Titling and Registering a Vehicle
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Welcome to our great state! There are 4 steps to title and register your vehicle in Texas as a new Texas resident. The steps must be followed in the order listed:
- Step 1: Obtain Texas vehicle insurance.
- Some out-of-state insurance policies may be acceptable. We recommend you contact your insurance agent for assistance.
- Step 2: Obtain a Texas vehicle safety inspection (commercial vehicle) at any state inspection station within your new county of residence. If you live in one of the following emissions counties, you will need to obtain a passing vehicle emissions inspection prior to register your vehicle: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, Williamson. Proof of vehicle insurance will be required at the time of inspection.
- Step 3: Apply for a Texas title and/or registration in person at a county tax office. Take the following with you:
- Title or out-of-state registration receipt.
- Completed Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U).
- Check the Registration Purposes Only box if you are not surrendering the out-of-state title.
- Your current driver license or government-issued photo identification.
- Proof of current vehicle insurance.
- Proof of current Texas vehicle inspection (commercial vehicle). Proof of current emissions inspection, if applicable.
- Fees: Contact a county tax office in Texas for the exact fee amounts and acceptable payment methods.
- Step 4: Apply for a Texas driver license through the Texas Department of Public Safety.
- Information for new residents is available on their website.
Be sure to register your vehicle within 30 days of moving to Texas; otherwise, penalty fees may apply.
- Step 1: Obtain Texas vehicle insurance.
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There are specific requirements for titling and registering trailers in Texas. Registration is always required for a trailer, but the need for a title is based on the trailer weight. If the trailer is over 4,000 pounds gross weight (empty plus carrying capacity) it must be titled, but if it is 4,000 pounds gross weight (empty plus carrying capacity) or less, titling is optional. If the trailer was previously titled, it must continue to be titled.
There are exceptions for farm trailers:
- Title is required if it is over 34,000 pounds gross weight or was previously titled
- Title is optional if it is 34,000 pounds gross weight or less
- Registration is optional if the farm trailer is 4,000 pounds gross weight or less
- Farm trailers are exempt from inspection
You will need to take the following to a county tax office in order to title/register the trailer:
- Evidence of ownership – Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, title, bill of sale, or out-of-state registration receipt
- Completed Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U)
- Completed Trailer Verification Statement of Fact (Form VTR-141)
Only required if the trailer is being titled and is: - A new travel trailer or park model trailer
- Any travel trailer or park model trailer last titled/registered out-of-state
- Any homemade trailer being titled for the first time
- Weight Certificate, if applicable
- Required for all out-of-state trailers, unless the empty weight is shown on the out-of-state title or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin
- Applicant's current driver license or government-issued photo identification
- Fees: Contact a county tax office for the exact fee amount and payment methods
Additional information on trailers, including requirements for assembled trailers, can be found here.
Titled trailers require a vehicle identification number. If the trailer does not have a vehicle identification number, more information can be found on the VIN Assignment/Reassignment Process.