Registering a Car in Texas After Moving From Another State
Last verified: October 2026 against TxDMV and Texas Comptroller sources
If you move to Texas with a car, you have 30 days to register it at your county tax assessor-collector’s office.
Here is what to do and what to bring.
Step by step
- 1
Mark the 30-day deadline
You have 30 days from the time you move to Texas to register your vehicle.
- 2
Get Texas liability insurance
Texas requires at least $30,000 per injured person, up to $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
- 3
Get an emissions inspection if your county requires one
In Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson counties, pass an emissions inspection before you register. Non-commercial vehicles no longer need a safety inspection.
- 4
Register at the county tax office
Bring your insurance card, proof that you own the car (your previous state’s title or registration), and a completed Form 130-U. TxDMV notes that you are not required to title the vehicle in Texas to register it.
- 5
Pay the new resident tax and fees
If the car was registered in your name in another state, you pay a $90 new resident tax instead of the 6.25% motor vehicle tax. It does not give credit for tax paid elsewhere. If the car was never registered in your name in another state, motor vehicle use tax applies instead.
Registration is $50.75 plus $1 TexasSure for a car or light truck of 6,000 lbs or less, plus the inspection program replacement fee and any county fees.
What to bring
- Proof of Texas liability insurance
- Your previous state’s title or registration in your name
- Form 130-U, Application for Texas Title and/or Registration
- Passing emissions inspection, if you live in one of the 17 emissions counties
- Payment for the $90 new resident tax and registration fees