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 registered in Texas must be registered with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). Registration is handled through your county tax assessor-collector’s office.
To register, you’ll generally need: proof of Texas auto insurance, a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection for vehicles new to Texas, and a 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 to your county tax office: proof of liability insurance meeting Texas minimums, your vehicle title or manufacturer’s certificate of origin (for new vehicles), a completed Form 130-U, payment for registration fees and applicable taxes, and a valid photo ID.
If your vehicle requires an emissions inspection (required in 17 Texas counties), 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.
Submit your registration
Take your documents to your county tax assessor-collector’s office to complete your registration in person. You will receive your license plates and registration sticker at the time of registration for new vehicles. Allow up to three weeks for your sticker to arrive by mail for renewals.
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.
- Fees vary by vehicle type and county — confirm your total with your county tax office.
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Renew your vehicle registration
Renew your Texas vehicle registration online, by mail, or in person. Your renewal notice will include everything you owe.
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). You’ll need your renewal notice, proof of current Texas auto insurance, and payment.
If your vehicle is in one of the 17 emissions counties (including Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Travis, and Collin), you must pass an emissions inspection before renewing. Non-commercial vehicles no longer require a safety inspection.
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.
- Your renewal notice will show your exact total.
- Fees vary by vehicle type and county.
Choose how to renew
You can renew online, by mail, or in person at your county tax office.
Option 1: Online
Renew online through Texas by Texas (TxT) or the TxDMV website. You’ll need your renewal notice or license plate number and the last four digits of your VIN. Your new sticker will be mailed within three weeks.
Renew your vehicle registration online
Option 2: By mail
Mail your renewal notice, proof of insurance, and a check or money order payable to your county tax assessor-collector to the address on your renewal notice. Include your emissions inspection report if required.
Option 3: 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 renewed, place your new registration sticker on the lower left corner of your windshield. Online renewals are mailed within three weeks. If you renewed in person, you’ll receive your sticker on the spot.
You can also manage your registration and receive proactive renewal reminders through the Texas by Texas (TxT) app, available on iOS and Android.
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Parking placards and license plates for people with disabilities
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 the inability to walk without an assistive device, lung disease, cardiac conditions, and other qualifying disabilities as defined by Texas law.
Apply for a placard or plate
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 tax assessor-collector’s office. Placards are issued free of charge.
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Order a specialty or personalized license plate
Texas offers hundreds of specialty and personalized license plate options through My Plates.
Choose your plate
Texas has hundreds of specialty plate designs supporting causes, universities, military branches, and more. You can also personalize most plates with a custom message. Browse available designs through My Plates, the 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 getting a specialty plate, select that option during checkout.
Order and receive your plate
Order your plate online through My Plates. Fees vary by plate design — specialty plates start at $30 in addition to standard registration fees. Personalized plates carry an additional fee. Your plate will be mailed to your address on file with TxDMV.
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Motor carrier registration
Businesses operating commercial vehicles in Texas need a TxDMV number to operate legally on Texas roads.
Check if 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 used in the transportation of property or passengers for compensation. Carriers operating in interstate commerce may also need federal operating authority from the FMCSA.
Register or renew your motor carrier
Register or renew your TxDMV motor carrier number online. You will need your USDOT number, proof of insurance meeting minimum requirements, and payment. Motor carrier registrations are renewed annually.
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