If you have just moved to Texas or are going to do so soon, there is information related to your vehicle that you should keep in mind. This is the case with the new regulations, under which the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) requires new residents to register their vehicles and gives them a 30-day period to do so from the time they move.
Failure to complete this registration may result in fines. To proceed with this, you must visit a County Tax Office, as well as have a valid inspection from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), proof of liability insurance, and pay the corresponding fees. Additionally, new residents must also pay the fees required by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts related to the sales tax.
Requirement for new residents in Texas
If you have recently moved to Texas or plan to do so, it is important that you keep this information in mind. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) requires drivers to register their vehicles with the authorities, providing them a 30-day period from the date of the move. This way, they can drive normally and legally throughout the state. Failure to do so may result in fines.
Requirements to register my vehicle
The procedure requires very simple steps. First, a valid certified inspection is essential, carried out by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). On the other hand, it is mandatory to have liability insurance with a minimum value of $30,000 per person affected in an accident, reaching a total of between $25,000 and $60,000 for property damages. Thirdly, the payment of the corresponding fees for this process, which will also depend on the characteristics of the vehicle.
In addition, in counties such as Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson, it is also mandatory to subject the vehicle to an emissions inspection. Only if this inspection is approved can the registration process at the County Tax Office begin.
How do I register my vehicle in Texas?
If you are about to do this procedure, take note. First, you need to go to a County Tax Collection Office with your insurance card and proof of vehicle ownership. If this is the first time you are going through the process, you will need to fill out the Title and/or Texas Registration Application (Form 130-U). After meeting the requirements we explained in the previous section, it is time to pay the fees. Each county can add different fees to the total cost, but as a base, you would have to pay a $50 base fee and $1 for TexasSure, the electronic insurance verification program. In addition, as a new resident, you will also have to pay the fees required by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, related to sales taxes, which is usually about $90.
Other aspects to consider
From the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), they recommend that once you are in the office, you request to register for eReminder, the electronic system that allows you to be reminded by email when it is time to renew your registration so that you can do it online, without having to go to the office in person.
Another aspect to highlight is that, whether you are a full-time student but not a resident of Texas, or if you are a member of the United States Armed Forces, you are completely exempt from doing this procedure. Regarding electric vehicles, you will have to pay an annual fee of $200 at the time of renewing the registration, as long as they are cars or trucks with a gross weight of 4,500 kilos or less.