Automotive
What you need to know about moving to and driving around Fort Worth - Dallas Texas.
I came from California myself. So I was surprised to learn that you register you car in a different office from the one you will visit to get your drivers license. The following information will cover some of the basics on what you need to know. I suggest you check out their websites for more information.
Actually... there's three offices, two buildings? The DPS handles Licenses (but mixes into autos sometimes). The DMV handles the start of auto registration by giving you the forms online, but the County Tax Assessors Office is where you physically go to complete the auto registration.
AAA: And for those moving from California; The Texas Automobile Automobile Association (AAA) does not currently have a contract with the state government to offer services for auto registration or license renewal but they do still offer roadside assistance, travel, and AAA insurance in Texas. The Texas AAA has it's own website as well.
Alternate Renewal Sites; You can often accomplish renewals of auto registration at local grocery stores such as Tom Thumb . Auto Registration renewal can also be done online at the TXDMV website.
Clear as Mud? Me too! So here's my best attempt to explain:
Drivers License
If you move to Texas you have 90 days to get a Texas Drivers License. During that time, you may continue to drive on the current license, but you must get switched over.
The TxDPS website states that "New Texas residents can legally drive with a valid, unexpired driver license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, Canadian province, or qualifying country for up to 90 days after moving to Texas."
***HINT*** When you get the new ID cards, they will ask you to surrender the Drivers License from your old state. Then, a few months later, you going to be shopping for insurance and they'll ask you for your previous ID numbers for the quote... but you can't remember them now. SO, make a high quality photocopy of the old ID cards BEFORE giving them up. Preferably, save those copies to a PDF and store them in the cloud. Then you won't be hassled when getting new insurance.
1. Residency Requirement. To get a drivers license you must first prove you are now a Texas Resident.
TxDPS Website:
To verify Texas residency, an individual must present two documents from the drop down menu below. Both documents must contain the individual’s name and residential address. One of the documents must verify that the individual has lived in Texas for at least 30 days. This 30 day requirement is waived for individuals who are surrendering a valid, unexpired driver license from another state.
Any of the following documents will be accepted to verify an individual’s Texas residency. The two documents provided must be issued by different companies or agencies. For example, an individual may not use a water bill and an electricity bill from the same company.
If you want to, you can keep your old ID, but then you have to take the written and driving test all over again. If you turn in your current ID, you can skip that part.
2. Apply for a new Drivers License.
Check out the TxDPS website for relocators HERE. You'll need to fill our some forms and most likely take a trip to the DPS office to get this done.
3. Expect Delays.
You may have heard that things are slower paced in the south. Well.... they are. They are also poorly funded and badly organized. So expect your new ID card to take 45 days (or more).
Also, being poorly funded, the local law enforcement relish the opportunity to pull you over every chance they get (Tickets = $).
So make sure to get the new ID WELL BEFORE the 90 days, and keep your paper copy while you wait. Also make sure to follow up on on the status as often as possible. Don't let this one slip your mind.
Car Registration
Unlike the 90 days you get for the drivers license, you have 30 days to register your vehicle in Texas.
1. Inspection: Electronic
TxDMV Website: New To TexasWelcome to the Lone Star State. You have 30 days from the time you move here to register your vehicle in the state. To learn how, follow the steps below. In no time at all, we will be proud to call you a Registered Texan!
Ah... the days when life was simple and all you needed was Smog Tests. Nope. Texas requires Two Steps to get that vehicle to code. The Inspection will include a Smog Test... and a bunch of other stuff...
You'll need to know what County you live in for this part, because requirements are county specific. You can look up your counties specific requirements on the Tx DPS website HERE... and yes, I said DPS. The two sites are mixing content... adding to the confusion.
Make sure to bring a valid ID and proof of insurance when you go to inspection. The good news is that inspection stations are easy to find. Most mechanics and Oil Changing shops provide this service. Jiffy Lube and NTB are two big ones out here. My Favorite has been Kwik Kar HERE.
2. Registration
So now that you have your inspection completed, and it must be done first, you can complete your registration. There will be one (or more) forms to fill out. I suggest pulling them from the website and filling them out on our computer so you can type/print. Handwritten forms leads to misinterpretation and problems.
Tx DMV Website:To do this, you must visit your local county tax-assessor collector office. You will need your insurance card, proof of vehicle inspection (the Vehicle Inspection Report or VI30 form from the inspection station), and proof you own the vehicle, such as the registration or title from your previous state. You can also show a current foreign/military ownership document or foreign evidence of ownership. Visit your local county tax office. You are not required to title your vehicle in Texas, but first-time registrants must fill out and complete Form 130-U. If you do not possess the title because it has a lien, you also must complete Form VTR-272.
3. Visit YOUR County Tax Assessor
In another post I talk about how to find out what County you live in. Here it's time to use that information to find your Tax Office.
Just head to the TxDMV website (HERE) and look on the right hand side column of the page. Look for Find Your Local Office and use the drop down boxes. If you live in the Fort Worth city limits, you are most likely in Tarrant County, that information is HERE. If you are not in Tarrant County, you'll need to go find your Tax Office.
County tax assessor-collector offices provide most vehicle title and registration services, including:
- registration renewals (license plates and registration stickers)
- vehicle title transfers
- change of address on motor vehicle records
- non-fee license plates such as Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans
- license plates disabled parking placards
- copies of registration receipts
- temporary registration
I hope that helped unravel the process just a little. We'll talk more in another post about how to do more specific things with your cars once you are here.
Life In Fort Worth By Darrell Wolfe
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