old or greater than 16,000 lbs GVWR). On sale, trade-in, or lease of an EV or hybrid, record correctly the mileage from the electronic odometer on Form VTR-346.
For leased vehicles, the lessor (lease company) must provide the odometer disclosure statement to the lessee (person leasing the vehicle) at lease termination and vehicle sale or transfer. The statement must be signed by both parties. If you are bringing a leased vehicle back to a dealer, expect the signing of the odometer statement as part of the process of returning the lease.
If a car has been wrecked and rebuilt, it would still be required to have an odometer disclosure on transfer, with the exception of exempt vehicles (older than 20 years or over 16,000 lbs). The history of the car—salvaged, rebuilt, etc.—does not remove the mandate for mileage disclosure. However, if the odometer is inoperative or cannot be ascertained because the vehicle has been salvaged, you must check the “Not Actual Mileage” box on the disclosure form. This alerts future buyers that the mileage cannot be confirmed.
For rebuilt vehicles, the same rule holds for salvage vehicles. Report the mileage as the odometer reads, and if an odometer was replaced or reset when rebuilt, this must be reported. If the odometer reading is not accurate, mark the applicable box (“Not Actual Mileage” or “Exceeds Mechanical Limits”).
When you bring a vehicle to Texas from another state, you must complete a Texas odometer disclosure statement (Form VTR-346) at title and registration, unless exempted. Even though you’ve already made an odometer disclosure in another state, Texas requires its own form to issue a title.
If the vehicle is under 20 years old and less than 16,000 lbs: You must report a current mileage reading on the Texas form, regardless of what was reported in the previous state.
If the vehicle is exempt (more than 20 years old or more than 16,000 lbs): Mark “EXEMPT” in the mileage box.
Special Note: If the out-of-state title already has “Not Actual Mileage” or “Exceeds Mechanical Limits” marked on it, you must bring this over on the Texas disclosure form.
An odometer disclosure statement might seem like just another piece of paperwork, but it plays an important role in protecting both buyers and sellers during a vehicle transaction in Texas. By documenting the exact mileage at the time of sale, this form prevents disputes, discourages fraud, and keeps your title transfer process moving smoothly.
Whether you’re selling a personal car, trading in a used vehicle, or buying from a private seller, understanding how and when to complete Form VTR-346 can save you from unnecessary delays, legal headaches, and financial penalties. Staying organized, double-checking details, and submitting your documents on time ensures your sale is properly recorded and your responsibilities as a seller officially end.Odometer disclosures are a federally regulated step in vehicle ownership transfers, designed to protect everyone involved. If you’re buying or selling a vehicle in Texas and need expert help navigating the title transfer process, including odometer disclosure requirements, our team at Lemon My Vehicle is here to assist. Contact us today for fast, reliable guidance on completing your vehicle transaction smoothly and legally.
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