Texas relocation guide: utilities, car insurance, renters and home insurance, driver license (Korean license exchange), vehicle registration

Everything here was checked on official sources (state agencies, cities, utilities, school districts); each item shows its source and the date we checked it. Rules change — confirm with the agency before you apply.

Electricity

Where you choose your electricity company — and where you don't

In parts of Texas you pick your own Retail Electric Provider (REP). - In areas served by a delivery company such as Oncor, the delivery company does not sell electricity. You choose a REP, sign up with it and pay it. Oncor points customers to Power to Choose (powertochoose.org) to compare offers. - City-owned utilities and electric cooperatives that have not opted in to Customer Choice do not offer a choice (ERCOT calls them NOIEs).

Check with your landlord or the utility which case applies to your address. See the city pages too.

Source: Oncor Electric Delivery (checked 2026-10-20) · ERCOT (checked 2026-10-20)

Auto insurance

Texas minimum liability coverage

Texas law requires drivers to show they can pay for accidents they cause. Most drivers do this with auto liability insurance.

The legal minimum is often called 30/60/25: - $30,000 for injuries per person - $60,000 for injuries per accident - $25,000 for property damage

This is only the legal floor. Choose coverage that fits your situation.

Source: Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) (checked 2026-10-20)

Where you need proof of insurance

• Vehicle registration: TxDMV tells new residents to bring proof of insurance that meets the state minimums when registering.
• Driver license application: Texas DPS asks for proof of insurance for each vehicle you own, or a statement that you do not own a vehicle.

Source: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) (checked 2026-10-20) · Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) (checked 2026-10-20)

What the parts of 'full coverage' mean

Based on TDI's auto insurance guide: - Liability: pays for damage to the other driver's car or property and other people's medical bills when you cause an accident. - Collision: pays to repair or replace your car after an accident. - Comprehensive: pays if your car is stolen or damaged by something other than a collision, such as fire, flood or vandalism. - Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM): pays if an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you, or in a hit-and-run. Insurers must offer it; to decline it you must do so in writing. - Personal injury protection (PIP): pays medical bills for you and your passengers, plus lost wages and other nonmedical costs. All Texas auto policies include PIP; to decline it you must tell the company in writing. - Medical payments: pays medical bills for you and your passengers, and covers you if you are hurt in someone else's car or while walking or biking.

Source: Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) (checked 2026-10-20)

What affects your premium

TDI says insurers look at your driving record and claims history; accidents or tickets can raise your premium, and some companies may refuse to sell you a policy. TDI's guide does not say how rates are set for drivers with no U.S. driving history. Compare offers from several companies.

Source: Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) (checked 2026-10-20)

Renters and homeowners insurance

Renters insurance

Your landlord's insurance does not cover your personal items. Renters insurance is not required by law, but some landlords require it.

Main coverages: - Personal property: your belongings, including items stolen from your car or while traveling. - Additional living expenses: extra costs for food, rent and other needs if a covered loss forces you to move out for a while. - Personal liability: if someone is hurt in your home, including legal costs.

Watch for: - Payment limits — check your policy limits. - Lower sub-limits for some items such as cash, business items, and jewelry and watches. - Replacement-value policies cost more than basic policies. - Most renters policies do not cover flood.

Source: Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) (checked 2026-10-20)

Homeowners insurance

Texas law does not require home insurance, but if you still owe money on your home, your lender requires it.

Most Texas home policies include six coverages: dwelling, personal property, other structures, additional living expenses (ALE), personal liability, and medical payments.

• ALE may be limited to 10–20% of your dwelling coverage.
• You may have different deductibles for different coverages.
• Most home policies do not cover flood.

Source: Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) (checked 2026-10-20)

Flood insurance is separate

• Most home and renters policies do not cover flood.
• You can buy flood insurance from an insurer or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
• Most flood policies have a 30-day waiting period, so plan ahead.
• If your home is in a designated flood zone, your lender requires flood insurance.

Source: Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) (checked 2026-10-20) · Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) (checked 2026-10-20) · FEMA / National Flood Insurance Program (checked 2026-10-20)

Questions or complaints: TDI Help Line

For insurance questions or complaints against companies, agents or adjusters, call the TDI Help Line at 800-252-3439, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Central time. The online complaint page walks you through by type of insurance (auto, homeowners/renters, flood and more).

Source: Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) (checked 2026-10-20)

Driver license

New residents: Texas license within 90 days

TxDMV says new residents must get a Texas driver license from Texas DPS within 90 days of moving to the state.

Source: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) (checked 2026-10-20)

Korean license holders: reciprocity

Texas DPS's "Moving to Texas" page says Texas has license reciprocity with France, Germany, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Taiwan.

• With a valid, unexpired license from one of these countries, you are not required to take the knowledge or skills exam (DPS says the exams "may be waived").
• DPS says this does not apply if you choose to keep your out-of-country license.
• Foreign licenses not in English or Spanish must be translated by a translation service or your consulate.
• Separate rules apply to applicants under 18.

For documents, fees and other steps, see "How to apply" below and confirm with DPS before your visit.

Source: Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) (checked 2026-10-20)

How to apply and what to bring

1. Book an appointment on the DPS appointments page.
2. Fill out the DL-14A application online or at the office.
3. Bring documents: - Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence - Proof of Texas residency - Proof of identity - Social Security Number - Proof of insurance for each vehicle you own (or a statement that you own none)
4. Give your signature and thumbprints, have your photo taken, pay the fee, and pass the vision exam.
5. Take the knowledge and skills tests if required.

You leave with a temporary license; the card usually arrives by mail in 2–3 weeks. Use DPS's REAL ID Document Check tool for a personalized document list.

Source: Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) (checked 2026-10-20) · Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) (checked 2026-10-20)

Two residency documents (30-day rule)

• You need two printed documents showing your name and Texas residential address.
• One must show you have lived in Texas at least 30 days. (The 30-day rule is waived for people surrendering another state's license, among others; the page does not list a waiver for foreign licenses.)
• Examples: lease, utility bill, Texas vehicle registration or title.
• Utility bills, bank statements and similar documents must be dated within 180 days of your application.
• Both may come from the same local government or service provider if they are separate statements for different services. Statements for the same service for different months are not accepted.

Source: Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) (checked 2026-10-20)

Visa holders get a 'Limited Term' license

DPS treats anyone who is not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, refugee or asylee as a "temporary visitor." That includes most expats on L-1 or E-2 visas.

• Your license or ID is marked "Limited Term."
• It expires when your period of lawful presence ends, or in one year if your status is "duration of status."
• Renewal is in person, with documents showing your current status.
• Fee (per DPS fee page): Limited Term driver license $33.

Source: Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) (checked 2026-10-20) · Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) (checked 2026-10-20)

Vehicle registration and inspection

Register an out-of-state vehicle within 30 days

TxDMV says you have 30 days after moving to Texas to register your vehicle.

1. Insurance: get coverage that meets the state minimums (30/60/25).
2. Emissions test: if you live in an emissions county, pass an emissions inspection at a DPS-certified station. Travis and Williamson counties are on the list.
3. Register: visit your county tax assessor-collector office for your sticker and plates.

Bring: - Proof of insurance - Proof of ownership (registration or title from your previous state) - Form 130-U (Application for Texas Title and/or Registration) for first-time registration

Source: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) (checked 2026-10-20)

Registration costs (state portion)

Per TxDMV's "New to Texas" page. Counties may add other fees. - Base registration $50.75 + TexasSure fee $1 = $51.75 state registration - Sales-tax-related: $90, or the difference between your previous state's sales tax and Texas sales tax - Non-commercial vehicles: Inspection Replacement Fee, plus emissions inspection fee if applicable - Fully electric vehicles (10,000 lbs. or less): $200 a year, or $400 for two years

Source: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) (checked 2026-10-20)

Safety inspection ended; emissions tests remain

• Since January 1, 2025, non-commercial vehicles no longer need a safety inspection before registration.
• All non-commercial vehicles pay a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee at registration. New vehicles registered for the first time pay $16.75, covering two years.
• Emissions tests are still required in emissions counties, including Travis and Williamson.

Source: Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) (checked 2026-10-20)

ID for registration: foreign passports

TxDMV's photo ID page lists a valid foreign passport as acceptable ID. For certain registrations, a passport counts as valid only if it is unexpired and presented with documentation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Ask your county tax office which DHS document to bring.

Source: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) (checked 2026-10-20)

Related guides

• Arizona insurance & driver license guide
• Georgia insurance & driver license guide
• Savannah relocation guide
• Clarksville relocation guide
• Austin relocation guide
• Taylor relocation guide
• Relocation checklist
• Open jobs in Texas
• Send a tip or correction — we check it against the official source first

General information, not legal, tax or insurance advice. For prices and quotes, ask a licensed professional.

Last checked: 2026-10-20

Cite this article as: JOBnaru™ — https://jobnaru.com/en/news/texas-car-insurance-driver-license-guide