FAQs

Lost or Misplaced

  • If your registration receipt was lost or misplaced, you can get a duplicate receipt either in person or by mail. You will need to submit the following to request a duplicate receipt:

    Commercial vehicles are required to have the receipt in the vehicles at all times. However, for all other vehicles, it is recommended the registration receipt be retained in the vehicle, as it serves as proof of registration.

Registration Renewal

  • Texans have several options available to renew their registration.

    • Step 1: Obtain a Texas vehicle safety inspection (commercial vehicle) at any state inspection station within the owner's/renewal recipient's county of residence, no earlier than 90 days before the registration expiration If you reside in one of the following counties you will need to obtain a passing vehicle emissions inspection within 90 days before attempting 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
      • Visit our website to find out when to inspect
    • Step 2: Renew the vehicle registration one of three ways:
    • NOTE: You will need to go in person to your county tax office if:
      • You received a citation for expired registration (a 20% registration penalty fee applies)
      • Your registration is expired (online renewal is allowed up to 12 months after expiration)
      • There is a hold on your registration due to certain unpaid fines, fees, or taxes
       
      • ONLINE OPTIONS:
      • We recommend waiting at least 24 hours after obtaining a passing safety inspection (commercial vehicle) or emissions inspection to renew online
        • You can renew using the Texas by Texas (TxT) website or mobile application. TxT is an official, account-based digital government assistant that provides an easy, fast, and secure way for Texans to take care of government services – like vehicle registration renewal. To learn more about TxT, create a TxT account, and renew your vehicle registration, please visit the TxT webpage on Texas.gov.
        • You can also renew using this online option without creating an account.
        • A payment confirmation receipt email will be sent immediately to you if the online renewal is successful
        • Approximately 3 business days later, a second email will be sent to you advising you if the renewal was approved
        • If approved, the email will include a receipt that may be used as temporary proof of registration, while the sticker is in the mail process which may take up to 2 weeks to receive. Keep this in your vehicle in case you are stopped by law enforcement.

      • COUNTY TAX OFFICE OPTION:
      • Submit the following in person or by mail to a county tax office:

      • GROCERY STORE OR OTHER APPROVED LOCATIONS OPTION (varies by county):
      • The same items are required as if you were renewing in person at the county tax office; however, you must provide the Renewal Notice to renew at one of these locations.

Titling and Registering a Vehicle

  • 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:
    • 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.

  • 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:

    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.

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General

  • Texans have several options available to renew their registration.

    • Step 1: Obtain a Texas vehicle inspection at any state inspection station within the owner's/renewal recipient's county of residence, no earlier than 90 days prior to the registration expiration
      • Proof of vehicle insurance will be required at time of inspection
      • Visit our website to find out when to inspect
    • Step 2: Renew the vehicle registration one of three ways:
    • NOTE: You will need to go in person to your county tax office if:
      • You received a citation for expired registration (a 20% registration penalty fee applies)
      • Your registration is expired (online renewal is allowed up to 6 months after expiration)
      • There is a hold on your registration due to certain unpaid fines, fees, or taxes
       
      • ONLINE OPTION:
      • We recommend waiting at least 24 hours after obtaining a passing inspection to renew online
        • Click here to renew online
        • A payment confirmation receipt email will be sent immediately to you if the online renewal is successful
        • Approximately 3 business days later, a second email will be sent to you advising you if the renewal was approved
        • If approved, the email will include a receipt that may be used as temporary proof of registration, while the sticker is in the mail process which may take up to 2 weeks to receive. Keep this in your vehicle in case you are stopped by law enforcement.

      • COUNTY TAX OFFICE OPTION:
      • Submit the following in person or by mail to the owner's/renewal recipient's local county tax office:
        • Renewal notice or vehicle identification number or plate number
        • Copy of owner's current driver license or government-issued photo identification
        • Proof of current vehicle insurance (copy)
        • Proof of current Texas vehicle inspection (copy)
        • Fees: Contact your local county tax office for exact fee amount and payment methods

      • GROCERY STORE OR OTHER APPROVED LOCATIONS OPTION (varies by county):
      • The same items are required as if you were renewing in person at the county tax office; however, you must have the Renewal Notice or the Inspection and Registration Notice to renew at one of these locations.

  • 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 inspection at any state inspection station within your new county of residence
      • 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 your local county tax office. Take the following with you:
    • 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.

  • If your registration receipt was lost or misplaced, you can get a duplicate receipt either in person or by mail. You will need to submit the following to request a duplicate receipt:

    Commercial vehicles are required to have the receipt in the vehicles at all times. However, for all other vehicles, it is recommended the registration receipt be retained in the vehicle, as it serves as proof of registration.

  • There are specific requirements for titling and registering trailers in Texas and it can seem a bit complicated. 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 the applicant's local 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 Title and/or Registration Application (Form 130-U)
      • Check the Non-titled box if the trailer will not be titled
    • 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
    • Proof of current inspection, if applicable
      • Inspection is required for trailers over 7,500 pounds gross weight (farm trailers exempt)
      • Inspect your trailer at any state inspection station within your county of residence. Look for stations with a TL or TLMC endorsement remark. We recommend contacting the inspection station to confirm they still conduct trailer inspections
      • Click here to view inspection criteria for trailers. Proof of insurance for the vehicle pulling the trailer will be required at time of inspection
    • Fees: Contact your local county tax office for the exact fee amount and payment methods

    Titled trailers require a vehicle identification number. If the trailer does not have a vehicle identification number (common for homemade trailers):