What Texas car registration fees include
Texas car registration fees combine a state base fee set by weight, county local fees and a few fixed state charges, all listed on TxDMV's 2026 fee chart.[1] Since January 1, 2025 passenger cars no longer need a safety inspection; owners instead pay a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee at registration.[3]
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base registration fee | $50.75 |
| TexasSure insurance verification | $1.00 |
| County local fees | $0 to $21.50 (law allows up to $31.50) |
| Inspection program replacement fee | $7.50 |
| Emissions fee, state portion (17 counties) | varies; TxDMV sample $2.75 |
| Processing and handling | $4.75 |
| Electric vehicle fee | $200 |
The electric vehicle fee has applied since September 1, 2023 and does not apply to hybrids or other combination-fuel vehicles.[4][2]
Texas vehicle registration fees by county
The county local fee is the part that changes from place to place: most large counties charge $10 or $11.50, while Bexar and Cameron charge $21.50.[1]
| Local fee | Counties |
|---|---|
| $21.50 | Bexar, Cameron |
| $20.00 | El Paso, Hidalgo, Webb |
| $11.50 | Bell, Brazos, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Denton, Fort Bend, Guadalupe, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, McLennan, Parker, Potter, Randall, Rockwall, Smith, Travis, Wichita, Williamson |
| $10.00 | Brazoria, Ector, Ellis, Galveston, Hays, Jefferson, Lubbock, Midland, Montgomery, Nueces, Tarrant, Taylor |
| $9.00 | Gregg |
| $7.50 | Winkler |
| $7.00 | Andrews |
| $5.00 | Crockett, Upton |
| $1.50 | Crane, Panola |
| Case | Total | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Gas car, Lubbock County, renewal | $74.00 | yearly |
| Gas car, Harris County, renewal | $78.25 | yearly |
| Electric car, Travis County, renewal | $278.25 | yearly |
| 7,000 lb pickup, Bexar County, renewal | $91.50 | yearly |
| New electric car, Dallas County | $550.75 | $275.38 a year |
Renewal rules and penalties
- When: renew online up to 90 days before expiration, or up to 12 months after if you have not received a citation.[2]
- Late: there are five working days of grace after expiration; after that a citation can be up to $200.[2]
- New residents: 30 days to register.[2]
- Title: $28 or $33 depending on the county, paid when you title the car.[2]
Buying a car in Texas?The 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax is paid with the title application, not at renewal. Use the car sales tax calculator for that part.
See how Texas compares in car registration fees by state, or open the vehicle registration fee calculator for ten other states. Registration is one of the smaller yearly costs; the cost of owning a car calculator shows the rest.
Frequently asked questions
How much is car registration in Texas?
About $74.00 to $88.25 a year for a gas car up to 6,000 lbs, depending on the county. An electric car adds $200.
Why does Texas charge a $7.50 inspection fee if inspections ended?
Safety inspections for passenger cars ended January 1, 2025, and the $7.50 inspection program replacement fee took the place of the state share of the old inspection fee.
How much is the Texas EV registration fee?
$200 a year, or $400 for the first two-year registration of a new electric vehicle. Hybrids do not pay it.
Is there a late fee for Texas registration?
TxDMV gives five working days of grace; after that, driving on an expired registration can bring a citation of up to $200.