The Texas Out Of State Vehicle Registration Guide: How To Do It

In Texas, you have 30 days to title and register any new vehicle you purchase, whether you buy it in Texas, another state, or another country. If you’re searching “How to register out of state vehicle in Texas,” you’ve come to the right place. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process, including how to do it, the cost, and what to do for international cars. And if you’re in the market for a new car from a dealership you can trust, Boggus Tipton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has you covered. 

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Texas Out of State Vehicle Registration

Whether you bought the car in another state or simply moved to Texas, you have 30 days from the time you bring the car into the state to handle your Texas out of state vehicle registration. If you wait longer, you may have to pay a delinquent transfer fee when you finally register your out of state vehicle.  

How to Do It

When it’s time to register your out of state vehicle in Texas, all you need to do is go to your local county tax office. Texas no longer requires your vehicle to pass a safety inspection, unless it’s a commercial vehicle. However, if you live in Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, or Williamson County, your vehicle will need to pass an emissions inspection before you can register it. If the vehicle doesn’t pass, you’ll need to fix the issue before you can register your car. 

Additionally, you’ll need to make sure you have insurance for your vehicle. Texas requires a minimum of 30/60/25 liability insurance. That means that your plan offers $30,000 coverage per person for bodily injury, up to $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 per accident to cover property damage.

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost to register out of state vehicles in Texas differs based on the county you live in, among other factors. Here’s a general breakdown: 

• Base registration fee for passenger vehicles and light trucks: $50.75.
• Title application fee: $28 or $33, depending on the county you live in. 
• State portion of the vehicle inspection fee: Up to $30.75.
• Local county fees: Up to $31.50.
• Sales tax: 6.25% of the vehicle’s price. 
• Insurance verification fee: $1.
• Processing and handling fee: $4.75.

Not including the sales tax, the most you’ll pay for Texas out of state registration is around $151.75.

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How to Renew

Once a year, you’ll need to renew your vehicle’s registration. Luckily, the process is simple. First, you should receive a notification around 90 days before your registration expires that it’s time to renew. At that point, you can head into your county tax office to renew your registration.

If you don’t want to go in person, you can renew your registration by mail, online, or through the Texas by Texas mobile app. After your payment is processed, you’ll receive your new registration sticker within a few weeks. 

What’s the Process?

The process to register out of state vehicles in Texas is pretty straightforward. Remember, you have 30 days from bringing the car into the state to register. 

1. Obtain liability insurance of 30/60/25 or higher. 
2. Take your vehicle for an emissions inspection, if applicable. 
3. Gather all the documents you need. This typically includes proof of emissions inspection (if applicable), proof of insurance, the vehicle’s odometer reading, an original out of state title or other proof of ownership, proof of sales tax payment, a completed Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U), and the registration fee. 
4. Head into your county tax office. They will process all your documents and take your payment. 
5. Once everything is processed, you’ll be given a registration sticker to place on your vehicle. 

How to Do It If the Vehicle Is from Outside the US

If you purchase a vehicle from Mexico or another international location, you’ll need to follow a slightly different process for Texas out of state vehicle registration. 

1. Before you import the vehicle, make sure it meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 
2. Import the vehicle through the US Customs and Border Protection process.
3. If you live in one of the counties that requires it, take the vehicle for an emissions inspection. 
4. Take your vehicle for a VIN inspection by an officer who’s trained as an auto theft investigator. You can contact your local law enforcement office or the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority to set up the inspection. 
5. Apply for Texas registration. You’ll need to supply USDOT Form HS-7 or other proof that the vehicle was cleared through customs, a bond release from the USDOT, if applicable, a Vehicle Inspection Report, Form VTR-68-A from the auto theft investigator, Form 130-U, an odometer reading, and an ownership document. If the ownership document is another language, you’ll need to provide a certified translation into English. 

Register Out of State Vehicle in Texas Conclusion

Registering your out of state vehicle in Texas is fairly simple. All you need to do is gather the appropriate documents and head over to the nearest county tax office. Make sure to make the trip within 30 days of bringing the car into the state, or you may face some fines. 

If you’d rather purchase a vehicle close to home, come check out Boggus Tipton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. We have a huge inventory of new and used vehicles to choose from, and we’ll handle the registration process for you. Whether you live in Brownsville, Weslaco, McAllen, San Benito, or beyond, we’ve got your back. We even serve cities farther away such as Houston and Austin. Stop by today to start looking for your next car!

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