Registration Renewal

Current and expired registration (up to 6 months) can be renewed with or without a renewal form in 7 - 10 business days.

Save $1 by renewing online and keep your receipt in your vehicle as proof you are registered for the next 30 days. Visit www.texas.gov with the following:

• License plate number
• Last 4 digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Credit card
• Inspection and emissions status is checked against the state database. If your vehicle inspection and emissions status cannot be verified, you are not eligible to renew online.

Online renewals are issued for a full 12 months (including any portion of the month you've already used if renewing late).

Current registration (expiring this month or next month) can be renewed the same day with a renewal form. Vehicles with farm plates are not eligible to renew through a vehicle registration partner.

Bring:

• Entire three-part renewal notice
• Current proof of insurance
• Valid photo ID
• Consult the location directly for acceptable forms of payment
• Inspection and emissions status is checked electronically. If there is an issue verifying your status, you will be asked to provide the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR).

Additional Fee:

• $1 processing fee (collected by the service provider)

Locations

Current and expired registration can be renewed by mail with or without a renewal form in 10 - 14 business days.

Enclose:

• Renewal notice or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
• Copy of your current proof of insurance. Do not mail original documents.
• Check or money order payable to Bruce Elfant. Do not mail cash or credit card information.
• Inspection and emissions status is checked electronically. If there is an issue verifying your status, our office will return your renewal and request that you bring a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) to any Tax Office location for assistance.

Mail renewal to:

Travis County Tax Office
PO Box 149326
Austin, TX 78714-9326 

Current and expired registration can be renewed the same day with or without a renewal form.

Bring:

• Renewal form, Vehicle Identification Number, or License Plate Number
• Current proof of insurance
• Valid photo ID
• Cash, check, money order, or credit card

Sending a family member, relative, co-worker, employee or neighbor to renew for you? Bring:

• Renewal form, Vehicle Identification Number, or License Plate Number
• Completed Limited Power of Attorney for Eligible Motor Vehicle Transactions (VTR-271)
• Current proof of insurance
• Authorized agent's valid photo ID
• For business vehicles only: employee ID, business card or authorized letter on letterhead that matches the business name on the motor vehicle record
• Payment for registration fees
• Inspection and emissions status is checked electronically. If there is an issue verifying your status, you will be asked to provide the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR).

Additional Fees:

• No additional fees if paying in person by cash, check, or money order
• $3 credit card convenience fee (collected by Government Payments for credit card processing services) for transactions $100 or less
• 3% credit card convenience fee (collected by Government Payments for credit card processing services) for transactions more than $100

Locations

Current and expired registration can be renewed with or without a renewal form in 5 - 7 business days only if you are the vehicle owner.

Call (512) 854-9473 with the following:

• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or License Plate Number
• Current proof of insurance (may be required to e-mail or fax)
• Credit card payment that matches the name on the motor vehicle record
• Inspection and emissions status is checked electronically. If there is an issue verifying your status, you will be asked to provide the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR).

Additional Fees:

• $3 credit card convenience fee (collected by Government Payments for credit card processing services) for transactions $100 or less
• 3% credit card convenience fee (collected by Government Payments for credit card processing services) for transactions more than $100

Your vehicle must pass an inspection and emissions test no more than 90 days before your vehicle registration expiration. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated on your sticker. Visit www.twostepsonesticker.com to find the dates that you may inspect your vehicle. The state portion of the vehicle inspection fee will be due when you renew your vehicle registration.

Calculate the date at www.twostepsonesticker.com.

Step 1: Inspect

• Find an inspection station - Use the Texas Department of Public Safety Inspection Station Locator to find a station in your area.
• Pay the inspection station service fee - You will pay for the inspection service but NOT your state inspection and emission fees.
• Obtain a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) - Don't lose this report. It proves you passed inspection and emissions testing so you may need to provide it at the time of registration! Need a replacement copy of the VIR for registration renewal purposes? Find it online or visit any Texas Inspection Station.

Step 2: Register

• Select a renewal method - Renew online, by mail, by telephone, in person at one of our offices or through one of our partners. If you renew online, by mail or by telephone, your inspection and emissions status is checked electronically. If there is an issue verifying your status, you will be asked to provide your Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) in person, by e-mail or by fax.
• Pay the state registration, inspection and emissions fees - Travis County is now required by law to collect all state fees.
• Place the sticker on your windshield - Goodbye inspection sticker! You can remove the inspection sticker once your previous sticker has expired. Place your registration sticker on your car - it's the only sticker you need. It serves as proof of current registration AND inspection.

If your vehicle is currently out of state and you are unable to complete a Texas vehicle inspection in order to renew your registration, you may self-certify that the vehicle is out of state and will be permitted to register online, by mail, or in person.

If you renew your vehicle registration using the out-of-state self-certification option, a remark will be placed on your vehicle record indicating that an inspection is still due. Once you return to the state, you must complete a Texas vehicle inspection within three days of arrival at your home, duty station, or destination. The remark will be removed only upon payment of the state’s portion of the inspection fee and verification of inspection.

To register your vehicle using self-certification:

1. Renew your registration online, by mail, or by phone. When renewing online, you will be prompted to self-certify. When renewing by mail or by phone, please inform our office that you are self-certifying.
2. A remark will be placed on your vehicle record indicating that an inspection is due.
3. Upon return to the state, you must obtain a passing vehicle inspection and emissions test within 3 days of arrival at your home, duty station or destination. You will be issued a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR).
4. Bring the VIR to any tax office location and pay the state portion of your inspection fee to have the inspection remark removed. Removal of the remark takes 48 hours. Prior to the remark being removed, your VIR will serve as proof of inspection. It is very important that you keep the VIR in case you are stopped by law enforcement.

Visit the Two Steps One Sticker website for more information about how the new law impacts dealers, fleets, and motor carriers.