If you are wanting to officially move to Texas, including your car registration and license plates, here is a list of resources and information that may be helpful.
Note: Full-time college students are not required to register their car in Texas, if it is registered in a different state already. However, if you need a Texas driver's license, you will need to register your car in state.
Changing Car Registration from another state to TX
4151 County Park Ct
Bryan, TX 77802
Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday-Friday
To change your car registration, obtain Texas license plates, and disabled parking placards, you'll first need to go to the Brazos County Tax Office. You'll receive vehicle registration renewal notices in the mail, but you can also renew at H-E-B and Kroger too.
To have your car registered in Texas, you will need to:
Update car insurance information for your new address
Have your car inspected -- there are many service stations, dealerships, oil change shops that can do this for you
Go to Tax Office for Vehicle Registration and License Plates -- You'll need proof of insurance, passing car inspection report, and proof that you own your car
More info can be found here.
GRAD TIP
The earlier in the day you can show up to the Tax Assessor's Office and the DPS the better! Often there are long lines that may last hours.
Getting a TX Driver's License/Identification Card
Brazos County Department of Public Safety Office
2571 Earl Rudder Freeway
Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday-Friday
Once you move to TX, you can continue driving with your unexpired valid license from another state or country for up to 90 days. To obtain a driver's license in TX, you will be required to apply in-person.
To obtain a driver's license/identification card, you will need to provide proof of the following items. A full list is available here.
Also, this is a good visual summary PDF version of all this information.
Items you will need to bring with you:
Application for a TX Driver's License/Identification Card -- Form DL-14A
U.S. Citizenship, or evidence of lawful presence
Examples: valid and unexpired U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate
Proof of Residency in Texas (need 2 documents)
Examples: housing lease, current homeowners/renters insurance, utility bill, current car insurance policy statement, paystub
Proof of Identity
Texas has a multi-category way to prove identify, but only the original documents are acceptable, no photocopies or laminated copies are allowed. Often your proof of identity documentation will also be your U.S. citizenship/evidence of lawful presence documentation as well.
Note: If your name and/or gender is different between documents, you must also provide documentation verifying the change. Acceptable documents: marriage license, divorce decree, original or certified copy of revised birth certificate, court ordered name and/or gender change
Primary Document Examples (need one document)
Photo driver's license/identification from TX, up to 2 years expired, valid unexpired U.S. passport, valid unexpired foreign passport with visa attachment and valid I-94, U.S. citizenship certificate/certificate of naturalization with photo, unexpired U.S. military photo ID, U.S. citizen ID card (I-179 or I-197), permanent resident card (I-551), employment authorization card (I-766), American Indian card (I-872)
Secondary Document Examples (need two documents)
Original or certified copy of birth certificate, original or certified copy of report of birth abroad, original or certified copy of court ordered name and date of name and/or gender change
Supporting Document Examples (if you don't have two secondary documents, you can do one secondary and 2 supporting)
Driver's license/identification card issued from another U.S. state or TX drivers license/identification card that is more than 2 years expired, social security card, pilot's license, concealed handgun license, voter registration card, school records, military records, any insurance policy, current TX motor vehicle registration or title, unexpired foreign passport, tribal membership card from federally recognized tribe
Social Security Card
You will need to bring your social security card with you, but you can also use your W-2 form, SSA-1099 form, pay stub with name and SSN, certified college transcript with SSN, health insurance cards with SSN, military identification
Evidence of Texas Vehicle Registration for every vehicle you own
Proof of Insurance for every vehicle you own
Current insurance policy card
The fee for a Texas driver's license is $25, and $16 for an identification card (current as of 2020). Your license will be mailed within 45 days, and you'll receive a temporary paper copy until then.
Healthcare
Offered through A&M is the Graduate Student Plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, with available options for dental and vision insurance. Most of the local hospitals and doctor's office are in-network on this plan.
Voting
If you have a permanent residence in Brazos County (or if you are currently residing in any Texas county), you can register to vote at the same time as your driver's license registration. If you decide at a later date to register to vote, you can do so at Brazos Votes.
When you vote in-person, you will need identification confirming who you are. These include your driver's license, and your voter registration card.
There are several polling locations in the Bryan-College Station area, including the MSC on campus. Texas has several restrictions in place for absentee voting, primarily if you are currently residing in a county but are registered in another Texas county or state.