We write to you as members of the Texas House of Representatives regarding the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles’ (TxDMV) recently proposed rule changes, 217.22 (definitions), 217.26 (identification required), 217.28 (vehicle registration renewal), and 217.29 (vehicle registration renewal via internet). 

We are deeply concerned about the broad and disruptive impact this rule change will have on the state's economy by eliminating millions of dollars in state taxes from vehicle purchases. This will hurt lawful Texas drivers, small and large businesses vital to our economy, and will hinder county government budgets. 

Stakeholders in the auto industry and county tax assessor-collectors have testified that reducing access to lawful registration will result in an increase in the number of unregistered and uninsured vehicles on Texas roadways. In addition to making Texas roadways unsafe, these new rule changes will exacerbate the problem of Texas residents registering their vehicles in other states with less stringent registration requirements and lower taxes, resulting in hundreds of millions in lost tax revenue.

Tying vehicle purchases to a narrow set of photo identification documents will also devastate Texas auto dealers, many of whom have testified that a significant portion of their sales will no longer be valid under these new requirements.

The rule change that requires acceptable photo identification documentation for registration renewals, including permanent and conditional residency cards, opens the door for Texans to be profiled on the assumption that, because their vehicle registration is out of date, they may not have legal status. The TxDMV must not create a loophole that allows Texans’ Constitutional rights under the 4th and 14th Amendments to be violated.

Significant policy changes such as these belong at the Legislature. The stakeholder and constituent feedback we receive as legislators helps us to prevent policy oversights evident in this rushed rule-making process. For these reasons, we respectfully request that the board pause adoption of the proposed rule and engage in a more inclusive stakeholder process to study the impact of such a rule change. 

We also ask that the Board publicly release its supporting data and analysis demonstrating the necessity of this rule to address fraud or other identified harms in the vehicle registration system. Thank you for your time and consideration. 

Yours Sincerely,

Terry Canales

State Representative

House District 40

Chair, Select Committee on Transportation Funding

Editor’s Note: The above letter was sent by state Rep. Terry Canales to Charles Bacarisse, chairman of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board on February, 11, 2026. The letter was co-signed by these state Representatives:

Originally posted in the Rio Grande Guardian: https://riograndeguardian.com/stories/house-reps-texans-constitutional-rights-will-be-violated-under-proposed-txdmv-rule-change,58380