Identification requirements

Effective March 5, 2026 

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) has adopted new enhanced identification requirements for certain vehicle transactions. 

What transactions are affected? 

The enhanced ID requirements apply to ownership and title changes where initial registration is involved: 

• Private Party Sales/Transfers of Ownership (Title & Registration) 
• New to Texas (Title & Registration or Registration Purposes Only)
• Registration Purposes Only
• Registration of Vehicles Currently Titled in Texas as Title Only 
• Out-of-State Dealer Sales (Title & Registration) 
• Texas Dealer Sales (Title & Registration) 

What are the acceptable enhanced ID requirements for initial registration?

You must present one of the following options: 

Option 1:

Valid, unexpired REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID from any state or territory of the United States:

• A “REAL ID” is the minimum document requirements and issuance standards for federal recognition under the REAL ID Act of 2005, Public Law 109-13.  

Option 2: 

Valid, unexpired driver’s license or state ID that is issued by any of the following states: 

• Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

Option 3: Requires two forms of ID 

Valid, unexpired driver’s license or state ID that does not meet REAL ID requirements issued by any state or territory of the United States 

AND 

An original or certified copy of one of the following:  

• U.S. birth certificate
• Certificate of Naturalization 
• Certificate of Citizenship

Option 4: 

Valid, unexpired U.S. passport 

Option 5: Requires two forms of ID

Valid, unexpired foreign passport

AND

One of the following:  

• Form I-94 (Not in Parole status)
• Current permanent resident card
• Unexpired immigrant visa from the United States Department of Homeland Security

Option 6: 

Valid, unexpired Real ID Compliant Texas License to Carry a Handgun issued by Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) 

Download a printable version of the new DMV Enhanced Identification Requirements.

What is NOT changing? 

For transactions not subject to the new initial registration enhanced ID requirements, the following photo IDs are accepted and may be expired up to 12 months: 

• Driver’s license or ID issued by a U.S. state or territory  
• Texas License to Carry a Handgun issued by TxDPS  
• U.S. passport  
• Foreign passport  
• U.S. military ID  
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ID  
• ID issued under a Status of Forces Agreement  
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security ID  
• U.S. Department of State ID  
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ID 

Registration renewal is NOT subject to the new initial registration enhanced ID requirement. Below is a list of transactions not subject to the new initial registration enhanced ID requirement: 

• Title Only (no registration)
• Off-Highway Vehicles (titled without registration)
• Exempt Vehicles
  • Standard Exempt
  • Regular Exempt
  • Government-Owned vehicles
  • Disaster Relief
  • Vehicles used by Non-Profit Food Banks
• Special Registration
  • International Registration Plan (Apportioned)
  • Non-Resident Agricultural Permit
  • Annual Permits
  • 72 & 144 Hour Permits
  • Temporary Registration License Plates (One Trip, 30-day)
• Alternate Registration
  • Fertilizer
  • Seasonal Agricultural
  • Soil Conservation
  • Farm Use
    • Farm Truck Tractor
    • Farm Truck
    • Farm Trailer
• Rental Trailers
• Commercial Registration
  • City Bus
  • Motor Bus
  • Combination
  • Token Trailer
  • Cotton
  • Tow Truck
  • Forestry

Additional Considerations for Businesses, Leases, Trusts, & Government Entities  

The new enhanced ID requirements DO NOT apply to the following: 

• Businesses 
• Trusts 
• Leasing companies 
• Government entities 
• Organizations 

If an agent submits an initial registration application on behalf of an entity: 

• The agent must present their own photo ID 
• The ID must meet the enhanced requirements listed above 

Employees authorized to title vehicles must also provide: 

• A letter of authorization on official letterhead, or 
• An official business card with employer and employee name