The term "Vehicle" includes motorcycles, automobiles, trailers,
vans, and boats regularly parked or garaged overnight in Texas.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION:
You are not
required to register and title your vehicle in Texas if you are a nonresident
member of the United States Armed Forces (or dependent). Your vehicle
must display valid United States license plates and remain currently registered
at all times.
You must register and title your vehicle in Texas if you
establish residency. Your vehicle may be operated with current out-of-state
license plates for 30 days.
Vehicle Registration Costs:
VEHICLE INSPECTIONBefore registering your vehicle
in Texas, the vehicle must pass a safety inspection and a vehicle identification
number inspection. You must have proof of insurance at time of
inspection. Most service stations conduct inspections - the cost is
$12-15; the certificate is known as the "green sheet."
Documents Required
for Vehicle Registration - previous registration card, proof of insurance, green
sheet, lien holder's name and address, if not on the
registration. Out-of-state checks are accepted if local address and
phone number are written on check.
VEHICLE INSURANCEYou cannot
legally operate a motor vehicle in Texas without liability insurance coverage.
You must present valid proof of liability insurance coverage to receive or renew
your motor vehicle registration, driver's license, and vehicle safety
inspection.
The minimum amounts of coverage prescribed by law are as
follows:
- $20,000 bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident;
- $40,000 bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one
accident, subject to a $20,000 limit for one person; and
- $15,000 because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any
one accident.
To be valid, an insurance policy must be written for a
period of 30 days or more. "No fault" insurance is not acceptable as
proof of financial responsibility in Texas. However, proof of
financial responsibility from out-of-state or out-of-country is acceptable,
provided the insurance coverage is at least the minimum amounts described
above.
DRIVER'S LICENSE - Adults
A valid license from another
state for active duty members and their families is accepted in
Texas. One exception designates that if a family member becomes
employed in the local community, they have 30 days to obtain a Texas driver's
license. Civil Service employees and their families moving to the
state of Texas are required to obtain a Texas State Driver's License within 30
days.
To obtain a driver's license you must:
Driver's Licenses may be obtained at the
Department of Public Safety office.
If you have a
VALID Out-of
State License and you own a vehicle, you will need to bring proof of Texas
registration, insurance, Social Security Number, your Out-of-State License and
another item of identification providing proof of your name and date of
birth. The only exam required is the vision test. At this time you
will also be required to surrender your valid Out-of-State Driver
License.
If you have an
EXPIRED Out-of-State License, you
will need to submit all documents listed in the previous paragraph, and you will
be required to pass the written and driving exams, and a vision test.
If
you do not own a vehicle, you will not have to show proof of insurance, but will
be required to complete an affidavit of non-ownership.
DRIVER'S
LICENSE - Under age 18
Texas has a Graduated Driver License Program,
which has two phases of driving requirements for minors. Phase One
(Instruction Permit) Requirements:
- Applicants under age 18, but at least age 15.
- Must be accompanied by a licensed operator, seated in the front passenger
seat, who is at least 21 years of age.
Phase Two (Provisional
License) Requirements. Once the applicant has held an instruction
permit for six months, completes an approved driver education course and reaches
their 16th birthday, they are eligible to progress to Phase Two. In
Phase Two, driving privileges are restricted for the first six months of
issuance. During that six-month period, the applicant may not:
Please note that the passenger and time
limitations in Phase Two do not apply if the provisional license holder is
accompanied by a licensed operator age 21 or older in the front seat.
In
addition to the requirements for adult applicants, minor applicants must:
Minors Restricted Driver License/Hardship License
- may be issued when an unusual hardship is affecting the applicant's family -
i.e., sickness or illness in the family, transportation to school, or economic
emergencies.:
- The minimum age is 15, but less than 18.
- In addition to all other documentation and requirements (see above),
applicant must submit the DL-77 MRDL application for screening of eligibility,
available on the webpage or at a DPS office.
- Driver Education certificate may be required.
For additional
information, click on "Contacts/Links"