Whether you’re heading to Houston for a new job, settling into the suburbs of Dallas or Fort Worth, chasing the tech scene in Austin, or putting down roots in San Antonio or El Paso, moving to Texas comes with a short list of must-do tasks — many of them on a deadline. The good news is that once you know what’s required and when, getting settled is straightforward.
We built this moving to Texas checklist to walk you through the official steps every new resident needs to handle, plus the home setup tasks that make a new place feel livable. Knock these out in your first few weeks and you’ll be fully legal, connected, and comfortable.
Your first 90 days: the official to-do list
Texas gives new residents specific windows to update their license, vehicle, and voter status. Missing these deadlines can mean fines or a scramble later, so it’s worth putting them on your calendar the week you arrive.
1. Get your Texas driver’s license (within 90 days)
New residents have 90 days from the day they move to get a Texas driver’s license from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). To apply, you’ll generally need to visit a DPS office and bring:
- Proof of identity (such as your out-of-state license and a birth certificate or passport)
- Proof of Texas residency (two documents, like a lease, utility bill, or bank statement)
- Proof of your Social Security number
- Proof of vehicle registration and insurance, if you own a car
Appointments at DPS offices in major metros book up fast, so schedule online as early as you can rather than walking in.
2. Register your vehicle (within 30 days)
If you brought a car, you have 30 days to register it in Texas — a tighter deadline than the license, so don’t let it slip. The process has two parts: titling and registering with your county tax office, which is typically handled together.
A few things changed recently that are worth knowing:
- Safety inspections ended for most drivers. As of January 1, 2025, Texas no longer requires an annual safety inspection for non-commercial vehicles. Instead, you’ll pay a small inspection program replacement fee (around $7.50 for most vehicles) when you register.
- Emissions testing still applies in some counties. If you’re registering in one of the larger metro counties — including those around Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, and El Paso — your vehicle may still need an emissions test before registration.
- New ID rules. Beginning in 2026, Texas tightened the identity and legal-status documents required for original title and registration transactions, so bring a passport, REAL ID-compliant license, or permanent resident card to be safe.
You’ll also need proof of Texas auto insurance that meets state minimums before you can register.
3. Update your voter registration (30 days before you want to vote)
Texas isn’t a same-day registration state. To vote in an upcoming election, your application must reach your county registrar at least 30 days before Election Day. You can fill out an application through the Texas Secretary of State’s site, print and mail it, or register in person at your county office. Many people also get the option to register when they update their driver’s license.
4. Find your local government services
Texas has no state income tax, which simplifies one thing, but you’ll still want to locate your county tax office (for vehicle and property matters), your nearest DPS location, and your school district if you have kids. A quick search for your county name plus “tax assessor” or “ISD” will point you in the right direction.
Setting up your new Texas home
With the official paperwork underway, the next priority is making your house functional from day one. This is where a little advance planning pays off — utilities and internet in particular should be arranged before you move in, not after.
Choose and set up your utilities
Here’s something that surprises a lot of newcomers: most of Texas has a deregulated electricity market. In deregulated areas — which cover much of the Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, and Corpus Christi regions, among others — you don’t automatically get power from one local company. Instead, you choose your own retail electricity provider and plan.
That choice matters. Plans vary by contract length, whether the rate is fixed or variable, and how they bill for usage. A few areas, including Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso, are served by municipal or co-op utilities where you don’t shop around — you simply set up service with the local provider.
Water and trash are usually handled through the city or a local utility district, and natural gas (where used) comes from a regulated local company. Our guide to setting up utilities walks through how to compare electricity plans, what to ask, and the order to turn everything on so you’re never sitting in a dark house on moving day.
Get internet and TV scheduled early
Internet installation often requires a technician visit, and appointment slots can be a week or more out in busy moving seasons. Line this up as soon as you have a move-in date. Check which providers actually serve your specific address — availability can change block by block — and compare speeds against how your household really uses the connection. See our internet and TV setup guide for how to choose a plan without overpaying.
Secure your new home
You rarely know who still has a key to your new place — previous owners, renters, contractors, or a cleaning service. Re-keying or changing the locks should be one of your first move-in tasks. From there, you can decide whether a home security setup makes sense for your situation, whether that’s a simple video doorbell or a fuller monitored system.
Plan the move itself
If you’re hiring help for a long-distance move into Texas, book early — summer is peak season and the best moving services fill their calendars weeks ahead. Get written estimates, confirm what’s included, and read reviews before you commit.
A simple timeline to follow
Here’s how the pieces fit together once you have a move-in date:
- 4–6 weeks out: Book movers, research electricity providers (in deregulated areas), and schedule internet installation.
- 1–2 weeks out: Confirm utility start dates, line up Texas auto insurance, and forward your mail through USPS.
- Move-in week: Change the locks, confirm power, water, and internet are on, and do a walkthrough.
- Within 30 days: Register your vehicle and update your voter registration.
- Within 90 days: Get your Texas driver’s license.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to get a Texas driver’s license after moving?
New residents have 90 days from the date they establish residency to obtain a Texas driver’s license through the Department of Public Safety. Vehicle registration is sooner — within 30 days — so handle that one first.
Do I still need a vehicle safety inspection in Texas?
As of January 1, 2025, non-commercial vehicles no longer need an annual safety inspection. You’ll instead pay a small inspection program replacement fee at registration. However, if you register in a county that requires emissions testing, that test still applies.
Why do I have to choose an electricity provider in Texas?
Much of Texas operates a deregulated electricity market, which means retail providers compete for your business and you pick your own plan. Some cities, like Austin and San Antonio, use a municipal utility instead, so you simply set up service with the local provider. Our utilities guide explains how to tell which situation applies to your address.
What should I set up before move-in day versus after?
Arrange electricity, water, gas, and internet before you arrive so the home is functional from day one — internet especially, since it often needs a scheduled install. Tasks like changing locks and updating your license or registration can happen in the days and weeks after you’ve moved in.
Make your move-in stress-free
Moving to Texas is a lot more manageable when you tackle it in the right order. Our team put together a free move-in checklist that covers every utility, account, and deadline in one place — so nothing falls through the cracks. Grab the free Move Ready Pro checklist and start your Texas move with a clear plan.