# Texas Auto Help

> Texas car rules with deadlines and fees from TxDMV, TCEQ, DPS and TDLR: registration, the end of safety inspections, emissions tests, towing and storage limits, tow hearings and the Lemon Law. Information only. A free information site from Local Help Stations. Not a repair shop, dealer, towing company or government office. Contact: call or text (385) 236-4141 (tel:+13852364141).

## Key facts
- Since January 1, 2025, non-commercial vehicles in Texas no longer need a safety inspection before registration. Source: https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/register-your-vehicle (checked 2026-11-01)
- Bexar County joined the emissions test program on November 1, 2026, as the 18th Texas emissions county. Source: https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/body-files/RTB_003-26_Bexar_County_Emissions_Testing_Requirements.pdf (checked 2026-11-01)
- You may drive up to five working days after registration expires. After that, a citation can be up to $200. Source: https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/register-your-vehicle (checked 2026-11-01)
- New residents have 30 days to register a vehicle and 90 days to get a Texas driver license. Source: https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/new-to-texas (checked 2026-11-01)
- A buyer must title the vehicle in their name within 30 days of the sale. Source: https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle (checked 2026-11-01)
- Maximum private property tow fee for a vehicle up to 10,000 lbs: $272, unless a city or county sets less. Source: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/towing/consumerinfo.htm (checked 2026-11-01)
- Lemon Law complaints cost $35 and are due within six months of the earliest of warranty end, 24 months or 24,000 miles. Source: https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/consumer-protection/lemon-law (checked 2026-11-01)

## Pages
- [When is my Texas registration due, and what if it is late?](https://texasautohelp.com/registration-renewal/): Registration expiration, the online renewal window, the five working day grace period and the citation amount, from TxDMV.
- [I just moved to Texas. What are the vehicle deadlines?](https://texasautohelp.com/new-to-texas/): 30 days to register, 90 days for a Texas driver license, insurance minimums and the new resident tax fee, from TxDMV.
- [Buying or selling a car in Texas: title and transfer deadlines](https://texasautohelp.com/buying-or-selling/): The 30 day title rule, the Vehicle Transfer Notification, sales tax and how long a title takes, from TxDMV.
- [Do I still need a vehicle inspection in Texas?](https://texasautohelp.com/inspection/): Safety inspections ended for non-commercial vehicles on January 1, 2025. Emissions tests continue in 18 counties, now including Bexar.
- [Texas emissions test: cost, timing and retests](https://texasautohelp.com/emissions-test/): Station fee caps by area, the state fee at registration, the 90 day window and the free retest, from TCEQ, TxDMV and DPS.
- [Bexar County emissions testing: required from November 1, 2026](https://texasautohelp.com/bexar-county-emissions/): What San Antonio area drivers pay and when the first test is due, from TxDMV RTB 003-26, TCEQ and DPS.
- [Towed from a private lot in Texas: what can they charge?](https://texasautohelp.com/private-property-towing/): Statewide maximum tow and drop fees, the not fully hooked up rule and how you pay, from TDLR.
- [Texas vehicle storage lot fees and getting your car back](https://texasautohelp.com/vehicle-storage-fees/): Daily storage, notification and impoundment fee caps, release hours and ID, from TDLR.
- [How to challenge a tow in Texas (tow hearing)](https://texasautohelp.com/tow-hearing/): Where and when to request a tow hearing, the filing fee and hearing timing, from TDLR and Occupations Code 2308.
- [Texas Lemon Law: tests, deadline and fee](https://texasautohelp.com/lemon-law/): Which vehicles qualify, the four times, safety hazard and 30 day tests, the six month deadline and $35 fee, from TxDMV.
- [Texas vehicle fees at a glance](https://texasautohelp.com/fees/): Registration, inspection, emissions, towing, storage and Lemon Law fees in one table, one official source per row.

## Cities
- [Texas cities](https://texasautohelp.com/cities/)
- [Houston car registration, emissions and towing rules](https://texasautohelp.com/cities/houston/): Harris County registration, emissions test cost and towing limits for Houston drivers, from TxDMV, TCEQ and TDLR.
- [San Antonio car registration, emissions and towing rules](https://texasautohelp.com/cities/san-antonio/): Bexar County registration, emissions test cost and towing limits for San Antonio drivers, from TxDMV, TCEQ and TDLR.
- [Dallas car registration, emissions and towing rules](https://texasautohelp.com/cities/dallas/): Dallas County registration, emissions test cost and towing limits for Dallas drivers, from TxDMV, TCEQ and TDLR.
- [Austin car registration, emissions and towing rules](https://texasautohelp.com/cities/austin/): Travis County registration, emissions test cost and towing limits for Austin drivers, from TxDMV, TCEQ and TDLR.
- [Fort Worth car registration, emissions and towing rules](https://texasautohelp.com/cities/fort-worth/): Tarrant County registration, emissions test cost and towing limits for Fort Worth drivers, from TxDMV, TCEQ and TDLR.
- [Arlington car registration, emissions and towing rules](https://texasautohelp.com/cities/arlington/): Tarrant County registration, emissions test cost and towing limits for Arlington drivers, from TxDMV, TCEQ and TDLR.
- [El Paso car registration, emissions and towing rules](https://texasautohelp.com/cities/el-paso/): El Paso County registration, emissions test cost and towing limits for El Paso drivers, from TxDMV, TCEQ and TDLR.
- [Plano car registration, emissions and towing rules](https://texasautohelp.com/cities/plano/): Collin County registration, emissions test cost and towing limits for Plano drivers, from TxDMV, TCEQ and TDLR.
- [Corpus Christi car registration, emissions and towing rules](https://texasautohelp.com/cities/corpus-christi/): Nueces County registration, no emissions test and towing limits for Corpus Christi drivers, from TxDMV, TCEQ and TDLR.
- [Lubbock car registration, emissions and towing rules](https://texasautohelp.com/cities/lubbock/): Lubbock County registration, no emissions test and towing limits for Lubbock drivers, from TxDMV, TCEQ and TDLR.
- [Laredo car registration, emissions and towing rules](https://texasautohelp.com/cities/laredo/): Webb County registration, no emissions test and towing limits for Laredo drivers, from TxDMV, TCEQ and TDLR.

- [FAQ](https://texasautohelp.com/faq/)
- [Sources](https://texasautohelp.com/sources/)
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