Vehicle registration/inspection when away

[free2wander]

My wife and I were discussing our workamper plans for next summer when the question of renewing our vehicle registration and inspection came up. Our permanent address is Texas but our workamper gig is in Colorado. We know we can renew the registration by mail, but our inspection stickers expire in August, and we will be gone until October or November. We would like feedback on how others handle this situation.

[RustyJC]

I believe you have 30 days to renew your safety inspection stickers after you return to Texas. As long as you stay out of state, there shouldn't be a problem.

Rusty

[GMRHost]

Have it inspected before you leave. When you get done your sticker will still be good, and you'll only be out the cost of the inspection. You may be able to renew the whole rig within the same calendar year, but that would be a Texas question.

[ottffss]

No worry. I do this all the time in VA.

The best answer is when returning (and before crossing the TX line) make an appointment at your inspection place (tell them why) so in the very UNlikely event TX finest pulls you over you tell them you are coming back home after being on extended out of state and that you have an inspection appoint with so-and-so station and give the trooper their name and phone number and appointment date. Then get it inspected at your leisure.

I don't even go that far and have yet to be flagged.

[Barbaraok]

When you cross the border into Texas you have ~ 3 days to get the rig inspected. Otherwise, you don't need to worry about the inspection. We know people who have gone YEARS without setting foot in Texas, so no inspection has been done.

Barb

[powerboatr]

Originally Posted by Barbaraok

When you cross the border into Texas you have ~ 3 days to get the rig inspected. Otherwise, you don't need to worry about the inspection. We know people who have gone YEARS without setting foot in Texas, so no inspection has been done.

Barb

yep, you have time when you come back to get it done...other states simply dont care if your state sticker is out of date, plates YES, insp sticker NO
and I live here and my inspection dropped dead last april......somehow i drove around till oct before i got it inspected???
i didnt forget it....i just never was in a position to go get it done, by traveling on weekends

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Barbaraok

When you cross the border into Texas you have ~ 3 days to get the rig inspected. Otherwise, you don't need to worry about the inspection. We know people who have gone YEARS without setting foot in Texas, so no inspection has been done.

Barb

Yep, they must come up here because we see a bunch of cars/MH's running around with expired tags, especially OR and CA!!

[Rocky Larson]

Originally Posted by RustyJC

I believe you have 30 days to renew your safety inspection stickers after you return to Texas. As long as you stay out of state, there shouldn't be a problem.

Rusty

Similiar to NJ. I used to get a vehicle specific letter from DMV every two years. They must have got tired of that and finally sent me a generic cover all letter saying I was good to go as long as I got inspected upon return. I keep a copy in both vehicles with the current registration.

[Poptop]

You evidently have it better in Texas then we do in Colorado. Here we can't get the tag renewed without the emissions. We made a special trip last week back there to git-r-done.

[Barbaraok]

Originally Posted by Poptop

You evidently have it better in Texas then we do in Colorado. Here we can't get the tag renewed without the emissions. We made a special trip last week back there to git-r-done.

For most areas of Texas it isn't an emissions test, just a safety (horn, lights, brakes, etc.) that is done. The emissions test are for metro areas (Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, etc.) and most fulltimers in this state have Livingston as their home address.

Barb

[free2wander]

Originally Posted by Barbaraok

For most areas of Texas it isn't an emissions test, just a safety (horn, lights, brakes, etc.) that is done. The emissions test are for metro areas (Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, etc.) and most fulltimers in this state have Livingston as their home address.

Barb

I got my last test in Houston last June, just before taking to the road. It was just a simple test, no emissions and a lot cheaper than my SUV.

[free2wander]

Originally Posted by Poptop

You evidently have it better in Texas then we do in Colorado. Here we can't get the tag renewed without the emissions. We made a special trip last week back there to git-r-done.

I'm due in Colorado next May and not due to leave until October. In the meantime, my inspection will expire. Does anyone know what happens with Colorado laws in a case like this, where I'm from out of state and will be going home when our contract expires?

[mrschwarz]

It's not quite so simple. If the state you are in requires a valid inspection sticker and your Texas sticker is expired, you are not protected. See this: TxDPS - Out-of-State Motorists