Registration Renewal in Texas

All vehicles registered in Texas must undergo an annual safety inspection, which is conducted at an official motor vehicle inspection station. Your inspection must be valid when you register your vehicle.

Two Steps One Sticker

A key law change enacted on March 1, 2015, significantly affects the vehicle registration and inspection process.

With this change, your vehicle inspection due date is now directly linked with your vehicle registration renewal date. In order to register your car, you must first pass any necessary safety inspections (all Texas counties) and smog inspections (select counties).

Upon successful registration renewal, you will be issued one sticker to be displayed on your windshield. This sticker will act as both your proof of registration and proof of inspection.

Visit the Texas DPS website to locate an inspection station near you, and see the Two Steps, One Sticker website for further details about the changes.

Read below for information about new inspection fee procedures in TX.

Out-of-State TX Residents

If you're outside of Texas when your registration renewal is due and cannot complete a vehicle inspection, you must notify the TX DMV and you will be permitted to renew your registration without completing the inspection.

You will need to have your vehicle inspected within 3 days of returning to Texas.

You may renew your Texas plates in one of three ways: in person, by mail, and online.

Renew in Person

Visit your county tax office and:

• Present your TX vehicle renewal notice. If you don't have it, you can still renew with one of the following:
  • Your license plate number. 
  • Your vehicle identification number (VIN). 
  • Last year's registration receipt.
• Provide proof of liability insurance.
• Pay your renewal fees (different county offices accept different forms of payment; call before visiting).
• Be sure your safety and/or emissions inspection is valid.

NOTE: Depending on your county, you may be able to renew at a licensed substation (such as a grocery store). Contact your County Tax Office for locations.

Renew by Mail

To renew your TX vehicle's registration by mail:

• Review your DMV renewal notice and make sure all information (address, name, vehicle) is correct. Retain the vehicle owner portion of the notice for your records.
• Complete emissions and safety inspection information on the notice, if required. You cannot renew your registration if your vehicle doesn't have a valid inspection.
• Provide a photocopy of your proof of insurance.
• Pay renewal fee with a money order or check
• Mail the paperwork and your fees to your County Tax Office.

NOTE: If it's been a few weeks since you mailed your renewal and you've yet to receive your new TX registration sticker and certificate, contact your County Tax Office to check the status of your registration renewal. Be ready with:

• Your VIN.
• Your vehicle's license plate number.

Renew Online

Before you can renew your TX registration online, you must meet the following requirements:

• Your county must participate in the online renewal system.
• You must be a resident in the county in which your vehicle is registered.
• Your vehicle's liability insurance coverage must meet the state's minimum requirements.
• You must have completed any necessary emissions and safety inspections on your vehicle. The TX DMV will check your inspection date electronically.
• You have not received a ticket for driving with an expired registration.
• You must have a valid e-mail account.

If you're eligible to renew online, visit the TX DMV's online renewal page (Spanish) and:

• Enter your license plate number.
• Enter the last four digits of your VIN.
• Enter your proof of insurance (required if the DMV's online verification system is unable to verify your coverage).
• Pay your renewal fees with a MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover card.

NOTE: If you need technical assistance when renewing online, call the TX DMV help desk at (888) 368-4689 or send an email to support@texasgovhelpdesk.com.

Your vehicle's registration renewal fees include a number of factors, such as base registration fees, DMV fees, and local county fees.

Base Registration Fees:

• Cars and light trucks: $51.75
• Pickup trucks between 6,001 to 10,000 lbs.: $54
• Mopeds and motorcycles: $30

DMV Registration Fees:

• $1 Department of Public Safety Fee (pays for the TexasSure insurance verification system).
• Up to $31.50 for Local Fee.
• State DMV portion of inspection fee.
• Additional fees depending on county:

• $10 County roads and bridges.
• Up to $20 for county long term transportation projects.
• $1.50 to promote child safety programs.

Inspection Fees:

As of March 2015, a portion of vehicle inspection fees must be paid to the TX DMV when you renew your vehicle registration. Previously, the total fee was paid to the vehicle inspection station.

NOTE: You will still need to pay a portion of you inspection fees to the inspection station.

The amount paid when you renew your registration will be based on the type of inspection required in your county and the type of vehicle you own. See the TX DMV website for details.

Late Fees and Penalties

Your TX registration is considered expired after the last day of your renewal month. If you forget to renew, you will have 5 business days after the end of your renewal month to renew your plates without penalty. After the grace period you risk getting a $200 ticket.

TX License Plates

Your renewal notice will indicate when it's time to get new Texas license plates. They will be issued to you at no charge.

TX law requires that all motorists maintain a minimum level of liability insurance at all times. Without valid proof of insurance, you can't renew your vehicle's registration.

To confirm TX insurance minimums or to update your coverage, visit our Texas Insurance Section.

For Texas residents serving in the military outside of the state, you may renew your registration:

• Online
• By mail

You must meet the renewal requirements, just as if you were in the state (see above). Additionally, before you complete your renewal, be sure to update your address with the TX DMV to your current out-of-state address. That way, you will receive your renewal materials in a timely manner.

NOTE: Additional information for military personnel in Texas may be found on our Military Drivers Section.

If your Texas license plates have been damaged or stolen, apply for new ones as soon as possible.

You also need to get duplicates of your TX registration certificate and/or license plate stickers from the TX DMV if they become lost or damaged.

How do I renew a car registration in Texas?

What do I need to renew my car registration in Texas?

Why can't I renew my Texas registration online?

Can someone else renew my car registration in Texas?

How much is it to renew my registration in Texas?