New Car Registration in Texas

The 30-Day Rule

If you're a new Texas resident, you must register your vehicle within 30 days of establishing residency or becoming employed in the state. Missing this deadline means penalties—a $25 fine for the first month, plus $25 for each additional month your registration is late.

Even if you've just purchased a vehicle in Texas, you'll typically need to complete registration within 30 to 45 days of purchase.

What You'll Need

Before heading to your county tax office, gather these essential documents:

Proof of Ownership

• Vehicle title (original or out-of-state)
• Bill of sale if title isn't available yet
• Out-of-state registration (for new residents)
• Bonded title if the original title is lost or unavailable

Personal Identification

• Texas driver's license, passport, or military ID
• Social Security number
• Proof of Texas residency (utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement)

Insurance Documentation

Texas requires minimum liability insurance coverage of 30/60/25:

• $30,000 for bodily injury per person
• $60,000 for total bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 for property damage per accident

You'll need current proof of insurance that meets these minimum requirements.

Vehicle Inspection Report

Important change for 2025: Starting January 1, 2025, non-commercial vehicles will no longer need safety inspections before registration. However, emissions testing is still required in certain counties including Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.

If you're registering before 2025 or live in an emissions testing county, you'll need a passing Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) from a Texas Department of Public Safety certified inspection station.

Registration Fees

The total cost to register your vehicle depends on several factors, but here's what to expect:

Base Registration Fee

The standard registration fee for most passenger vehicles starts at $50.75. This covers a 12-month registration period.

Title Application Fee

You'll pay $33 for the title application when registering a newly purchased vehicle.

New Resident Fee

New residents pay either $90 or 6.25% of the vehicle's purchase price, whichever applies to your situation.

Processing Fee

A $4.75 processing and handling fee covers administrative costs.

Local County Fees

Counties can add their own fees, typically ranging from $10 to $31.50. These support local road maintenance and safety programs. For example:

• Travis County: Total registration typically runs $70-$80
• Bell County: Adds $11.50 ($10 for roads, $1.50 for child safety)

Electric Vehicle Fee

Electric vehicles pay an additional $200 annual registration fee. New electric vehicles incur an extra $400 fee on top of standard registration costs.

Emissions Inspection Fee

If required in your county, emissions inspections cost $2.75.

How to Register Your Vehicle

Step 1: Get Your Vehicle Inspected (If Required)

Before 2025, or if you're in an emissions testing county, get your vehicle inspected at a certified station. The inspection verifies your VIN and ensures your vehicle meets safety or emissions standards.

Step 2: Complete the Application

Fill out Form 130-U (Application for Texas Title and/or Registration). You can download this from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles website or pick one up at your county tax office.

The application includes an option to indicate if you have a health condition or disability that may affect communication with law enforcement, ensuring appropriate accommodations.

Step 3: Visit Your County Tax Office

Take all your documents and payment to your county tax assessor-collector's office. You must register in your county of residence, though some counties will accept applications from residents of other counties.

Find your local office through the TxDMV website.

Step 4: Receive Your Registration

Once approved, you'll receive your registration sticker and documents. Your registration is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.

Temporary Registration

When you buy a vehicle, you'll typically receive a temporary tag valid for up to 60 days. This gives you time to complete the full registration process and receive your permanent license plates.

Big Change Coming July 2025

Starting July 1, 2025, Texas is switching from paper temporary tags to metal temporary plates. Dealerships will issue metal plates at the point of sale, eliminating easily counterfeited paper tags. The TxDMV will provide five types of temporary metal plates to dealers, making it easier for law enforcement to verify legitimate registrations.

Registration Expiration and Grace Period

Your registration expires on the last day of the month shown on your registration sticker. For example, a sticker marked "12/25" expires on December 31, 2025.

You have a five-working-day grace period after expiration to drive without penalties. Beyond that, you can be cited with fines up to $200.

Renewing Your Registration

You have several options for renewing your vehicle registration:

Online Renewal

The easiest method is renewing online through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles website. You'll need your license plate number and vehicle information.

By Mail

Complete the renewal form included in your renewal notice and mail it with payment and a copy of your current insurance card.

In Person

Visit your county tax office with your renewal notice, insurance proof, and payment.

Renewal Timeline

You can renew up to 90 days before your registration expires. If you're cited for expired registration, you must renew within 20 working days of the offense or before your first court appearance, whichever gives you more time.

Special Situations

Commercial Fleets

Fleet owners can register vehicles for extended periods of one to eight years, paying all fees upfront. This reduces administrative burden and streamlines fleet management.

Seasonal Agricultural Vehicles

Vehicles used exclusively for transporting seasonal agricultural products can register for periods shorter than 12 months, with fees prorated accordingly.

Nonprofit Disaster Relief Organizations

Vehicles used exclusively for disaster relief and emergency response are exempt from registration fees. Organizations must provide documentation proving the vehicle's exclusive use for nonprofit purposes and include a description of emergency equipment.

Missing Title

If you don't have the vehicle title, you may need to obtain a bonded title. This requires purchasing a surety bond to verify there are no outstanding liens or claims against the vehicle. Contact the TxDMV for specific requirements.

Common Problems and Solutions

Missing Documents

The most common registration delay is missing paperwork. Double-check that you have the original title, bill of sale, proof of insurance, and identification before visiting the tax office.

Outstanding Liens

You need a clean title to register. If there's an outstanding lien, obtain a lien release from the lienholder before attempting registration.

Incorrect VIN or Information

Data entry errors cause registration failures. Verify all information—especially your VIN and license plate number—before submitting your application.

Inspection Issues

Until 2025, failed inspections are a common hurdle. Make sure your vehicle passes inspection before starting the registration process. After January 1, 2025, this won't be an issue for most vehicles.

Dealer Title Delays

Dealers have 30 days to file title and registration paperwork from the date of sale. If you experience delays beyond this, follow up with the dealer and consider contacting the TxDMV enforcement division.

Not Receiving Renewal Notices

If you've moved, update your address with the TxDMV using their online tools. You can also sign up for email renewal reminders to avoid missing deadlines.

Key Changes in 2025

No More Safety Inspections for Most Vehicles

Starting January 1, 2025, non-commercial vehicles no longer need safety inspections before registration. This streamlines the process and saves time and money for most vehicle owners.

Emissions Testing Continues

While safety inspections are gone, emissions testing remains mandatory in 17 counties including major metro areas. Bexar County will begin emissions testing on November 1, 2026.

Metal Temporary Plates

Beginning July 1, 2025, paper temporary tags are out, and metal temporary plates are in. This change combats fraud and makes it easier for law enforcement to verify legitimate temporary registrations.

Helpful Tips

• Schedule an appointment with your county tax office to avoid long waits
• Keep copies of all registration documents in your vehicle
• Set calendar reminders for registration renewal 30-60 days in advance
• Update your address with the TxDMV whenever you move
• If buying from a private seller, verify the title is clean before purchase
• Consider online renewal for the fastest, most convenient process