Starting Jan. 1, 2025, vehicle safety inspections will soon be a thing of the past for most Texans. That’s when House Bill 3297 will go into effect.
Here is what brought that change.
Why did Texas eliminate mandatory vehicle inspections?
In 2023, HB 3297 was signed into law, removing the requirement for state inspections of non-commercial vehicles.
Supporters argued that eliminating the annual inspection requirement would save Texas drivers money. One-year and two-year (for new vehicles) safety inspections cost $7, and up to $25 more for safety emissions inspections, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The safety and emission items during the inspection would include:
Proponents also noted that eliminating the requirement would make things more convenient for Texas drivers, particularly in rural areas where access to inspection stations might be limited. It would also reduce the administrative burden for the state government, which had to oversee the inspection program.
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 total when you register your vehicle with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
New vehicles 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.
Is an emissions test still required in Texas?
Your vehicle will still need to pass an emissions test depending on the county you live in.
Drivers in counties surrounding major Texas cities like Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston are required to undergo mandatory emissions tests.
San Antonio will be added to this list in the future.
What Texas counties require emissions testing?
Here are the counties that will require emissions testing to comply with federally mandated clean air requirements:
How much do safety emissions tests cost?
In Texas, the cost of safety emissions tests varies depending on the county and type of vehicle, but typically ranges from $11 to $25. Counties that require emissions testing include the larger metropolitan areas like Houston, Dallas, and Austin.
Here is what you would pay in the following counties:
-
Safety emissions (El Paso, Travis & Williamson counties): $18.50
-
Safety emissions (Dallas, Tarrant & Harris counties): $25.50
-
Emissions-only vehicles (El Paso, Travis & Williamson counties): $11.50
-
Emissions-only vehicles (Dallas, Tarrant & Harris counties): $18.50
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas vehicle safety inspections end January 2025: What to know
EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel
