Mail-In Registration: Texas Laws And Requirements

Texas has several options for vehicle registration, including online, by mail, over the phone, or in person. Texas residents serving in the U.S. armed forces can register their vehicles by mail to their local Texas county tax office, regardless of where they are stationed. Non-resident full-time students and active military are not required to register their vehicles in Texas. For other Texas residents, the registration process must be completed within 30 days of moving to Texas.

Texas Vehicle Registration

Registering a vehicle by mail in Texas

To register a vehicle by mail in Texas, you must send the following to your county tax office:

• Renewal notice (keep the vehicle owner's section for your records)
• A copy of your Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR), if you reside in one of the following counties: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, or Williamson
• A copy of your inspection report can be obtained at www.mytxcar.org
• Proof of current liability insurance
• All fees, including the base registration fee of $50.75 plus $1 for TexasSure, the electronic insurance verification program, and other Department of Public Safety initiatives

If you live in one of the designated counties in Texas that require emissions testing, you must have your vehicle inspected at a certified inspection station that offers emissions testing before applying for registration. Texas requires vehicles in these designated counties to have a passing emissions test: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson.

You must also show insurance coverage for a minimum of \$30,000 per injured person, up to a total of \$60,000 for everyone injured in an accident, and \$25,000 for property damage.

County Tax Assessor-Collector offices handle most vehicle title and registration services on behalf of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV).

Required documents for registration

To register your vehicle in Texas, you must visit your local county tax-assessor collector office. You will need to provide the following documents:

• Your insurance card and proof of insurance coverage for a minimum of $30,000 per injured person, up to a total of $60,000 for everyone injured in an accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
• Proof that you own the vehicle, such as the registration or title from your previous state.
• If you live in one of the following counties, you will also need to obtain a passing vehicle emissions inspection before attempting to register your vehicle: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson.
• If you are a new resident, you will also pay sales tax-related fees required by the state's Comptroller of Public Accounts. Sales tax fees on a vehicle can be $90 or the difference between your previous state's sales tax and Texas sales tax.
• The base registration fee in Texas is $50.75 plus $1 for TexasSure, the electronic insurance verification program, and other Department of Public Safety initiatives. So, the total state registration is $51.75, but counties may add other fees to this cost.

If you are a full-time student or active military, you are not required to register or title your vehicles in Texas. Contact your local county tax office in the Texas county where you last resided for more information.

Vehicle inspection requirements

Vehicle inspections are a crucial aspect of maintaining road safety and ensuring that vehicles meet certain standards. In Texas, vehicle inspection requirements have undergone significant changes in recent years. Here is an overview of the current vehicle inspection requirements in Texas:

Texas Vehicle Inspection Requirements:

The Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3297 in 2023, which made substantial changes to the state's vehicle inspection laws. As of 2025, most Texas drivers will no longer need to submit their vehicles to annual safety inspections. Instead, they will pay a yearly fee of $7.50, which is equivalent to the previous inspection fee. This change aims to simplify the vehicle registration process while maintaining road safety.

However, specific counties in Texas will continue to require annual emissions testing: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson. These counties include Houston, DFW, and Austin, and the decision is based on their population density and air quality concerns.

Inspection Process:

The time required for a Texas state vehicle inspection can vary depending on the type of vehicle and the specific tests, but it typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. A certified inspector will examine various safety components during the inspection. First, they will review the vehicle's insurance card, verifying the driver's name, policy number, vehicle make and model, and effective and expiration dates. Proof of insurance is mandatory for the inspector to proceed with the inspection.

Next, the inspector will conduct a road test to evaluate the effectiveness of the brakes. This test involves bringing a typical passenger car to a smooth stop within 25 feet or a truck or motorcycle to a stop within 30 feet. Different distances apply to larger commercial vehicles. The vehicle will fail the inspection if the brake lights are malfunctioning or if the brakes do not meet the stopping distance requirements.

After the road test, the inspector will move on to inspect the interior of the vehicle. They will confirm the functionality and safety of various components, including seatbelts, windshield wipers, turn signals, lights, and the horn. The vehicle must also have at least one properly mounted mirror that provides a clear, unobstructed rear view of 200 feet.

Registration Requirements:

To register a vehicle in Texas, you must visit your local county tax assessor-collector office. You will need to provide proof of insurance and proof of ownership, such as the registration or title from your previous state. If you live in one of the designated counties that require emissions testing, you must also obtain a passing vehicle emissions inspection before registering your vehicle. Additionally, you will need to pay the base registration fee of $50.75, along with an additional $1 for TexasSure, an electronic insurance verification program, bringing the total state registration cost to $51.75. Counties may have additional fees, and commercial vehicles have separate requirements.

Registration fees

Registering a vehicle in Texas involves several steps and fees. Firstly, it is important to note that vehicles must be registered in the state where the owner lives, unless they are a full-time student or active military personnel. In Texas, vehicles must be registered with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV).

The base registration fee in Texas is $50.75, plus $1 for TexasSure, the electronic insurance verification program, bringing the total state registration to $51.75. However, counties may add other fees on top of this cost. For example, the local fee, which is determined by the county of registration, can range from $0 to $31.50. Additionally, counties may charge up to $10 for deposit into their county road and bridge fund, and certain counties can assess a further transportation fee of up to $20.

The registration fee for vehicles is based on the type and weight of the vehicle being registered. For instance, fully electric cars and trucks weighing 10,000 lbs. or less will be charged an annual fee of $200 from September 1, 2023, while new electric vehicles will be assessed a $400 fee for two years of registration. Standard vehicles, including those with hybrid or combination fuel systems, motorcycles, mopeds, autocycles, and neighbourhood electric vehicles, are subject to the standard registration and related fees.

There are also processing and handling fees that cover the costs of state and county services, creation of annual renewal notices, registration stickers, and other related services and materials. These fees vary depending on the type of vehicle being registered. For example, all-terrain vehicles are required to be titled but not registered, while off-highway motorcycles must be titled and may not be registered. Boats, boat motors, and personal watercraft are registered and titled with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

To complete the registration process, individuals must visit their local county tax-assessor collector office and provide their insurance card and proof of vehicle ownership, such as registration or title from their previous state. If the individual resides in one of the designated counties that require emissions testing, they must also obtain a passing emissions test before applying for registration.

Renewing registration

There are several ways to renew your vehicle registration in Texas. You can renew your vehicle registration online, by mail, or in person. Here is a detailed description of each process:

Online Renewal

You can renew your vehicle registration online through the Texas by Texas (TxT) platform. TxT is a digital assistant that allows Texans to create an online account, manage their government-issued licenses and registrations, receive notifications when it's time to renew, and complete transactions quickly and securely. The TxT mobile application is available in the App Store and Google Play. Alternatively, you can use the Texas by Texas website to renew your registration without creating a TxT account. You will receive an email reminder when it's time to renew, and you can opt for paperless renewal notices.

Renewal by Mail

To renew your vehicle registration by mail, send the following to your county tax office:

• Renewal notice (keep the vehicle owner's section for your records)
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) if you don't have the renewal notice
• A copy of your Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) if you reside in one of the following 17 counties: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, or Williamson. You can obtain a copy of your inspection report at www.mytxcar.org.
• A copy of your insurance card or proof of current liability insurance
• Check or money order payable to your county tax office. Do not mail cash or credit card information.

You can renew your registration by mail even if you do not have the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles renewal notice. However, if you reside in one of the 17 counties mentioned above, the Tax Office will electronically check your emissions inspection status. If there is an issue, they will request you to bring or mail a copy of your VIR to the tax office.

In-Person Renewal

To register your vehicle in person, take your registration renewal notice and proof of current liability insurance to your county tax office or an approved substation. If you do not have a renewal notice, you can still renew your registration in person. Contact your local county tax office to verify your correct mailing address and update your address on your motor vehicle record to ensure you receive future renewal notices.

Frequently asked questions