AUSTIN – Texans should be aware of changes to the state’s Vehicle Safety Inspection Program that will eliminate most vehicle safety inspections, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
House Bill 3297, which was passed by the 88th Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023, eliminates the Vehicle Safety Inspection Program for non-commercial vehicles.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, non-commercial vehicles will no longer need a vehicle safety inspection prior to registration. However, all non-commercial vehicles in the state will be subject to a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee. This fee will be added to the driver’s total when they register their vehicle with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
New vehicles (those of the current or preceding model year on the date of purchase) purchased in Texas that have not been previously registered in Texas or another state are required to pay an initial inspection program replacement fee of $16.75 to cover two years.
Vehicles Registered in Emissions Counties
While comprehensive vehicle safety inspections will be eliminated for all non-commercial vehicles, Texans whose vehicles are registered in emissions counties will still be required to have emissions tests.
Emissions tests are required in major metropolitan areas, including Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Montgomery, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, Williamson and El Paso counties. Bexar County will be added to the list of counties requiring emissions tests in 2026.
Commercial Vehicles
All commercial vehicles in all counties will still be required to obtain a passing vehicle safety inspection. Because they will be required to pay for that safety inspection, commercial vehicles will be exempt from the inspection program replacement fee.
All vehicles will still need to be registered; the registration process will continue to be managed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
More information can be found at www.dps.texas.gov/section/vehicle-inspection/88th-legislation.
