epcounty.com - County Tax Assessor-Collector

County Tax Assessor-Collector

Motor Vehicle Titles& Registration
The title to a motor vehicle must be transferred within 20 working days of the actual purchase to avoid penalties. After that date, a 5% penalty is assessed on the amount of motor vehicle tax due. After an additional 30 calendar days, an additional 5% (total 10%) penalty applies. The State of Texas imposes a motor vehicle sales and use tax of 6.25% times the net purchase price of any vehicle used by Texas residents. All used vehicles purchased from anyone other than a licensed car dealer will pay sales tax based on the car's Standard Presumptive Value. This tax is also imposed at the time of initial registration on the net fair market value of all leased vehicles. New Texas residents pay a flat $90.00 tax on each vehicle, whether leased or owned when they establish a Texas residence. The only requirement for this tax to apply is that the vehicle must have been registered in the name of the owner in another state or with the proof of the lease agreement. The cost of a new title is $33.00. If the vehicle is currently registered there is a $2.50 charge to transfer the registration to the new owner. If the vehicle is not currently registered, this must be done when the title is transferred and will reset the month of expiration to a period of twelve months including the month in which you record the transfer.
There are certain circumstances in which you may title the vehicle without registering it. At the time of a "title only" situation, proof of liability insurance is not required. However, the vehicle must not be driven on any public roads unregistered and the license plates and window sticker must be surrendered.
Registration for a car is based on its age. (Full year registration for a car is based on its age. (Full year registration for a 2008, 2007 or 2006 car is $60.80, full year registration for a 2005, 2004, or 2003 car is $52.80 and full year registration for a 2002 or older car is $42.80.) Truck and motor home registration is based on the fully loaded weight of the vehicle. In addition, El Paso County charges a $10.00 local Road & Bridge fee on the registration of all vehicles except farm vehicles. This fee is set by the Commissioners' Court and is used to pay for maintenance and improvements of county roads.
(See Registration Fee Table)
Each time you register your vehicle or renew the registration for your vehicle you are required to provide proof that the vehicle meets the requirements of Texas Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act. The Texas Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act provides that no motor vehicle may be operated in the State of Texas unless liability insurance coverage for the vehicle in at least the minimum amounts indicated below remains in effect to insure against potential losses: 1. $20,000.00 because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any accident, 2. $40,000.00 because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident, subject to limit of 20,000.00 for one person, and 3. $15,000.00 because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.
CLICK HERE FOR INSURANCE RATES FOR EACH STATE
This provision does not apply to motor vehicles, which are exempt from the insurance requirement of this Act.
If you renew your vehicle's registration in any month after it is due you will be required to state whether it has been used during the period it has not been registered. Depending on the facts, registration will be prorated for any months in which the vehicle has not been used or a penalty of 20% in addition to the full year's registration will be charged. You will be asked to attest to the vehicle's nonuse by signing a statement on the back of the registration receipt. Any use after the fifth day after the registration expires serves to disqualify the owner from pro-ration of registration and subjects the registration to the 20% penalty.