Texas: titling an imported car

Texas titles imports through the county tax office once federal import paperwork is complete.

Sources checked 2026-10-17. Not legal advice; rules change.

At a glance

• Import ease (where verified): Process documented; 25-year treatment not stated in the sources read. Rule is stated for vehicles under 25 years old; 25+ treatment is not spelled out.
• Kei / mini-truck: No kei or mini-truck rule found in the sources read. No kei or mini-truck rule found in the official pages read.

What the official sources say

1. Register within 30 days of bringing the vehicle to Texas; the vehicle must meet all federal and state importation requirements before titling.
   Source: TxDMV: Out of State and Imported Vehicles
2. Bring DOT Form HS-7 (or another document establishing customs entry/clearance and compliance with or exemption from federal safety standards), any original DOT bond release letter, a Vehicle Inspection Report if applicable, Form 130-U, proof of liability insurance, and the ownership document (certified English translation if not in English).
   Source: TxDMV: Out of State and Imported Vehicles
3. For vehicles less than 25 years old, Texas rules require proof of compliance with USDOT regulations (e.g. bond release letter, validated import form, or Customs verification).
   Source: 43 Tex. Admin. Code § 217.5 (via Cornell LII)
4. TxDMV: non-commercial vehicles registered in Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis or Williamson counties are not required to get a safety inspection but must pass an emissions inspection before registration; the page labels the Texas safety inspection step as for commercial vehicles.
   Source: TxDMV: Out of State and Imported Vehicles
5. A VIN inspection by a trained auto-theft investigator (law enforcement, or an authorized NICB employee) is required for a vehicle bought outside the U.S., documented on Form VTR-68-A (military returning to Texas bases are excepted).
   Source: TxDMV: Out of State and Imported Vehicles
6. Listed costs: base registration $50.75 (passenger/light truck), title application $28 or $33 by county, 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax, $1 insurance verification fee, $4.75 processing fee, plus state inspection fee up to $30.75 and local fees up to $31.50.
   Source: TxDMV: Out of State and Imported Vehicles

Not verified (do not rely on ImportClock for these)

• How Texas treats vehicles that are over 25 years old and federally exempt from FMVSS was not stated on the TxDMV page; the page says the vehicle 'must meet all federal and state importation requirements'. Confirm with TxDMV or a county tax office.
• Fees change; confirm amounts at the time of filing.

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