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To report an emergency in San Antonio, call 911. For non-emergencies, call (210) 207-7273 and for general information about the San Antonio Police Department, call (210) 207-7484.
To report an emergency in Bexar County, call 911. All other non-emergencies call (210) 335-6000. www.bexar.org
Texas Driver’s License
According to the Department of Public Safety, a new Texas resident has 30 days to complete these four items:
If the out-of-state license has expired, a new resident will have to take a written and a driving examination as well as the vision test. Those who do not own a vehicle will not have to show proof of insurance but will be required to complete an affidavit of non-ownership. At the time of application, new residents will be required to surrender their valid or expired out-of-state driver’s license. The fee for an original driver’s license for people over 18 is $24, and it expires in six years. To see a list of Driver’s License Division Fees visit www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/driver_licensing_control/dlfees.htm.
All original applicants for a driver’s license or an identification certificate must present proof of identity satisfactory to the Department of Public Safety, as well as take written, driving and vision tests. For information about documents that may be presented as acceptable proof of identity, go to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Web site at www.txdps.state.tx.us/geninfo.htm.
A beginning driver –15 years of age or older – can apply for an instruction permit, which enables the holder of the permit to drive with a licensed driver who is 18 years of age or older in the front seat. To obtain a permit, one must pass the written portion of the driving test, while those under the age of 18 must take the classroom portion of an approved driver’s education course. In 2000, Texas passed a new regulation, which requires that first-time foreign applicants must prove legal U.S. residency before obtaining a Texas driver’s license.
Vehicle Registration – New Residents
Texas law requires new residents to register their vehicles within 30 days. Before vehicles can be registered and titled, they must pass inspection. After having it inspected, owners should take the following to their county tax office locations or local DPS office locations (see page 65):
Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces and non-resident, full-time students attending a Texas college or university are not required title or register their vehicles in Texas.
Additional fees may also be due at the time of registration. For more information, contact the Bexar County tax office at (210) 335-2251, visit its office at 233 N. Pecos La Trinidad or visit online at www.co.bexar.tx.us/tax.
Vehicle Registration – Texas Residents
Texas law requires drivers to register and title their vehicles each year. In Bexar County, residents can renew their registration at any tax office location or at 15 auto title service locations in the county. You can renew by mail by including the renewal form along with a copy of your proof of insurance and your check and mail it to Bexar County Tax Office, P. O. Box 839950, San Antonio, Texas 78283-3950. You can also pay for your vehicle (not motorcycles or trailers) registration renewal at HEB grocery stores in Bexar County. You must bring your proof of insurance along with the renewal notice. An additional fee of $1 will be charged. You should receive your new registration sticker and new license plates within 10 working days. Visit the Texas Department of Transportation at www.dot.state.tx.us for more information.
Seat Belts and Child Safety Seats
In Texas, the law requires drivers and front-seat passengers in all vehicles to be secured by a safety belt. Children under 17 years old must be secured with a safety belt or in a child safety seat, whether they are sitting in the front or back seat. A child less than five years old and less than 36 inches tall must ride in a child safety seat. A safety belt violation can result in fines ranging from $25 to $200, plus court costs.
To report an emergency in Bexar County, call 911. All other non-emergencies call (210) 335-6000. www.bexar.org
Texas Driver’s License
According to the Department of Public Safety, a new Texas resident has 30 days to complete these four items:
- Obtain Texas minimum amount of insurance coverage.
- Obtain a Texas safety inspection and Vehicle Inspection Certificate.
- Apply for Texas registration and/or title.
- Apply for a Texas driver’s license.
If the out-of-state license has expired, a new resident will have to take a written and a driving examination as well as the vision test. Those who do not own a vehicle will not have to show proof of insurance but will be required to complete an affidavit of non-ownership. At the time of application, new residents will be required to surrender their valid or expired out-of-state driver’s license. The fee for an original driver’s license for people over 18 is $24, and it expires in six years. To see a list of Driver’s License Division Fees visit www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/driver_licensing_control/dlfees.htm.
All original applicants for a driver’s license or an identification certificate must present proof of identity satisfactory to the Department of Public Safety, as well as take written, driving and vision tests. For information about documents that may be presented as acceptable proof of identity, go to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Web site at www.txdps.state.tx.us/geninfo.htm.
A beginning driver –15 years of age or older – can apply for an instruction permit, which enables the holder of the permit to drive with a licensed driver who is 18 years of age or older in the front seat. To obtain a permit, one must pass the written portion of the driving test, while those under the age of 18 must take the classroom portion of an approved driver’s education course. In 2000, Texas passed a new regulation, which requires that first-time foreign applicants must prove legal U.S. residency before obtaining a Texas driver’s license.
Vehicle Registration – New Residents
Texas law requires new residents to register their vehicles within 30 days. Before vehicles can be registered and titled, they must pass inspection. After having it inspected, owners should take the following to their county tax office locations or local DPS office locations (see page 65):
- Inspection certification.
- Proof of liability insurance.
- The vehicle’s odometer reading if it is less than 10 years old.
- An original out-of-state title, proof of registration, proof of sales tax payment or current foreign/military ownership document.
- Completed Form VTR 130-U.
- Be prepared to pay the following:
– registration fee;
– title application fee of $28 or $33 depending on the county;
– title application fee of $28 or $33 depending on the county;
– new resident tax of $90.
Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces and non-resident, full-time students attending a Texas college or university are not required title or register their vehicles in Texas.
Additional fees may also be due at the time of registration. For more information, contact the Bexar County tax office at (210) 335-2251, visit its office at 233 N. Pecos La Trinidad or visit online at www.co.bexar.tx.us/tax.
Vehicle Registration – Texas Residents
Texas law requires drivers to register and title their vehicles each year. In Bexar County, residents can renew their registration at any tax office location or at 15 auto title service locations in the county. You can renew by mail by including the renewal form along with a copy of your proof of insurance and your check and mail it to Bexar County Tax Office, P. O. Box 839950, San Antonio, Texas 78283-3950. You can also pay for your vehicle (not motorcycles or trailers) registration renewal at HEB grocery stores in Bexar County. You must bring your proof of insurance along with the renewal notice. An additional fee of $1 will be charged. You should receive your new registration sticker and new license plates within 10 working days. Visit the Texas Department of Transportation at www.dot.state.tx.us for more information.
Seat Belts and Child Safety Seats
In Texas, the law requires drivers and front-seat passengers in all vehicles to be secured by a safety belt. Children under 17 years old must be secured with a safety belt or in a child safety seat, whether they are sitting in the front or back seat. A child less than five years old and less than 36 inches tall must ride in a child safety seat. A safety belt violation can result in fines ranging from $25 to $200, plus court costs.
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