Texas Vehicle Inspection Laws: A Complete Guide
Texas has recently undergone some significant changes to its vehicle inspection laws. These new laws took effect on January 1, 2025. As of this date, Texas no longer requires annual safety inspections on most non-commercial vehicles. If you own a vehicle in Texas, keep reading below to learn all the details you need to know about the state’s vehicle inspection program.
What Is a Vehicle Inspection?
Many states require an annual vehicle inspection. These inspections help validate the safety of vehicles being operated on the road, and these inspection programs help prevent car accidents and avoid injuries.
Before 2025, Texas required vehicle inspections. At that time, failure to obtain the inspection could result in some fines, and it could be used as evidence to prove negligence in a car accident claim.
Some of the things that are commonly checked as part of a vehicle inspection include:
- Brakes
- Lighting
- Steering mechanisms
- Tires
- Horn
- Mirrors
- Seat belts
- Windows and windshield
- Exhaust and emissions system
Thorough testing of all these components ensures that they are working properly and that the car is safe to drive on the road.
Texas Inspection Requirements
After the passage of House Bill 3297, the inspection requirements in Texas changed significantly. Most non-commercial vehicles no longer need inspections. Instead, vehicle owners simply pay an annual fee instead of getting an inspection sticker.
Even though annual inspections are no longer required, some vehicle owners will still need to obtain an emissions test. If you live in a county that requires emissions testing, you must still comply with that rule.
Those counties that require emissions testing are:
- Brazoria
- Collin
- Dallas
- Denton
- Ellis
- El Paso
- Fort Bend
- Galveston
- Harris,
- Johnson
- Kaufman
- Montgomery
- Parker
- Rockwall
- Tarrant
- Travis
- Williamson
Gasoline-powered vehicles that are 2 to 24 years old must undergo emissions testing in these counties. New vehicles are exempt from the testing. If your vehicle fails the emissions test, you must have the vehicle repaired and retested.
Additionally, commercial vehicles must still undergo an annual inspection. These vehicles are often larger and present more risk on the roadway due to the potentially devastating consequences of a truck accident. Annual inspections are required to ensure those vehicles are safe, especially since commercial vehicles often spend so much time on the road.
How Much Do Vehicle Inspections in Texas Cost?
Even though Texas has removed the inspection requirement for most vehicles, the overall costs remain similar. Vehicle owners are still required to pay inspection-related fees as part of their registration.
Here’s a breakdown of the current fees:
- Passenger vehicles: $7.50 annual Vehicle Inspection Replacement Program fee (included in registration)
- New vehicles: $16.75 for the first two years, then $7.50 per year afterward
- Commercial vehicles: $40 annual inspection fee
- Emissions testing: $11.50 in El Paso, Travis, and Williamson counties; $18.50 in the DFW and Houston areas
These are the maximum allowable fees, though emissions tests may sometimes be available at a lower cost.
Important Information for New Texas Residents
Before 2025, new Texas residents were required to obtain a vehicle inspection within 30 days of moving to the state. However, now that the inspection requirements have been lifted for most vehicles, that rule is slightly different. If you live in a county requiring emissions testing, you must pass your emissions test within 30 days.
Once you have passed the emissions test, you will need to register and title your vehicle in Texas. If your county does not require emissions testing, you can proceed directly with the registration and title process.
Understanding the vehicle inspection requirements in Texas can help ensure that your vehicle is in compliance so that you do not receive a citation or fine for failing to comply.
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