car registration before drivers license? (San Antonio, Leon Valley: apartment, assessor, transfer)

[CA Alan]

I just got out to San Antonio from California, and I have a question: The plates on my car are expiring in about a month, and by law, I have to register the car in Texas. Can you register a car in Texas before you get your Texas drivers license? The reason I want to to this is because I am in temporary quarters (a corporate apartment) for the next 30 days. I don't know where I will be living after that.
Thanks,
Alan

[CyVaquero]

Actually, that's what they want you to do.

Went through it at the beginning of the year. But here's the link - TxDMV - New to Texas

[taraox]

You have to do it before the license. Heads up, registering the car isn't a one stop thing like it is in CA where you can just do it at the DMV in 30 minutes and be done. There's like a county tax office or some extra step that you have to go pay state tax on the vehicle thrown in there. Luckily I'm only here for school, so I didn't have to register or get a TX license but I looked into it before. Welcome to SA!

[Me007gold]

Originally Posted by taraox

You have to do it before the license. Heads up, registering the car isn't a one stop thing like it is in CA where you can just do it at the DMV in 30 minutes and be done. There's like a county tax office or some extra step that you have to go pay state tax on the vehicle thrown in there. Luckily I'm only here for school, so I didn't have to register or get a TX license but I looked into it before. Welcome to SA!

Don't forget, you have to get your "safety" inspection before you can get your tag

[ben_w]

We just did this 6 months ago.

There are two inspection and title places that you can get you inspection and registration at the same. It is not necessary to transfer the title which will save you the tax especially if you not permanent.

We are from Canada and have Texas registration, Texas tags, but a Canadian title. Total cost was about 300 for everything done in about 20-30 mins.

[nam2015]

Originally Posted by ben_w

We just did this 6 months ago.

There are two inspection and title places that you can get you inspection and registration at the same. It is not necessary to transfer the title which will save you the tax especially if you not permanent.

We are from Canada and have Texas registration, Texas tags, but a Canadian title. Total cost was about 300 for everything done in about 20-30 mins.

Does anyone know where are those two places for inspection and title in the same place?

I'm getting crazy trying to find them over the internet.

[CyVaquero]

I used DueNow (Official Inspection Station - Locations) for registering my truck, and have used them for subsequent inspections. I think there was a $40-$50 service fee on top of the taxes, title, plates fees. Having just registered a popup at the Tax Assessor's office on Bandera I can't say the service fee is really worth it - went on a weekday around 1pm and while there was a short wait I would have been in and out in under an hour if I didn't go back through to swap out for Veteran's plates on the truck. The key is to do your homework - call the assessor's office and find out exactly what forms and paperwork you will need beforehand.

[nam2015]

So at the end, I just went to a express lube for the inspection, went to Bandera tax assessor and to the Leon Valley safety department location. Not too bad, it took me longer to drive from location to location.

CyVaquero, yes, I read online all the paperwork I needed beforehand....you don't go to the DMV without the exact documents they request!

[Clnconcpts]

So, sounds like a big hassle

[nam2015]

Originally Posted by Clnconcpts

So, sounds like a big hassle

Yes it was, especially because I also needed my OT signature to transfer the title to Texas, so that will be another trip probably next week...oh well!