Your title can keep you out of a jam. An up-to-date title lists a vehicle’s current owner. It’s up to you to make sure the paperwork on your car or truck is correct. When a vehicle is sold, traded in, or given away, the vehicle’s title must be reassigned to its new owner. If the paperwork side of the transaction isn’t handled properly, the seller will continue to be listed as the vehicle’s official owner and will remain liable for offenses associated with the vehicle, such as parking tickets, toll violations, and even criminal activity. Buyers who don’t apply for a new title face late penalties that can mount up to hundreds of dollars. If you’re the buyer: 1. Make sure you’re getting a clean title with no legal or salvage issues when you buy a car or truck. 2. Ask for the vehicle’s records, such as the Texas Registration Receipt and other supporting documents. Write down the date of sale, vehicle information including make, model, VIN, and the seller’s name, address, and phone number 3. Get your new vehicle titled in your name. You have 20 business days from the date of sale to apply for a new title, or you’ll be charged an automatic $25 penalty, plus another $25 for each month you are late. File the 130-U (Application for Texas Certificate of Title Form) signed by the seller at your local county tax office. You can find the form at www.txdot.gov. 4. Download a temporary Vehicle Transit Permit at www.txdot.gov if the seller took the plates off the car or truck. It’s …