The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has issued a reminder to Texans about significant changes to the state’s Vehicle Safety Inspection Program set to take effect soon. Following the passage of House Bill 3297 by the 88th Legislature and its signing into law by Governor Greg Abbott in 2023, most vehicle safety inspections for non-commercial vehicles will be abolished.
Starting January 1, 2025, non-commercial vehicles will no longer require a vehicle safety inspection before registration. Instead, a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee will be added to the registration total for all non-commercial vehicles registered with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
For new vehicles—those of the current or preceding model year—purchased in Texas that have not been previously registered in Texas or another state, an initial inspection program replacement fee of $16.75 will apply to cover two years.
Despite the elimination of comprehensive vehicle safety inspections, vehicles registered in specific emissions counties will still need to undergo emissions tests. This requirement applies to 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 join the list of counties requiring emissions tests in 2026.
Commercial vehicles in all counties will continue to need a passing vehicle safety inspection and will be exempt from the inspection program replacement fee due to this requirement.
All vehicles, regardless of the changes, must still be registered with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, which will continue to oversee the registration process.
Texas Reporter 