Texas - $3000 Voucher for Recycling your Old Car
If you got an old car (i.e. 10 years or older) or your car has failed an emissions test and you live in Texas, the government will give you a $3000 voucher towards the purchase of a newer car (i.e. one that’s at most 3 years old) if you trade in your old car. In order to qualify for the Texas Vehicle Replacement program, you also have to meet certain income restrictions.
Sweet deal if you qualify for it. If you got an old car like that, it might just be worth $1000 or less. The income restrictions are kinda tough. If you’re single, you can’t make more than $31,200 a year. I figure if you’re still in college, though, that shouldn’t be too hard.
TECQ Vehicle Replacement Program Details
TECQ Vehicle Replacement Program - How To Apply
Other states may have similar deals going on. So even if you’re not from Texas, you might want to look into it further. Note that income restrictions are probably going vary from state to state given that the cost of living in some states such as California and New York is significantly higher than elsewhere.
Texas Vehicle Replacement Program - Participating Counties
Your vehicle must be registered in one of these participating counties:
Austin Program Area:
Travis, Williamson
Dallas–Fort Worth Program Area:
Collin, Kaufman, Dallas, Parker, Denton, Rockwall, Ellis, Tarrant, Johnson
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria Program Area:
Brazoria, Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Galveston
Texas Vehicle Replacement Program - Income Requirements
You must meet these 2008 net income requirements:
(These income amounts change annually in February.)
| Size of Household | Maximum Net Income Per Year |
| 1 | $31,200 |
| 2 | $42,000 |
| 3 | $52,800 |
| 4 | $63,600 |
| 5 | $74,400 |
| 6 | $85,200 |
| 7 | $96,000 |
| 8 | $106,800 |
| Over 8 | Add $10,800 for each additional member |
Texas Vehicle Replacement Program - Old Vehicle Requirements
Your vehicle must meet these conditions:
• Failed an emissions test,
• Registered in your participating county area for at least 12 months preceding application, and
• Passed a Texas motor-vehicle safety and emissions inspection within 15 months of your application and driven under its own power to the automobile dealership.
OR
• At least 10 years old and gasoline powered,
• Driven under its own power to the automobile dealership,
• Registered in your participating county area for at least 12 months preceding application, and
• Passed a DPS motor-vehicle safety inspection (if more than 24 years old) or safety and emissions inspection (if 24 years old or less) within 15 months of application
Texas Vehicle Replacement Program - Vehicle Replacement Assistance
If you meet the above requirements, the following vehicle-replacement assistance may be provided:
• $3,000 for a car, current model year or up to three model years old
• $3,000 for a truck, current model year or up to two model years old
• $3,500 for hybrid vehicle, current or previous model year
Texas Vehicle Replacement Program - New Vehicle Requirements
The vehicle you purchase must meet the following requirements:
• Must be a federal Tier 2 Bin 5 vehicle (see the list: model year 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005)
• Cannot cost more than $25,000, before tax, title and license
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February 6th, 2008 at 8:44 am
I have a 2000 Mustang and would like to trade it in on a newer one. I am still paying on it. I am single and make less than 30,000 a year, would I even qualify for this vouncher?
Thanks
Rebecca Kowalik
February 6th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
You meet the income guidelines but your car is less than 10 years old.
That means in order to qualify for the voucher, your Mustang needs to have failed an emissions test.
If you had a car that was 10 years older, it wouldn’t matter if it passed or failed an emissions test.
February 8th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
What is the income requirements if you are married with 3 kids?
February 8th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
The maximum net income is $74,400 for a 5-person household.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
where do u have to go to get the voucher
February 13th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
where do we go to get the voucher? need to know this desperatly….
February 13th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Application: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/implementation/air/mobilesource/vim/how_to_apply.html
You can also call 1-800-913-3321.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I have a vehicle I bought a few months ago. Would it qualify? It is a 1992. I make less than $20k per yr. I am a single mom.
February 24th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
What about a single mom with just one child? What are the income requirements on that?
February 24th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
They just raised the maximum net income limits for 2008. It’s now $42,000 for a two-person household (e.g. single mom plus child).
Be sure to visit the Texas state commission website for details. You can also call 1-800-913-3321 and talk to them over the phone.
May 17th, 2008 at 1:43 am
I have 1993 Nissan Maxima. I am single with annual income over 35,000. I want to change this old car though i like it. Am I qualifying ?
May 17th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
The maximum annual net income limit for a single household is $31,200, so it doesn’t seem like you’re qualifying.
May 20th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
My daughter is 18 and has a 1999 car, she will need a co-signer to buy a newer car.My family makes more then the qualify amount.Does she qualify?
May 20th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
I have a 1988 Chevy Monte Carlo, I love my car but ready for a better car, I am single w/ a child, my annual income is about 19,852, do you thinkn I’ll qualify?
May 20th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
“My daughter is 18 and has a 1999 car, she will need a co-signer to buy a newer car.My family makes more then the qualify amount.Does she qualify?”
No, she won’t qualify if she still lives with you and/or you claim her as a dependent on your tax return. They’re looking at household income. When you include her as a member of your household, though, the maximum net income limit goes up as well. It’s $52,800 for 3 people in a household, $63,600 for 4 people, and $74,400 for 5 people.
May 20th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
“I have a 1988 Chevy Monte Carlo, I love my car but ready for a better car, I am single w/ a child, my annual income is about 19,852, do you thinkn I’ll qualify?”
You definitely qualify as far as the maximum income limit is concerned. And it sounds like your car also qualifies. Althogh it’s still drivable, it’s already more than 10 years old. Now if you’ve also had it registered in your county for the past year, you’re all set.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:58 pm
My car is 1994 with everything running good. I am a student with slim fellowship around $20000 a year. So I think I should qualify this deal. My question is: Do I have to trade it to the government? May I sell it to another guy who wants to take my old car?
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:39 am
“May I sell it to another guy who wants to take my old car?”
Haha! No, that won’t work. The point of the program is to get older, more polluting cars off our streets. The government is willing to pay you a premium price for your car to make that happen. That means they want to take actual possession of your car. You can’t give just away your car to someone else, let alone sell it. Sorry, the government ain’t that stupid.
May 31st, 2008 at 2:18 am
My friends got me so excited. They know as a single parent of 2 - 1 child with a disability - many years without any child support on a teacher’s I built up a huge debt over the years. I finally paid off a car and was driving it without AC, paying down my debts - accumulating great credit but still approx. $32,000… not including my house note. I got a notice a few weeks ago that the mortgage was increasing by half! Undercharged on the escrow, added a whopping flood insurance premium, so any hope of getting a car or repair flew away.
Then my power steering went out. Now my car is drivable still - but not safe.
My car is 1998 - and I make too much money…
I understand this is for people without - but my ability to pay is only with credit.
This really hurts!
May 31st, 2008 at 2:20 am
To clarify - the kids are grown and out of my house. The expenses remain.
June 16th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
i fit every requirement other than living in the right place. i have a 1989 ford ranger and its a piece of junk that breaks down monthly at least and im trying to move to tennessee (where my girlfriend moved to) and make it on my on and go to cellege there but need a new car. is there anything else i can do to get this voucher? thanks
June 26th, 2008 at 1:02 am
I have 2 old cars (older than 10 years) and meet all the qualifications. Can I get 2 vouchers for 2 newer cars?
August 4th, 2008 at 10:17 am
I have a 1999 model car, and it meets all the requirements save one. The title is in my father’s name since I was still in college at the time. I do live in Houston, but he does not. I desperately need a new vehicle, driving across town to the medical center every day is very expensive. Is there some kind of a program to assist lower income medical personnel? (Yes, that does exist)
August 4th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
If there is a program to assist lower-income medical personnel, you’re best bet is to ask co-workers. I don’t know how much you make but since you have a decent full-time job, I doubt you’ll be eligible for assistance from the government.
Here are some other options to save on your transportation expenses:
1. Public transportation.
2. Carpool.
3. Electric bicycle. No registration and insurance requirements.
4. Scooter (e.g. Kymco or Vespa). Fuel economy: 80 to 120 mpg. For bigger, faster scooters, you may need a motorcycle license though.
Hope this helps.
August 12th, 2008 at 4:06 am
I have a 1997 buick that i am still paying a car note on i just recently got married but i meet the income requirements would i still qualify for the program.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:31 am
If there’s a lien on the car, you won’t be able to transfer title to the government. Basically, you will need to pay off the loan first.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:36 am
I have a 1988 Honda prelude it is still running but I need to get a newer vehicle. I am married and My wife is in school. I make $20.000 per year. will I qualify?My e-mail Address is Joyce_Hampton2003@Yahoo.com
August 13th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Hi Damion. Assuming your wife has no taxable income, it sounds like you qualify. You’re well below the $42,000 threshold for 2-member households.
August 24th, 2008 at 1:08 am
i have a 1994 nissan maxima have had it for a year i live in the qualifying county but it is registered in my moms husbands name but i do not live with them how does that work
August 24th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I have a 1997 Chevey Cavilair. It used to drive it not until it broke down on me. I dont know what is wrong with it, but it is not drivable. It has a salvage title. Will I be quailified? I meet all other requirements, please advise. Thank you.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
tcheck
The only way I can see this could work is if your mom’s husband does all the paperwork for you. He would get the voucher though and then help you buy the new car with it.
Another option: he can transfer the title to you now and you keep the car registered under your name for a year before you recycle it. That’s one of the conditions. The car has to be registered under your name for the last 12 months. They don’t want people making a business out of buying old used cars to turn a quick profit on.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Will,
As long as the car has been registered for the last 12 months, the salvage title should not matter.
The fact that it is not drivable does matter. It has to be “driven under its own power to the automobile dealership.” So you have to figure out if it’s worth repairing it to get it to the dealership. You just have to fix it enough so it can be driven to the dealership.
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Ok, I qualify, in everything exept the county… my car is registered in Grayson County which is right next to Collin, the qualifing county. Is there any chance that Grayson will adopt this program any time soon??
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Assuming I qualify for the voucher…what’s the going interest rates are the dealerships offering to low incomer. What about people with no credits? Is there a bracket of rates?
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:32 am
Kristi:
The government is only offering the vouchers.
It’s up to you to arrange the financing of your car.
If you’re going to finance your purchase, your best bet would be to get pre-approved for a loan from a local credit union. Their rates are usually better. Otherwise you’ll have to negotiate with the dealer.
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Hi there I just recently married in May of this year (2008)but I meet all the other requirements will I still qualify for the voucher?
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Angie,
Are you saying you don’t meet the income requirements since you got married? When you complete the application, you have to state the number of people in your household. You can’t base it on last year. Sure, your last tax return lists you as single, so they can’t tell you’re married now. But since you’re basically getting free money from the government, you can’t just lie on your application. It’s called perjury and you could go to jail for that.
October 9th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
My brother lives with my husband and I but he is not a dependent and pays rent. He pays for all of his own expenses and files his own tax return. He is nothing but a roomate renting a room in our home. Will he have to list us under the size of household? He meets all of the requirements.
October 14th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
My name is Lisa and I have four boys which two are disable.I drive a 1996 Ford Aerostar Van and it is more than 10 yrs old, why is it so difficult to get a voucher toward a new vehicle?
October 15th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
which dealer will take your voucher? any or just specific, how about carmax
October 30th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Hi,
I have a 2000 pontiac grand am and it recently lost its transmission. I am a college student making less than the income max. Would I qualify with the vehicle?