Purchasing a car can be stressful enough in your home state—but if you’re thinking about buying a vehicle in another state, the process can be a bit more complex. That’s why

Jerry

, the world’s first trustworthy

car insurance

broker app, is here to walk you through everything you need to know about buying a vehicle in Texas from out of state.

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How to buy a car out of state as a Texas resident

If you live in Texas but want to buy a car in another state—how do you register it, pay associated taxes, and transfer the certificate of title to Texas?

It’s not as uncommon as you’d think for Texas drivers to purchase new or used vehicles in neighboring states like

New Mexico

Oklahoma

Louisiana

, and beyond. You just have to register it in Texas, pay the vehicle sales tax, and additional fees, and submit some vital documents to complete the process at your

local county tax office

in person.

You’ll need to complete an

Application for Texas Title and/or Registration

, or Form 130-U.

Your vehicle must be titled in your name within 30 days of the date of sale, and also inspected and registered within 30 days of bringing it to Texas. Before you fill out your form, make sure to have your driver’s license, vehicle identification number (VIN), and other important information ready to go to make the process as smooth as possible.

Along with the completed Form 130-U, you should include:

Original out-of-state car title

Proof of inspection (vehicle inspection report)

Proof of insurance

Proof of sale tax payment

The vehicle’s odometer reading (if required)

You’ll also have to pay the following fees:

Registration fee ($50.75 for passenger cars and light trucks)

Title application fee ($28 or $33, varies based on county)

Vehicle inspection fee up to $30.75 (State portion)

Local county fees up to $31.50

6.25% vehicle sales tax

$1 insurance verification fee

$4.75 process and handling fee

After you submit all the appropriate documents and pay the required fees, you’ll be issued a Texas title and a set of Texas license plates.

MORE:

Texas car sales tax

How to buy a car in Texas if you live out of state

But what if you’re purchasing a vehicle in Texas from out of state? The process is basically the same, though some factors will depend on where you plan to register your car.

Generally, you’ll need to:

A valid bill of sale (some states require a notary stamp on it too)

Photo ID

Proof of insurance and residency

Odometer reading

You’ll also need to complete your vehicle registration in your state of residency and bring the bill of sale with you to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Additionally, you’ll likely have to pay local vehicle sales taxes as well.

What if I don’t have a physical title?

Texas requires a physical copy of the original out-of-state title before you can properly register the vehicle in the state.

If a lienholder still holds your new car’s title, they must go through the

Electronic Lien and Title Program (ELT)

that allows the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle (TxDMV) and the lienholder to swap title information electronically. Once the lienholder is removed from the record, TxDMV will send a paper title to the new owner.

But if you lost your title, you can easily request a duplicate copy by completing the

Application for a Certified Copy of Title

, or Form VTR-34 by mail or in person. You’ll need to provide your driver’s license, along with a $2 vehicle title fee (by mail) or $5.45 (in person).

MORE: Title transfer in Texas

Tips for buying a vehicle out of state

Whether you snagged a great deal or found a one-of-a-kind vehicle out of state, the process can get complicated, especially if this is your first time buying a car in another state.

If you’re thinking about buying a vehicle out of state, keep these tips in mind:

Always get a vehicle history report. If you’re buying from a private owner, a vehicle history report is a must. Services like

CARFAX

will provide you with vehicle history reports that include any accidents or other issues in the vehicle’s history.

Schedule your vehicle inspection in your state. Your new car will need to meet Texas car inspection requirements—not the state where you purchased it.

Get an emissions test. Depending on where you live in Texas,

emissions testing

might be required for you!

Research your state’s vehicle sales tax laws. If you purchase a vehicle out of state, you’ll have to pay taxes based on your home state—not where you bought it.

Don’t leave the dealership without car insurance. Driving your new car back to your home state? Don’t forget about insurance! You’ll still need to purchase insurance that meets

Texas state minimum requirements

, even if your paperwork is still in limbo.

MORE:

How to find temporary car insurance in Texas

How to save on car insurance in Texas

Car insurance is one of the most important aspects of the car-buying process, regardless of where you live. But if you’re also dealing with an out-of-state vehicle purchase, you might not have all the time in the world for

comparison shopping

—until now! That’s right, with

Jerry

in your pockets, you can

find affordable rates

in record time.

Here’s how it works: just download the app, answer a few basic questions about your current policy, and in less than one minute, you’ll receive an array of competitive rates from a host of over 55 top-rated providers in the nation. Once you find a new policy that works for you, our team of expert agents will quickly switch you over while helping you cancel your old policy.

How much can you actually save? On average, Jerry customers save over $800 a year on car insurance when they switch!

“I just had to buy a new car, and I needed quick help to get insurance before I could get my plates. Because I work so many hours,
Jerry
was the ideal choice for getting things done without long phone calls and waiting periods.” —Rosa G.

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