Executive

The Executive Office is home to the executive director who oversees the agency’s day-to-day operations. The division directors, who oversee the program areas of the agency, and the directors of the agency’s human resources, technology and civil rights sections report to the executive director. The executive director reports to the agency board and directs staff to make changes based on laws enacted by the state legislature and implements policies and rules approved by the agency board.

Executive Office
Whitney Brewster Executive Director More
Jimmy Archer Director Motor Carrier Division More	Ginny Booton Director Consumer Relations More
Sharon Brewer Director Human Resources More	Charles Caldwell Director Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority More
Randy K. Elliston Director Vehicle Titles & Registration Division More	Linda Flores Chief Financial Officer Financial Services More
Bill Harbeson Director Motor Vehicle Division (interim) Enforcement Division More	Jeremiah Kuntz Director Government & Strategic Communications More
William Lawler Director Internal Audit More	Eric Obermier Chief Information Officer Information Technology Services More
Jonathan Taylor Director Enterprise Project  Management Office More	Margaret A. Wilson Director Office of General Counsel More

Program Areas

Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority

The Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) educates Texans on how to protect themselves from motor vehicle theft and awards financial grants to curtail auto theft and burglary.

The division funds a statewide vehicle theft recovery registration program known as H.E.A.T. (Help End Auto Theft) and is involved in a program that helps to prevent stolen motor vehicles from entering Mexico.

More about ABTPA

Consumer Relations Division

If you have questions, they have answers in the Consumer Relations Division where you will find customer representatives eager to answer your calls and emails. The hallmark of this division ‘s staff members are their dedication to being professional but personal as they help consumers and motor vehicle-related business owners – almost 1 million each year - find the information they need to complete their business with the agency.

Enforcement Division

Did a moving company promise you a cheap rate and then hold your belongings hostage for more money? Did an auto dealer fail to title your vehicle for you? Did you run out to buy that new truck you saw advertised for an amazing price only to be subjected to a “bait and switch” scheme?

These situations and much, much more fall under the Enforcement Division, which regulates manufacturers, dealers, moving companies and other motor vehicle-related businesses, including motor carriers and salvage dealers. The division also administers the state’s Lemon Law, which can provide relief to consumers who can prove the new car they bought is a lemon. Each year the division reviews and investigates an average of 5,000 complaints from consumers, law enforcement and other government agencies.

Financial Services Division

From pens and paperclips to millions of dollars in operating expenses, the Financial Services Division tracks the agency’s money – starting with what it spends to more than $1.5 billion in annual collections. The division is responsible for the agency’s budgeting, purchasing, accounting and financial reporting.

In Fiscal Year 2013, the division is tracking an operating budget of $170 million and a payroll of more than 700 full-time employees.

Government and Strategic Communications Division

This division is about keeping you informed. It is the voice of the agency, making sure all external communication is coordinated and that the agency delivers consistent messages to the motoring public. Staff members answer questions from state legislators, and media; perform bill analyses during legislative sessions; send out press releases; oversee the agency website and other informational materials, such as brochures, flyers and newsletters; and proactively reach out to Texans with public education initiatives.

Internal Audit Division

The Internal Audit Division helps to identify and improve existing agency operations. Staff reviews policies, processes and procedures, making recommendations to agency management to ensure the efficient and effective use of resources, and to reduce the likelihood of fraud, waste and abuse. The division is an independent, objective, assurance and consulting activity and reports directly to the board.

Internal Audit Reports

Motor Carrier Division

The Motor Carrier Division helps the transportation industry conduct interstate and intrastate commerce. It grants commercial motor carriers, moving companies and passenger carriers the license plates, operating authority (Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Number and Unified Carrier Registration) and the oversize/overweight permits they need to move people and cargo safely and efficiently.

Motor Vehicle Division

The Motor Vehicle Division licenses dealers and manufacturers and other types of motor vehicle-related businesses. The licensing system helps to ensure a sound system of distributing and selling motor vehicles and regulating motor vehicle manufacturers. In Texas there are more than 2,500 licensed new (franchise) vehicle dealers and almost 15,000 used (independent) dealers.

Office of General Counsel

The Office of General Counsel represents the agency and provides legal advice to the board, executive director, and other agency divisions. The office provides advice regarding laws and regulations on topics such as motor carriers, vehicle titles and registration, human resources, open records, and open meetings. It assists with legislation, reviews contracts, and participates in all phases of rulemaking. The office also works with the Office of the Attorney General on legal matters involving the agency.

Vehicle Titles and Registration Division

The Vehicle Titles and Registration Division is responsible for vehicle titling, registration and issuing license plates and disabled placards. It oversees 16 Regional Service Centers and provides policy and procedural support to the 254 county tax assessor-collectors, who process registration and tittle applications throughout Texas. The division also updates and maintains the state motor vehicle database. Currently, there are more than 22 million registered vehicles in Texas. The division collects more than $4.5 billion in registration fees, title fees, and motor vehicle sales tax, the majority of which is deposited into the State Highway Fund to build and maintain Texas’ highways, roads and bridges.