Interstate Carrier ResourcesHow to Renew a TxDMV Certificate: Cost, Timing, and What Cannot Be Renewed
Reviewed by Austin Park, founder of ICR Filings · Updated November 11, 2026
- You renew online in TxMCCS. TxDMV sends a renewal notice about 30 days before the certificate expires.
- Vehicle fees are $10 per vehicle for a one-year registration or $20 per vehicle for two years.
- No notice is not an excuse: TxDMV says you are still responsible for renewing before the expiration date.
- 7-day and 90-day certificates cannot be renewed.
- Print a new cab card after you renew, and keep your insurance filing active.
A TxDMV certificate (what many carriers still call a Texas DOT number) is issued for a set term: seven days, 90 days, one year, or two years. One-year and two-year certificates are renewed. Let one expire and you are running Texas intrastate freight without operating authority.
When to renew
TxDMV sends renewal notices to the mailing or email address on file about 30 days before expiration. It is plain about who is responsible: if you do not receive a renewal notice, you are still responsible for renewing your registration before it expires. Check the expiration date on your certificate in TxMCCS and put it on your calendar.
“If you do not receive a renewal notice, you are still responsible for renewing your registration before it expires.”
TxDMV: TxDMV number
How to renew
TxDMV says you may add vehicles or renew your registration online. That happens in TxMCCS, the system that replaced MCCS and eLINC on August 3, 2026. If this is your first renewal since then, you need a new account before anything else. See TxMCCS login and claiming your certificate.
TxDMV's public pages do not walk through the renewal screens, so we will not guess at button names. Its tutorial videos are on the Motor Carrier Outreach and Training page, and the help line is (800) 299-1700, options 3-3.
What it costs
| Fee | One year | Two years |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle fee, per vehicle | $10 | $20 |
| Application fee | $100, one time, provided registration stays current and active as originally set up | |
You can pay by MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express, with a service charge of 25 cents plus 2.25 percent, or by electronic check (ACH). All fees are nonrefundable. TxDMV's fee table also lists a $100 insurance filing fee (Form E). Its pages do not say whether that is charged again at renewal, so check the amount TxMCCS shows before you pay. For the full first-year cost, see how much a Texas DOT number costs.
What cannot be renewed
7-day and 90-day certificates of registration cannot be renewed. If you are on a short-term certificate and plan to keep hauling in Texas, plan the next registration before the current one runs out.
Keep the insurance filing alive
A renewed certificate still needs an active insurance filing. TxDMV says motor carriers must keep an active filing in TxMCCS at all times while operating in Texas, and that the carrier is responsible for it, not the insurer. Failing to keep continuous proof of insurance can bring administrative penalties, sanctions, or revocation of the certificate.
After you renew
Print a fresh insurance cab card for each truck. The copy in the vehicle has to be current. If your fleet changed, this is also the time to add or replace a truck.
Common questions
How much does it cost to renew a TxDMV certificate?
TxDMV lists $10 per vehicle for a one-year registration and $20 per vehicle for a two-year registration, due at the time of registration. Card payments add a service charge of 25 cents plus 2.25 percent.
Do I pay the $100 application fee again when I renew?
TxDMV's fee table says the application fee is a one-time fee, provided registration remains current and active as originally set up. That is a reason to renew on time.
When will I get my renewal notice?
About 30 days before expiration, sent to the mailing or email address on file. TxDMV says you must still renew on time if the notice does not arrive.
Can I renew a 90-day or 7-day certificate?
No. TxDMV says 7-day and 90-day certificates of registration cannot be renewed.
Where do I renew?
Online in TxMCCS at txmccs.txdmv.gov. If you have not logged in since August 3, 2026, you need a new account first.
Is the renewal fee refundable?
No. TxDMV says all fees are nonrefundable.
Official sources
- TxDMV: TxDMV number (registration, insurance filing, and cab cards)
- TxDMV: Motor carriers (TxMCCS launch, new accounts, and claiming a certificate)
- TxDMV: Becoming a Texas motor carrier (insurance filings and keeping them current)
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you file.
Related guides
- How to Add or Replace a Truck on Your TxDMV Certificate and Cab Card
- TxDMV Number vs USDOT Number: Which Texas Carriers Need Both
- How Much Is a Texas DOT Number? 2026 Cost, Requirements, and How to Apply
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See Texas TxDMV Number