Texas law requires vehicles be registered either in the state of
Texas or in the military member's home state. Motor vehicles in the
state of Texas include cars, vans, SUVs, recreational vehicles, and
boats.
International plates are allowed for 30 days after arriving in the
United States.
The first step to registering a vehicle in Texas is to
pass a safety inspection. These cost $12.50 and can be done at any
facility displaying a shield with the State of Texas on it. If the
vehicle fails the inspection, the owner has 15 days to correct the
deficiency. If the correction is not made within 15 days, the owner
is charged a second time for the next inspection.
To register your
vehicle, please take the following to any of the locations listed
listed:
Valid driver's
license
Vehicle registration if title shows a
lienholder
Title if it does not show a lienholder
Proof of insurance
Customs form if returning from an overseas location
Proof of previously paid state sales taxes
Expect the following
charges:
New resident
fee
$90
Application
fee $33
Registration
fee Depends
on vehicle
Sales tax, if
applicable
Information regarding registration fees is available at the
Bexar County Tax Assessor's website shown in the topic contacts.
If you
purchased a car overseas, you may be subject to customs and sales
taxes.
Texas driver's licenses are issued by the Texas Department of
Public Safety. To get a license, go to one of the office's listed
listed with the following
documents:
Current US or
International Driver's License
Proof of
Social Security Number
Proof of insurance
if you own a vehicle.
If not a US
citizen, bring passport.
It may be necessary to take a written and/or a
driving test as well. Please refer to the Texas Department of Public
Safety website to download a Texas driver's manual.
Driver's permits are
available for those who are 15 years old, and 16 year olds are eligible for a
driver's license with some restrictions for the first six months after
issuance.
The websites offer additional information.