Okay... Just in case you are ever leaning against the back of your camper watching the black tank drain and happen to notice that your Texas trailer license plate has been expired for two months,I thought it would be prudent to share some information with you. Here is what I learned on Wednesday:1)It can cost $215 in Bexar County (my home county) if you are ticketed towing a trailer without a current license plate.2)You can not renew your plates anywhere but the county you reside in.3) If you are caught in this situation, you can go to the nearest tax assessor's office in any Texas county and purchase a "one-trip" permit for $5, which is good for fifteen days.4)I need to do a better job of keeping up with these kinds of things!Happy trails!

You should be receiving a renewal notice every year in the mail.

1995brave wrote:You should be receiving a renewal notice every year in the mail.I was thinking the same, but since I am not from TX, I thought maybe they saved money and decided not to send out renewals.

I'm not originally from Texas either, but as long as the vehicle or trailer is registered in Texas you should be receiving renewal notices to the address on the registration. Did you move since you purchased and registered the trailer?

I'm sure I probably just overlooked the notice.I never claimed to be organized in any way. Besides, I'm not worried about that. My point was to share an option for those who also find themselves in this predicament. When you realize your mistake, whether or not you got a notice doesn't really matter to you anymore. You are worried about getting ticketed on the way home.

You can renew on-line. Or you can mail it in. I get a renewal notice for my truck, my wife's SUV, and my 3 different trailers including the 5er, in the mail every year the month before they are due.I normally go to the tax assessor/collector's office to renew, but just renewed my farm trailer on-line.

Texas Trailer License Renewals | Good Sam Community

1995brave
Nomad
Jul 05, 2014
You should be receiving a renewal notice every year in the mail.
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Jul 05, 2014
1995brave wrote:
You should be receiving a renewal notice every year in the mail.
I was thinking the same, but since I am not from TX, I thought maybe they saved money and decided not to send out renewals.
1995brave
Nomad
Jul 05, 2014
I'm not originally from Texas either, but as long as the vehicle or trailer is registered in Texas you should be receiving renewal notices to the address on the registration. Did you move since you purchased and registered the trailer?
jjjandrbaker
Explorer
Jul 05, 2014
I'm sure I probably just overlooked the notice.I never claimed to be organized in any way. Besides, I'm not worried about that. My point was to share an option for those who also find themselves in this predicament. When you realize your mistake, whether or not you got a notice doesn't really matter to you anymore. You are worried about getting ticketed on the way home.
BB_TX
Nomad
Jul 05, 2014
You can renew on-line. Or you can mail it in. I get a renewal notice for my truck, my wife's SUV, and my 3 different trailers including the 5er, in the mail every year the month before they are due.

I normally go to the tax assessor/collector's office to renew, but just renewed my farm trailer on-line.
tatest
Explorer II
Jul 05, 2014
In Oklahoma, lucky us. We can get next year's tag, or even initially tag a vehicle, at any tag office in the state. They will ask what county, for tax purposes, and counties don't show up on the plate. Can also do it online, or mail it in.

Then for trailers, private/personal use, we don't even have to tag them. Tags are optional. But we usually do get tags, because it gets embarrassing going out of state, and showing whoever stops you for no tag a form letter from the Tax Commissioner that says trailers don't need titles or license tags in Oklahoma.

Commercial and farm use is something else.
gotsmart
Explorer
Jul 06, 2014
I signed up for email reminders from the state of WA. About 45 days before my tabs need renewing I get an email reminder from the state.
jjjandrbaker
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
Well, I went to renew the plate this morning only to learn that it is good until February of 2015. I must have renewed it online. Whatever happened to the sticker will forever be a mystery. I either never received it or misplaced it. My bet is on the latter. $7.00 got me a replacement. Now, all is good.
bshpilot
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
I'm surprised the cop gave you a ticket - he should have run the tag & known that it was renewed.

Id go to the court, perhaps the sticker was stolen (that used to happen a lot....which is why they moved automotive stickers to the windshield)....surely the judge will reduce the fine or dismiss it all together !
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jul 07, 2014
As far as getting renewal notices in the mail: Missouri has gone to contracting out the DMV offices to private businesses and they say they don't have to notify you that it is renewal time. They send out renewal notices as a courtesy, but if you don't get one, it's not their fault and you still will have to pay penalties.