In texas drivers must register newly purchased vehicles

Table of Contents Show

How many days do you have to register a newly purchased vehicle in Texas?
What happens if you don't register your vehicle within 30 days in Texas?
How do I register my car after purchase in Texas?
Does Texas have a 30 day grace period for car registration?

Registration Requirements

Your vehicle registration sticker displays your license plate number, county of registration and partial vehicle identification number. This customization helps protect you against theft and fraud. Registration expires on the last day of the month shown on your sticker. For example, if your sticker shows a date of 12/22, your registration is valid through the last day of December 2022. Each time you register your vehicle or renew the registration for your vehicle you are required to provide the following:

Show Proof your vehicle passed a vehicle inspection within 90 days of your registration expiration and keep your Vehicle Inspection Report.
Click here to find an inspection station
Show Proof of Liability Insurance coverage for the vehicle with the following minimum requirements.
- $30,000.00 because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any accident,
- $60,000.00 because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident.
- $25,000.00 because of property damage in any one accident.

Most inspection records are available in real time, but there may be instances when the record is not immediately available. If your vehicle passed inspection but the system is unable to electronically verify it, you may present the passing VIR you received from the inspection station to the county at the time of renewal. If you need to show proof of inspection to complete your vehicle’s registration renewal, visit www.mytxcar.org to download, display electronically, or print a copy of the document. Your inspection will be verified manually, and you will be permitted to renew your vehicle registration.

Fees and Taxes

Cars and Light Trucks		$50.75
Pickup Trucks	Motor vehicles 6,001 to 10,000 pounds, which includes heavier pickup trucks	$54.00
Heavy Vehicles	Heavy vehicles, including heavy-duty pickups, motor homes and commercial trucks, will find their registration fees fall into seven weight classifications between 6,001 pounds and 80,000 pounds	varies
Trailers	Trailer and travel trailer fees to register a trailer up to 6,000 pounds.	$45.00
Mopeds and Motorcycles	The standard fee for mopeds and motorcycles. To be registered, must have a passing inspection.	$30.00
ATVs and Off-Highway Use Vehicles	All-terrain vehicles (three or more wheels, equipped with one or more seats, and not designed by the manufacturer for farm or lawn use) are required to be titled, but may not be registered. Off-highway motorcycles (two or three wheels) are required to be titled, but not registered.
Boats	Boats, boat motors and personal watercraft are registered and titled with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Motor Homes	The registration fee is based on weight for cars and trucks, including motor homes. For more information, contact your local county tax assessor-collector office. Proof of liability insurance and inspection is required to register your vehicle.	varies
Pocket Bikes and Mini Scooters (Gasoline or Battery-Powered Scooter)	Most of these vehicles do not pass a vehicle safety inspection and cannot be registered or driven on public roads. A secure Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin issued by a manufacturer registered with NHTSA is required to title any motorized vehicle.

Typical Breakdown of fees

Registration Fee - State	$50.75
TexasSure (Automated Insurance verification system)	$1.00
Road and Bridge - Bell County	$10.00
Child Safety Fee - Bell County	$1.50
Inspection Fee - State	$7.50
Processing and Handling Fee - State and Bell County	$4.75
Special Plates Fee(s)	?

Registration Fee: The Texas registration fee is comprised of the base registration fee for your vehicle type and $1 for the maintenance and operations of the Insurance Verification Project (TexasSure). 100 percent of your base registration fee goes directly to the State Highway Fund for the construction and maintenance of the state’s transportation system. For more information, please see our current registration fee chart at the bottom of this page.

Local Fee: The local fee is comprised of one or more fees assessed by your county of registration. Local fees vary from county to county and are established by county Commissioner’s Courts. The amount listed under local fees may range from $0 to $31.50 depending on your county of registration.

All counties may charge a fee of up to $10 for deposit into their county road and bridge fund. Certain counties are permitted to assess an additional fee for transportation not to exceed $20 to fund long-term transportation projects in the county. All counties may also assess a child safety fee of up to $1.50 to promote child safety programs including health and nutrition education and school crossing guards. For more information, please see our current registration fee chart at the bottom of this page.

* Bell County's Local Registration Fees total $11.50. ($10 Road and Bridge + $1.50 Child Safety)

Special Plates Fee(s): A special plates fee will only be assessed if the vehicle being renewed has specialty license plates.

Inspection Fee: The Texas inspection fee is the charge for the state’s portion of the inspection fee. At the time of inspection, motorists pay only the inspection station’s portion of the fee. The state’s portion of the inspection fee is collected at the time of registration or renewal. For more information, please see twostepsonesticker.com/motorists.

Processing and Handling Fee: The processing and handling fee covers the costs of processing vehicle registration. These costs include state and county services; creation of annual renewal notices; registration stickers; and other related services and materials.

Late Registration

If you renew your vehicle's registration in any month after it is due, you will be required to state whether anyone has received a citation for driving that vehicle with an expired registration. Depending on the facts, registration will be issued for a full year or a penalty of 20% in addition to the full year's registration will be charged.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm a Texan currently living out of state, How do I register my vehicle in Texas?
You must register your vehicle in the state or jurisdiction where you currently live, unless you are a full-time student or active military. If you are a student or active military, contact your local county tax office in the Texas county where you last resided for more information.
I have not received my registration renewal notice. What should I do?
You can renew your vehicle without the renewal notice if you provide the following to the Bell County Offices:
- Registration receipt from the previous year, or
- Texas license plate number, or
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Government issued photo ID
Ask the county office to verify your correct mailing address.
I moved to a different address in Texas. How can I ensure that I will receive my registration renewal notice?
It is important to update your address on your motor vehicle record. Updating your address will help ensure you receive your registration renewal notice. Failure to renew your registration is against the law and may result in a fine. Update your address online.
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.
I sold my vehicle, why did I receive a registration renewal notice in the mail?
Renewal notices are printed in advance, and at the time of printing our record still indicated you as the recorded owner. If you think the buyer of your vehicle did not transfer the vehicle title you should file a vehicle transfer notification. This lets us know that you no longer own the vehicle. You should file the transfer notice within 30 days of selling or trading in your vehicle in order to receive the state protection that no longer makes you responsible for that vehicle.
Note: Filing the transfer notification does not transfer vehicle ownership; it simply removes liability for what the new owner may do with your old vehicle. Contact our customer service at (888) 368-4689 or (512) 465-3000 with the VIN of the vehicle you sold for more information.
Submit a Vehicle Transfer Notification
Can I legally drive my vehicle after the registration expires?
Yes, for a limited time. A vehicle may be operated up to five working days after the registration expires without penalty. After those five days, you can receive a citation of up to $200.
I lost my registration sticker. How do I obtain a replacement?
You may obtain a replacement sticker from your local county tax assessor-collector’s office for a $6 replacement fee plus the $0.50 automation fee (to upgrade the registration and title computer system). You may be required to complete and submit an Application for Replacement Vehicle Registration Sticker (Form VTR-60) to your local county tax office.
I paid my registration renewal by mail, but haven't received my sticker. What's wrong?
Registration stickers are provided and mailed by your local county tax office. Please contact your county office, and provide the VIN and license plate number.
I paid my registration renewal online, but haven't received my sticker. What's wrong?
Registration stickers can be tracked at www.TxDMV.gov/track. You will need the license plate number and the last four digits of the VIN to track your registration sticker.
How do I get a copy of my registration receipt?
TxDMV Regional Service Center
County Tax Office
Request for Texas Motor Vehicle Information (Form VTR-275)

How many days do you have to register a newly purchased vehicle in Texas?

After the Sale. Under Texas Law, you do not have 3 days to cancel the purchase like you may with some transactions the dealer is required to register and title the vehicle in your name within 30 days, regardless of if you owe money on the vehicle to the dealer or another financier.

What happens if you don't register your vehicle within 30 days in Texas?

Failure to title within the 30 days results in an automatic $25 penalty, plus another $25 for each month the title is late. There are no waivers for these penalties, which means the (YOUR COUNTY) county tax office and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles cannot reduce or forgive what you may owe.

How do I register my car after purchase in Texas?

Registration To do this, you must visit your local county tax-assessor collector office. You will need your insurance card, proof of vehicle inspection (the Vehicle Inspection Report from the inspection station), and proof you own the vehicle, such as the registration or title from your previous state.

Does Texas have a 30 day grace period for car registration?

State law gives you a five-day grace period. Renew your registration at Texas.gov and you will receive a receipt that allows you to drive legally for 31 days until your sticker arrives in the mail. Just be sure to carry the receipt in your vehicle.