Services

Motor Vehicle

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Registering Your Vehicle

The Galveston County Tax Office (GCTO) provides registration and titling services on behalf of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). After registering your vehicle in the County, you will receive renewal notices directly from TxDMV (typically 6 weeks before expiration). Sign up for email reminders from TxDMV online (have your plate number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) handy).

WAYS TO RENEW:

Renew Online: (https://renew.txdmv.gov/Renew/ ) (if not expired more than one year). These are processed by TxDMV in Austin. If you fail to receive sticker within two weeks please call so that we may research for you!

Place renewal form, payment, proof of liability insurance and inspection (obtain copy at http://www.mytxcar.org/txcar_net/SearchVehicleTestHistory.aspx) in an envelope and drop in a yellow GCTO payment box located at each full time branch (or in black payment box at the side drive of Friendswood City Hall). All payments are processed and mailed within 3 days.

In person at any full time or satellite office (see Office Location & Hours link at left)

Visit one of our grocery store partners listed below (State renewal form required)

A family member with the same last name may renew on your behalf but any other person must provide a signed Authorization to Purchase Registration form.

DISABLED PLACARDS are available for those with temporary or permanent disabilities (free to disabled veterans). An original prescription from a physician is required to obtain a placard or plates.

NEW TO TEXAS? Register or Title or Both!

Proof of Texas or out-of-state liability insurance required (declaration page required for out of state insurance)
Obtain Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) at any Texas DPS inspection station (https://www.dps.texas.gov/RSD/VI/VIactiveStationLocator/default.aspx).
Present above items to our office along with a current driver's license and completed Application for Texas Title 130-U NEW June 2021

For additional information call our office toll free at 1-877-766-2284 or send an email to galcotax@co.galveston.tx.us.

Registration Fee Schedule

Registration Fee Schedule and Lemon Law

Grocery Store Partners

(map links at Grocery Store Registration link at left)

League City:

Dickinson: Kroger at 3410 Gulf Freeway (at FM 517) (Courtesy Booth open 8 am to 8 pm)

Friendswood:

Galveston:

Texas City:

HEB at 3502 Palmer Highway (at 34th Street) (Courtesy Booth open 10 am to 6 pm)
Kroger at 3541 Palmer Highway (Courtesy Booth open 8 am to 8 pm)

Titling Your Vehicle

Titling a vehicle in Texas enables you to transfer title (sell) within the State in the future. It is NOT required (you may register only). If you do not intend to drive the vehicle, you may obtain only a Texas title. Use Application for Texas Title 130-U NEW June 2021 .

If you purchased a vehicle from a dealership, the dealer is required to file the title application on your behalf. The dealer should provide you with a receipt showing the vehicle has been titled in your name.

If you purchased a vehicle from an individual, you will need a signed title and a Form 130-U. If the registration is expired at purchase, get an inspection before coming to register and title it. Bring proof of insurance, the inspection form, your ID and payment that includes a $33 application fee, registration fee (see above) and applicable sales tax (6.25% sales tax based on the value of the vehicle according to the State's estimate of value* or the sales price, whichever is higher).

* The Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) calculator may be found at https://www.txdmv.gov/standard-presumptive-calculator. If you paid less than the SPV, you may pay sales taxes on an appraisal amount if provided by a licensed insurance adjuster or licensed motor vehicle dealer but it must be obtained within 20 working days of purchase. Download the appraisal form here Used Motor Vehicle Certified Appraisal Form 14-148.

Frequently Asked Questions by TxDMV

https://www.txdmv.gov/faq/motorist

Sold a vehicle? File this form!

A revision to the Texas Transportation Code takes effect September 1 - specifically changes to both the form and requirements after you have sold a vehicle. VTR 346 allows a seller to notify TxDMV of a transfer of a used motor vehicle. Filing this form with the TxDMV protects sellers from criminal or civil liability involving a sold vehicle if submitted within 30 days of the date of sale.

As a result of HB 3288 (88th Regular Session), the seller's telephone number and buyer's full name, address and telephone number are now required. If this information is not provided, TxDMV will REJECT the transfer notification and will not place a note on the vehicle in its Registration and Titling System.

Be SURE to fully complete the revised form below! Protect yourself from any chance of criminal or civil liability!

VTR-346

Off Highway Vehicles (Including Golf Carts)

License plates ARE REQUIRED for off highway vehicles and golf carts if they are permitted by city or county ordinance to be driven on designated roadways. Plates may be obtained from any of our offices at a cost of $14.75 and must be accompanied by a 130U (see form below).

PLEASE NOTE - Purchasing a license plate does not enable you to drive it on Texas roads! As of June 22, 2021, the following cities permit off highway vehicles or golf carts.

Unincorporated Galveston County - golf carts
Bayou Vista - golf carts and OHV
Clear Lake Shores - golf carts; OHV may be considered in future
Galveston - golf carts
Hitchcock - golf carts only
Jamaica Beach - golf carts and OHV
Santa Fe - golf carts only
Texas City - golf carts and OHV
Tiki Island - golf carts only

130U for Golf Cart License Plates for Individuals

A vehicle is classified as an LSV or NEV if it has:

a normal maximum speed of 20-25 mph (LSV) or 20-35 mph (NEV)
seat belts
head and tail lights
a windshield
a parking brake
turn signals
rear-view mirrors
brake lights
reflectors, and
a valid 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are regulated by state and federal laws. A vehicle is classified an ATV if it:

is equipped with a seat or seats for the use of the rider and a passenger and (if the motor vehicle is designed by the manufacturer to transport a passenger)
has three or more wheels
is not more than 50 inches wide,
s designed for off-highway use, and
is not designed by the manufacturer for farm or lawn care

ATVs may not be driven on public roads unless the driver is a farmer or rancher traveling no more than 25 miles, a public utility worker or law enforcement officer.

ATVs driven on a public road must have a triangular orange flag on top of an 8' pole attached to the back of the vehicle. It must also have a brake and muffler system, a United States Forest Service qualified spark arrester, head and tail lights, and an Off Highway Vehicle decal issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

A Utility-Type vehicle (UTV) is defined as Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle (ROV), and is generally used for maintenance, hunting or recreation. ROVs must be titled but may not be driven on public roads unless owned by a state, county or city and operated on a public beach or highway to maintain public safety and welfare, if the driver is a public utility worker or a law enforcement officer.

ROVs are:

equipped with a seat or seats for the use of the rider and a passenger or passengers, if the vehicle is designed by the manufacturer to transport a passenger or passengers
designed to propel itself with four or more tires in contact with the ground
designed by the manufacturer for off-highway use and
not designed by the manufacturer for farm or lawn care.

To be operated on public property, ROVs must have:

a brake system,
a muffler system,
a United States Forest Service qualified spark arrester,
head and tail light, and
an Off Highway Vehicle decal issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Accepted Forms of Payment

We have several options for you to use when submitting payments to our office. You may via cash, check, money order, cashiers check, debit and Visa, Master Card, Discover, and American Express credit cards. American Express credit cards may only be used in person.

A credit and debit card convenience fee of 2.2% of payment amount (minimum charge $3.95) will be added by Chase, a third party facilitator for these payments and will appear as a separate transaction on your credit card statement.