CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS — Over the past few weeks many of us have been staying home and may not have noticed our car's registration sticker has expired.
But with the stay-at-home orders currently in place across Texas due to the COVID-19 crisis, the state is making special accommodations.
To continue to help slow down the spread of the coronavirus, Texas Governor Greg Abbott is waiving vehicle rules so that people will not be penalized for not renewing a vehicle’s title or registration.
“The Governor, when he did the emergency declaration also extended the deadline to enforce registration. So there is basically a 90 day moratorium from the date of the governor's declaration,” said Nueces County Tax Assessor-Collector Kevin Kieschnick.
Normally you get a five day grace period from the date of expiration. By suspending these rules, Texans can avoid unnecessary crowds and in-person contact without fear of being penalized.
“We are going to get hit really hard when this lift is removed, and you can anticipate very long lines coming in. The good thing, we have had a lot of people coming in using the drop boxes. You can use drop boxes, you can use online, and you can use the mail opentions,” said Kieschnick.
Nueces County Tax Assessor-Collector Kevin Kieschnick says he likes the extension but doesn’t want folks to wait if they don’t have to.
“I highly encourage everybody to use the online form although you are not required to because of themoratorium the Governor put in place. However, there are going to be a lot of people waiting in line after this to get them so I encourage people not to delay,” said Kieschnick.
Once the state of emergency has passed, the 90 day grace period to have your vehicle inspected and complete the registration process will begin.
For more information visit: https://www.nuecesco.com/county-services/tax-assessor-collector/vehicle-registration