Drivers License and Vehicle Registration (Austin: insurance, assessors, inspection)

[Rynldsbr]

Texas is a great place and I am thankful for a career opportunity that has brought me here. There are many things that Texas does well and contribute to the continued growth and economic stability of the state. I will say that I have just discovered one thing that could use a little work. The process for getting a DL and for registering a vehicle are somewhat absurd.

I took my car in for the required inspection, and proceeded to gather all the documentation necessary to register the vehicle and to get a drivers license. For the drivers license I took current DL, a Texas issued ID card (state employed), social security card, DD214, and proof of residence. For the vehicle I took current registration, proof of financial responsibility, inspection papers, and also had proof of residence.

At the DL office I was informed that "...you need to register the car first, we don't do that here." Really? Why would you allow me to register the car first if I don't have a Texas DL? Wouldn't it make more sense to prove who I am before I register the car? Anyway, it was explained that I need to go to the county tax assessors office and register the car first. In the meantime, the helpful clerk offered to check my documents for the DL as long as I was there. She verified all, and said I still need a birth certificate. Holy cow!

I just want to say other states have made this process a whole lot easier and, in my opinion, sacrificed nothing in the security of the process. One office, DL, registration, license plates, all issued with two forms of ID instead of five.

[A-Tex]

That's odd. I didn't need a birth certificate years ago. Perhaps something has changed due to tightening up of proof of citizenship. Does it not list this requirement on the web site?

I have NEVER lived in a state where vehicle and driver's licenses were handled by the same office. They are two entirely different functions. I don't think it's unusual at all and somehow Texas has managed all these years doing it this way.

This is a Texas topic --- not Austin specific. Perhaps if it is moved to the Texas forum where it belongs then you will get an answer from someone who is well informed on the topic.

[Cathy4017]

I have to agree with this. When I came back to Texas after 7 years in NM, I found out just what a PITA it was to do it all over again. The whole process here is needlessly time-consuming and convoluted. You have to follow a certain order, and you have to go to at least three places.

New Mexico? I went, picked a number and took a seat until it was called.

I got on the spot a new car title, plates, DL and registration, all hard-copy and ready to go. Took a little over an hour for the entire process, and I had to go to only one place. This is one of the few things that NM does far better than Texas.

Originally Posted by Rynldsbr

Texas is a great place and I am thankful for a career opportunity that has brought me here. There are many things that Texas does well and contribute to the continued growth and economic stability of the state. I will say that I have just discovered one thing that could use a little work. The process for getting a DL and for registering a vehicle are somewhat absurd.

I took my car in for the required inspection, and proceeded to gather all the documentation necessary to register the vehicle and to get a drivers license. For the drivers license I took current DL, a Texas issued ID card (state employed), social security card, DD214, and proof of residence. For the vehicle I took current registration, proof of financial responsibility, inspection papers, and also had proof of residence.

At the DL office I was informed that "...you need to register the car first, we don't do that here." Really? Why would you allow me to register the car first if I don't have a Texas DL? Wouldn't it make more sense to prove who I am before I register the car? Anyway, it was explained that I need to go to the county tax assessors office and register the car first. In the meantime, the helpful clerk offered to check my documents for the DL as long as I was there. She verified all, and said I still need a birth certificate. Holy cow!

I just want to say other states have made this process a whole lot easier and, in my opinion, sacrificed nothing in the security of the process. One office, DL, registration, license plates, all issued with two forms of ID instead of five.

[metroxian]

Welcome to Texas where one agency doesn't know you from another agency. Where neither - or any agency - can mix, combine, or conveniently lose your records or share another agency's records with the public. You are you own man, so man up and get covered. Once done you'll be covered for life.

[Rynldsbr]

Originally Posted by Temp43k

Welcome to Texas where one agency doesn't know you from another agency. Where neither - or any agency - can mix, combine, or conveniently lose your records or share another agency's records with the public. You are you own man, so man up and get covered. Once done you'll be covered for life.

What? "Get covered"? There is no question about being my own man. I have insurance coverage, far above what is required and own my own home(s) and have owned my own business as well. The thread was started to comment on a complicated process that wastes taxpayer money and resources and is a royal PITA when it really wouldn't need to if managed properly.

[Restrain]

A-Tex. we just moved to FL from Texas. Got the car registered and did the DL, as well as voter registration all in the same office. Much, much easier than Texas, especially as no inspection required.