Imported And Out-Of-State Vehicle Registration In Texas

To register a vehicle in Texas, you must have a Texas address. If you do not have a Texas address, it is recommended that you use the services of visitor.us to register a vehicle purchased in Texas. Texas counties and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) handle vehicle registrations for the state. If you purchase your vehicle from a Texas dealer, you will be given a 30-day temporary registration. If you are purchasing a vehicle from a private party or a dealer and intend to register it in Texas, bring the necessary items to the county tax office of the address where you intend to register your vehicle.

Registering Out-Of-State Vehicles

Requirements

  • Vehicle title or a Certificate of Origin from the manufacturer (MCO).
  • Texas Title and Registration Application (Form 130-U)
  • Certification of Vehicle Identification Number Application (Form VTR-270)
  • The sale receipt should include how much the buyer paid for the vehicle and any sales tax.
  • Any Powers of Attorney, Repossession Affidavits, Lien Releases, etc.
  • The buyer's government-issued photo identification (driver's license, passport, military I.D.).
  • The buyer's insurance card (which demonstrates that it meets the Texas minimums of $30,000 in personal injury, $60,000 in personal injury per accident, and $25,000 in property liability).
  • A certified weight slip is required to determine the empty weight of a commercial vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds.

The Process

  1. As the dealer's agent, you and your customer, the buyer, must fill out the title's assignment section, including the required seller and buyer information, date of sale, signatures, and odometer reading. If you provide a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO), you must also include an odometer statement signed and dated by you and the vehicle buyer.
  2. Duplicate the buyer's government-issued photo I.D. (A valid driver's license, passport, or military I.D. is required.)
  3. Create a duplicate of the buyer's insurance card.
  4. Ensure that the buyer completes the Vehicle Identification Certification (Form VTR-270). When the vehicle is out of state, it is exempt from the Texas Vehicle Safety Inspection law if the Form VTR-270 is submitted along with the purchaser's paperwork.
  5. The sales taxes paid is shown on the purchase receipt (if you collected sales tax). If your state charges less than the 6.25 percent Texas sales tax, the buyer will owe Texas the difference between what the buyer paid in your state and our state's sales tax rate. If you did not charge sales tax, the buyer is obligated to pay Texas 6.25 percent of the purchase price. This is true for both new and used vehicles.
  6. Form 130-U - This form is essential to the Texas title and registration process, and both you and the buyer must complete it completely, sign and date it. If the vehicle has co-owners, they must sign and date the form. If the 130-U is not completed, the Texas title and registration will be rejected.
  7. The application package must include any Power of Attorney, Release of Lien, Repossession Affidavit, etc.
  8. Include the certified weight slip for a commercial vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds, which shows the vehicle's empty weight. (Applies only to commercial vehicle purchases.)
  9. Mail the application package and proper fees to:
Travis County Tax Office P.O. Box 149326 Austin, TX 78714-9326

Registering Imported Vehicles

Before registering a foreign-registered vehicle, car, or motorcycle in the United States (U.S.), you must first demonstrate that you or someone else filed an entry with the U.S. Border and Customs Protection (CBP). The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) would not register a vehicle that has been imported into the United States unless proof of an entry was filed with CBP and proof that the vehicle meets U.S. standards is provided.

Emissions and Safety Requirements

You will not be able to register the vehicle in the United States if it does not meet U.S. emissions or safety standards. You must either bring it up to U.S. standards or export the vehicle. If you imported your vehicle by land, make sure you declare it for import and complete the necessary paperwork at the border. If you did not do so, don't hesitate to contact a local CBP port and inquire whether they will process it for you.

Customs and Board Protection on Imported Vehicles

This could be a problem if you bought or were given an imported vehicle from someone in the United States who did not clear it with CBP before selling or giving it to you. It is against the law to sell an imported vehicle that has not been formally registered. It may be seized. When filing an entry for your vehicle with CBP, you must demonstrate to CBP that you own the vehicle and that it complies with U.S. Emissions and Safety Requirements. You must submit proof of ownership, such as a certificate of title, bill of sale, or manufacturer statement of origin, to a CBP Officer at the port. You must also submit Form HS-7 from the Department of Transportation and Form 3520-1 from the Environmental Protection Agency. Keep a copy of these forms in case the DMV requests one. You will receive CBP Form 7501 Entry Summary once you have officially filed your entry and paid duty on the vehicle. This form proves that you filed your entry with CBP, so keep a copy to show to the DMV when you register your vehicle.