Page 1 of 2 Texas Department of Motor Vehicles www.TxDMV.gov December 2021
Vehicle Title and Registration Information for New Texans
Welcome to our great state! There are four steps to title and register your vehicle in Texas as a new
Texas resident. The steps must be followed in the order listed below.
Be sure to register your vehicle within 30 days of moving to Texas; otherwise, penalty fees may
apply.
1. Obtain Texas vehicle insurance.
• Some out of state insurance policies may be acceptable. We recommend you contact
your insurance agent for assistance.
2. Obtain a Texas vehicle inspection at any state inspection station within your new county of
residence.
• An inspection station locator is available on the Texas Department of Public Safety
website at https://www.dps.texas.gov/apps/rsd/vi/VIactiveStationLocator/.
• Proof of vehicle insurance will be required at the time of inspection.
3. Apply for a Texas title and/or registration in person at your local county tax office; see
https://www.txdmv.gov/tax-assessor-collectors/county-tax-offices for
a list of county tax
offices. Take the following with you:
o Title or out-of-state registration receipt.
o Completed Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U), which is
available at https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/form_files/130-U.pdf
. Detailed
instructions for completing the application are available at
https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/form_files/VTR-130-UIF.pdf.
Check the Registration Purposes Only box if you are not surrendering the out-of-
state title.
o Your current driver license or government-issued photo identification. See
https://www.txdmv.gov/photo-id-requirements
for photo identification requirements.
o Proof of current vehicle insurance.
o Fees: Contact your local county tax office in Texas for the exact fee amount and
acceptable payment methods as these vary by county.
4. Apply for a Texas driver license through the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS).
• Information for new residents is available on the TxDPS website at
https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/moving-texas
.
• General information about Texas driver license and ID services is available on the TxDPS
website at https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license
.
Page 2 of 2 Texas Department of Motor Vehicles www.TxDMV.gov December 2021
More Information About Vehicle and Driver Services in Texas
Although many states combine motor vehicle services and driver license services under the authority of
one agency, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) provides only vehicle-related services.
Below is a summary of TxDMV services and how they are accessed:
Offices of County Tax Assessor-Collectors
Most motorists will conduct TxDMV-related business at county offices, which are staffed and operated
independently of TxDMV. County Tax Assessor-Collectors are statutorily authorized to process certain
transactions on behalf of TxDMV at their locations:
• Initial registration for those relocating to Texas.
• Registration renewals (license plates and registration stickers).
• Vehicle title transfers.
• Change of address on motor vehicle records.
• Non-fee license plates such as Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans license plates.
• Disabled parking placards.
• Copies of registration receipts.
• Temporary registration.
Find your local county tax office: https://www.txdmv.gov/tax-assessor-collectors/county-tax-offices
.
Please note that some county tax offices require appointments.
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Regional Service Centers
Statewide, TxDMV operates 16 Regional Service Centers, each of which serve specific counties, where
motorists can complete certain transactions:
• Replacement Titles.
• Bonded Title Rejection Letters.
• Apportioned Registration (IRP Credentials and Temporary Operating Authority for Established
Accounts).
• Investigating and Resolving Texas Title Errors.
• Vehicle Transfer Notifications.
• Title History Inquiries.
Find your TxDMV Regional Service Center: https://www.txdmv.gov/regional-service-centers
.
