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I just moved to Texas. What are the vehicle deadlines?
- You have 30 days from the time you move to Texas to register your vehicle.
- New residents must get a Texas driver license from the Department of Public Safety within 90 days of moving.
- Texas requires liability insurance of at least $30,000 per injured person, up to $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
- First time registrants complete Form 130-U, Application for Texas Title and/or Registration, at the county tax office.
(source: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles)
Inspection first in emissions counties
If you live in one of these counties you need a passing emissions inspection before you register: Bexar, Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson. (source: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles)
What it costs
The base registration fee is $50.75 plus $1 for TexasSure, so state registration is $51.75. Counties may add other fees. New residents also pay a sales tax related fee that can be $90 or the difference between the previous state's sales tax and the Texas sales tax. (source: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles)
Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces and non-resident full-time students at a Texas college or university are not required to register or title their vehicles in Texas. (source: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles)
On this site: When is my Texas registration due, and what if it is late? · I just moved to Texas. What are the vehicle deadlines? · Buying or selling a car in Texas: title and transfer deadlines · Do I still need a vehicle inspection in Texas? · Texas emissions test: cost, timing and retests · Bexar County emissions testing: required from November 1, 2026 · Towed from a private lot in Texas: what can they charge? · Texas vehicle storage lot fees and getting your car back · How to challenge a tow in Texas (tow hearing) · Texas Lemon Law: tests, deadline and fee · Texas vehicle fees at a glance · Cities · FAQ · Sources
Sources
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV): New to Texas (checked November 1, 2026)
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