Texas H.E.A.T. , or Help End Auto Theft, is a voluntary statewide automobile registration program developed to help reduce auto theft in Texas.  This program has been established by the Department of Public Safety under the direction of the Automobile Theft Prevention Authority as the result of Texas Revised Civil Statutes, Article 4413(37).

• To enroll, the registered owner of a vehicle signs a registration form with a participating local law enforcement agency stating that a peace officer may stop his/her vehicle if found occupied on streets anywhere in Texas between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. to inquire as to ownership of the vehicle.

• A vehicle owner must present the following criteria to a participating local law enforcement agency. 1. his/her vehicle; 2. photo identification; 3. proof of insurance and/or vehicle registration receipt.

• When a registration is signed and the ownership of the vehicle is verified, a color-coded decal will be affixed to the inside of the front windshield and another decal to the outside of the rear windshield to indicate the vehicle is registered with the program.   A white front decal indicates the owner also consents to have the registered vehicle stopped whenever that vehicle crosses or is about to cross the border into Mexico directly from Texas 24 hours a day; a yellow front decal indicates the owner only consents to the border stop between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

• Information concerning the vehicle will be entered into the statewide computer file for purposes of enforcement.

• The fee for registration is one cent per vehicle and is payable to the registering agency.  Registration is for a period of four (4) years.

• Registration does not prevent the owner or anyone to whom the owner grants permission from driving the vehicle during the program hours of enforcement.

• The vehicle owner agrees to advise anyone granted permission to operate the vehicle of the H.E.A.T. registration.

• The vehicle owner agrees to and understands that peace officers will take certain precautions when making a stop on a registered vehicle during the program hours because it is suspected that the vehicle has been stolen.

• An Individual who wishes to withdraw from the statewide program or transfers possession of the vehicle must fully remove the Texas H.E.A.T. decals and notify the registering agency in writing to such removal.

Any questions regarding this program may be directed to a participating local law enforcement agency or the Department of Public Safety, H.E.A.T. Program Staff at 512/424-2483.  We invite you to participate!  YOU can help reduce auto thefts!!!