1. (a) For registration transactions, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the fee amounts established in §217.183 of this title (relating to Fee Amount) shall be allocated as follows:

   1. (1) If the registration transaction was processed in person at the office of the county tax assessor-collector or mailed to an office of the county tax assessor-collector:

      1. (A) the county tax assessor-collector may retain $2.30; and
      2. (B) the remaining amount shall be remitted to the department.

   2. (2) If the registration transaction was processed through the department or the TxFLEET system or is a registration processed under Transportation Code, §§502.0023, 502.091, or 502.255; or §217.46(b)(5) of this title (relating to Commercial Vehicle Registration):

      1. (A) $2.30 will be remitted to the county tax assessor-collector; and
      2. (B) the remaining amount shall be retained by the department.

   3. (3) If the registration transaction was processed through Texas by Texas (TxT) or the department's Internet Vehicle Title and Registration Service (IVTRS), the fee established in §217.183 of this title is discounted by $1:

      1. (A) Texas Online receives the amount set pursuant to Government Code, §2054.2591, Fees;
      2. (B) the county tax assessor-collector may retain $.25; and
      3. (C) the remaining amount shall be remitted to the department.

   4. (4) If the registration transaction was processed by a limited service deputy or full service deputy appointed by the county tax assessor-collector in accordance with Subchapter H of this chapter (relating to Deputies):

      1. (A) the deputy may retain:

         1. (i) the amount specified in §217.168(c) of this title (relating to Deputy Fee Amounts). The deputy must remit the remainder of the processing and handling fee to the county tax assessor-collector; and
         2. (ii) the convenience fee established in §217.168, if the registration transaction is processed by a full service deputy;
      2. (B) the county tax assessor-collector may retain $1.30; and
      3. (C) the county tax assessor-collector must remit the remaining amount to the department.

   5. (5) If the registration transaction was processed by a dealer deputy appointed by the county tax assessor-collector in accordance with Subchapter H of this chapter (relating to Deputies):

      1. (A) the deputy must remit the processing and handling fee to the county tax assessor-collector;
      2. (B) the county tax assessor-collector may retain $2.30; and
      3. (C) the county tax assessor-collector must remit the remaining amount to the department.

2. (b) For transactions under Transportation Code, §§502.093 - 502.095, the entity receiving the application and processing the transaction collects the $4.75 processing and handling fee established in §217.183:

   1. (1) the entity may retain $4.25;
   2. (2) the entity must remit the remaining amount to the department; and
   3. (3) a full service deputy processing a special registration permit or special registration license plate transaction may not charge a convenience fee for that transaction.

Source Note:The provisions of this §217.185 adopted to be effective August 8, 2016, 41 TexReg 5777; amended to be effective May 21, 2018, 43 TexReg 3245; amended to be effective July 1, 2025, 49 TexReg 8980.