Texas Car Inspection Law Guide: What Are The Changes?
For the longest time, Texas car inspection law has required annual safety inspections for all cars. But with the passing of a new bill, changes are coming in January 2025. Most people will not be required to have their car inspected, although those in the busiest counties will need an emissions test.
If you’re looking to learn more about the Texas car inspection law changes, you’re in the right place. We’ll explain the current requirements, the new law, and everything you need to know about emissions testing. Plus, if your car needs any kind of repairs, we can help. We can put new tires on your car, tint your windows, flush your transmission, change your oil, and more!
Texas Car Inspection Law
It used to be that, if you owned a vehicle, Texas car inspection law said that you needed to take it to an inspection site annually. Once the car passed the inspection, you would be given a sticker to place on your car as part of your registration renewal. However, with the recent changes being signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, safety inspections are only applicable to commercial vehicles.
Texas Car Inspection Law Changes
The Texas car inspection law changes go into effect January 1, 2025. The law removes the requirement for annual inspections and replaces it with a $7.50 fee paid annually. If you’re purchasing a new car that you haven’t registered before, you’ll pay a one-time fee of $16.75 when you register your vehicle.
Although most drivers will no longer have to take their car in for a safety inspection, drivers in the 17 most populated counties will have to go for an annual emissions inspection.
What Areas Are Exempt from This?
Most areas of Texas are exempt from the emissions testing requirement, including Brownsville, which is located in Cameron County.
The following counties are required by Texas car inspection law to do emissions testing:
- Dallas-Fort Worth Area: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, and Tarrant Counties.
- Houston-Galveston-Brazoria Area: Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, and Montgomery Counties.
- Austin Area: Travis and Williamson Counties
- El Paso Area: El Paso County
- San Antonio Area: Bexar County (starting November 1, 2026)
2024 Texas Car Inspection Requirements
The 2024 Texas car inspection requirements are very straightforward. All registered vehicles in Texas must pass an annual safety inspection. Currently, the only exemption is for new vehicles, which are exempt for the first two years, and those older than 25 years. The inspection is conducted at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) certified inspection station.
During a safety inspection, they will check the following:
- Brakes (including the parking brake)
- Lights (headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights)
- Windshield wipers and conditions of the windshield
- Horn
- Tires (tread depth and condition)
- Exhaust system
- Seatbelts
- Steering and suspension
- Mirrors
- Fuel cap (to prevent fuel vapors from escaping
Additionally, in the more populated counties of Texas, you also need to take your car in for an emissions test. Vehicles that are 2 to 24 years old must pass an emissions test in these areas. Diesel-powered vehicles and those 25 years and older are exempt.
Texas uses a “Two Steps, One Sticker” program where the vehicle inspection and registration are linked. Your vehicle must pass inspection before you can renew your vehicle registration. You no longer receive a separate inspection sticker; instead, the inspection status is electronically verified at the time of registration renewal.
What You’ll Have to Do Starting in 2025
The Texas car inspection law changes start January 1, 2025. With these new changes, only commercial vehicles will be required to get an annual safety inspection. If you don’t have a commercial vehicle, you’ll be able to renew your vehicle’s registration without the car inspection at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. However, if you live in one of the more populated areas, you will need to complete an annual emissions test.
Types of Emissions Tests and How to Know Which One Your Vehicle Needs
Texas relies on three different types of emissions tests to check the smog output of your car. The easiest way to know which one your vehicle needs is its age. Here’s a breakdown of the three types of emissions tests:
- On-board diagnostic (OBD): This test is used for all vehicles model year 1996 and newer. The person conducting the test will connect a scanner to your onboard diagnostic system, which has been mandatory since 1996. The scanner checks for malfunction codes related to emissions. If your vehicle’s computer detects issues like faulty oxygen sensor or a problem with the catalytic converter, it may fail the test.
- Accelerated simulation mode (ASM): The accelerated simulation mode test is for vehicles model year 1995 and older in areas where stricter testing is required. Your vehicle is placed on a dynamometer, which is essentially a treadmill for cars. The inspector drives the vehicle under simulated driving conditions to measure emissions under load. Because the test is more involved, it’s able to detect pollutants like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides.
- Two-speed idle (TSI): This test is mostly for vehicles model year 1995 and older. Since the onboard diagnostic test wasn’t required before then, many older cars simply don’t have one. To test the emissions of your car, the person conducting the test measures the amount of pollutants being emitted from the exhaust while the vehicle idles at two different speeds, low and high. The test can’t detect minor issues, but it will generally identify major emissions issues.
So which emissions test does your vehicle need? In general, if it’s a model year 1996 or newer, your vehicle will need the onboard diagnostics test. If it’s a 1995 or older, you’ll need either the accelerated simulation mode test or the two-speed idle.
What Happens in the Emissions Testing Process?
The emissions testing process evaluates a vehicle’s exhaust output to make sure it complies with state air quality regulations. This protects the environment as well as public health by keeping pollutants out of the air.
Here’s what typically happens during emissions testing:
- The inspector will do a pre-test inspection, making sure the engine light isn’t on. If the light is on, your vehicle fails the test. If not, the inspector can record the details of your vehicle in the emissions testing system.
- Depending on the age and type of your vehicle, the inspector will perform an onboard diagnostics test, aan ccelerated simulation mode test, or a two-speed idle test. The OBD only takes a few minutes, as the system checks for stored error codes. The inspector will connect a scanner to your vehicle and run the test. For the ASM test, your car will be placed on a dynamometer. The ASM test can take around 10 to 15 minutes, and the TSI test can take between 5-10 minutes.
- The emissions test analyzes the levels of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and oxygen, making sure they fall within acceptable limits.
- The inspector will print out your results and tell you whether or not your vehicle passed.
What Happens If Your Car Fails the Emissions Test?
If your car fails an emissions test, you’ll receive a VIR, or Vehicle Inspection Report, that will outline the reasons for failure. You’ll then need to address the issues that caused the failure, which pretty much means a trip to the mechanic. Common repair issues include a faulty oxygen sensor, catalytic converter problems, or issues with the exhaust system.
Once your vehicle has been repaired, you must return it for a retest. Depending on the inspection station, you may be able to bring your vehicle back for a free or discounted retest, as long as it’s done within a certain number of days (usually 15 to 30). If your car repeatedly fails emissions tests and you do not address the issues, you won’t be able to register your vehicle or renew its registration.
How to Make Sure Your Car Passes the Test
To ensure your car passes its emissions test, make sure you:
- Keep up with regular maintenance, like tune-ups, air-filter replacements, and oil changes. These all help improve your car’s emissions performance.
- Check the “Check Engine” light if it turns on. Your vehicle will automatically fail if the light is on. Get the issue diagnosed and repaired before going to the test.
- Drive the car before the test for about 15-20 minutes. This ensures that all the vehicle’s components are operating efficiently before the test.
- Use a fuel additive designed to clean the fuel injectors and combustion chambers. These additives help remove carbon buildup and can even improve your car’s fuel efficiency.
What Are the Associated Fees?
In 2024, the Texas car inspection fee is $7.50, which is added to the total cost of renewing your car’s registration. For those purchasing a new car, you’ll pay a one-time fee of $16.75 when you register. Beginning in January 2025, you won’t need to take your car in for a safety inspection, but the $7.50 fee will still be part of your registration.
The cost of emissions testing in Texas depends on both the county you live in and the type of vehicle you own. However, the fees range between $11.50 to $25.50.
Your Next Car Is Here and Boggus Tipton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Texas car inspection laws are meant to protect the roads from unsafe vehicles and air pollutants. Although the laws are changing in 2025, you’ll still want to keep up with regular maintenance to keep your vehicle functioning at optimal levels.
If your car didn’t pass the safety or emissions test, look no further than Boggus Tipton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Brownsville. Our auto repair mechanics are trained and certified to make your vehicle run great and pass inspection! We have a huge inventory of new and used cars, which means your next car is here, waiting for you. We serve the entire area, including Weslaco, Pharr, Harlingen, and McAllen. We actually serve the entire state, including Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio! We also have a huge inventory of new and used cars, including Jeep Wranglers and Ram 1500s. Come check us out and see for yourself today!
0 comment(s) so far on Texas Car Inspection Law Guide: What Are The Changes?