Registering and titling a vehicle in Texas: new residents, purchases and renewals

How titles, registration and plates work in Texas: TxDMV and the county tax offices, the 30-day rules for new residents and buyers, emissions inspection counties, insurance minimums, renewal options and plates.

Guide · Texas · Vehicle registration · Titles · updated October 29, 2026

In Texas, vehicle titles, registration and license plates are the responsibility of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). TxDMV handles only vehicles; driver licenses come from the Department of Public Safety. Most vehicle business is done at your county tax assessor-collector's office, which works on TxDMV's behalf. TxDMV says these offices are run independently by each county, so contact yours for hours, services and accepted payment.

Moving to Texas with a vehicle

TxDMV says you have 30 days from the time you move to register your vehicle in Texas. The steps:

1. Inspection, if your county requires it. In these 17 counties you need a passing emissions inspection before you register: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson. Use a DPS-certified inspection station; TxDMV notes that many mechanic shops, oil change locations and service stations are certified. Since January 1, 2025, non-commercial vehicles no longer need a safety inspection. Commercial vehicles still need one.
2. Insurance. Texas requires liability coverage of at least $30,000 per injured person, up to $60,000 for everyone injured in an accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
3. Registration at the county tax office. Bring your insurance card and proof of ownership, such as the registration or title from your previous state. First-time registrants complete Form 130-U, the Application for Texas Title and/or Registration.

TxDMV lists the state registration fee for a car or light truck at $51.75 ($50.75 base plus $1 for TexasSure, the insurance verification program). Counties may add their own fees. New residents also pay a sales tax-related fee, which TxDMV says can be $90 or the difference between your previous state's sales tax and the Texas sales tax. Ask the clerk to sign you up for eReminder renewal emails.

Active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces and non-resident full-time students at a Texas college or university do not have to register or title their vehicles in Texas. For your license, DPS asks new residents surrendering an out-of-state license to show Texas registration first; see the Texas driver license guide.

Buying a vehicle

TxDMV says a vehicle must be titled in the buyer's name within 30 days from the date of sale. Missing that deadline can bring delinquent transfer penalties.

From a dealer. The dealer must file the title application for you, so you do not have to visit the tax office. Make sure the dealer gives you a receipt showing the vehicle is titled in your name.

From an individual. TxDMV suggests the seller go with you to the county tax office. There, a representative can tell you whether the title is correct and whether it has salvage or legal issues. You can also run TxDMV's Title Check before you buy. Get from the seller:

• the signed title, with the date of sale and odometer reading
• a signed Form 130-U showing the sales price
• any supporting documents, such as a release of lien or power of attorney
• the latest Vehicle Inspection Report, if the inspection is not in the state database

You pay 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on the purchase price or the standard presumptive value, whichever is higher, plus title, registration and local fees. You must show proof of liability insurance to register. Without it, you may apply for "title only". If the sale happens on a weekend and the seller removes the plates, download a Vehicle Transit Permit. It lets you drive to the tax office and is valid for five calendar days.

Gifts. A vehicle given by a close relative, such as a spouse, parent, child, sibling or grandparent, or by a qualifying nonprofit, carries a $10 gift tax. You file an Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer with the title application, in person.

TxDMV says title applications take at least 20 business days to process. If there is a lien, the lienholder receives the title.

Selling. File a Vehicle Transfer Notification within 30 days of the sale. TxDMV says this protects you from parking tickets and toll violations run up by the new owner.

Renewing your registration

You can renew from 90 days before the expiration date up to 12 months after it, if you have not been cited for expired registration. Your expiration month does not change. In an emissions county, you need a passing emissions inspection before renewing. TxDMV lists these options:

• Online, through Texas by Texas (the website or the mobile app) or the classic online renewal. Allow up to three weeks for processing and mailing.
• By mail, sending your renewal notice, proof of current liability insurance, a copy of your inspection report if you live in an emissions county, and the fees to your county tax office.
• In person, at your county tax office or an approved substation, with your renewal notice and proof of insurance. Without a notice, use your plate number, VIN or last year's registration receipt.

A renewal notice can include a local county fee of up to $31.50, the state inspection fee and a processing and handling fee. Fully electric vehicles pay an extra $200 a year, or $400 for new electric vehicles registered for two years.

License plates

Your plates come with your registration, and you can transfer them to another vehicle you own for free, through the county tax office. When you buy from a dealer, ask the dealer to transfer them. Replacement plates cost $6 plus a $0.50 automation fee. Texas no longer requires replacing plates every 7 years. Specialty and personalized plates are available. You can check a personalized phrase at myplates.com, and specialty plates renew on a one-, three- or five-year term.

Since July 1, 2025, TxDMV says, metal license plates replace temporary tags on vehicle sales.

Getting help

TxDMV's customer line is 1-888-368-4689 (1-888-DMV-GOTX), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For replacement titles and title errors, TxDMV's Regional Service Centers can help. See also the Texas DMV visit guide and the Texas office list.