According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) if you are a new resident and own a motor vehicle, you are required by state law to get a Texas vehicle inspection, vehicle title/registration and driver license. You must follow these steps within 30 days of moving to Texas to operate your vehicle legally.
Step 1 - Get a Vehicle Inspection
Step 2 - Apply for a Texas Vehicle Title/Registration
Step 3 - Apply for a Texas Driver License
All Texas registered vehicles are required to receive an annual inspection. All inspections include a comprehensive safety inspection; however some vehicles are required to have an emissions test in addition to the safety inspection. The TX DPS site has a list of the items that are looked at during the inspection process.
The TX DOT notes that Texas motorists driving in Texas should be made aware that the state is host to a dual inspection program. Since 1996, four (4) counties in the state have had an emissions based test in addition to their annual safety inspection. Those counties include Dallas, El Paso, Tarrant and Harris. So if you move to one of these counties you will have to go through 2 inspections to have your car pass and be considered roadworthy.
[Let CarInsurance.com help you find affordable auto insurance now.] Next you need to get your car titled and registered in Texas. After your vehicle passes inspection, take the inspection certification and proof of insurance (required by law) to your county tax office. Here you will need to
- Provide the vehicle's odometer reading if it is less than 10 years old.
- Present an original out-of-state title or current foreign/military ownership document. If your title is unavailable, take your registration document and proof of sales tax payment.
- Submit a vehicle title/registration form (available online at TX DOT site)
- Pay the following for each vehicle you title/register: a. registration fee, b. title application fee of $28 or $33, depending on the county, and c. new resident tax of $90.
Additional fees may also be due at the time of registration. The tax office for the county in which you move to in Texas can provide you with more information, as can the TX Comptroller of Public Accounts.
There are exceptions of who must title and register their car within the 30 day period. You are not required to title or register your vehicle if you are a non-resident active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces or a non-resident full-time student attending a Texas college or university, as long as your out-of-state registration remains current. For more information about the vehicle title/registration process, please call (512) 465-7611.
The Texas DOT notes that normally the steps for a new resident (over 18 and with a valid out-of-state driver's license) to obtain a driver's license include the following:
- Provide proof of Identity.
- Provide proof of Social Security Number.
- Provide proof of Texas vehicle registration and proof of liability insurance on all vehicles owned.
- Complete required forms available at any Texas Driver License office.
- Pay the required fee.
- Pass a vision exam.
- If you have a VALID out-of-state license in your possession, it must be surrendered at the driver license office.
Since you have a Canadian driver's license the requirement may vary a bit so it would be wise to contact the DPS Driver License customer service department at (512) 424-2600 before going in and applying for a Texas license.
We contacted the TX DOT to see if we could get information specifically on your situation. Their representative responded that this TX state department has no law enforcement authority concerning driver's license, liability insurance and safety inspections. For information regarding your issues, the DOT suggested that you contact the Texas Department of Public Safety at (512) 424-2000.
The DOT representative did note that once you have relocated to Texas, you can contact your county tax office for information on what is required to obtain title and
registration for your vehicle. There is a listing of all county tax offices on the TX DOT web site. Once on their sit go under Citizen, More and then select your county's tax office.
Free Auto Insurance Quotes
The TX DOT and Department of Public Safety (DPS) both stated that before starting this whole process you will need to obtain Texas auto insurance for at least the minimum liability limits of $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 for everyone injured in an accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This is considered 25/50/25 coverage.
Most insurance providers will want you to have a US driver's license. With your Canadian license many insurers will start your car insurance policy as long as you are able to obtain a Texas license within a short period of time, typically meaning 30 days. You can get a quote for Texas car insurance prices here with us. | 
