I'm a Canadian citizen legally working/living in the state of Texas in
the USA.  I'm interested in knowing what process (ie, step-by-step
details) to follow to allow me to legally get my vehicle licensed (and
presumably registered) here in Texas.

Please note the following:

1) My vehicle currently has license plates from a Canadian province,
where it was originally registered.

2) My vehicle is not directly in my name; the vehicle is in the name
of my Canadian corporation.

3) I am the president and have exclusive (100%) ownership of the
Canadian corporation which owns the car in question.

4) My corporation has been inactive for the past 4 years.

5) I have my corporation's Articles of Incorporation in my possession.

6) My (Canadian) vehicle ownership and insurance papers list the name
of the corporation as the owner/insured.

7) If it matters, the Canadian province is NOT Quebec.

Ordinarily if I were still living in Canada, transferring the
ownership from my corporation to myself should be relatively
straightforward, even if it meant in essence buying it from myself.

However, given that I'm now in the USA, if there's an obvious approach
to what I want to do, it's escaping me.

Given that importing foreign vehicles happens frequently in Texas
because of the state's close relationship with Mexico, I am confident
you will be able to get official answers from the Texas Department of
Transportation and your local county Tax Assessors Office.  I have
provided you with a primer on the process to get you started and to
guide you in obtaining further information from official government
sources.  I strongly encourage you to contact one or more of the
agencies I have listed in my Answer to ensure that you have the right
documentation before you show up at your local country Tax Assessors
Office.

"When filing your application, please submit:
· completed Application for Texas Certificate of
Title, Form 130-U;
· original out-of-state title or current foreign or
military ownership document (an English
translation may be required);
· a completed Form VTR-68-A and proof of
compliance with U.S. Department of
Transportation safety requirements if you have
a foreign ownership document;
· Vehicle Identification Certificate, issued by an
approved safety inspection station;
· valid proof of liability insurance meeting Texas
requirements (see previous section);
· the vehicle?s current odometer reading, if the
vehicle is less than 10 model years old;
· sales or use tax verification if the vehicle has
not been previously registered by you in
another state."

"Vehicle Requirements for New Residents" Texas Department of
Transportation ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/vtr/misc/vtr450forms.pdf.
 This documents provides you with an overview of the safety inspection
and proof of insurance requirements you must meet as well.

The following source describes the proof of US DOT safety compliance
document I believe you need  to import a vehicle from Canada and
provides sources for obtaining it.  In essence, you need the
manufacturer of your vehicle to certify that it meets United States
vehicle safety requirements in a letter to you.  You may need to have
minor alterations performed by an authorized dealer.  Major
alterations may require a contract with a Registered Importer to have
your car modified if it is deficient.

"VEHICLE IMPORTATION GUIDELINES (Imported From Canada)" NHTSA (July,
2003) http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/VIG_Canada07032.html

Form 130-U is found here:
ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/vtr/forms/130-u.pdf

Form VTR-68-A is found here:
ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/vtr/forms/vtr-68-a.pdf

To avoid difficulties and to ensure you have the correct documentation
before you go to your county's Tax Assessor Office, I encourage you to
call there first.  You can find your local Tax Assessor Office here: 
"County Tax Assessor-Collectors" Texas DOT
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/vtr/tacoffices/tacoffices.htm.

Other sources of information if your local Tax Assessor Office cannot
assist you completely:

"TxDOT
Vehicle Titles and Registration Division
Austin, Texas 78779-0001  

CUSTOMER HELP DESK: (512) 465-7611"

There are also 17 regional Vehicle Titling and Registration offices
you could contact if you would prefer to do that.  You can find them
here:  "TxDOT VTR Regional Offices" Texas DOT 
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/vtr/regoffices/regoffices.htm.

I also located a reference to a registration option that would
register the vehicle in Texas without retitling it in Texas that may
be of interest to you.  This option may not be available to you given
that the vehicle title is not titled in another state but is instead
titled in Canada, though.  Alternatively, you may be able to title the
car in Texas in the name of the Canadian corporation if you would
prefer.  Your Tax Assessor Office or one of the other contacts above
will be able to tell you what the options are for your situation.

"Question:  What does "Registration Purposes Only" mean? What are the
circumstances for this type of transaction?
 Answer:   "Registration Purposes Only" means that the vehicle is
registered but not titled in Texas. This type of registration may be
requested when a vehicle that was last registered or titled in another
state is subject to registration in Texas and the owner or operator
cannot/does not wish to surrender the negotiable out-of-state evidence
of ownership to obtain a negotiable Texas Certificate of Title."

"Frequently Asked Questions" Texas DOT
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/vtr/vtrreginfo.htm?pg=faq#reg

I hope this assists you in registering your vehicle in Texas.

Sincerely,

Wonko