Registration

_{1. Find an inspection station and obtain your a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR).  You will pay for the inspection service but NOT your state inspection and emission fees.  You will present the VIR at the time of registration.}

_{2. Select a renewal method: Renew ONLINE, by mail (PO Box 677, Gonzales, TX  78629) or in person at 427 Saint George, Suite 100, Gonzales, Texas  78629. Your state portion of the inspection fee will be collected at the time of registration renewal.}

Disabled Placard/License Plates

Texas law allows disabled residents to obtain either a) one set of plates with the international symbol of access plus one placard, or b) two placards. A placard may be displayed in any vehicle being used to transport the disabled person. If the vehicle does not have disabled-person license plates, the law requires that the placard be displayed on the rear-view mirror whenever the vehicle is parked in a disabled-person parking space. A disability statement form is available from the Tax office. The applicant's physician must complete the form VTR-214. The physician's signature must be notarized unless a separate written original prescription is submitted. The fee for a temporary placard is five dollars ($5.00). There is NO FEE for a permanent disability placard.  Placards must be renewed every four years.  For more information on disabled person placards and license plates, please see the Frequently Asked Questions About Disabled Person Placards/License Plates provided by the Texas Department of Transportation.

FARM

The following vehicles may be operated upon the highway without registration:

• A farm trailer or farm semi-trailer used in farming operations that does not exceed 4,000 pounds gross weight
• A farm tractor used in a farming operation and not "for hire" and
• Implements of husbandry (those devices used to till the soil and harvest crops)

Motor Vehicle Tax

Farm and timber machines, trailers and semitrailers used primarily for farming, ranching and timber operations (including machines and trailers used primarily in poultry operations and on feedlots) qualify for exemption from motor vehicle tax. Ag & timber Exemptions can be found at comptroller.texas.gov

Replacement Title

Send Form VTR-34 Application for a Certified Copy of Texas Title to Wichita Falls 

Texas Dealer Purchase

If you purchase a vehicle from a Texas Dealer, the DEALER is REQUIRED to process the title transaction.  Contact your dealer if you have questions about your purchase. 

Gift Transfer  
House Bill 2654 established new criteria for determining when a transaction qualifies as a gift for motor vehicle tax purposes. Effective Sept. 1, 2009, the only transactions that qualify to be taxed as gifts ($10) are those wherein the vehicles are received from a: spouse, parent or stepparent, in laws, grandparent or grandchild, child or stepchild, sibling, guardian, decedent's estate or if it is donated to, or given by, a nonprofit service organization qualifying under the Internal Revenue Code, Sec. 501(c)(3).

All other motor vehicle transfers made without payment of consideration are now defined as sales and will be subject to tax calculated on the normal standard presumptive value (SPV) of the vehicle as determined through the Registration and Title System (RTS).

The donor or recipient are the only ones that may bring in the paperwork into the Tax Office in order to process.

Donor:

• Complete the Assignment of Title section on the certificate of title.
• Sign the form Application for Texas Title (VTR-130 U)
• Complete, sign and notarize the Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer (14-317)
• Complete form Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification (VTR-346). When you submit the form a remark will be added to the vehicle record which shows the date you sold the vehicle. This can protect you if the buyer fails to promptly transfer the title.

Recipient: legal name on photo ID must match the name on all paper work

• Complete the Assignment of Title section on the certificate of title.
• From the date of sale, the recipient has 30 calendar days to complete the title transfer before late fees are assessed.
• Original signature on the sales tax affidavit form Application for Texas Title (VTR-130 U)
• Original signature and notarize the Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer (14-317)
• Valid government-issued ID
• Valid proof of Insurance
  • Must be in the name of all recipients.
  • Insurance on another vehicle owned by the recipients can be used for the first 30 calendar days from the date of sale
• Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) – Inspection Report showing emissions test overall passed and issued within the last 90 days. Required only if the vehicle is from out of state or was last registered or titled in a TX county without an emissions inspection program.
  • Exemptions include
    • Title only transfers
    • Vehicles less than 2 years old or vehicles older than 24 years
    • Diesel-powered vehicles, vehicles registered as an antique, motorcycle, and title only vehicles.
  • If the vehicle was purchased out of state ask the station for the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). Verify that the vehicle identification number on the form matches your vehicle information and bring the form to the tax office.  No alterations or errors will be accepted. Original signature of the inspector.
• Any supporting documents such as Release of Lien, Power of Attorney (VTR-271), etc.

Gift Transfer Fees

• Title Application fee $28
• Gift Tax $10
• Applicable registration fee
• If over 30 calendar days from sale date additional title and sales tax penalties may apply.

Individual Purchase

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles encourages a Title Check. For a small fee, approved Title Check vendors will provide a vehicle history including issues impacting the vehicles value. For more information visit the TxDMV website.

If you do not have acceptable evidence of ownership for a vehicle you own or recently purchased, you may have the option of applying for a bonded title.

Seller:

• Complete and sign the back of the Texas title, Assignment of Title section
• Insert the date of sale on the back of the title
• Complete form Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification (VTR-346). When you submit the form a remark will be added to the vehicle record which shows the date you sold the vehicle. This can protect you if the buyer fails to promptly transfer the title.

Buyer: **legal name on photo ID must match the name on all paper work

• Sign the back of the title, Assignment of Title section
• From the date of the seller's signature, the buyer has 30 calendar days to complete the title transfer before late fees are assessed
• Buyer must sign form Application for Texas Title (VTR-130 U)
• Valid government issued ID
• Valid proof of Insurance
  • Must be in the name of all buyers.
  • Insurance on another vehicle owned by the buyers can be used for the first 30 calendar days from the date of sale
• Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) – Inspection Report showing emissions test overall passed and issued within last 90 days. Required only if the vehicle is from out of state or was last registered or titled in a TX county without an emissions inspection program.
  • Exemptions include
  • Title only transfers
  • Vehicles less than 2 years old or vehicles older than 24 years
  • Diesel powered vehicles, vehicles registered as antique, motorcycle, and title only vehicles.
• If the vehicle was purchased out of state ask the station for the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). Verify that the vehicle identification number on the form matches your vehicle information and bring the form to the tax office.  No alterations or errors will be accepted.

• Any supporting documents such as Release of Lien, Power of Attorney (VTR-271) , etc.
• If you are a Texas resident who purchased a vehicle from overseas, please click here for additional requirements.

Title Transfer Fees

• Title Application fee $28
• Applicable registration fee
• Sales tax calculated at 6.25% on the purchase price or the standard presumptive value whichever is greater.
• If over 30 calendar days from date sale additional penalties may apply.

New Texas Resident

New residents are required to do the following within 30-90 days of moving to Texas (if more than 90 days please contact your local tax office):

• 30 days to get a vehicle inspection (VIR-Vehicle Inspection Report) 
• 30 days to register and title the vehicle, and
• 90 days to get a Texas driver license.

Bring all of the following items to our office:

• Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) – ask the station for the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). Verify that the vehicle identification number on the form matches your vehicle information. No alterations or errors will be accepted. Inspection station locator and information. Inspectors original signature.
• Original out of state title or last registration receipt.?If it is a leased vehicle, the leasing companies Power of Attorney. or Limited Power of Attorney form VTR-271 completed by the lessor is required.
• Completed Application for Texas Title (VTR-130 U)
• Valid government issued ID
• Proof of current Texas liability insurance or out of state insurance that meets or exceeds the Texas Requirements (may be listed on your insurance declaration page). The minimum amount of coverage required by the State of Texas: 
  • $30,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in one accident
  • $60,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in one accident
  • $25,000 for property destruction or damage to others in one accident
• Any supporting documents such as Release of Lien, Power of Attorney (VTR-271) , etc.
• If your vehicle is from out of the country, please click here for additional requirements.

Fees:

• Title Application fee $28
• Applicable registration fee
• $90 New resident Fee OR 6.25 % sales tax calculated on the purchase price or the standard presumptive value whichever is greater.
  • You may also need to provide paid sales tax verification if a vehicle has been previously registered and titled by you in another state. If you are transferring title into your name from a recent purchase you will pay Texas sales tax (6.25%) which replaces the new resident fee. Texas law changed on October 1, 2006 for the base amount used to calculate sales tax. See Standard Presumptive Value.
• If over 30 calendar days additional penalties may apply.

Bought a Vehicle Without a Title?

Bonded Title Information

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles requires an applicant for title or initial registration to present a current photo identification of the owner containing a unique identification number and expiration date.

• Driver’s license or state identification certificate issued by a state or territory of the United States;
• United States passport or foreign passport;
• United States military identification card;
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization identification;
• Identification issued under a Status of Forces Agreement;
• United States Department of Homeland Security identification document;
• United States Citizenship and Immigration Services identification document; or
• United States Department of State identification document.