Moving to Texas: car title and registration costs
Moving to Texas with a car you own: title and registration come to about $182.00–$221.25 for a $20,000 car you have owned over a year (estimate). Register within 30 days of moving (Texas Department of Motor Vehicles).
Tax on the car itself: $90.00.
Estimate of government charges. The DMV or county office calculates the final amount.
Your own numbers
Set up for: moving to Texas · Different situation?
Every line for a new resident
| Line | Group | Amount | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| New resident tax | State & local tax | $90.00 | Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts |
| Title application fee | Title | $28.00–$33.00 | Texas Department of Motor Vehicles |
| Base registration fee (by gross weight) | Registration & plates | $50.75 | Texas Department of Motor Vehicles |
| TexasSure insurance verification / DPS fee | Registration & plates | $1.00 | Texas Department of Motor Vehicles |
| County local fees (road and bridge, transportation, child safety) | Registration & plates | $0.00–$31.50 | Texas Department of Motor Vehicles |
| Inspection replacement fee (non-commercial vehicles) | Registration & plates | $7.50 | Texas Department of Motor Vehicles |
| Emissions inspection fee (18 emissions counties only) | Registration & plates | $0.00–$2.75 | Texas Department of Motor Vehicles |
| Processing and handling fee | Registration & plates | $4.75 | Texas Department of Motor Vehicles |
Deadlines
- Title in buyer's name within (days from sale): 30 days (Texas Department of Motor Vehicles)
- Private-party buyer pays tax within (calendar days of purchase): 30 days (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts)
- New resident registers within (days of moving): 30 days (Texas Department of Motor Vehicles)
- Active duty military: title/register and pay tax within (calendar days): 60 days (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts)
Sales tax when you move
- New resident tax: In lieu of use tax, only if the vehicle was already registered in the new resident's name in another state or country. No credit for tax paid elsewhere. Otherwise use tax (6.25%) applies.
Checklist before the DMV visit
- Your out-of-state title (or the lender's details if there is a loan) and current registration
- Proof of insurance that meets the state's requirements
- Your new driver license or ID, and proof of your new address
- Odometer reading; some states also need a VIN or safety/emissions inspection
- Proof of sales tax you paid when you bought the car, if it was recent (several states credit it or exempt you)
After that: yearly renewal
See registration and title fees in Texas for the yearly cost.
Official tools: TxDMV Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) calculator · TxDMV registration renewal (shows your fee)
Sources
- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts: Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles: Add/Remove a Lien on a Vehicle (title fee)
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles: Register Your Vehicle (fees)
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles: New to Texas
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles: Form 130-U Application for Texas Title and/or Registration
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles: Buying or Selling a Vehicle
FAQ
How long do I have to register my car after moving to Texas?
New resident registers within (days of moving): 30 days, per Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
Do I pay sales tax when I bring my car to Texas?
In lieu of use tax, only if the vehicle was already registered in the new resident's name in another state or country. No credit for tax paid elsewhere. Otherwise use tax (6.25%) applies.
How much does it cost to register an out-of-state car in Texas?
About $182.00–$221.25 for a $20,000 car owned over a year (estimate of title and registration).