I am going to be moving to the Dallas area in about six months. I am in the process of finishing up a truck and need some help with Texas laws. What I have is a 88 Toyota extended cab on a short bed frame, 3RZ and full size axles. It will have a flat bed with an exo-cage shortly. I need to know if Texas will let me slide with tires that stick out past the fender, do I need mud flaps, can I run with open wheel wells on my flat bed, state inspection, lift laws, bumper/frame height, smog? You get the general idea. I have heard horror stories about trying to license cars from out of state for the first time. It took my sister six months to get her truck licensed when she became a resident. Sold a GTO to a guy from Dallas and it took him almost a year to get it licensed because of the paper work (what the DMV asked for was just stupid and anal after a while). Just trying to avoid as many problems (and tickets) as I can. I'm in Georgia now and they don't care what we do. It would suck to get this truck done and have to re-do it when I get there.

I run full width axles, no flares, and 40"s, just passed inspection no prob. They seem to be more concerned with lights and saftey related stuff. Texas seems really loose on the rules and don't care to much. I live in Dallas and have been wheeling for years as well as driving my rigs on the street. Might give Baertrax a call in Dallas, website, he runs a shop and used to be an inspector, tell him Kevin says hi!

this should help.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/


also, you might try the county website for the one you are moving to. should have info on how to get the vehicle registered in that county.

yeah, you can get away with a lot to the extreme in Texas.. as long as your lights work, and the safety equipment is in there.. oh and this is sometimes the kicker, you need an emergency brake that works.. other then that.. I doubt you'll have many problems..

your insurance might be high tho..

edit: and your gonna need a real exhaust system in more and more counties..