If you're new to the San Antonio area, here are some things you
should know:Pet Licenses:
Vaccinations and licenses for
dogs and cats are required by the City of San Antonio. If your pet
has a current vaccination certificate, bring it to the Animal
Control Facility at 201 Tuleta (across from the San Antonio Zoo),
210-737-1442. You can also obtain a pet license from a local
veterinarian when the pet is vaccinated. The Animal Defense League
periodically has "vaccination drives" and pets can receive shots at
a reduced rate (210-655-1363). Also note that San Antonio has a
"leash law," so your pet must be either on a leash or in a fenced
yard.
Auto and Driver's Licenses:
Permanent residents of Texas
must obtain a Texas driver's license and Texas license plates within
30 days of arrival. For more information, call the Motor Vehicle
Registration Department at 210-335-2251. Thereafter, registration
must be renewed annually, which can be handled by mail, allowing two
weeks for delivery. License tags can also be purchased at Bexar
County Tax Offices, located on the northside at 3330 Nacogdoches
Road, on the southside at 666 S.W. Military Drive, and on the
northwest side at 6812 Bandera Road. If you already have a current
driver's license, you need only take a written test to obtain a
Texas driver's license. For test locations, look in the telephone
book "blue" pages under Texas Department of Public Safety. If your
driver's license has expired, you will have to take the driving test
as well. Driver's licenses cost $16 and are issued for four years.
Auto Insurance: In Texas, automobiles must be covered by
minimum limits of liability insurance in accordance with the Texas
Motor Safety Responsibility Act of 1981. Minimum limits are
$20,000-$40,000 bodily injury liability and $15,000 property damage
liability. These are required for any licensed motor vehicle.
Current proof of financial responsibility is required (usually auto
insurance) to obtain or renew a driver's license, register a car,
and upon issuance of a vehicle inspection sticker.
Auto Inspection: Annual auto inspections are required and
must be completed before registering the auto in Texas or obtaining
a Texas license plate. Vehicle inspections are done at some local
gas stations and cost $10.50 for in-state and $11.50 for
out-of-state autos.
Religious Organizations: For information on churches,
contact the San Antonio Community of Churches at 210-733-9159, or
refer to the telephone numbers of Denominational Executive Offices
below:
- Christian (Disciples of Christ) - 210-822-4345
- Church of God (Spanish) - 210-733-9503
- Episcopal - 210-824-5387
- Jewish Federation - 210-302-3960
- Latter Day Saints - 210-615-8292
- Lutheran - 210-684-0068
- Nazarene - 210-342-7406
- Presbyterian (USA) - 210-826-3296
- Roman Catholic - 210-734-2620
- Southern Baptist - 210-525-9954
- United Methodist - 210-408-4500
- United Church of Christ - 210-459-7607
Registering to Vote: You may register to vote as soon as
you arrive in San Antonio either by going to the Bexar County
Elections Department, 203 W. Nueva, or by calling them at
210-978-0362 and asking that a registration form be mailed to you.
You may vote in any election 30 days after you register.
Low Water Crossings: Low water crossings are marked by a
larger ruler-like device sticking out of the ground. Drivers are
urged, especially in sudden and violent thunderstorms during spring
and fall, to heed these warnings. Because of the intensity of these
storms, many areas and roads flood quickly. Cars often stall in
these low water crossings, and people have been swept to their
deaths by swift currents. Also, drivers not heeding low water
crossing barricades can be ticketed and fined, and a driver needing
rescue after driving past a low water crossing barricade will be
billed for the cost of the emergency rescue.
