Texas Vehicle Inspections: What’s Changing in 2025
Big news for Texas drivers! Starting January 1, 2025, the state is ditching annual safety inspections for most vehicles.
This change comes courtesy of House Bill 3297, which was given the green light by Governor Greg Abbott during the 2023 legislative session. But, there are some catches, so pay attention!
Who’s Affected?
This new law mainly impacts non-commercial vehicles. Think of your everyday car, truck, or SUV used for personal stuff. If you’re not hauling goods or people for money, you’re probably in this category.
Commercial vehicles, like those used for business, still need to go through their yearly inspection.
The Inspection Program Replacement Fee
Even though the safety check is gone, you’ll still have to cough up a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee. This fee will be tacked onto your vehicle registration bill.
Where does the money go? It’s split between the Texas mobility fund, the state’s general revenue fund, and the clean air account. So your $7.50 helps keep things moving and the air clean(er) in Texas.
Emissions Tests: Still a Thing
If you live in certain counties, you’ll still need to get your vehicle’s emissions tested. These counties include:
- Collin
- Dallas
- Denton
- Ellis
- Johnson
- Kaufman
- Parker
- Rockwall
- Tarrant
- Travis
- Williamson
- El Paso
Bexar County will join the emissions test party starting in 2026.
So, while the days of the safety inspection are numbered, you still need to keep an eye on those emissions checks if you live in the listed counties. Keep your ride running right, folks!
If you’re registering a new non-commercial vehicle, there’s also a $16.75 fee to cover two years.
