Licenses, Motor Vehicle Regulations & State Regulations
Licenses
Within 30 days after moving to Texas you will need to have a Texas driver's license. If you have a valid driver's license from another state and wish to obtain a Texas license, you will be required to take the written and vision tests, but no driving test. The license costs $24 and is good for six years. There is a $10 charge for address change (add $1 processing fee if done on-line). Information on obtaining and renewing driver's licenses, including driver's license office locations, is available at the Texas Department of Public Safety (Texas DPS) Web site. Trainee & Alumni Affairs will need to see a legal photo ID on the day you check in. Therefore, do not surrender your photo driver's license until after that has been done.
Automobile Registration
New residents must register and title their out-of-state licensed vehicles within 30 days of establishing residence or beginning employment in Texas. All applications for a Texas Certificate of Title and Registration must be filed with the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector at the Harris County Administration Building, 1001 Preston, or at any of the 14 area substations. Registration renewal may now be done online. Before registering a vehicle, a new resident must have it inspected at an authorized state inspection station. These stations are identified by a sign with a Texas State silhouette. State inspections are valid for one year following the inspection. The average cost for the inspection is $25 in Harris County, where a vehicle emissions test is also required. Brakes, tires, lights, steering and exhaust systems are the major components checked. Proof of liability insurance is required before an inspection sticker will be issued. For more information on auto inspections visit the Texas DPS Web site.
The new resident must then proceed to the Tax Assessor-Collector's Office or a substation. Substations tend to be easier, but plan to spend time in line. It is necessary to bring the inspection form (obtained at the inspection station), the amount of mileage on the car and last registration and title. If there is a lien on the car, bring the name and address of the lien holder. The person in whose name the car is registered must be present to fill out the application. Fees include $90 for new resident tax, $33 title fee and license plate fees. License plate fees are determined by the age of the vehicle and the date the application is filed. Costs run from $54.30 to $72.30 for passenger cars. License plate renewals are valid for one year. Windshield decal stickers are used to update plates. For more information, contact Paul Bettencourt, Tax Assessor-Collector, at (713) 368-2000, and ask for the automobile department, or visit the Harris County Tax Office Web site.
Passenger Car Trailers
A license is required. Trailer must comply with state light, brake, hitch and size regulations. Fees vary, depending on weight of the trailer; the minimum is $24.
Motorcycles
Driver's license fee is $24 and is valid for four years from birth date (month and day). Driving between lanes is prohibited. Annual inspection fee is $10.50.
Registration is required; the fee is $42.80 plus $0.30 reflectorization fee. Registration is valid for one year from date of issue. Title is also required; the fee is $13.00.
Effective September 1, 1997, persons at least 21 years old are exempt from wearing a motorcycle helmet if they:
- Have successfully completed a motorcycle safety course
or
- Are covered by a health insurance plan providing the person with at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of an accident while operating or riding upon a motorcycle
More information on motorcycle riding in Texas is available at the Texas DPS Web site.
Mopeds
Driver's license fee is $24.00, or endorsement presently held operator's license is $15.00. Minimum age is 15. Moped license fee for a 15-year-old is $13.00.
Registration is required, a $42.80 plus $0.30 reflectorization fee. Title is also required; the fee is $13.00. Mopeds must pass annual inspection; the fee is $12.50.
More information on moped riding in Texasis available at the Texas DPS Web site.
Watercraft
Registration is required. Fees vary depending on length of boat. For information contact the Department of Parks and Wildlife at (512) 389-4828, or by visiting the Web site.
Insurance
All motor vehicles must carry evidence of financial responsibility for liability - either an insurance card, a self-insurance certificate issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety or a certificate of deposit from the State Treasury. This is required before an inspection sticker, driver's license or vehicle registration sticker can be issued.
The minimum coverage required by law is $20,000 per person for deaths and injuries up to $40,000 for any one accident, and up to $15,000 in property damage. The fine for not having liability insurance is $175 to $350. Repeat offenders must pay $350 to $1,000 and may have their vehicles impounded for 180 days, plus have their driver licenses suspended.
Seat Belt Law
Anyone in the front seat of a passenger car or light truck must wear a safety belt if included as original equipment in the vehicle, unless a written statement from a physician excludes him or her for medical reasons.
All children under the age of 15 riding in motor vehicles in Texas must wear seat belts regardless of where they are seated.
The law requires the use of safety seats for children under two and safety seats or seat belts for three-year-olds.
Bicycle Helmets
A Houston City Ordinance requires bicyclists under age 18 to wear helmets. First violation is a $50 fine with $100 fines for subsequent violations. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), helmets can reduce the risk of injury or death by 85 percent. Bike helmets must meet one of four existing safety standards. Before buying a helmet, look for a label inside that says it conforms to ANSI, ASTM, SNELL or CSA standards. When buying a helmet for a child, take the child along to try it on.
The following are highlights of Texas traffic laws that are particularly applicable to city driving.
Lane Changing
On roadways with three or more one-way lanes (such as freeways or one-way thoroughfares), a vehicle entering a lane of traffic from a lane to the right must yield right-of-way to a vehicle entering the same lane of traffic from the lane to the left. You must always signal when changing lanes.
Right turn on Red
After stopping for a red light, you may turn right if the intersection is clear, and may turn left if both intersection streets are one-way. Turns on red may be prohibited by traffic signs.
Alcoholic Beverages
Liquor is sold by the package in liquor stores and by the drink in any type of licensed establishment. Legal age is 21. The sale of liquor, beer and wine in a city, county or precinct, however, is determined by local option. In a dry precinct, city or county, no alcoholic beverages may be sold. One tax-paid quart of liquor, case of beer or gallon of wine may be imported by persons over 21 years of age. It is against the law in Texas to drink an alcoholic beverage while driving or to have an open alcoholic beverage container in a moving vehicle.
Pets
State laws require that dogs and cats over three months of age have health certificates and vaccination certificates proving that the animal is currently vaccinated against rabies (within the last 12 months). Dogs and cats under three months may be admitted without rabies vaccinations but must be vaccinated when they reach three months of age. For information, visit the Texas Department of Health Zoonosis Division or Houston Department of Health & Human Services Bureau of Animal Regulation & Care.
Horses must be accompanied by a health certificate and have a negative EIA test within six months prior to entering Texas. There are, however, certain exemptions to the regulations. For information, contact the Texas Animal Health Commission, P.O. Box 12966, Austin, Texas 78711, (512) 719-0700 or 1-800-550-8242.
Plants
A certificate of inspection is required, and plants are subject to inspection upon arrival. Citrus plants from all states and certain palms from Florida are prohibited. In addition to these requirements, the Camellia Flower Blight Regulation requires that camellia plants be free from soil and not show any trace of color. For information, contact the State Department of Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin Building, 1700 North Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 463-7476.
An inspection is required for house plants entering the state of Texas from Connecticut. Connecticut residents must contact the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station several weeks in advance to schedule an inspection.