Your Guide To Car Registration In Texas (2026)

How to Register Your Car in Texas

Car registration in Texas is relatively simple. You’ll need to gather required documents, submit them to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) and pay a fee.

Documents Required for Texas Vehicle Registration

For a first-time registration, you must have your vehicle’s title if you own it outright, or out-of-state registration if you just moved to Texas and are making payments. Aside from proof of ownership, you’ll need the following:

• Completed Form 130-U
• Proof of insurance
• Emissions inspection report, if required
• Your ID
• Proof of Texas residency

In 2025, Texas also started requiring proof of legal status for anyone registering a vehicle or renewing a registration.

How to Register an Out-of-State Car in Texas

If you’ve just moved to Texas and need to register an out-of-state car, follow these steps:

• Obtain car insurance
• Get an emissions test if your county requires it
• Gather all required documents
• Visit your county tax office to complete the registration

Check with your county tax office if you aren’t sure of your county’s specific fees.

Texas Vehicle Inspection and Insurance Requirements

As of January 1, 2025, Texas no longer requires non-commercial vehicles to pass inspections before registration. However, you’ll still need to pass an emissions inspection in some counties.

These are the minimum insurance requirements you need to register:

• $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $25,000 property damage liability

You may, of course, purchase additional coverage.

Texas Vehicle Registration Fees and Costs

The cost of registration in Texas includes the following base fees:

• Cars Up to 6,000 Pounds: $50.75
• Cars 6,001+ Pounds: $54
• Motorcycles/Mopeds: $30
• Electric Vehicles: Additional $200 fee

In addition to any county-specific fees, you should expect to pay a $4.75 processing fee and a $1 insurance verification fee.

How to Renew Your Texas Vehicle Registration

You can renew your car’s registration on the TxDMV website. You can also use the Texas by Texas (TxT) mobile app.

Penalties for Driving an Unregistered Vehicle in Texas

If you drive without registration, you could face these penalties:

• A fine of up to $200
• Driver’s license suspension
• Points on your driver’s license
• Having your vehicle impounded until you register it

In some cases, a police officer may issue a “fix-it ticket,” where the fines are cancelled if you register your vehicle by the court date.

Looking for Legal Help?

Whether you’ve encountered issues with car registration in Texas or need assistance with any other legal issue, ConsumerShield can help. Take a look at our library of tools and resources today.