Registration Fees

As of September 1, 2011 fees were simplified for cars, light pickups, heavy vehicles, including heavy-duty pickups, motor homes and commercial trucks, trailers and travel trailers.

The new standard fee creates a base registration of $50.75 for cars and light pick-up trucks. Motor vehicles 6,001 to 10,000 pounds, which includes half-ton pick-up trucks, pay a $54 annual registration fee.

Your car and light truck registration renewal notice will show a charge of $52.75, which includes the $50.75 base fee, plus a $1 automation fee (used for improvements to the registration and title system) and $1 for the Department of Public Safety to support the TexasSure electronic insurance verification program. You will see these fees itemized on your registration receipt.

Local county fees will be included in the total amount owed. These fees are collected with registration fees through the County Tax Assessor-Collector's office and vary from $5 to $11.50 depending on the county.

Some fees were completely eliminated, including the annual 30-cent reflectorization fee on your registration renewal, and the $5 charge to transfer your license plates from a vehicle you sold or traded in to your new vehicle. Transferring the plates protects you from someone running up toll charges or committing criminal activity with a plate number that traces back to your name.

Those with heavy vehicles where registration fees were previously calculated by 100-pound weight increments in 1,600 fee categories will now find their registration fees fall into seven weight classifications.

In addition, 75 trailer and travel trailer fee categories are reduced to one - $45 to register any trailer up to 6,000 pounds.

A select group of other fees are eliminated or reduced. A new chart shows all the changes. Another chart shows the complete list of new registration fees as of September 1, 2011.

Related Links

Registration Fee Schedule (includes local fees).