Book your Texas DMV appointment online through the official Texas Department of Motor Vehicles website, or by phone if you cannot use the website
Texas lets you reserve a time slot at your local DMV office instead of waiting in line without one. You can book online at mydmv.texas.gov by selecting your county, the service you need (vehicle registration, title transfer, license renewal, and others), and your preferred date and time. The system shows you available slots up to 30 days ahead.
If you do not have internet access or prefer to book by phone, call the Texas DMV at 1-888-368-4689. A representative will ask you which county office you want to visit, what service you need, and your preferred times. They will give you a confirmation number on the spot.
Walk-in service is still available at most Texas DMV offices, but you will wait longer than someone with a reserved slot. Some offices have separate walk-in lines; others serve walk-ins only after all appointments are done.
Key Takeaways
- Book online at mydmv.texas.gov or call 1-888-368-4689 to reserve a specific time slot up to 30 days in advance.
- You will need your confirmation number, a valid ID, and documents specific to your service (such as a title for registration or proof of residence for address changes).
- Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early with all required paperwork, because incomplete applications will delay you or require a return visit.
- If you miss your appointment, you can reschedule online or by phone without penalty, but slots fill quickly during peak times.
- Some services, such as commercial driver license testing, require a separate appointment at a testing facility, not a regular DMV office.
What documents to bring to your appointment
The documents you need depend on your service, but all appointments require a valid photo ID (driver license, passport, military ID, or state ID card) and your confirmation number. Write the confirmation number down or take a screenshot before you leave home.
For vehicle registration or renewal, bring your current registration card, proof of vehicle inspection (the safety and emissions inspection sticker or receipt), and proof of insurance. If you are registering a vehicle for the first time in Texas, bring the title or manufacturer's certificate of origin, a bill of sale if you bought it used, and proof of Texas residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 90 days).
For a title transfer after buying a used vehicle, bring the title signed by the previous owner, your bill of sale, proof of inspection, and proof of residency. If the title has a lien (the seller still owes money on the vehicle), bring the lender's release of lien document.
For address changes, bring proof of your new address such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement. For name changes after marriage or court order, bring the marriage certificate or court document and your current license or ID.
How long appointments take and what to expect
Most DMV appointments last 15 to 30 minutes from the time you check in, though this varies by service and how busy the office is that day. Vehicle registration and title transfers usually take the full 30 minutes because the staff member must verify your documents, enter information into the system, and process payment. License renewals are often faster if you are only renewing without changes.
When you arrive, check in at the front desk with your confirmation number and ID. You will be called when your slot is ready. Bring all documents in one folder or envelope so you do not have to search through your bag while the staff member waits. If you are missing a document, ask whether the office can proceed or whether you must reschedule.
Payment is due at the end of your appointment. Texas DMV offices accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards. Fees vary by service: registration renewal is typically $50 to $60, title transfers are $28 to $33, and address changes are free.
Rescheduling or canceling your appointment
If you need to change your appointment, log back into mydmv.texas.gov with your confirmation number and select a new date and time. You can also call 1-888-368-4689 to reschedule by phone. There is no fee or penalty for changing your appointment.
If you miss your appointment without canceling, you lose your reserved slot but can book a new one when ready online or by phone. However, if you miss appointments repeatedly, some offices may require you to use walk-in service instead.
Services that require a different type of appointment
Not all DMV services use the standard appointment system. Commercial driver license (CDL) testing and road tests for regular driver licenses must be scheduled through a separate system. For CDL testing, contact the Texas DMV testing facility in your area directly, as these slots fill months in advance. For road tests, you can book through mydmv.texas.gov, but these appointments are often available only weeks out.
Vision tests and written exams for new driver licenses can sometimes be done at your appointment if you book the right service code, but many offices require you to schedule these separately. When you book online, the system will tell you whether your service requires a separate appointment.
What to do if no appointments are available
If mydmv.texas.gov shows no open slots in your county for the next 30 days, you have three options: check back daily (new slots often open as others cancel), try a neighboring county if you can travel there, or use walk-in service.
Walk-in lines are longest on Mondays, Tuesdays, and early mornings. If you must use walk-in service, arrive at least 30 minutes before the office opens. Bring all the same documents you would bring to an appointment. Some offices have separate walk-in windows; others serve walk-ins only after appointments are finished, which can mean a wait of several hours.
If your service is urgent (for example, your registration expires in days and you have no appointment), call 1-888-368-4689 and explain your situation. The representative cannot create an appointment outside the system, but they can tell you which offices have the shortest walk-in wait times that day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do my DMV appointment online instead of going in person?
Some services can be done online through mydmv.texas.gov without visiting an office, such as renewing your registration if your vehicle has not changed and you have no violations. The website will tell you whether your specific situation qualifies for online renewal. Most other services, including title transfers and address changes, require an in-person appointment.
What if I do not have a Texas address yet but need to register my vehicle?
You will need proof of Texas residency to register a vehicle in Texas. If you have just moved and do not have a utility bill or lease in your name yet, bring a signed lease, a letter from your landlord, or a mortgage statement. Some offices accept an affidavit of residency if you cannot produce a document; call ahead to ask whether your office accepts this.
Can someone else go to my appointment for me?
No. You must be present at your appointment with your valid photo ID. The only exception is if you have a power of attorney document signed by you and notarized; in that case, the person with power of attorney can attend in your place, but this is rare and not all offices accept it. Call 1-888-368-4689 to ask whether your office allows this before you try it.
How far in advance should I book my appointment?
Book as soon as you know you need the service. Slots fill fastest in urban areas and during peak times (late month, before holidays). If you book 2 to 3 weeks ahead, you will usually find an available slot. If you wait until a few days before your registration expires, you may have no appointments left and will need to use walk-in service.
What happens if I bring the wrong documents to my appointment?
The staff member will tell you what is missing and you will have to reschedule. You cannot complete your service that day. To avoid this, review the document checklist on mydmv.texas.gov for your specific service before you leave home, or call the office directly if you are unsure what you need.