Are you going to be driving a car?

If so, here's what you need to know...

There are several specific things you need to do in order to register your car and to obtain a TX driver's license.  

Car Insurance - This is standard fare, so either contact your current insurance provider and switch the coverage to TX, or get a new policy from one of the friendly insurance companies that occupy commercial TV time just as much as the beer, car, or movie makers. 

Oh, and speaking of beer and driving, the BAC limit in TX is .08%, so be careful out there.  Here's the number of a taxi company that can pick you up real quick like.  Yellow Cab  (512) 452-9999


Vehicle Inspection - Before you can register your car, you need to get it inspected at an official location.  They're everywhere, including the neighborhood gas station, so it shouldn't be an issue in finding something close to your house.  There will be an official sign out front signifying that it's an official inspection spot.  Oh, and make sure you keep the paperwork they give you in a safe place because if it's folded, creased, or imperfect in any way, the DMV won't accept it. 


Registering your car - Must be done within 30 days of moving into the state.  You'll need to go to one of the government offices and wait in line for your number to be called like most DMV's across the country.  Here's what you'll need to bring with you:

• inspection certification
• proof of liability insurance
• the vehicle's odometer reading if it is less than 10 years old
• an original out-of-state title, proof of registration, proof of sales tax payment or current foreign/military ownership document
• completed Form 130-U
• the following fees:
  • registration fee
  • title application fee of $28 or $33, depending on the county
  • new resident tax of $90

Getting your TX drivers license - Must be done within 90 days of moving into the state.  There are specific offices that only focus on drivers' licenses, so the crowds get pretty big, so make sure you go with plenty of time on your hands.  Here are a couple Driver's License offices:

Austin South

4719 South Congress Avenue
AUSTIN, TX 78745-2302
(512) 444-5241 

North Lamar

6121 North Lamar
AUSTIN, TX 78752
(512) 424-2076

If you have a VALID out-of-state license in your possession, please bring it to the driver license office to surrender. The written and driving examinations will be waived, but you must still pass a vision exam.  

Goodbye Friend...A Story About Stu

When I was studying abroad in Sevilla, Spain, in the fall of 1999, my parents came to visit and observe all of the studying I was doing.  One night during their visit, we stumbled upon a Tex Mex bar that I had totally never been to before, and we got my dad drunk for the first time in years.  During that completely coherent conversation, we raised the topic of getting a new dog because our current yellow lab, Herkimer (aka Herkie), was getting old and probably wouldn't be around for too much longer.  Once the argument between the dog lover and the dog caretaker settled, we started talking about a name.  Since it had always been a running joke in our family that a baby named "Askim" would be funny (say it out loud to yourself), the dog lover who never drinks (or curses) blurted out, "I'm going be so sick and tired of people asking me what his name is, I'm going to say his name is Shut The Fuck Up And Stop Asking Me."  Me, the lover of random acronyms, figured that the shortened name for this unfortunately titled pup would be STFUASAM, which obviously wouldn't work, so we quickly shortened it to STUFAM.  After the drunken haze settled, we then realized that name wouldn't even work, so we shortened it to Stu.  Fast forward a year to me pulling up to my parent's driveway in Phoenix with a 3 month old yellow lab puppy, the dog lover is crying out of excitement and the dog caretaker has a scowl on her face that would burn a hole in the sun.  Fast forward again 9 years to today, and we are saying goodbye to the best friend a family could ever have.  Stu was pure love and affection, and added a joy to that household that could never be described.  Stu was a friend to the umpteenth degree, even to those who never wanted him around (who also raised him better than anyone could have, Thanks Ma).  Sadly, Stu is being put down this morning because a battle with cancer is making his body too difficult for his soul to maintain.  He'll be in a happier place later today, and we will be left here to reminisce on all the good times we had with him.  The pulling and yelping while on walks to Squaw Peak mountain.  The morning run to grab the paper.  The endless moments of unwarranted licks.  And the never ending love that we shared with him.  Thank you Stu for being the best member of our family that we could have ever wished to have.  Safe travels, and we love you.