The Help End Auto Theft Operation (HEAT) is a statewide vehicle
registration program aimed at reducing auto theft during nighttime
hours. A car is stolen in Texas every five and a half minutes, and
every 20 seconds in the U.S.. More vehicles are stolen between 1:00
a.m. and 5:00 a.m. than any other time. In 2002, more than 102,000
vehicles were stolen in Texas. Simply by enrolling, you make it a lot
harder for a thief to drive away in your car. If you do not normally
drive your vehicle between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., you can
volunteer to sign an agreement and have two special HEAT stickers
placed on your vehicle. Under this agreement, if police officers see
your vehicle being driven during the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., they
may stop the vehicle to verify ownership. One advantage of the Texas
H.E.A.T. program over citywide decal programs is that peace officers
throughout the state have immediate access to the data. Even if the
thief has removed the decal, the officer will know the vehicle is
registered in Texas as H.E.A.T.
Instructions for Registration
You may register your vehicle in the HEAT program during business hours
at the following locations, or download the application HERE and mail
it to the Texas Department of Public Safety. If registering in person,
be sure to bring the VIN number, proof of liability insurance, your
driver's license number, and license plate number for the vehicle you
are registering.
Texas Watch Your Car H.E.A.T. Rear Decal
Vehicle owners can obtain a rear window decal that authorizes law enforcement officers to stop the automobile between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. statewide.
Texas Watch You Car H.E.A.T. Front Decals
Car H.E.A.T. Front Decals
Two additional decals can be added to the front window to help prevent the car from being driven illegally into Mexico.A yellow decal authorizes officials to stop the car between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. statewide.
A white decal authorizes officers to stop the vehicle any time it crosses the border into Mexico
To register in person, visit:
Westside Auto Theft Office
17427 Village Green
Houston, TX 77040
|
Eastside Auto Theft Office
310 Fischer Road
Humble, Texas 77338 |
Mail applications to:
Texas Department of Public Safety
Texas H.E.A.T. Program
P.O. Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
