Texas Porch

Topic · Page 3

Cars & Driving

Local Notes

Cars & Driving notes

155 notes

San Patricio County · Hurricane Evacuation

Know Your Hurricane Evacuation Route Before Storm Season

San Patricio County is in the Texas coastal hurricane zone. Knowing the official evacuation routes before storm season can save your life.

San Patricio County · Vehicle Registration

No Emissions Test Required to Register Your Vehicle Here

San Patricio County is not one of the 17 Texas counties that require an emissions test, so registering your vehicle here is straightforward.

Smith County · Vehicle Registration

How to register your vehicle in Smith County

As of January 1, 2025, Texas no longer requires a safety inspection for non-commercial vehicles before registration renewal. Smith County is not an emissions county, so you simply pay your registration fee to the Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector or online.

Smith County · Road Maintenance

Know who maintains your road in Smith County

Roads with FM or US numbers in Smith County are state roads maintained by TxDOT; other roads outside city limits are county roads.

Smith County · Heavy Haul

Oversize or overweight loads need a permit to use Smith County roads

Smith County has Heavy Haul Regulations that require a permit for trucks exceeding weight or size limits on county roads.

Somervell County · Flood Awareness

The Paluxy River floods quickly — low-water crossings close without warning

The Paluxy River rises fast after rain, cutting off rural roads at low-water crossings in and around Glen Rose.

Tarrant County · Driver's License

Driver's Licenses in Tarrant County Are a DPS Matter

New driver's licenses and renewals in Tarrant County are handled by Texas DPS — not the county Tax Office.

Tarrant County · Vehicle Registration

Registering and Renewing Your Vehicle in Tarrant County

Tarrant County residents renew vehicle registration through the county Tax Assessor-Collector, with eight office locations and online and mail options.

Tarrant County · Emissions Inspection

Tarrant County Requires an Emissions Test for Most Vehicles

Most gasoline-powered vehicles registered in Tarrant County must pass an emissions test before registration can be renewed.

Tarrant County · Airport / Transportation

Tarrant County Sits Next to One of the Country's Busiest Airports

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport sits on the border of Tarrant and Dallas counties and is a major employment and transportation hub for the region.

Taylor County · Moving to Texas

New Texas residents must register their vehicle within 30 days

If you move to Taylor County from another state, Texas law requires you to register your vehicle within 30 days of establishing residency and get a Texas driver license within 90 days.

Taylor County · Vehicle Registration

Taylor County vehicles need no inspection — safety or emissions — at registration

As of January 1, 2025, Texas dropped the annual safety inspection for non-commercial vehicles. Taylor County is also not an emissions-testing county, so no inspection of any kind is needed at registration.

Titus County · Vehicle Registration

Registering Your Car in Titus County

Titus County does not require an emissions test, and as of January 1, 2025, non-commercial vehicles no longer need a safety inspection either — you register directly with the county.

Tom Green County · Road Safety

Low-Water Crossings on Rural Roads Can Flood Fast

Rural roads in Tom Green County often cross streams at low-water crossings that can become dangerous during heavy rain.

Tom Green County · Vehicle Registration

Vehicle Inspection and Registration Work Together in Texas

Texas changed its vehicle inspection rules on January 1, 2025 — non-commercial vehicles in most Texas counties, including Tom Green, no longer need a safety inspection to renew registration.

Travis County · Roads & Highways

Roads in Travis County: State Highways, FM Roads, and County Roads

Travis County has a mix of state highways, Farm-to-Market roads, and county roads — each maintained by a different agency.

Travis County · Tax Office Services

The Travis County Tax Office Handles More Than Taxes

The Travis County Tax Office handles vehicle registration, titles, and property tax payments all in one place.

Travis County · Vehicle Registration

Vehicle Registration in Travis County: Two Steps, One Sticker

Travis County uses the Two Steps, One Sticker system, combining your vehicle inspection and registration renewal.

Uvalde County · Vehicle Registration

Register your vehicle at the county tax office

Uvalde County residents renew vehicle registrations through the county Tax Assessor-Collector office.

Val Verde County · Road Safety / Flooding

Low-Water Crossings and Flash Floods Are a Real Danger Here

Val Verde County's canyon terrain makes it prone to fast-rising floodwaters, and many rural roads use low-water crossings that can be dangerous or impassable after rain.

Val Verde County · Vehicle Registration

No Emissions Test Required for Most Vehicles in Val Verde County

Val Verde County is not on the list of Texas counties that require vehicle emissions testing, so most drivers only need to register and pay fees.

Van Zandt County · Vehicle Registration

No emissions test required to register your vehicle here

Van Zandt County is not in the emissions-test zone, so you only need a standard safety inspection to register your vehicle.

Victoria County · Vehicle Registration

Register your vehicle and transfer titles at the county tax office

The Victoria County Tax Office handles vehicle registration renewals, title transfers, and disabled parking placards.

Victoria County · Two Steps, One Sticker

Texas requires an inspection before you can renew your registration

Texas combines the vehicle inspection and registration into one process — you get inspected first, then renew your registration.

Walker County · Registration & Inspection

Vehicle Registration in Walker County: Two Steps, One Sticker

Walker County residents renew their vehicle registration at the county tax office, after passing a state inspection within 90 days of the renewal date.

Waller County · Vehicle Registration

Waller County Vehicles Do Not Require an Emissions Test

If you register a vehicle in Waller County, you only need a safety inspection — no separate emissions test is required.

Washington County · Vehicle Registration

Register Your Car at the Washington County Tax Office

Washington County uses the Two Steps, One Sticker system, and you handle your vehicle registration at the county tax office in Brenham.

Webb County · Vehicle Registration

Register Your Vehicle at the Webb County Tax Office

Vehicle titles and registration renewals in Webb County go through the county tax assessor-collector's office, not a separate DMV office.

Wichita County · Vehicle Registration

Vehicle Registration Uses the Two-Step Process in Texas

Texas requires a state inspection followed by annual registration renewal—both handled through the county tax office in Wichita County.

Williamson County · Vehicle Registration

Williamson County Vehicles Still Need an Emissions Test

Safety inspections are no longer required to renew registration in Texas, but Williamson County vehicles still require a passing emissions inspection.

Wilson County · Roads & Safety

Wilson County roads include low-water crossings that flood during heavy rain

Rural roads in Wilson County cross several creek drainages with low-water crossings that can become impassable quickly during heavy rain.

Wilson County · Vehicle Registration

Wilson County vehicles need a safety inspection before registration renewal

Texas uses a program called Two Steps, One Sticker — get your vehicle inspected first, then renew your registration.

Wise County · Roads

Many Wise County Roads Are Farm-to-Market Roads With Low-Water Crossings

Farm-to-market roads serve most of rural Wise County, and some low-water crossings can flood and close after heavy rain.

Wise County · Vehicle Registration

Wise County Vehicles Do Not Need an Emissions Test

Wise County is not an emissions-testing county, so you skip that step when registering most vehicles.

Zapata County · Vehicle Registration

Vehicle Registration in Zapata County: No Emissions Test Required

Zapata County is not one of the Texas counties that requires an emissions inspection, so renewing your vehicle registration involves only a standard safety inspection.