Texas DMV is closing a ‘loophole’ in vehicle registration, barring some Mexican citizens

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles will no longer accept foreign identification, such as licenses or passports, without a valid visa. 

The state sent an advisory to car dealerships and vehicle registration service providers on Nov. 19 regarding changes described as effective immediately. 

“When completing a vehicle sale, dealers are required to ensure that all buyers provide valid, unexpired photo identification prior to processing any initial registration or renewal,” according to the letter. 

That means a valid U.S. driver’s license that complies with the new REAL ID standards, a U.S. passport, a U.S. military ID card, IDs issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and U.S. Department of State.