Question: Can I register my out-of-state vehicle in Texas? I’m moving to Texas in four months to live with my girlfriend. I plan on driving there, and to prepare for my residency, I will need to register my vehicle. I’m not entirely sure where to begin with this registration process, and I’m wondering if I can register my car in Texas with my out-of-state title.
Answer:
If you’re registering an out-of-state car in Texas, you’ll need to take most of the steps once you arrive in the state—including getting a new title. According to the Texas DMV, you must complete registration within 30 days of moving, or you may face penalties. Here are the tasks you’ll need to handle.
Get Texas insurance
The first step to registering your car in Texas is to secure a Texas-approved vehicle insurance policy. If you already have an out-of-state insurance policy, you might be covered. You can confirm this with your insurance agent before you move. If your current policy won’t work in Texas, your insurer may still offer a policy there. You can get quotes from them and a few other providers before making your decision.
Get a Texas vehicle inspection
Next, once you arrive in Texas, you must have your vehicle inspected at a state inspection station in the county where you live. You can find a station using the Texas Department of Public Safety’s locator. Remember to bring proof of insurance.
Apply for a Texas title and/or registration
After obtaining insurance and passing the vehicle inspection, you need to apply for a Texas title and/or registration. This process must be done in person at your local county tax office. Make sure to bring the following:
- Your vehicle’s title or out-of-state registration receipt
- A completed Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U)
- Your current driver’s license or another government-issued photo ID. Make sure your identification meets the specific requirements on the Texas DMV website.
- Proof of vehicle insurance
- Payment for the applicable fees
Here are the fees that you’ll have to pay, according to the Texas DMV:
- Registration fee (starting at $50.75 for passenger vehicles and light trucks)
- Title application fee ($28 or $33, depending on the county)
- State portion of the vehicle inspection fee (up to $30.75)
- Local county fees (up to $31.50)
- Vehicle sales tax (6.25%)
- Insurance verification fee ($1)
- Processing and handling fee ($4.75)
Apply for a Texas driver license
Finally, you’ll need to apply for a Texas driver license through the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS). You can find information for new residents at the TxDPS website. This site also provides general information about Texas driver license and ID services.
By following these steps in order, you’ll ensure a smooth transition to becoming a registered vehicle owner and licensed driver in Texas.
Xuyun Zeng is a content strategist with a wide-ranging content background including tech, journalism, cars and health care. After graduating with highest honors in journalism, Xuyun led a newspaper to win eight awards, helped start an award-winning film industry podcast and has written over a hundred articles about cars repair, state laws and insurance. Prior to joining Jerry, Xuyun worked as a freelance SEO consultant with a mission to create the best content that will help readers and grow organic traffic.
Alice Holbrook is an editor with more than a decade of experience covering personal finance, including car insurance. She\’s passionate about creating easy-to-understand content that demystifies intimidating topics for readers. Previously, she worked for NerdWallet, and her work has been featured by Newsweek, The Washington Post and the Associated Press, among others.
