- Estate is probated: Provide the original or certified copy of Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
- Estate is not probated: Provide completed Affidavit of Heirship for a Motor Vehicle (Form VTR-262) (all signatures must be notarized)
- Required when the vehicle is inherited between eligible parties
- Requires notarization, unless signed in front of a county tax office employee
- The recipient or donor must submit the application in person
- Refer to page 2 for additional instructions
Disabled License Plates & Placards
How do I obtain disabled placards/plates?
- Completed Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate Application (Form VTR-214)
- Provide an original prescription from your doctor with the required information
or - Have page 2 of the application signed by your doctor and notarized
- Permanent (blue) placard - no fee
- Temporary (red) placard - $5.00
- Contact your local county tax office to verify fees and payment methods
Inspection
Why am I being charged twice for the inspection?
Texas inspection fees are collected in two steps, but rest assured, you are not being charged twice for an inspection. The inspection station receives its portion of the fee at the time of inspection. The state collects its portion of the fee at the time of registration. Inspections are verified electronically, so your inspection station cannot charge you more than their portion of the fee. The remaining state's portion of the fee is collected by your county tax office at the time of your renewal..
Lost or Misplaced
How do I get a copy of my Texas title?
- Completed Application for a Certified Copy of Title (Form VTR-34)
- Evidence the loan is paid in full (original release of lien), if applicable
- Copy of the vehicle owner(s) current driver license(s) or government-issued photo identification(s)
- Fee:
- In-person: $5.45 (cash, check, or money order payable to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles)
- By mail: $2.00 (check or money order payable to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles – no cash)
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Regional Service Center locations are listed on page 2 of the application. Requests submitted by mail must be sent to the Wichita Falls Regional Service Center address.
I lost or misplaced my registration receipt. How do I get another?
- Completed Request for Texas Motor Vehicle Information Form (Form VTR-275)
- Copy of applicant's current driver license or government-issued photo identification
- $2.00 Fee:
- If you are submitting to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles you can pay by check or money order payable to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (cash accepted in person, not in the mail)
- If you are submitting to the county tax office, you will need to contact your local county tax office for their acceptable payment methods
Commercial vehicles are required to have the receipt in the vehicles at all times. However, for all other vehicles, it is recommended the registration receipt be retained in the vehicle, as it serves as proof of registration.
I renewed my registration and never received the sticker. How do I get another one?
- Completed Application for Replacement License Plate(s) and/or Registration Sticker (Form VTR-60) if submitting by mail or the vehicle information (vehicle identification number or license plate number) if submitting in person
- Copy of owner's current driver license or government-issued photo identification
- $6.50 replacement fee (check or money order) payable to the county tax office. Cash is accepted in person. We recommend you contact a county tax office for all payment methods. Under certain circumstances the county may waive the replacement fee.
Out-of-State
I'm a Texas resident and currently out of state with my vehicle. How do I renew my registration if I am not in Texas?
- Online: by self-certifying you are out-of-state
- By mail: submit the following to a county tax office in Texas if you are not eligible to renew online:
- Renewal notice, vehicle identification number, or plate number
- Copy of owner's current driver license or government-issued photo identification
- Copy of proof of current vehicle insurance
- A written statement indicating the vehicle is out-of-state
- Fees: Contact your local county tax office for exact fee amounts and payment methods
To ensure you do not receive a ticket or have to pay penalty fees for lack of inspection, you will need to have your vehicle inspected within 3 days after returning to Texas. Also, we recommend you keep the inspection report in your vehicle to prove you have completed it if you are stopped by law enforcement.
I moved out of Texas. What do I do with my license plates?
We are sorry to hear that you left Texas but hope that you are settling into your new home. Your Texas license plates are yours to keep. Consider them a souvenir from our great state and something to remember us by. Should you choose to recycle your old Texas plates, cut them into pieces and place them in the recycle bin. This will prevent fraudulent use of the plates..
I'm in the military and Texas is my home of record. How do I title/register my vehicle?
- Title or out-of-state registration receipt
- Completed Title and/or Registration Application (Form 130-U)
- Check the Registration Purposes Only box if not surrendering the title
To ensure you do not receive a ticket or have to pay penalty fees, you will need to have your vehicle inspected within 3 days after returning to Texas. Also, we recommend you keep the inspection report in your vehicle to prove you have completed it if you are stopped by law enforcement.
- If the vehicle is in Texas
- The application should be submitted in person to a county tax office
- Copy of current proof of inspection from any state inspection station within the applicant's Texas county of residence is required
- Limited Power of Attorney For Eligible Motor Vehicle Transactions (Form VTR-271)
- Copy of your driver license or government-issued photo identification along with their identification when they go to the county tax office
- Ownership evidence, such as a foreign title or registration evidence. If the evidence is in another language, it must be translated to English and notarized.
- Import documentation, such as Form HS-7 from the U.S. Department of Transportation and proof of U.S. Customs Clearance.
For individuals serving abroad or out-of-state in the U.S. armed forces, a Texas physical address is required to obtain either Texas initial registration or renewal.
Registration Renewal
How do I check the status of my registration renewal?
- By mail: Please allow up to two weeks for delivery by the US Postal Service. If it has been more than 2 weeks since the mailing date on the online tracking tool and you have not received your registration, you can contact your local county tax office.
- Online: You will receive a confirmation email after you complete the online renewal process that will serve as your proof of registration until the sticker arrives. Be sure to keep the confirmation in your vehicle in case you are stopped by law enforcement. You may contact your local county tax office if you do not receive your renewal and it has been 2 weeks since the mailing date or if you need more information.
How do I renew my vehicle registration?
- Step 1: Obtain a Texas vehicle inspection at any state inspection station within the owner's/renewal recipient's county of residence, no earlier than 90 days before the registration expiration
- Proof of vehicle insurance will be required at the time of inspection
- Visit our website to find out when to inspect
- You received a citation for expired registration (a 20% registration penalty fee applies)
- Your registration is expired (online renewal is allowed up to 12 months after expiration)
- There is a hold on your registration due to certain unpaid fines, fees, or taxes
- ONLINE OPTIONS:
- We recommend waiting at least 24 hours after obtaining a passing inspection to renew online
- You can renew using the Texas by Texas (TxT) website or mobile application. TxT is an official, account-based digital government assistant that provides an easy, fast, and secure way for Texans to take care of government services – like vehicle registration renewal. To learn more about TxT, create a TxT account, and renew your vehicle registration, please visit the TxT webpage on Texas.gov.
- You can also renew using this online option without creating an account.
- A payment confirmation receipt email will be sent immediately to you if the online renewal is successful
- Approximately 3 business days later, a second email will be sent to you advising you if the renewal was approved
- If approved, the email will include a receipt that may be used as temporary proof of registration, while the sticker is in the mail process which may take up to 2 weeks to receive. Keep this in your vehicle in case you are stopped by law enforcement.
- Renewal notice or vehicle identification number or plate number
- Copy of owner's current driver license or government-issued photo identification
- Proof of current vehicle insurance (copy)
- Proof of current Texas vehicle inspection (copy)
- Fees: Contact a county tax office for exact fee amounts and payment methods
I do not have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). How do I renew my vehicle registration online, if the last 4 digits of the VIN are required?
To renew vehicle registration online, your vehicle must have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). In order to obtain a VIN, please follow the VIN Assignment/Reassignment Process steps outlined on the TxDMV website.
What is needed for someone to renew the registration on behalf of the owner?
- Written authorization (this can be a simple note)
- Some county tax offices have a required authorization form that must be completed by you. We recommend calling a county tax office to see if one is required.
I never received the renewal notice. Do I need the renewal notice to renew my registration?
You do not need the renewal notice to renew the vehicle registration when renewing online, in person, or by mail through the local county tax office. They are only required if you want to renew at a grocery store.
Salvage or Rebuilt Vehicle
My vehicle was salvaged. What do I need to do to get it on the road again?
- Title
- Evidence the loan is paid in full (original release of lien), if applicable
- Completed Application for Salvage or Nonrepairable Vehicle Title (VTR-441)
- Copy of applicant's current driver license or government-issued photo identification
- Check or money order for $8.00 payable to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (no cash)
- If the title is lost, there is an additional $2.00 fee, for a total of $10.00
You should receive the Salvage Vehicle Title within 3 weeks.
Step 2: Make any necessary repairs and have the vehicle inspected at any state inspection station. A state safety inspection must be conducted by an authorized state safety inspection station in Texas.
Step 3: Apply for title and/or registration by submitting the following in person to the county tax office:
- Salvage Vehicle Title (from Step 1)
- Completed Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U)
- Completed Rebuilt Vehicle Statement (VTR-61)
- Applicant's current driver license or government-issued photo identification
- Proof of current insurance
- Proof of current Texas inspection
- Fees: Contact a county tax office for exact fee amounts and payment methods
Selling a Vehicle
How do I let the DMV know I no longer own a vehicle?
- Submit it online
- Mail a completed Vehicle Transfer Notification Form to the address located on the form
- Visit a Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Regional Service Center
Temporary Permits
How do I get a temporary permit?
- A 72-Hour Permit and a 144-Hour Permit for commercial vehicle use may be obtained online.
- A Vehicle Transit Permit may be obtained online for private-party passenger vehicle sales in which the seller keeps the license plates.
What kind of temporary permit do I need?
- Vehicle identification number
- USDOT number for a 72-Hour Permit and 144-Hour Permit
- Applicant's current driver license or other government-issued photo identification
- Proof of current insurance
- Proof of passing vehicle inspection for a 30-Day Permit
- A non-refundable processing and handling fee of $4.75 is assessed per permit. The fee covers the cost to process the permit.
- Applicable permit fee:
- One-Trip Permit: $5.00
- 30-Day Permit: $25.00
- 72-Hour Permit: $25.00
- 144-Hour Permit: $50.00
- Cash, certified check, or money order accepted. Personal checks are not accepted.
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Regional Service Centers do not accept credit cards
- Contact the county tax office for their accepted payment methods
72-Hour and 144-Hour Permits are only available for commercial vehicles being used in Texas. These types of permits may be obtained online. NOTE: A valid USDOT number is required to obtain either a 72-Hour Permit or 144-Hour Permit.
A passing vehicle inspection is required to operate the vehicle on public roads. A Texas inspection can be obtained at any state inspection station within your county of residence. Proof of a passing inspection is required to obtain a 30-Day Permit. One-Trip Permits are exempt from inspection requirements.
Titling and Registering a Vehicle
I'm new to Texas. How do I title/register my vehicle and get my driver's license?
- Step 1: Obtain Texas vehicle insurance
- Some out-of-state insurance policies may be acceptable. We recommend you contact your insurance agent for assistance
- Proof of vehicle insurance will be required at the time of inspection
- Title or out-of-state registration receipt
- Completed Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U)
- Check the Registration Purposes Only box if you are not surrendering the out-of-state title
- Information for new residents is available on their website
Be sure to register your vehicle within 30 days of moving to Texas; otherwise, penalty fees may apply.
I just purchased a manufactured trailer. How do I title/register my trailer?
- Title is required if it is over 34,000 pounds gross weight or was previously titled
- Title is optional if it is 34,000 pounds gross weight or less
- Registration is optional if the farm trailer is 4,000 pounds gross weight or less
- Farm trailers are exempt from inspection
You will need to take the following to a county tax office in order to title/register the trailer:
- Evidence of ownership – Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, title, bill of sale, or out-of-state registration receipt
- Completed Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U)
- Completed Trailer Verification Statement of Fact (Form VTR-141)
Only required if the trailer is being titled and is:- A new travel trailer or park model trailer
- Any travel trailer or park model trailer last titled/registered out-of-state
- Any homemade trailer being titled for the first time
- Required for all out-of-state trailers, unless the empty weight is shown on the out-of-state title or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin
- Inspection is required for trailers over 7,500 pounds gross weight (farm trailers exempt)
- Inspect your trailer at any state inspection station within your county of residence. Look for stations with a TL or TLMC endorsement remark. We recommend contacting the inspection station to confirm they conduct trailer inspections
- Click here to view the inspection criteria for trailers. Proof of insurance for the vehicle pulling the trailer will be required at the time of inspection
Additional information on trailers, including requirements for assembled trailers, can be found here.
Titled trailers require a vehicle identification number. If the trailer does not have a vehicle identification number, more information can be found on the VIN Assignment/Reassignment Process.
Can I visit any county tax office to process my title/registration transaction?
You may always visit your local county tax office to process your title and/or registration transactions. An application for Texas title can be processed statutorily by your local county tax office, the county in which the vehicle is purchased, or the county in which the vehicle is encumbered by a lien. Some Texas county tax offices that are not statutorily required to process your transaction may be willing to process your transaction on behalf of your local county tax office. Please call in advance of your visit to a non-local county tax office to confirm if they are willing and able to process your title and/or registration transaction. NOTE: If the title application is processed by a statutory county (purchaser’s, seller’s, or lienholder’s county), local county optional fees are assessed based on the processing county. If the title and/or registration transaction is processed by a county willing to accept the transaction, local county optional fees are assessed based on your local county tax office. The title application fee is assessed based on your local county tax office.
Update Address
What is the difference between the owner on record and the renewal recipient?
The owner on record is a person that is responsible for the vehicle and owns and receives all correspondence. A renewal recipient is someone who may be able to renew the vehicle registration only and if different from the owner on record will receive only the renewal notice. A common example when the owner on record is different from the renewal recipient is when the owner on record is the parent and the renewal recipient is their child who is in college and lives at another address.
How do I update my address?
To change the address on your vehicle record, a completed Change of Address for Texas Motor Vehicle (VTR-146) will need to be submitted in person to your local county tax office or mailed to the address listed on the form. Please note, the Title Document field on the form is not required. The online option does not change the address for the owner on record, only the renewal recipient. This means if the owner of the vehicle in our vehicle registration system does not have the same address as the renewal recipient, the registration renewal notice and the registration sticker will be sent to the renewal recipient address, and all other correspondence will be mailed to the owner's address on record. A common example of this situation is the vehicle owner is the parent and the renewal recipient is their child who is in college and lives at another address. Any toll violations or notifications to the owner will be sent to the address on file for the owner, not the renewal recipient. If you want to change the renewal recipient address, click here.
- Provide an original prescription from your doctor with the required information