Staff report

Texas drivers, listen up. Changes in the law regarding vehicle inspections and registrations mean changes in how drivers obtain and pay for those services. 

Up until March 1, vehicle owners received one sticker for registering and one for a passed inspection. But a new system has some drivers confused about how to get both tasks accomplished despite now only receiving one sticker to put on a vehicle.

The change is a result of House Bill (HB) 2305, passed during the 83rd legislative session in 2013. This bill eliminated the inspection sticker resulting in a single-sticker system, which now makes vehicle registration dependent on obtaining a passing vehicle inspection.

Drivers will not have to pay for more than one inspection in a year. During the sync up year from March 1, 2015-February 29, 2016, some vehicle owners will go beyond their 12-month inspection cycle to align the expiration dates for inspection and registration. According to the new law, those dates must now match.

Example:

Registration sticker expires 3/15

Inspection sticker expires 9/15

The owner will be able to renew registration in March 2015 and not have to get the vehicle inspected again until 2016 because the inspection sticker is valid at the time of renewal (inspection sticker expires 9/15).

The following year, before the end of March 2016, both inspection and registration will be due.

Another change in the law is the payment process. Vehicle inspection stations no longer collect the state’s portion of the inspection fee. At the time of inspection, you pay only the portion of the fee charged by the inspection station. 

In other words, vehicle owners will pay the same total amount but will do so in two phases.

For example, if an inspection was $20 and $7.50 of that was for the state’s portion, drivers will now pay $12.50 to the inspection station and $7.50 directly to the state at the time of registration or renewal.

Registration renewals take place online, by mail or in-person at your county tax office.

Here’s how the two-step process works:

Step 1: Pass a vehicle inspection and retain your vehicle inspection report

Step 2: Renew annual registration by mail, online or in person, and your inspection status will be verified electronically status will be verified electronically. A passing inspection is required for registration.

Drivers will be issued a sticker as proof of inspection and registration.

Compiled based on information at http://twostepsonesticker.com.