Registering a Vehicle in Texas in 2026

The county tax office

The TxDMV's in-person services page explains that registration and titling in Texas are conducted at the tax assessor-collector offices of all 254 counties, which operate independently under local elected officials; the TxDMV says to contact the county for its current status, hours and services, and some counties require appointments. An application for title can be processed by the applicant's own county, the county where the vehicle was purchased, or the county where the lienholder is, and a county with no duty to process it may still agree to; the TxDMV asks callers to confirm first. When a statutory county processes it, local optional fees follow that county; when another county accepts it, the local fees and the title fee follow the applicant's county. Each county's office is on the Texas DMV offices list. The TxDMV's bulletin on photo ID, linked from its motorists page, says to bring a photo ID for every vehicle transaction, and that certain registrations require a REAL ID compliant license or ID, or an unexpired passport with Homeland Security admission documents.

Registering for the first time

From a dealer. The dealer files the title and registration for the buyer, within 30 days of purchase or 45 days if the dealer finances the sale, and the buyer keeps the receipt showing the vehicle titled in their name; a dealer who has not done so after 30 days can be reported through the TxDMV's dealer complaint system. Since July 1, 2025 dealers issue metal license plates in place of temporary tags, under House Bill 718.

From an individual. The buyer titles and registers the vehicle at the county tax office within 30 days of the sale with the signed title, the Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U), proof of insurance, a photo ID, the release of any lien, an inspection where one applies, the 6.25 percent motor vehicle sales tax and the title and registration fees; the title guide and the buying guide walk through it. Without proof of insurance the buyer may apply for title only.

After a move. A new resident has 30 days to register, with insurance that meets the Texas minimums, an emissions inspection in the 17 emissions counties, the out-of-state title or registration, Form 130-U (with Registration Purposes Only checked to keep the out-of-state title), and the $90 new resident tax; the new to Texas guide has the full list. Active duty military and non-resident full-time students need not register in Texas.

The sticker and the record

The registration sticker, placed on the windshield (on the top right corner of the plate for a motorcycle), shows the plate number, the county and part of the VIN, and expires on the last day of the month it names, as the TxDMV's FAQ explains; since March 1, 2015 it also serves as proof of inspection. The vehicle record carries an owner on record, who receives all correspondence, and a renewal recipient, who may be someone else and receives only the renewal notice. The TxDMV's VIN page shows where the VIN is: on the driver's side dashboard where it meets the windshield, on the driver's door jamb sticker, on the insurance card and on the title.

The fees

From the TxDMV's registration page and New to Texas page, read on October 14, 2026. The TxDMV says the whole base fee goes to the State Highway Fund, that heavy vehicles from 6,001 to 80,000 pounds fall into seven weight classes, and that the local fee combines a county road and bridge fee of up to $10, a transportation fee of up to $20 in certain counties and a child safety fee of up to $1.50. Every TxDMV fee is on the fees page.

Vehicle types with their own rules

The TxDMV's registration page sets apart: all-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles, which are titled but not registered (the off-highway vehicle guide); boats, boat motors and personal watercraft, registered and titled with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; mopeds, which the TxDMV says must have a passing inspection to be registered; motor homes, whose fee follows weight like cars and trucks, with insurance and inspection proof required; and pocket bikes and mini scooters, most of which cannot pass inspection or be registered or driven on public roads, since titling any motorized vehicle needs a manufacturer's certificate of origin from a manufacturer registered with NHTSA. Trailers are on the trailer guide, neighborhood electric vehicles and golf carts on the off-highway guide, and assembled vehicles on the assembled vehicle guide.

Addresses, receipts and reminders

The owner's address on the vehicle record changes with the Change of Address for Texas Motor Vehicle form (VTR-146) at the county tax office or by mail; the TxDMV's online change at renew.txdmv.gov moves only the renewal recipient address. A lost registration receipt is replaced for $2 with the Request for Texas Motor Vehicle Information (VTR-275) at a county office or a regional service center; commercial vehicles must carry the receipt and the TxDMV recommends every vehicle keep it. The free eReminder at renew.txdmv.gov emails when a renewal is due, and electronic renewal notices replace the mailed one. A sticker that never arrives is replaced at the county for $6 plus $0.50 with form VTR-60. The registration renewal page covers the yearly renewal and its windows.

Questions about registering a vehicle

Where do I register a car in Texas?

At the tax assessor-collector office of your county, which processes registration and titles for the TxDMV. The TxDMV says a title application is processed by the applicant's county, the county where the vehicle was bought, or the county of the lienholder, and that other counties may agree to process it if asked in advance.

What does the sticker show?

The license plate number, the county of registration and part of the VIN, which the TxDMV says protects against theft and fraud. Registration expires on the last day of the month on the sticker; a motorcycle sticker is smaller and goes on the top right corner of the plate. Since March 1, 2015 the sticker also serves as proof of inspection.

I bought a new car from a dealer. Do I go to the county?

No. A Texas dealer must file the title and registration for the buyer within 30 days of the purchase, or 45 days when the dealer finances the sale; make sure the dealer gives a receipt showing the vehicle titled in your name. Since July 1, 2025 dealers issue metal plates instead of temporary tags under House Bill 718.

How do I change the address on my vehicle record?

With the Change of Address for Texas Motor Vehicle form (VTR-146), in person at the county tax office or by mail to the address on the form. The TxDMV's online address change moves only the renewal recipient address, so a renewal notice and sticker go there while other correspondence, toll violations included, still goes to the owner's address on record.

What is the registration fee for an electric car?

The standard fees plus $200 a year for a fully electric car or truck of 10,000 pounds or less at renewal, since September 1, 2023, or $400 with a new vehicle's two-year registration; hybrids, motorcycles, mopeds, autocycles, neighborhood electric vehicles and vehicles with Disabled Veteran or other meritorious plates are not charged.

Can my ATV or boat be registered?

An ATV or off-highway motorcycle is titled but not registered, and may carry an off-highway vehicle plate. Boats, boat motors and personal watercraft are registered and titled with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, not the TxDMV.