Travis County Tax OfficeApril 6, 2021
The clock is ticking for those with expired vehicle registrations and overdue title applications to bring their state motor vehicle account current without incurring financial penalties or risking a ticket from law enforcement.
Gov. Greg Abbott set the deadline for Wednesday, April 14.
“If you miss this deadline, law enforcement can cite you for expired registration and if you fail to apply for a title by April 14, state financial penalties automatically kick in that can cost you up to $250,” noted Travis County Tax-Assessor Collector Bruce Elfant.
Applying for a title requires making an appointment for an in-person visit to the tax office. “We are not taking walk-ins,” Elfant added.
Appointments fill up fast, but new slots are added every weekday. Book an appointment at www.TravisCountyTax.org/appointments.
The tax office usually requires appointments for vehicle registration renewal, too, but is suspending this requirement until April 14 at the main tax office, 5501 Airport Blvd., for those whose vehicle registrations are expired by more than nine months. “We are taking walk-ins until the deadline,” Elfant said. Walk-ins will need to bring their signed, vehicle inspection document and insurance card.
Elfant urged those expired by less than nine months to use an alternative registration renewal method.
Vehicle owners whose registration stickers are not expired by more than nine months, should get their inspection and renew online at www.Texas.gov. The online renewal system generates a receipt to carry in the vehicle until the new registration sticker arrives. The receipt is good for a month and serves as proof of registration.
“Renewing online is the safest and easiest way to update your vehicle registration,” Elfant said. “However, once you have passed a vehicle inspection, it is best to wait a day or two before trying to renew online as the state motor vehicle database is not updated in real time.”
H-E-B, Fiesta Mart and AAA stores in Travis County also can renew vehicle registrations and issue stickers, but customers are required to bring their:
- Complete Texas Department of Motor Vehicle renewal notice
- Signed, passing vehicle inspection document
- Insurance card
- Checkbook
As part of his COVID-19 disaster declaration, the governor offered a grace period from being ticketed by law enforcement for expired registration. However, Abbott did not provide a waiver on sticker expiration dates. For instance, drivers with a September 2020 expiration date who renew this month will receive a new sticker that expires in September 2021.
“Being able to drive your vehicle past the sticker expiration date does not save you money,” Elfant said.
More information on the April 14 deadline along with answers to frequently asked questions are detailed in a new tax office video.