Texas license plates renew every two years, and you can do it online, by mail, or in person at your county tax assessor's office

Your Texas license plate expires on a specific date printed on the registration sticker in the bottom right corner of the plate itself. The state sends a renewal notice to the address on file about 60 days before that date. You do not have to wait for the notice to arrive—you can renew as soon as you receive it, or up to one year before expiration. The fastest route is the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website at txdmv.gov, where you can renew in about 10 minutes if your vehicle information has not changed.

If you renew online or by mail, the new registration sticker arrives by post within 7 to 10 business days. If you go in person, you walk out with the sticker the same day. The cost varies by vehicle weight and county, but most passenger cars cost between $50 and $100 for the two-year renewal.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew online at txdmv.gov using your vehicle identification number (VIN) and driver's license number, and the sticker arrives by mail in about a week.
  • By mail, send your renewal notice and payment to your county tax assessor's office; the address is on the notice itself.
  • In person at your county tax assessor's office, you get the sticker when ready and do not need an appointment in most counties.
  • If your vehicle information changed—new address, new owner, different weight class—you cannot renew online and must go in person or mail a completed form.
  • Driving with an expired registration sticker is a traffic violation; the fine starts at $100 and increases if you are stopped multiple times.

Renewing online through the Texas DMV website

Go to txdmv.gov and click "Renew Your Registration" on the home page. You will need your VIN (found on your registration document or the driver's side dashboard), your driver's license number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system pulls up your vehicle record and shows you the renewal fee based on your vehicle's weight and your county.

Online renewal works only if nothing about your vehicle or ownership has changed since your last registration. If you moved to a different county, changed the vehicle's registered weight, added or removed a co-owner, or the vehicle was involved in a total-loss claim, the system will not let you complete the transaction online. In those cases, you must renew by mail or in person.

Payment is by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Once approved, you receive a confirmation number on screen. The new registration sticker is mailed to the address on file and typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can place the old sticker in a plastic bag and keep it in your vehicle until the new one arrives, or remove it once the new sticker is in the mail.

Renewing by mail through your county tax assessor

Your renewal notice includes a payment stub and instructions for mailing. Tear off the stub, write a check or money order for the amount shown, and mail both to the address printed on the notice. That address is your county tax assessor's office. Do not send payment to the state DMV—it goes to your county.

Include your vehicle's VIN on the check or money order if the stub does not have a tear-off section. Mail renewal typically takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time your county receives it. The new sticker is mailed back to you, so plan to renew at least 3 weeks before your current sticker expires if you use this method.

Keep a copy of the mailed notice or take a photo of it before you send it, in case the mail is lost. If your sticker does not arrive within 3 weeks of mailing, contact your county tax assessor's office with your confirmation details.

Renewing in person at your county tax assessor's office

Bring your vehicle registration document (the paper you received when you last registered), your driver's license, and payment. Most county tax assessor's offices do not require an appointment for registration renewal. Hours vary by county, but most are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some offering limited Saturday hours.

The staff will verify your information, collect payment, and issue the new registration sticker on the spot. The entire process takes 10 to 20 minutes. If your vehicle information has changed—new address, new owner, different weight—bring proof of the change. For an address change, bring a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days. For a new owner, bring the title transfer document.

To find your county tax assessor's office location and hours, search "[your county name] tax assessor" online or call your county clerk's office. Some large counties have multiple locations, so check which one is nearest to you.

What happens if your registration sticker expires

Driving with an expired registration sticker is a traffic violation in Texas. A police officer can stop you for an expired sticker alone, and the fine starts at $100. If you are stopped a second time with an expired sticker, the fine increases. The violation also appears on your driving record and can affect your insurance rates.

If you are stopped and your renewal is already in the mail or online, tell the officer and show them your confirmation number or the renewal notice. Many officers will issue a warning if they can verify the renewal is pending. However, you are still technically in violation until the new sticker is on your vehicle.

If your sticker expired more than 60 days ago and you have not renewed, you may also face a vehicle inspection requirement when you do renew. Some counties require a safety inspection for vehicles with significantly overdue registrations.

Renewing a vehicle with a lienholder or loan

If you are still paying off a car loan, the lender's name appears on your registration document as the lienholder. You can still renew online, by mail, or in person without contacting the lender—the lienholder does not have to sign off on renewal. However, some lenders require proof of current registration and insurance, so keep your renewal confirmation or new sticker for your records.

If the lender's address on your registration has changed or is incorrect, you can update it during renewal in person or by mail. Online renewal cannot change lienholder information, so contact your county tax assessor's office if you need to update that detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license plate before the renewal notice arrives?

Yes. You can renew online at txdmv.gov as soon as your current sticker is within one year of expiration. You do not need the renewal notice to renew online—just your VIN and driver's license number. If you prefer to renew by mail or in person, you do need the notice or your registration document.

What if I moved to a different Texas county?

You must renew in person or by mail because the online system will not process a county change. Bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days) to your new county's tax assessor's office, or mail your renewal notice with the proof to that office. The fee may change based on your new county.

How long can I drive with an expired sticker before renewing?

You cannot legally drive with an expired sticker at all. However, if your renewal is in the mail or pending online, you have a grace period of a few days in most cases. Once the sticker expires on the date shown, you are in violation. Renew before that date to avoid any risk of being stopped.

Do I need to inspect my vehicle before renewing my license plate?

No, not for a standard renewal. Texas does not require a safety inspection for registration renewal unless your vehicle has been registered as salvage, rebuilt, or has a significantly overdue registration (usually more than 60 days past expiration). Your county tax assessor will tell you if an inspection is needed when you renew.

What if my vehicle's weight changed since I last registered it?

You must renew in person or by mail and declare the new weight. Bring documentation of the change if possible (such as a modification receipt). The registration fee is based on vehicle weight, so a significant change may affect your renewal cost. The online system will not let you proceed if it detects a weight mismatch, so go to your county tax assessor's office instead.