How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Washington From Out of State
Registering a vehicle from another state in Texas requires adherence to procedures administered by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. According to Texas Transportation Code Section 502.040, individuals establishing Texas residency must register their motor vehicles within 30 days of becoming residents or purchasing vehicles.
Base Registration and Title Fees
Costs associated with registering an out-of-state vehicle in Texas include state registration charges, title application fees, local county fees, and inspection program fees. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles determines statewide fee structures for all vehicle classifications, which county tax offices administer uniformly across Texas.
State Registration Fees
Registration charges in Texas vary based on vehicle classification and weight. The fee schedule established by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles specifies annual registration rates for different vehicle categories.
Registration Fees by Vehicle Classification:
| Vehicle Category | Annual Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Passenger vehicles and trucks (6,000 lbs or less) | $50.75 |
| Trailers and travel trailers (6,000 lbs or less) | $45.00 |
| Motorcycles and mopeds | $30.00 |
| Vehicles (6,001 lbs to 10,000 lbs) | $54.00 |
| Commercial vehicles (10,001 lbs to 18,000 lbs) | $110.00 |
| Commercial vehicles (18,001 lbs to 25,999 lbs) | $205.00 |
| Commercial vehicles (26,000 lbs to 40,000 lbs) | $340.00 |
| Commercial vehicles (40,001 lbs to 54,999 lbs) | $535.00 |
| Commercial vehicles (55,000 lbs to 70,000 lbs) | $740.00 |
| Commercial vehicles (70,001 lbs to 80,000 lbs) | $840.00 |
Local County Fees
Texas counties impose local fees on vehicle registrations, which range from zero to $21.50 depending on the county of residence. These fees fund local road infrastructure projects and are collected concurrently with state registration charges. Major metropolitan counties typically assess fees between $10.00 and $21.50 per vehicle registration.
Local County Fees for Major Counties:
| County | Local Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Harris (Houston) | $11.50 |
| Dallas | $11.50 |
| Tarrant (Fort Worth) | $10.00 |
| Bexar (San Antonio) | $21.50 |
| Travis (Austin) | $11.50 |
| Collin (Plano) | $11.50 |
| Denton | $11.50 |
| El Paso | $20.00 |
| Hidalgo | $20.00 |
| Webb (Laredo) | $20.00 |
Title Application Fees
Texas imposes standardized title fees for vehicle ownership transfers and new title applications. Title application charges differ between counties designated as emissions testing areas and those not designated as such.
Title Fees:
| Service Type | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Title application fee (non-emissions counties) | $28.00 |
| Title application fee (emissions counties) | $33.00 |
| Processing and handling fee (state-mandated) | $4.75 |
Counties requiring emissions testing—including Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, Travis, Williamson, El Paso, Collin, Denton, and others within designated metropolitan areas—assess the higher title fee of $33.00.
New Resident Fee and Use Tax
Texas levies specific tax obligations on vehicles brought into the state by new residents and on vehicle purchases. The Texas Comptroller administers motor vehicle sales and use tax collection through county tax assessor-collector offices.
New Resident Tax
Individuals relocating to Texas with vehicles previously registered in their names in other states or foreign countries pay a new resident tax in lieu of the standard motor vehicle use tax.
New Resident Tax:
| Tax Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| New resident tax (per vehicle) | $90.00 |
The new resident tax represents a one-time charge assessed during initial Texas registration. Vehicles brought into Texas more than 30 days after establishing residency, or vehicles not previously registered in the owner's name, remain subject to standard sales or use tax rates rather than the reduced new resident tax.
Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax
Texas imposes a 6.25% sales tax on motor vehicle purchases. This rate applies to the total sales price, less any trade-in allowance. For private-party vehicle purchases, the taxable value may be calculated using either the actual purchase price or the standard presumptive value established by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, whichever amount is greater.
Sales and Use Tax Rates:
| Tax Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Motor vehicle sales tax | 6.25% |
| Motor vehicle use tax | 6.25% |
Texas residents who purchase vehicles outside the state and bring them into Texas are subject to a 6.25% use tax on the purchase price, with credit applied for sales taxes paid to other states. The use tax obligation equals 6.25% of the sales price minus any sales tax amount previously paid to another jurisdiction.
Vehicle Inspection Requirements and Fees
Texas modified its vehicle inspection program effective January 1, 2025, eliminating mandatory safety inspections for most non-commercial vehicles while maintaining emissions testing requirements in designated counties. The Texas Department of Public Safety administers the inspection program and establishes applicable fees.
Inspection Program Replacement Fee
Beginning January 2025, all non-commercial vehicles in Texas are subject to a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee collected annually at registration, regardless of whether the vehicle requires an emissions inspection. This fee replaces the former safety inspection requirement for passenger vehicles.
Inspection Program Fee:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Inspection program replacement fee (annual) | $7.50 |
Emissions Testing Fees
Seventeen Texas counties require annual emissions testing for gasoline-powered vehicles two through twenty-four years old. These counties include Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson. Emissions inspection fees vary by testing region.
Emissions Inspection Fees:
| Testing Region | Maximum Inspection Fee |
|---|---|
| El Paso, Travis, and Williamson Counties | $11.50 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas | $18.50 |
Vehicle owners in emissions testing counties pay the applicable inspection fee to certified inspection stations when obtaining required emissions certifications. These fees represent maximum amounts authorized by state regulation; individual inspection facilities may charge less than the statutory maximum.
Commercial Vehicle Inspections
Commercial vehicles registered in Texas must undergo annual safety inspections regardless of county location. Commercial vehicle inspection fees are set at $40.00 per inspection.
Commercial Inspection Fee:
| Vehicle Category | Inspection Fee |
|---|---|
| Commercial vehicles | $40.00 |
Government Agencies and Contact Information
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
4000 Jackson Avenue, Austin, TX 78731
Phone: (512) 465-3000
Official Website: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles establishes vehicle titling and registration policies, maintains vehicle ownership records, and oversees county tax assessor-collector offices statewide. All vehicle registration transactions are conducted through county tax offices, which function as the primary service providers for motorists throughout Texas.
County Tax Assessor-Collector Offices
Texas operates vehicle titling and registration services through county tax assessor-collector offices in all 254 counties. The following offices serve major metropolitan areas:
Harris County Tax Office
1001 Preston Street, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 274-8000
Official Website: Harris County Tax Office
Dallas County Tax Office
500 Elm Street, Suite 3300, Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: (214) 653-7811
Official Website: Dallas County Tax Office
Bexar County Tax Office
233 North Pecos La Trinidad Street, San Antonio, TX 78207
Phone: (210) 335-2251
Official Website: Bexar County Tax Office
Travis County Tax Office
2433 Ridgepoint Dr., Austin, TX 78754
Phone: (512) 854-9473
Official Website: Travis County Tax Office
Tarrant County Tax Office
100 East Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: (817) 884-1100
Official Website: Tarrant County Tax Office
Collin County Tax Office
2300 Bloomdale Road, Suite 4192, McKinney, TX 75071
Phone: (972) 547-5010
Official Website: Collin County Tax Office
El Paso County Tax Office
301 Manny Martinez Drive, 1st Floor, El Paso, TX 79905
Phone: (915) 273-3430
Official Website: El Paso County Tax Office
Nueces County Tax Office
901 Leopard Street, Suite 301, Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Phone: (361) 888-0459
Official Website: Nueces County Tax Office
Webb County Tax Office
1110 Victoria Street, Suite 107, Laredo, TX 78040
Phone: (956) 523-4000
Official Website: Webb County Tax Office
Lubbock County Tax Office
916 Main Street, Suite 102, Lubbock, TX 79401
Phone: (806) 775-1344
Official Website: Lubbock County Tax Office
