Community Forums

RustyJC · 10-08-2007, 04:30 AM

All I can do is share my experience in Harris County (Houston & suburbs). The inspection stations have asked to see my truck insurance card on the basis that (1.) any vehicle operating on Texas highways is legally required to have liability insurance coverage (unless surety bonds are posted) and (2.) liability coverage for a trailer is provided by the towing vehicle's liability insurance.

The DPS computer that handles the trailer inspection process lumps motorcycles and trailers into the same section - both get the same inspection sticker. That may have something to do with insurance verification before the sticker can be issued as well.

Rusty

Rick A · 10-10-2007, 03:56 AM

We are considering moving to Texas, San Antonio area, next spring after school is over. I have been trying to find the vehicle registration fee schedule and keep getting a message file not found. Here in PA we are required to have trailers inspected as well, but it is rarely enforced. How strict are they on trailer inspections?

RustyJC · 10-10-2007, 04:05 AM

Rick,

Welcome to Texas - we look forward to having y'all down here.

I'm sure that there are a lot of 4500+ lb trailers running around Texas that aren't inspected. I don't know of many (if any) law enforcement agencies that target this violation, but should one be involved in an accident or stopped by a LEO for any other reason, it's certainly reasonable to assume that the LEO is going to check the truck and trailer for current inspection stickers.

On Edit: Rick, you'll have to get it inspected to get it registered in Texas. After year 1, though, it's your choice per the above.

You might try to contact the Bexar County Tax Assessor/Collector's office to get information on vehicle registration fees in San Antonio.

Rusty

tnance · 10-11-2007, 02:27 AM

I just got my vehicle registration renewal notice yesterday. The empty weight on the registration shows 12,700 lbs. This number came from the manufacture brochure evidently. This weight is more than 3,000 lbs less than the actual empty weight.

The cost for my registration is $119.12 per year.
I have not had my trailer inspected for several years now.

Rick A · 10-11-2007, 09:40 AM

Well, I am not too worried about inspection. We have annual inspections here in PA as well. You all are scaring me with these registration costs though. I currently pay $194/yr for the truck registered with a GVWR of 9600 lbs, and only $27/year for the 5th wheel. I have never had the trailer inspected and never had an issue with it. I guess I will need to call the local tax collector in TX and see how bad they are going to ding me on transferring everything. Does anyone know if they make you pay hte difference in sales tax when registering a vehicle. PA we paid 6%, I belive TX is 6.5%, I am wondering if they will charge us the diff of 1/2%.

RustyJC · 10-11-2007, 11:25 AM

It depends on how long it has been since you purchased the vehicle. I ran into that with a 1996 Dodge Ram (purchased in Ohio in July 1996) when we moved back to Texas in June 1997. IIRC, the out of state sales tax liability only applied to vehicles purchased within the last 12 or 18 months - I can't recall which. That would be another question for the Bexar County Tax Assessor/Collector.

Rusty

CoastalDav · 10-14-2007, 09:26 AM

Truck is $120.00 per year at 10,500 GVW. Without a specialty tag its less than $100.00 per year. Trailer tags are about 35 per year.

Figured your closer to Florida than Texas.

Dave