Texas Vehicle Inspection Changes: What You Need to Know
Starting January 1, 2025, Texas is shaking up its vehicle inspection requirements, but not everywhere. Here’s the lowdown on what’s changing and how it affects you.
Quix State Inspection on Mockingbird Lane in Dallas: Texas is eliminating mandatory safety inspections for most personal vehicles.
The Big Change: Safety Inspections Eliminated
The Texas Legislature passed a new law, House Bill 3297, that scraps mandatory safety inspections for most personal vehicles. This means you no longer have to get your car checked for safety items like working brakes, headlights, and tires to register it.
Instead of the inspection, you’ll pay a $7.50 inspection replacement fee when you register your vehicle.
Emissions Tests Still Matter in Some Counties
Even with the change, some areas will still need to get an emissions test to renew their vehicle registration. These tests check your car’s engine and exhaust to ensure they meet the state’s pollution limits. If you live in one of these counties, you still have to get your car tested.
The counties that still require emissions tests include:
- Brazoria
- Collin
- Dallas
- Ellis
- El Paso
- Fort Bend
- Galveston
- Harris
- Johnson
- Kaufman
- Montgomery
- Parker
- Rockwall
- Tarrant
- Travis
- Williamson
- Bexar County will require emissions tests starting in 2026.
What is an emissions test?
An emissions test involves an engine and exhaust check and a visual inspection to measure the number of pollutants released. This ensures the vehicle meets the legal limit set by the state.
Keep Up the Maintenance
Even though safety inspections are going away, it’s still important to keep your car in good shape. Sgt. Billy Ray from the Texas Department of Public Safety advises everyone “to still take care of their vehicles, still check your tires, make sure your brakes are working, headlights, tail lights and mirrors are still safe before you drive.” Vehicle maintenance is everyone’s job.
Bottom Line
Need to register your vehicle? Yes. Renew it annually? Yes, if you live in a county where emissions tests are required. Regardless of where you live, make sure your vehicle is in good condition for your safety and the safety of those around you.
