Texas has issued new vehicle registration rules requiring buyers to present a valid, unexpired photo ID, with stricter standards now in place.
HOUSTON — The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles has released updated identification requirements that all dealers must follow when processing initial vehicle registrations and renewals. The notice states that the guidelines are effective immediately, and dealers will be responsible for verifying the correct form of ID before completing a transaction.
According to the guidance, buyers must present valid, unexpired photo identification at the time of sale. Expired passports or expired IDs cannot be accepted under any circumstances.
The update comes after Texas Rep. Brian Harrison publicly pushed for tighter rules on vehicle registration requirements. In a recent post, Harrison claimed the state had been issuing registrations to “illegal aliens” and called for the governor and the DMV Board to immediately change ID standards for registrations. He also urged the state to issue new rules restricting which documents can be used. Harrison’s letter to the governor cited concerns about safety, insurance costs and what he called “incentivizing illegal immigration.”
No word from the DMV Board on whether this is what drove the change. The department has not commented on whether Harrison’s statements factored into the policy shift.
Acceptable identification documents
Dealers must verify that applicants provide one of the following:
- Valid U.S. driver’s license or state ID issued by a U.S. state or territory
- Valid U.S. or foreign passport
- Valid, unexpired Texas License to Carry (LTC)
- U.S. military identification card
- NATO identification or identification issued under a Status of Forces Agreement
- Identification issued by: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or U.S. Department of State
Clarifying passport rules
The notice provides separate criteria for U.S. and foreign passports:
U.S. Passport
- Must be unexpired
- Passport book or a passport card is acceptable
Foreign Passport
- Must be unexpired
- Must include a valid Department of Homeland Security admission stamp or mark
- Must include a current permanent resident card or an unexpired immigrant visa
Clarifying U.S. driver license/state ID rules
- Must be valid and unexpired
- Must meet REAL ID Act standards, including the star symbol in the top-right corner
Dealer compliance requirements
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles states that dealers must ensure:
- The ID provided is valid and unexpired
- The buyer presents one of the approved identification types
- Foreign passport holders also present required DHS documentation
- No expired passports or expired IDs are accepted for any registration transaction
This update applies to all dealers processing registration transactions in Texas and takes effect immediately.
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