Register your vehicle in Texas
New to Texas or just bought a vehicle? Follow these steps to register your vehicle.
Check what you need
Most vehicles in Texas must be registered with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). Registration is handled through your county's tax assessor-collector office.
To register, you’ll generally need:
- Proof of Texas auto insurance
- Vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection for vehicles new to Texas
- Completed Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U) for new purchases or transfers
New to Texas?
If you moved here from another state, you have 30 days to register your vehicle in Texas. New residents pay a one-time $90 new-resident tax in lieu of the standard 6.25% motor vehicle use tax, as long as the vehicle was previously registered in your name in another state.
Gather your documents
Bring the following information to your county tax assessor-collector office:
- Proof of liability insurance meeting Texas minimums,
- Vehicle title or manufacturer’s certificate of origin (for new vehicles)
- Completed Form 130-U
- Payment for registration fees and applicable taxes
- Valid photo ID
If your vehicle requires an emissions inspection, you must pass the inspection before registering*. Non-commercial vehicles no longer require a safety inspection as of January 1, 2025, but the $7.50 inspection program replacement fee is still collected at registration.
*Emissions inspections are required in the following counties: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson. Emissions inspections will be required in Bexar County starting November 1, 2026.
Submit your registration
Take your documents to your county tax assessor-collector office to complete your registration in person. You will receive your license plates and registration sticker at the time of registration for new vehicles.
Registration fees
- Passenger vehicle (6,000 lbs. or less): $50.75 base registration fee + $1 TexasSure fee + $7.50 inspection program replacement fee + local county fees. Most passenger vehicles total $74–$86 per year depending on county.
- Electric vehicles: add $200 annual EV surcharge ($400 at initial registration, covering two years).
- New residents: $90 one-time new-resident tax.
- Late penalty: $20 after registration expires.
Please note: Registration fees vary by vehicle type and county. Confirm your total with your county tax office.
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Renew your vehicle registration
There are several ways to renew your vehicle registration - online, by mail, or in person.
Check what you need to renew
You can renew your vehicle registration up to 90 days before it expires or up to 12 months after it expires (if you have not received a citation for an expired registration). What you need depends on how you choose to renew.
Remember, if your vehicle is registered in an emissions county*, you must pass an emissions inspection before you can renew. Safety inspections are no longer required for non-commercial vehicles, but the $7.50 inspection program replacement fee is still collected at the time of renewal.
*Emissions inspections are required in the following counties: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson. Emissions inspections will be required in Bexar County starting November 1, 2026.
Renewal fees
- Most passenger vehicles: $74–$86 per year (includes $50.75 base fee, $1 TexasSure, $7.50 inspection replacement fee, and local county fees).
- Electric vehicles: add $200 annual EV surcharge.
- Late renewal penalty: $20 added after your registration expires.
Please note: Registration fees vary by vehicle type and county. Your renewal notice will show your exact total.
Choose how to renew
You can renew online, by mail, or in person at your county tax office or participating third-party provider.
Option 1: Online with TxT
Save time! Renew online with TxT, the state's official digital assistant and your account for Texas government services. Create an account if you don't already have one, link your vehicle, and take care of your transaction in just minutes. You'll receive an email confirmation that will serve as your temporary proof of registration. Once your renewal is approved by your county tax office, they'll mail your new sticker to you. Expect that to take about three weeks. You can use TxT to track the status of your sticker, sign-up for electronic renewal notices, and get proactive reminders when your registration is due to expire.
Renew your vehicle registration on TxT
Option 2: Online with TxDMV
Renew online via the TxDMV website. You’ll need your renewal notice or license plate number and the last four digits of your VIN. Once approved by your county, your new sticker will be mailed within three weeks.
Renew your vehicle registration with TxDMV
Option 3: By mail
Mail your renewal notice, proof of insurance, and a check or money order payable to your county tax assessor-collector and send it to the address on your renewal notice. Include your emissions inspection report if required.
Option 4: In person
Visit your county tax assessor-collector’s office. Bring your renewal notice, proof of insurance, and payment. You’ll receive your sticker on the spot.
Display your sticker
Once you receive your new registration sticker, place it on the lower left corner of your windshield. If you renew online, you'll typically receive your sticker in about three weeks. If you renewed in person, you’ll receive your sticker on the spot.
Did you know you can use TxT to manage your vehicle registration renewal start to finish? Create an account if you don't already have one, link your personal vehicle(s) to receive proactive reminders, and take care of your renewal in just a few minutes. Learn more about TxT.
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Apply for disabled parking placards and license plates
If you have a disability, Texas offers free disabled parking placards and specialty license plates for qualifying individuals.
Check eligibility
You may qualify for a disabled parking placard or disability license plate if you have a mobility or visual impairment certified by a licensed physician. Eligible conditions include:
- inability to walk without an assistive device
- lung disease
- cardiac conditions
- other qualifying disabilities as defined by Texas law
Apply for a placard or plate
To apply, follow the steps below. Placards are issued free of charge.
- Complete the Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate (Form VTR-214).
- Have your physician sign the medical certification section.
- Submit the completed form to your county's tax assessor-collector office.
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Order specialty or personalized license plates
Texas offers hundreds of specialty and personalized license plate options through My Plates, the official Texas license plate marketplace.
Choose your plates
Texas has hundreds of specialty plate designs that support causes, universities, military branches, and more. You can also personalize most plates with a custom message. Browse available designs on My Plates, the state's official Texas license plate marketplace.
Standard license plates are issued automatically when you register your vehicle. If you want to keep your existing plate number when ordering your specialty or personalized plates, select that option during checkout.
Order and receive your plates
You can order your plates online. Fees vary by design. Specialty plates start at $30 in addition to standard registration fees. Personalized plates have an additional fee. Your plates will be mailed to the address you have on file with TxDMV.
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Texas motor carrier registration
Motor carriers operating intrastate commercial motor vehicles on Texas roads or highways must be registered with the TxDMV Motor Carrier Division.
Learn what you need to register
A TxDMV number is required for motor carriers operating commercial motor vehicles on Texas roads. This includes trucks, buses, and other vehicles that are used to transport property or passengers for compensation.
Register or renew your Texas motor carrier certificate
You can apply for or renew your TxDMV motor carrier certificate of registration online with the Texas Motor Carrier Credentialing System (TxMCCS) provided by TxDMV. You will need your USDOT number, proof of insurance that meets minimum requirements, and payment. Motor carrier registrations are renewed annually.
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