Register an Out-of-State Vehicle in Texas
Quick answer
New Texas residents must register within 30 days of moving. You will owe a $90 flat new-resident tax, or the difference between your previous state sales tax and Texas sales tax if lower.
Agency
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
New-resident tax
$90 flat, or the difference between prior-state and Texas sales tax if lower
Deadline
Register within 30 days of establishing Texas residency
Online option
In person only
Find a verified place to new to texas
Lubbock County Tax Office (Main)
916 Main St, Suite 102, Lubbock 79401
806-775-1344
El Paso County Tax Office
301 Manny Martinez Sr Dr, El Paso 79905
915-273-3430
Tarrant County Tax Office
100 E Weatherford St, Fort Worth 76196
817-884-1100
Bexar County Tax Office
233 N Pecos La Trinidad, San Antonio 78207
210-335-2251
Travis County Tax Office
2433 Ridgepoint Dr, Austin 78754
512-854-9473
Dallas County Tax Office
500 Elm Street, Suite 3300, Dallas 75202
214-653-7811
Before you start
- Out-of-state title or registration
- Proof of Texas insurance
- Signed Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U)
When
Register within 30 days of establishing Texas residency
New resident bringing an out-of-state vehicle
Active duty military and out-of-state college students are exempt from this requirement.
Cost
New-resident tax
flat$90 flat, or the difference between prior-state and Texas sales tax if lower
New Texas residents bringing an already-owned vehicle
How it works
- Obtain Texas liability insurance
- Complete Form 130-U
- Visit your County Tax Assessor-Collector office within 30 days of establishing residency
- Pay applicable fees including the new-resident tax
Online option
Not available online
This requires an in-person visit; see the in-person section below.
In person
Must be completed at your County Tax Assessor-Collector office.
Common situations
Verified August 18, 2026, source: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles