Texas Vehicle Registration

There are several steps to register your vehicle with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

1. If you live in one of the designated counties in Texas that require emissions testinghave your vehicle inspected at a certified inspection station that offers emissions testing.

• Texas requires vehicles in these designated counties to have a passing emissions test before applying for registration: BrazoriaCollinDallasDentonEl PasoEllisFort BendGalvestonHarrisJohnsonKaufmanMontgomeryParkerRockwallTarrantTravisand Williamson.
• Learn more about emissions testing on the Texas Department of Public Safety website.
• Find an inspection station

2. Show insurance coverage for the required minimums per personper accidentand for property damage.

3. Get your vehicle registration and sticker at your local county Tax Assessor Collector office.

There are several ways to renew your vehicle registration. Rememberif you live in a designated emissions testing countyyou must have a passing vehicle emissions inspection before you can renew your vehicle registration.

• Online. You can renew your vehicle registration online 90 days before the expiration date or up to one year after the expiration dateif you have not received a citation for expired registration.  There is currently only one online renewal option:
  •  Renew with Texas by Texas (TxT). TxT is an officialaccount-based digital government assistant that provides an even easierfasterand more secure way for Texans to take care of government services – like vehicle registration renewal. To learn more about TxT and create an accountvisit the Texas by Texas page on Texas.gov. You can also watch this 4 minute video to learn how to create your TxT account and renew your vehicle registration.
    • Please note: TxT is for individual use and personal vehicles only. You cannot use TxT to renew commercial or government vehicles.
• Mail.  To renew by mailsend the following to your county tax office:
  • Renewal notice (keep the vehicle owner's section for your records)
  • Copy of your vehicle inspection report (VIR)if you reside in one of the following 17 counties: BrazoriaCollinDallasDentonEl PasoEllisFort BendGalvestonHarrisJohnsonKaufmanMontgomeryParkerRockwallTarrantTravisWilliamson.
  • Proof of current liability insurance
  • All fees listed on your renewal notice
  • Copy of your valid government issued identification. Acceptable forms of personal identification are listed here: www.txdmv.gov/tax-assessor-collectors/photo-id-requirements. 
• In-person. Take your registration renewal notice, and proof of current liability insuranceand valid government issued identification to your county’s Tax Assessor-Collector office or an approved substation.

Vehicle registration fees vary based on the type and weight of the vehicle you’re registering.

If you’re a new Texas residentyou have 30 days to register your vehicle.  

County Tax Assessor-Collector offices handle most vehicle title and registration services on behalf of TxDMV. These services include: 

• 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.