Texas won't require vehicle inspections starting Jan. 1, do you still need emissions testing?
Texas vehicle owners will no longer be required to have a yearly vehicle safety inspection beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, but that doesn't mean you won't still need emissions testing.
The Texas legislature in 2023 voted to remove mandatory vehicle safety inspections for noncommercial vehicles.
It does not remove emissions inspections where they are required.
Instead, the $7.50 fee will be assessed as an "inspection program replacement fee" that is added when the vehicle is registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
New vehicles from the two most recent model years that have not been registered before will pay an initial fee of $16.75 that will cover two years.
Texas laws going into effect on January 1, 2025
Changes are coming in 2025 for the way cars are registered, how schools are funded and how you can protect your personal information online.
Do I need an emissions test in Central Texas?
If you live in central Texas, you'll only need emissions testing in two counties.
Those counties are:
- Travis County
- Williamson County
Commercial vehicles are still required to undergo a safety inspection. Those vehicles will not have to pay replacement fees.