New Arrivals

Texas Licenses and Regulations

Car Registration

Those who want to establish residency in Texas and want to register their vehicle in Texas should do the following within 30 days of moving to Texas:

1. Have liability insurance – Minimum amount of coverage required in Texas: $30,000 for each injured person (up to a total of $60,000 per accident) and $25,000 for property damage.

   • Website for price comparisons of insurance companies dmv.org/texas/car-insurance.

2. Vehicle must pass state inspection.

   • To renew a registration or transfer a title, the vehicle must have passed an inspection within three months.

   • Anyone can check to see if and when a specific vehicle has been inspected by going to mytxcar.com.

     • Local inspection sites — close to the ILC.

3. Register and title your vehicle. Bring the following to your local tax office:

   • Vehicle Inspection Report.

   • Proof of car liability insurance.

   • Proof that you own the vehicle – 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 (available at website txdmv.gov/forms-tac).

   • Local check, cash or credit cards for payment of registration fee, title application, and new resident tax.

   Closest Dallas County Tax Office for Vehicle Registration & License Plates.
   8301 S. Polk Street, Dallas, TX
   Phone: (214) 653-7811
   Open: Mon – Fri 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Drivers License

An individual can legally drive with a valid, unexpired driver license from another state or country for up to 90 days after moving to Texas. However, you must apply in person within those 90 days to continue driving legally, and you will be required by law to surrender your unexpired driver license issued by another state or Canadian province to DPS.

Texas Driver License➜
Closest Driver’s License Office
Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Center
39025 LBJ Service Road, Dallas, TX 75232
Phone: (214) 330-3958
Open: Mon – Thurs 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Friday 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Non-resident, full-time students attending a Texas college or university are not required to obtain a Texas driver’s license or register and title their vehicles in Texas. It is wise to obtain a Texas I.D. (complete application and pay $16 at Driver’s License Office) that can be used for check cashing, or opening a checking account at most banks.

Cell Phone and Internet

Phone suggestions for newcomers needing a cell phone and internet access for use during your stay here.

Phones - If you:

Need to compare various providers on your own before making a decision: www.myrateplan.com. Or go to Wal-Mart-Phones or Best Buy-Phones mobile phone options, or to the store kiosks.

Need a prepaid mobile phone for frequent use in Dallas with good national coverage for PD trips: www.net10.com. Or go to prepaid.t-mobile.com or tracfone.com to see their prepaid plans.

Wycliffe members are eligible for a discount plan with Verizon. Go to employee discounts menu, enter your SIL email address, then Verizon will give you 12% discount off monthly access fee on qualifying cell phone plans through the JAARS INC, employee program.

Wycliffe members are eligible for a discount plan with T-Moblie. Unlimited plans starting at $25/mo ea for phones, $20/mo ea for tablets, and $15/mo ea for smartwatches plus governmental fees (limit 8 lines). To sign up click here.

Internet - If you:

Need a national network wireless broadband service: AT&T Internet, Verizon Internet, Sprint-Internet or Spectrum Internet. Or go to High Speed Internet Providers by Zip-code.