The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles has enacted stricter photo ID requirements for all vehicle registrations and renewals, a sudden policy change that could obstruct undocumented residents from legally owning vehicles.
Under the new rules, applicants must provide valid photo identification, such as a Texas driver’s license or a passport, when registering or renewing a vehicle. The DMV informed county tax offices of this update on November 18, and the policy became effective immediately.
Accepted forms of identification include a Texas driver’s license, an unexpired U.S. passport, Texas License To Carry, and IDs issued by the U.S. military, Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services, or the Department of State.
In response to public warnings and direct appeals from State Representative Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian), the DMV implemented these new standards to verify that only lawful residents can acquire or renew Texas vehicle registrations.
This measure not only addresses previously overlooked administrative issues but also seeks to limit pathways that have historically allowed unlawful residents to access mobility and recognition within the state, thereby reducing avenues for illegal immigration.
