How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Texas
Three ways to renew
1. Online
TxDMV says you can renew online 90 days before the expiration date, or up to 12 months after it if you have not received a citation for expired registration. Your expiration month does not change. You can use Texas by Texas (TxT) online or its mobile app, or the classic online renewal.
After you pay there is a two business day hold before your sticker is printed. TxDMV says to allow up to three weeks for processing and mailing.
2. By mail
Renewal notices are mailed to registered owners unless they chose paperless notices. Send these to your county tax office:
- Your renewal notice (keep the owner's section for your records)
- A copy of your Vehicle Inspection Report if you live in one of the emissions counties listed below
- Proof of current liability insurance
- All fees listed on your renewal notice
3. In person
Take your renewal notice and proof of current liability insurance to your county tax office or an approved substation. No notice? You can renew with your license plate number, your VIN, or last year's registration receipt. Heading to a Texas office anyway? If you also plan to update your driver license, see what to bring for a REAL ID in our REAL ID checklist.
Do you need an inspection?
Non-commercial vehicles in these 18 counties still need a passing emissions inspection before renewal: Bexar, Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson.
Most inspection records are available in near real time. If the system cannot verify yours, show the Vehicle Inspection Report from the station. You can also download or print a copy at mytxcar.org. Some county subcontractor locations, such as grocery stores, may not accept the report, in which case you will be sent to the county tax office.
Fees
The amount depends on your vehicle and county, so we do not list numbers here. Your renewal notice shows what you owe, and TxDMV publishes a fees page. Acceptable forms of payment vary by county.
Common mistakes
- Waiting until the last week, then missing the three-week sticker window.
- Forgetting the emissions inspection in an emissions county.
- Renewing on an unofficial website that adds a service fee. The official renewal links are on txdmv.gov.
Official sources
Apply or confirm details only on these official pages:
Frequently asked questions
How early can I renew?
TxDMV says online renewal opens 90 days before your registration expires.
What if my registration already expired?
TxDMV says you can renew online up to 12 months after expiration if you have not received a citation for expired registration.
I lost my renewal notice. What do I do?
You can renew using your license plate number, your VIN, or last year's registration receipt.