Topic · Page 2
Cars & Driving
Local Notes
Cars & Driving notes
Harris County · Evacuation / Contraflow
During Major Hurricanes, Freeway Lanes in Harris County Can Be Reversed
TxDOT can activate contraflow on major Houston freeways during a hurricane evacuation, reversing lanes so all traffic moves inland.
Harris County · Toll Roads
Harris County Has Its Own Toll Road System
The Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) operates a large network of toll roads around Houston, including the Sam Houston Tollway (Beltway 8).
Harris County · Hurricane Evacuation
Harris County Has Official Hurricane Evacuation Zones
Harris County uses a zip zone system to tell residents when and in what order to evacuate during a hurricane.
Harris County · Vehicle Emissions / Registration
Harris County Requires an Emissions Test Before You Can Register Your Car
Because of air quality rules, Harris County vehicles must pass an annual emissions test before the owner can renew vehicle registration.
Harris County · Vehicle Registration
How Vehicle Registration Works in Harris County
Texas uses a combined inspection-and-registration system called Two Steps, One Sticker — and Harris County adds an emissions test requirement.
Harris County · New Resident / Vehicle Registration
New Texas Residents Must Register Their Vehicle Within 30 Days
If you move to Harris County from another state, Texas law requires you to register your vehicle within 30 days and get a Texas driver license within 90 days.
Harris County · Air Quality / Vehicle Inspection
Your Car Must Pass an Emissions Check in Harris County Each Year
Harris County is part of the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria emissions program, so most gasoline cars must pass an enhanced emissions inspection every year.
Harrison County · Vehicle Registration
No Emissions Test Required in Harrison County
Harrison County is not one of the 17 Texas counties that require a separate emissions test, so registering your vehicle here is simpler.
Hays County · Vehicle Registration
Hays County residents can register vehicles at H-E-B locations and online
You can renew your vehicle registration at several locations across Hays County, including H-E-B grocery stores, without going to the main tax office.
Hays County · Flood Awareness Tool
Hays County's WETMap shows creek and road conditions in real time
Hays County runs a free online map that shows current water levels at crossings and waterways so you can check road conditions before driving.
Hays County · Road Safety
Low-water crossings in Hays County close when creeks rise — do not try to cross
Dozens of low-water crossings on rural roads in Hays County close during floods, and driving into floodwater kills people every year in Texas.
Henderson County · Vehicle Registration
No safety inspection required for registration renewal in Henderson County
As of January 1, 2025, Texas ended the mandatory safety inspection for non-commercial vehicles statewide. Henderson County is not an emissions-testing county, so most passenger vehicles renew registration without any inspection.
Hidalgo County · Evacuation
Know Your Hurricane Evacuation Route Before a Storm
Hidalgo County sits inland from the Gulf Coast but must evacuate across limited roads when a major hurricane threatens the Valley.
Hidalgo County · Roads
SH 68 Is Planned to Help Move Traffic in Eastern Hidalgo County
State Highway 68 in eastern Hidalgo County is a four-lane divided highway project designed to improve traffic flow and emergency evacuation capacity.
Hill County · Vehicle Registration
Registering your car in Hill County: what changed in 2025
As of January 1, 2025, non-commercial vehicles in Hill County no longer need a safety inspection before registration — but commercial vehicles still do.
Hood County · Vehicle Registration
Hood County Vehicle Registration: No Inspection Required
As of January 1, 2025, most Hood County drivers no longer need a safety inspection to renew their registration. Just renew by your expiration date.
Hopkins County · Vehicle Registration
No Emissions Test Required to Register Your Vehicle Here
Hopkins County is not in the state's emissions-testing program, so you only need a safety inspection to renew your vehicle registration.
Houston County · Vehicle Registration
No Emissions Test Required in Houston County
Houston County is not one of the 17 Texas counties that require a vehicle emissions test, so registering your car here is simpler.
Howard County · Roads and Access
County Roads in Unincorporated Howard County Are Maintained by the County
If you live outside Big Spring city limits in Howard County, your road may be a county road — maintained by the county, not the city.
Howard County · Vehicle Registration
Register Your Vehicle Through the Howard County Tax Office
Vehicle registration and title transfers in Howard County are handled by the county Tax Assessor-Collector, which also serves as the local TxDMV office.
Hudspeth County · Vehicle Registration
No emissions test required for vehicle registration here
Hudspeth County is not on the state list of counties that require an emissions test. Since January 2025, most Texas vehicles no longer need a safety inspection to register either.
Hunt County · Roads
Farm-to-Market roads cover most of rural Hunt County
Most rural roads in Hunt County are Farm-to-Market (FM) roads maintained by TxDOT, not county roads.
Hunt County · Vehicle Registration
Renew your registration with Two Steps, One Sticker
Hunt County vehicle registration uses the Two Steps, One Sticker system, which combines the state safety inspection and registration into one annual process.
Hutchinson County · Vehicle Registration
Registering Your Car in Hutchinson County
Texas uses a combined inspection and registration system — you get your car inspected first, then renew your registration, all with one sticker.
Jeff Davis County · Vehicle Registration
No emissions test required to register your vehicle here
Jeff Davis County is not in one of Texas's 17 emissions testing counties, so you only need a safety inspection to register your vehicle.
Jefferson County · Vehicle Registration
Jefferson County Does Not Require Emissions Testing
Jefferson County is not an emissions-testing county. Registering your vehicle here does not require an emissions inspection.
Jefferson County · Hurricane Preparedness
Know Your Evacuation Routes Before a Storm
Jefferson County sits in a hurricane zone, and TxDOT has designated specific highways as evacuation routes — knowing them before a storm can save critical time.
Johnson County · Vehicle Registration
Register Your Car at the Johnson County Tax Office
The Johnson County Tax Office handles vehicle titles and registration — the same office where you pay property taxes.
Kaufman County · Vehicle Emissions
Cars registered in Kaufman County must pass an annual emissions test
Kaufman County is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth emissions testing area, so most gasoline vehicles need an emissions inspection every year.
Kaufman County · Road Flooding
Kaufman County has low-water crossings that flood fast — turn around, don't drown
Rural roads along the Trinity River and Cedar Creek can flood quickly during heavy rain, and some have low-water crossings with no barriers.
Kendall County · Vehicle Registration
Kendall County vehicles skip emissions testing at registration
Kendall County is not one of the 17 Texas counties that require an emissions test. Registering your car here involves fewer steps.
Kerr County · Vehicle Registration
Kerr County vehicles do not require an emissions test
Kerr County is not an emissions-testing county, so registering your car does not require a smog check.
Kimble County · Flood Safety
Flash Floods and Low-Water Crossings Are Serious Hazards Here
The Hill Country terrain funnels heavy rain into rivers fast — low-water crossings on rural roads can go from dry to dangerous in minutes.
Liberty County · Vehicle Registration
Liberty County drivers do not need an emissions test to register their vehicle
Liberty County does not require an emissions test. As of January 1, 2025, most vehicles also no longer need a safety inspection before renewing registration.
Loving County · Roads & Services
Loving County Is Extremely Remote — Plan Accordingly
Loving County has almost no services — the only town is tiny Mentone — so anyone traveling through or moving here needs to plan for fuel, supplies, and emergencies well in advance.
Lubbock County · Vehicle Registration
New Residents Skip the Safety Inspection — Just Register at the County Tax Office
Move to Texas with an out-of-state car? As of January 2025, non-commercial vehicles no longer need a safety inspection — you register directly at the county tax office and pay a small replacement fee.
Madison County · Vehicle Registration
Madison County vehicles skip emissions testing at inspection
Cars registered in Madison County do not need an emissions test — only a standard safety inspection is required under Texas's Two Steps, One Sticker program.
Matagorda County · Vehicle Registration
Register your vehicle at the county tax office in Bay City
The Matagorda County Tax Assessor-Collector handles vehicle registration and title transfers at their Bay City office.
McLennan County · Vehicle Registration
No Annual Safety Inspection Required to Register Your Car
As of January 1, 2025, McLennan County drivers no longer need a safety inspection to renew vehicle registration, but a small replacement fee applies.
Medina County · Flood Safety
Flash Floods and Low-Water Crossings Are a Real Hazard in Medina County
Medina County sits in flash flood territory, and low-water crossings on rural roads can rise quickly with little warning.
Midland County · Vehicle Registration
Register your vehicle through the Midland County Tax Office
Vehicle registration in Midland County goes through the county tax assessor-collector's office, which also handles most title transfers.
Montgomery County · Vehicle Registration
Cars in Montgomery County Need Emissions Testing First
Montgomery County is in the Houston area emissions testing program, so most vehicles must pass an emissions test before you can register them.
Montgomery County · Roads
SH 99 Grand Parkway Runs Through the County
State Highway 99, the Grand Parkway, passes through Montgomery County and serves as both a major commuter route and a hurricane evacuation corridor.
Moore County · Vehicle Registration
Register and Inspect Your Vehicle at the Same County Office
Texas combines vehicle inspection and registration into one process called Two Steps, One Sticker — handled locally at the Moore County Tax Office.
Navarro County · Vehicle Registration
Navarro County vehicle registration requires a safety inspection — not emissions
Most vehicles registered in Navarro County need an annual safety inspection, but Navarro County is not among the Texas counties that require an emissions test.
Nueces County · Hurricane Evacuation
I-37 is the main hurricane evacuation route out of Corpus Christi
TxDOT uses I-37 northbound as the primary evacuation corridor for the Corpus Christi area, and the highway shoulder can be converted into an extra travel lane during a storm.
Nueces County · Island Access
Port Aransas is in Nueces County and reached by ferry or causeway
Port Aransas sits on Mustang Island in Nueces County and is accessible by a free state-operated ferry from Aransas Pass or by crossing the JFK Causeway from Corpus Christi and driving north on SH 361.
Nueces County · Vehicle Registration
Vehicles registered in Nueces County use the Two Steps, One Sticker program
As of January 1, 2025, non-commercial vehicles in Texas no longer require a safety inspection before registration. In Nueces County, which is not one of the 17 emissions-testing counties, you simply register and receive one windshield sticker.
Orange County · Hurricane Evacuation
I-10 Is the Main Hurricane Evacuation Route Out of Orange County
When a hurricane threatens, I-10 westbound is the main official evacuation route for Orange County residents heading inland.
Parker County · Flash Floods
Low-water crossings in Parker County can flood fast
Parker County has creek crossings and low bridges that can become dangerous during and after heavy rain.
Parker County · Vehicle Registration
Parker County requires an emissions test before registration
Because Parker County is part of the DFW air quality zone, most vehicles need an annual emissions test to renew registration.
Parker County · Vehicle Registration
Register your vehicle through the Parker County Tax Office
Once your vehicle passes its emissions test, you register and pay fees at the Parker County Tax Assessor-Collector office.
Polk County · Evacuation Routes
Know Your Evacuation Route Before a Storm Hits
Polk County is inland but sits along major hurricane evacuation corridors from the Texas Gulf Coast, which means local roads can get very congested during a storm.
Polk County · Vehicle Registration
Register Your Vehicle at the Polk County Tax Office
The Polk County Tax Assessor-Collector handles vehicle registration, titles, and license plates at its Livingston office.
Potter County · Vehicle Registration
No Emissions Test Required in Potter County
Potter County is not one of the emissions-testing counties in Texas, so most vehicle owners skip that step when registering.
Presidio County · Roads
Getting Around Presidio County: US 67 and Remote Roads
US 67 is the main highway through Presidio County, and many back roads flood or wash out during storms.
Randall County · Vehicle Registration
Vehicle Inspections and Registration in Randall County
As of January 1, 2025, Texas eliminated safety inspections for non-commercial vehicles in most counties. In Randall County — a non-emissions county — no inspection is required before you register your vehicle.
Rockwall County · Registration & Inspection
How vehicle registration renewal works in Rockwall County
As of January 2025, Rockwall County vehicles no longer need a safety inspection. But you still need an annual emissions test before you can renew your registration.
Rockwall County · Vehicle Emissions
Your car needs an emissions test every year in Rockwall County
Rockwall County is in the Dallas-Fort Worth emissions testing area, so most gasoline-powered vehicles registered here must pass an annual emissions inspection to renew registration.
San Augustine County · Vehicle Registration
Register Your Vehicle at the County Tax Office
San Augustine County residents register vehicles and transfer titles at the county tax office — one sticker now covers both inspection and registration.