Registration FAQs

Where do I go to register my car?

Vehicle registrations are handled at your local County Tax Assessor-Collectors office, or at a convenient location it has designated. If you are renewing an existing registration, you can renew by mail or, in many counties, online.

How do I get a duplicate registration?

If you require a replacement Texas vehicle registration, you will need to contact the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to request a duplicate.

What form do I need to apply for title?

The key form for most vehicle titling issues is the Application for Texas Certificate of Title. This form comes with an instruction sheet.

How do I get a duplicate title?

Submit the following to your local vehicle titles and registration office: a completed title application, a copy of the owner's photo ID, and a check or money order for $2 (by mail) or $5.40 (in person) payable to "Texas Department of Transportation."

How do I get a replacement sticker or license plate?

Visit your local county tax office. Be prepared to pay a $5.30 fee―$6.30 in counties with more than 50,000 residents.

I received a Title Application of Receipt, but I expected to receive a vehicle title after I paid off my car loan. What do I do with this receipt, and why didn't I get my title?

The original certificate of title is sent to the first lienholder on the vehicle. The Title Application of Receipt is official notification that you are qualified to apply for a title on the vehicle. Take it into your local County Tax Assessor-Collectors office and apply for a new title.

What if I don't receive my registration?

Contact your local county tax office and verify your correct mailing address.

I recently moved to the next county; do I have to fill out a form to change the address on my car registration?

Yes, or else you may be fined. Also, in order for TxDOT (through the County Tax Assessor's Office) to mail you your registration renewal, it must have your current address on file. You can update your address online (in some counties), by submitting via mail a change of address form, or by stopping by the county tax office.

Suppose there is a warrant out for my arrest, or my immigration status is questionable. If I register my vehicle, will you turn me in?

According to the Dallas County Tax Office, it is not an enforcement agency and will not turn you in; other county policies may differ.

I have a question about titling that I can't find the answer for. What office should I contact?

You may contact your local County Tax Assessor-Collectors office for many questions. You can also contact the Texas Department of Transportation, Vehicle Titles and Registration Division. The VTR's telephone number is (512) 465-7611. That division also offers a TDD line at (512) 302-2110 (this number requires special equipment).

How can I protect my car from being stolen?

The Texas Automobile Theft Prevention Authority has compiled a handy set of pages with tips on how to keep your car from being stolen. Highlights include Tips to Protect Your Vehicle (keep it locked!), how not to buy a stolen car, and much more.

If you never drive late at night, you may want to register your car with the Texas H.E.A.T. program. This system puts your car in a database allowing police to stop it without cause if it is seen on the road between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. (or 24 hours a day for attempts to cross the border into Mexico).

Does TxDOT have a special type of registration for vehicles that are non-operable of being placed into storage?

No, it doesn't.

However, you may opt to simply let the registration lapse, and then reinstate it later. You will not have to pay any registration fees for the lapsed period.

Is there any way to deduct my vehicle registration fee from my taxes?

Possibly. According to the IRS's Publication 17 (see page 146), you can deduct the portion of the registration fee that is based on your car's value. The IRS counts this as personal property tax, even if it is called a registration fee or a usage fee. For instance, if your car is worth $2000 and your state charges you 1% of the car's value ($20) every year as part of your registration, you may deduct that amount. You may not deduct other registration fees, such as fees based on weight.

To find how much to deduct or whether you can deduct at all, you may need to look on your registration card or registration renewal form to see if this fee is itemized. If you still can't figure out whether your state charges a fee based on your vehicle's value, then call your local DMV office and ask how they calculate the registration fees.

For tax questions, call the IRS or a tax professional.

Handy Links

• Registration and Titling Information

• More on Car Registration

• Title Transfers

• Boat Registration

• Custom-built Car Registration

• Car Insurance