If you just moved to Texas, you’ll soon learn plenty about the culture,

customs, and history of the state. In the meantime, here are a few items to

consider as you get acclimated.

As a new Texas resident, you have 30 days to register your vehicle and get

your driver’s license. Before you register your vehicle, though, it must pass

the state inspection process. In order, here are the three steps to follow:

1. Take your vehicle to a state inspection station. You can find a list of what

types of inspections are required in your county and an inspections-station

locator at www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi. When you go, make sure you take

your driver’s license and proof of insurance. If your insurance policy

wasn’t issued in Texas, you may need to show proof that you carry the

minimum coverage required by the state: $20,000 bodily injury or death to

one person; $40,000 bodily injury or death to two or more persons; and

$15,000 injury or destruction to other property.

2. When your vehicle passes inspection, the inspection station will give you a

verification form to bring to the county tax assessor-collector’s office. This

is where you obtain a Texas vehicle registration sticker and license plates.

You’ll need proof of ownership, such as registration or title from your

previous home state, as well as proof of insurance. Again, you may need

to show that you carry minimum coverage amounts.

3. Apply for a Texas driver’s license at the Texas Department of Public Safety

(DPS) office in your area. To find the location nearest you, visit

www.txdps.state.tx.us. Bring an ID, proof of Social Security number, proof

of liability insurance, and proof of Texas vehicle registration. Expect to

provide a thumbprint and surrender any valid out-of-state license you

currently have.

While at the driver’s license office, you can register to vote—or you can pick

up a voter-registration application from the county voter registrar’s office, a

library, post office, or from the secretary of state’s Web site,

www.sos.state.tx.us. The application must be received 30 days before an

election to vote in that election.

You can find a wealth of information about the state at TexasOnline.com. You

can also search here for links to Web sites for counties, cities, chambers of

commerce, schools, and libraries. If you’re looking for answers to questions

about state laws, required business licenses, taxes, and more, you may also

find that information here.

There is no fee to file a property-tax homestead exemption. You might receive

letters, though, on official-looking stationery offering to file your homestead

exemption for you for a fee. Even some people who have lived in Texas their

entire lives confuse these letters as a form from a state agency requiring a

mandatory fee. Don’t fall for it. The process is simple and costs nothing. You

can download the application from

www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/50-114.pdf, fill out the form, and

send it in to your appraisal district.

If you have other questions, please feel free to get in touch with me.

Welcome to your new home!