TRANSPORTATION / MOTOR VEHICLE INFORMATION

Vehicle Registration
State law requires that you register and title your vehicle in Texas if you establish resident or become gainfully employed. Your vehicle can be operated with valid out-of-state license plates for only 30 days. Those not required to title/register vehicles in Texas are nonresident members of the U.S. armed forces or nonresident, full-time students who attending an accredited Texas institution of higher education. Vehicle registration and titling are completed in the county of residence with the county tax assessor-collector acting as an agent for the Texas Department of Transportation.

Tax Assessors/Collectors

Bell County
254-933-5318
https://www.bellcountytx.com/

Brazos County
979-775-9930
www.brazoscountytx.gov

Coryell County
254-865-5911
https://www.coryellcountytax.com

Hamilton County
254-386-1230
http://www.co.hamilton.tx.us/

Hays County
512-393-5545
https://hayscountytx.com/

Travis County
512-854-9473
https://tax-office.traviscountytx.gov/

Williamson County
512-943-1602
https://www.wilco.org/taxoffice

Vehicles must pass a safety inspection and vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection at a state-appointed Safety Inspection Station before they can be registered. The inspection facility will provide you with a verification form that must be submitted to the county tax office along with an application for certificate of title. Title and registration fees are due at the county tax office at the time the application for title is made. Proof of liability insurance for your vehicle is required before these services can be provided.


Emissions Testing
Vehicles must undergo an annual test at a decentralized test-and-repair facility or at a test-only facility. Gasoline-powered vehicles from two through 24 years old are tested beginning with the vehicle’s second model year anniversary. Vehicles failing the test will have to be repaired and pass a retest, or qualify for a waiver. For details on safety inspections and/or emissions testing, contact:

Texas Department of Public Safety
Austin Headquarters
Austin 512-424-2000
https://www.dps.texas.gov/

DPS Field Office
Inspection & Emissions Testing
108 B Denson Dr MSC 0544
Austin 512-424-2222
https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/regulatory-services


Driver’s License
New residents who desire to operate a motor vehicle on Texas highways must secure a Texas driver’s license. All original applicants for a driver’s license or identification certificate must present satisfactory proof of identity from three categories of documents. The Texas Department of Transportation provides complete details on driver licensing requirements through customer service, recorded information, and on its website:

Texas Department of Transportation
Vehicle Titles and Registration Division
Customer Help 888-DMV-GOTX
Specialty Plates 512-374-5010
https://www.txdmv.gov/

Newcomers to Texas who hold a valid out-of-state license and own a vehicle will need to bring proof of Texas registration, insurance, Social Security number, and the out-of-state license. The only exam required is the vision test. If the out-of-state license is expired, written and driving exams will be required in addition to the vision test. Vehicle owners must provide proof of insurance; others must complete an affidavit of non-ownership. When the Texas license is issued, the out-of-state license must be surrendered. Driver license offices are conveniently located throughout the metro area:

Child Safety Laws
Children younger than four years of age or less than 36 inches in height must be secured at all times in a child passenger safety seat system according to manufacturer’s instructions. Children at least 15 years of age riding in the front seat of a vehicle must be equipped with and secured in a property operating seat belt. Children younger than 18 years of age are not allowed to ride in open bed of a pickup truck or flatbed truck or an open flatbed trailer.

Boat & Outboard Motor Licensing
All motorboats and all sailboats 14 feet in length or longer operated on public waters or docked, moored, or stored on public water must be currently registered. All outboard motors must be titled. Title applications and manufacturers statement of origin (MSO) must accompany a request for boat registration for new boats and/or outboard motors. For more information, contact:

Texas Parks & Wildlife
Austin
512-389-4800
Toll free
800-792-1112
https://tpwd.texas.gov

Boat Registration and
Outboard-Motor Title Locations

Austin
4200 Smith School Road
Austin 512-389-4828

Temple
3615 South General Bruce Drive
Temple 254-778-8913