TxDMV appreciates your service to our country and are proud to be able to provide special services to military personnel, veterans, and their families.
We have grouped information, forms and links together based on what your needs are, for example, requirements for new residents, the process for transferring your vehicle, determining inspection requirements, applying for military plates, etc.
If you are a Non-resident serving in Texas, you are allowed, but not required, to register your vehicle with your local county tax office.
If you have any questions or would like additional help with your motor vehicle needs, call 1-888-DMV-GOTX or email us at AskDMV@TxDMV.gov.
Welcome to Texas!
We understand being in the military creates special situations when being relocated from one state to another, or from one country to another. Hopefully the tips and guidance we have gathered for you will help to eliminate some of your stress, or even make your relocation a breeze when it comes to your vehicle.
If you are temporarily stationed in Texas, you may keep your vehicle registration from your home state. You are required to keep your registration current.
If you find Texas as irresistible as we do and plan to make it your permanent home, then you need to register your vehicle here. As a new resident, you have 30 days to apply for a Texas title or registration along with obtaining insurance meeting the minimum amount of insurance coverage required by the State of Texas, and a Texas safety inspection and Vehicle Inspection Certificate. If you would like to apply for a Texas driver license the Texas Department of Public Safety issues driver licenses.
The Texas Veterans Portal is a resource for veterans, their families, and their survivors. It is a compilation of key information from many government agencies to help you find the assistance, services, and benefits you need.
Transferring Your Vehicle to Texas
Complete and submit a VIN Self-Certification form (Form VTR-270) or you obtain a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) issued by a vehicle inspection station.
Obtain insurance on the vehicle that meets the state’s minimum requirements. You will be required to furnish the declarations page for registration purposes.
Proof of military service or Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) along with a copy of your current government issued identification.
An Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U).
If you are applying for registration only (no title will be issued), you will need your current out of state registration receipt and to mark the “Registration Purposes Only” box on Form 130-U.
- Your current out of state registration
- To mark the “Registration Purposes Only” box at the top of the Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U).
Because we all enjoy the Texas roads and scenery, each vehicle registered in Texas pays fees unless you are exempt by law.
Fees
| Description | Estimate |
|---|---|
| New Resident Tax (if applicable) | $90.00 |
| Registration fee for passenger car or truck (6,000 lbs and less) | $51.75 (includes $1 Department of Public Safety insurance fee) |
| Title application fee (varies by county) | $28.00 or $33.00 |
| Local fee (varies by county) | Up to $31.50 (varies by county) |
| Processing and Handling fee | $4.75 |
| State portion of the vehicle inspection fee | Up to $30.75 (varies by county, vehicle type, and vehicle use) |
Since counties vary in their fees and their fees may change, be sure to check with your county for specific amounts.
Taxes
If you are a Texas resident and have not previously paid a Texas sales tax on the vehicle, you will pay either a 6.25% sales tax or the difference between the full amount of taxes less any taxes previously paid to another state. For used vehicles the value of the vehicle will be determined at the county and is based on the Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) of the vehicle. A SPV calculator is available on our home page for your reference. Information can be obtained by calling (800) 252-1382 or by visiting www.window.state.tx.us.
Please refer to our Military Packet for more information.
Insurance
Texas law requires the following minimum amounts of coverage for your vehicle:
- $30,000 bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident
- $60,000 bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident, with a $30,000 limit for one person
- $25,000 because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident
"No fault" insurance is not valid proof of financial responsibility in Texas. However, proof of financial responsibility from out of state or out of country is acceptable if the insurance company is licensed to do business in Texas and reflects the above minimum amounts.
Annual Vehicle Safety Inspection
Every vehicle registered in Texas and operated on a public roadway (unless exempted by law) must pass an annual safety inspection. The vehicle must have current, passing inspection prior to registration. You will need to present valid proof of liability insurance in order to receive your vehicle inspection report. Some counties also have emissions testing requirements. Please check with your county for requirements.
Texas approved inspection stations conduct vehicle inspections and VIN verifications. Many mechanics, repair facilities, and full-service stations are approved to perform the inspections. Look for the state inspection sign at their place of business.
Contact the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) at (512) 424-7293 or visit their website, for more information regarding vehicle inspections.
Importing a Vehicle
If you will be bringing in a vehicle purchased in another country, you are required to meet all federal and state importation requirements before you can title and/or register it in the state of Texas.
Your vehicle must meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More information concerning duty or other Customs matters is available from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Your vehicle must pass a Texas vehicle safety inspection and a visual verification of the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can have your vehicle inspected by any Texas approved Safety Inspection Station.
You must provide a certified English translation of any document printed in any language other than English.
If you are a Texas resident serving out of the state, you can retain your Texas title and continue to renew your registration. If you have a Texas title you must keep the registration valid and up to date.
If your vehicle is out of state and you are unable to complete a Texas vehicle inspection in order to renew your registration, you will be able to self-certify that the vehicle is out of state and will be permitted to register. In this instance, you will still be charged the state’s portion of the inspection fee at the time of registration. However, active duty military may be refunded this fee by completing a form that can be obtained by contacting a TxDMV Regional Service Center (RSC).
You may renew your registration using self-certification online, by mail or in-person. Please contact your county tax office for more information about their requirements for out-of-state registration renewal.
If you renew your registration using the out-of-state self-certification option, a remark will be placed on your vehicle record indicating that an inspection is still due. Once you return to Texas, you must complete a vehicle inspection within three days of your arrival at your home, duty station or destination. It is very important that you keep the Vehicle Inspection Report issued after completing your inspection in case you are stopped by law enforcement before the remark is removed from your vehicle record, which takes about 48 hours.
Be sure to change the address at TxDMV for your registration to make sure there is no time delay. Thanks for visiting and thank you for serving our country.
The emblem art featured on Texas Department of Motor Vehicles’ military license plates is sourced from Medals of America
- Order a Military Specialty Plate
- Military License Plates Brochure
- Disabled Veterans License Plates Brochure
International Symbol of Access (ISA)
If you’re a disabled veteran, you may have the International Symbol of Access (ISA) displayed on your military license plates; or choose to receive a maximum of two (2) disabled person placards. To do so, please complete and submit Application for Disabled Veteran License Plates and Parking Placards (Form VTR-615) to obtain your disabled license plates or placards.
Replacement Plates
If you order new military plates with a new design or an ISA to replace your existing military plates, a new plate number will be assigned. Disabled Veteran plate numbers will not change if an emblem or an ISA is added. When you receive your new plates, please surrender the old ones to your county tax assessor-collector so they may be destroyed or recycled.
Transfer of Plates
You may transfer your military plate to a new vehicle, but remember to inform your car dealer and/or county tax assessor-collector, so your vehicle’s registration record can be updated. You may be asked to clarify if the plate number is the designated “first set” or an additional set of plates, as registration fees differ.
Surviving Spouses
If you are a surviving spouse of a veteran, you may retain your spouse’s military plate unless it is a Disabled Veteran plate. You may also apply for a Surviving Spouse plate of your own. If you are the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, you must pay $3 for the first set of plates. Additional sets are free, but annual registration fees and any additional fees will apply. If you would like an ISA displayed on your disabled surviving spouse license plate, you must provide proof of your disabled status by completing an Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate (Form VTR-214).
Gold Star
If you are an immediate family member (defined as a parent, child, sibling, or spouse) of a person who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, you may order a Gold Star license plate. Only one set of Gold Star plates may be issued per person.
Parking Privileges and Fee Exemptions for Vehicles with Military License Plates
As of January 1, 2022, anyone parking in a disabled parking space must have a disabled person license plate or a disabled parking placard that features the International Symbol of Access (ISA). Currently, disabled veteran license plates do not feature the ISA.
Texans with disabled veteran license plates wishing to use disabled parking spaces in 2022 may apply for a disabled parking placard or for a new disabled veteran license plate featuring the ISA. The veteran must meet the eligibility requirements for a disabled parking placard or disabled person license plate featuring the ISA. Not all disabilities that qualify a veteran for disabled veteran license plates will qualify a veteran for a disabled veteran license plate featuring the ISA.
As of January 1, 2022, you may apply for a disabled parking placard and/or disabled veteran license plate at the office of your local county tax assessor-collector:
- For a disabled parking placard, download the Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate (Form VTR-214).
- For a disabled veteran license plate with or without the ISA, download the Application for Disabled Veteran License Plates and/or Parking Placard (Form VTR-615).
- Have your doctor or health care provider complete the Disability Statement section of the application or provide an original prescription.
- Submit the completed application(s) and payment (if applicable) to your county tax office.
Vehicles displaying the following license plates may park free of charge at a parking meter operated by a governmental authority other than the federal government (in alphabetical order):
- (Congressional) Medal of Honor
- Air Force Cross Medal
- Air and Air with Valor Medals
- Airman's Medal
- Army Distinguished Service Cross Medal
- Bronze Star and Bronze Star with Valor Medals
- Coast Guard Medal
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Disabled Veteran
- Distinguished Flying Cross Medal
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Legion of Merit Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Medal
- Navy Cross Medal
- Pearl Harbor Survivor
- Prisoner of War Medal
- Purple Heart Medal
- Silver Star Medal
- Soldier's Medal
- World War II
You should not assume all local and state parking will be free. Please be aware that some private and local government parking garages (for example, airports) are bound by local ordinances, and may not exempt parking fees in some situations. Some federal facilities require an ISA either on the plates or a disabled person placard be displayed.
Please call us at (512) 374-5010 if you have questions about military license plates.
Motor Vehicle Industry and Salvage Dealer Licensing Requirements
Military Benefits for Military Service Members, Veterans, and Spouses are extended to those applying for a new license or currently licensed as a motor vehicle or salvage dealer, converter, manufacturer, distributor, in-transit operator, lessor, or lease-facilitator. If you are current or former military, or a military spouse, you may qualify for a waiver or reduction in fees, expedited processing, or a waiver of requirements. The table below outlines the qualifications necessary to receive these benefits. For more information about dealer licensing, please visit our Dealers page.
Military Service Member
A current full time active duty member of the United State armed forces or an active duty member of the Texas military forces.
Military Spouse
A person who is married to a military service member.
Military Veteran
A person who has served on active duty as a Military Service Member and who was discharged or released from active duty.
| If Your Status Is... | Military Service Member (with or without another dealer license or previous Texas dealer license) | Military Service Member, Military Spouse, or Military Veteran AND licensed as a dealer in another state | Military Service Member, Military Spouse, or Military Veteran AND licensed as a Texas dealer in the last five years |
|---|---|---|---|
| What we offer you: | Waiver of late fees for renewals 2-year extension on renewal deadlines |
Expedited processing Initial license application fee waived **Eligible for discretionary waiver of application prerequisites |
Expedited processing **Eligible for discretionary waiver of application prerequisites |
**If you feel you have special circumstances that are not listed, you may be eligible for a waiver of application prerequisites. Contact us at (888) 368-4689 for assistance on how to apply or provide documentation.
If you are the spouse of an active military member and you currently hold an active motor vehicle or salvage industry license in another state, submit the Military Spouse Exempt form for verification before you apply for a Texas license. You may be eligible to operate as a license holder.
Refer to Occupations Code Chapter 55 for details on licensing benefits for military service members, military veterans, and military spouses.