TRANSPORTATION / MOTOR VEHICLE INFORMATION
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. It is also possible to visit one of the regional offices for the Vehicle Titles and Registration Division in Dallas-Carrollton or Fort Worth-Arlington.
Vehicles must pass a safety inspection and vehicle identification number 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 as well as any applicable sales tax or local and county fees are due at the county tax office at the time the application for title is made. New residents must pay a $90 tax when filing an application for Texas certificate of title on a vehicle that was previously leased or registered outside of Texas. Proof of liability insurance in minimum amounts mandated by the state is required before these services can be provided.
Registered Texan
A website created by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to aid residents and newcomers in getting their vehicles registered or in renewing their registration.
https://www.txdmv.gov/
Texas Department of Insurance
https://www.tdi.texas.gov/
Licensing, Registration/Titling
www.txdot.gov
www.txdmv.gov/motorists/register-your-vehicle
Tax Assessors/Collectors
www.txdot.gov
Cherokee County
https://www.texasonlinerecords.com/tax/?office_id=9
Gregg County
https://www.gcad.org/tax-offices/
Henderson County
https://www.henderson-county.com/departments/county-tax-assessor-collector
Rusk County
http://ruskcountytax.com
Smith County Offices
www.smith-county.com
Emissions Testing & Annual Inspection
No Testing or Inspections are required
Texas Department of Public Safety
512-424-2000
www.dps.texas.gov
Drivers 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 Web site:
Dallas-Carrollton Regional Office
1925 E. Beltline Road
Carrollton 972-417-0884
www.txdot.gov
Fort Worth-Arlington Regional Office
910 N. Watson Road
Arlington 817-649-5938
www.txdot.gov
Driver License Information
www.txdot.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 must accompany a request for boat registration for new boats and/or outboard motors. For more information, contact:
Texas Parks & Wildlife
800-792-1112
http://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat
Tyler Office
3330 South Southwest Loop 323
Tyler 903-534-0388
