HOUSTON – A sudden policy shift from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is forcing drivers across the state to meet stricter identification requirements when registering or renewing their vehicles, a move critics say could leave many unable to comply.
The DMV issued revised guidance to county tax offices on Nov. 18, clarifying the types of photo identification that must now be provided during vehicle registration and renewal. The updated rules took effect immediately. Dealerships were notified the next day.
According to the state’s revised notice, drivers must now present valid, unexpired photo ID when completing new registrations or renewals. Expired documents will no longer be accepted.
The DMV outlined specific acceptable forms of ID, depending on the type of registration.
For special registrations (including active-duty military stationed out of state, International Registration Plan, agricultural and temporary permits), one of the following is required:
- A driver’s license or ID issued by a U.S. state or territory
- A U.S. or foreign passport
- A U.S. military ID
- NATO or Status of Forces Agreement ID
- DHS, USCIS, or U.S. Department of State ID
- A valid Texas license to carry
For all other registrations and renewals, drivers must present:
- A REAL ID–compliant driver’s license or ID card
- A valid U.S. or foreign passport
- A valid Texas handgun license
For foreign passports to qualify, they must be unexpired and include:
- A Department of Homeland Security admission stamp or mark, and
- A current permanent resident card or unexpired immigrant visa
The DMV memo also notes that online renewal through Texas-by-Texas can be used only if the system can verify a valid Texas driver’s license.
The sudden rollout has left counties responding differently.
Waller County says the change won’t affect its operations, “our current policies already require the same forms of identification outlined in the revised bulletin,” the county’s tax assessor said to KPRC 2 News. “We are already fully aligned with the state’s updated requirements.”
Harris County, however, says it is still working to understand the implications.
“Our office is working with stakeholders to clarify the changes and obtain implementation guidance from the state,” officials told KPRC 2 News.
Joel Olvera, who owns P H Town Bonds in northwest Houston, says the policy came without warning.
“Everybody got the email by surprise,” Olvera said of the November 18 memo.
He believes the sudden ID restrictions will block undocumented residents from legally owning vehicles and could also disrupt registration for anyone lacking the now-required documents.
“It’s gonna affect almost everybody,” he said. “Everybody was trying to do the right thing before this notice, but now they don’t know what to do.”
Olvera said he visited the DMV the day after the policy took effect and encountered drivers who were unable to complete their transactions, even those who offered to pay extra in hopes of finding a solution.
“They even offered more money for a title, for a plate, for registration,” he said. “But nobody’s able to help them out.”
Olvera predicts the policy could push more people into unsafe or illegal situations.
“People are going to be driving without registration, cars under other people’s names, sometimes without insurance,” he said. “Everybody was really surprised about this notice.”
He believes the consequences will show up quickly.
“It’s going to cause a chain of events… you’re going to be seeing these events maybe in the next two, three, four weeks,” Olvera said. “Accidents, people without registration, people without license plates.”
When asked why some drivers couldn’t simply provide the correct ID, such as a green card or passport, Olvera argued that the policy doesn’t improve safety.
“These people are just trying to do the right thing,” he said. “This is not the right approach.”