Austin Insurance Group

To register your car in Texas, you must go to your county tax office. The same is true for those who have allowed their current Texas registration to expire.

New residents have 30 days after moving to TX to register their out-of-state vehicle. Within that time, you must also get a vehicle inspection, title your car in Texas and get a Texas driver’s license.

You are exempt from titling and registering your car as a non-resident only if are an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces or a full-time student from another state going to school at a Texas college or university.

What must be done to register your car in Texas?

1.  Get Insurance – To register your car in Texas you must show proof of insurance. More importantly, to operate your vehicle on Texas roads you must have insurance. There is no grace period and no exceptions. To shop for auto insurance quotes online, visit our Online Quote Center.

 2.  Prepare the Paperwork – If you have purchased a new or used car from a dealer, it’s likely your paperwork has been taken care of for you.  Otherwise, conduct a title transfer and register the vehicle at your county tax office within 20 days of changing ownership.

How to Register an out-of-state vehicle?

a. Obtain the inspection certification proving the vehicle has been inspected. Some vehicles only require a safety inspection while others must also get an emissions test. All vehicles registered in the state must be inspected, including those that are from another state. For more info on state inspections, consult the AirCheckTexas of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). Proof of insurance is required to get an inspection.  

 b. If the car is less than 10 years old, be prepared to provide the vehicle’s odometer reading.

 c. Obtain either the original out-of-state title or the current foreign/military ownership document if you are simultaneously titling the car in your name at this time.

d. Complete the title/registration (Form 130-U), making sure all registered owners sign the application.

3.  Calculate the Fees – Before you go to the county tax office with your paperwork, it’s best to figure out what you’re going to pay in terms of fees. The state offers a comprehensive document called the Schedule of Texas Registration Fees that lists fees by county. Figure out your fee according to the county in which you live and then add to that the title application fee (usually $28-$33 depending on where you live) and the new resident tax (usually $90 if applicable).  In certain situations you’ll face additional fees, so it’s a good idea to contact your county tax office to avoid any surprises.

4.  Go to the County Tax Office – If you are a new resident, you’ll need to obtain a Texas driver’s license in addition to registering and titling your car in the state. Licensing takes place through the Department of Public Safety (DPS).  If you already have a state driver’s license, your next step is to locate the nearest county tax office.

 5.  Transferring License Plates – If you buy a used car, the license plates stay with the vehicle. At this time you might also consider ordering specialized or vanity plates. These range from those for drivers with disabilities to those who want to display they are driving an antique vehicle.

6.  Affix Your Stickers – The county tax office will give you stickers for the license plates if the car was not already currently registered in Texas. There will be a sticker for the year and the month along with instructions on how to place them properly on the rear plate. 

7.  Get a Tax Deduction – Texas does not calculate your car registration fee based on your vehicle’s value. Therefore, you can’t take the deduction allowed in other states. For any tax questions, consult a tax professional. 

 8.  Safely Get on Your Way – You’ve already dedicated plenty of time to getting your vehicle current in the state of Texas, so why not make it and the roads you travel on safer while you are at it?  For example, having a roadside assistance program is a great way to ensure you’ll have help if an unplanned situation arises. These programs come to the rescue if you break down or blow a tire. Also having an after-market auto warranty might make it easier to keep your car running at its best. Pair that with a mechanic you can trust and you’ll be as well prepared for “surprises” as you can be.  There are also ways to enhance road safety that are affordable no matter what your budget. For example, hands-free headsets for your cell phone, child safety seats and car emergency kits are easy to get your hands on and don’t cost a whole lot of money.

 For more information on registering your vehicle in Texas visit our site at http://www.aigtexas.com/insurance/register.html

–Austin Insurance Group

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 15th, 2010 at 3:47 pm and is filed under Auto Insurance. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.