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Changes coming to Texas vehicle inspections in less than 6 months

One thing to note is that annual emissions inspections are still required in major metropolitan areas including 17 counties.

HOUSTON — Changes are coming for Texas drivers. In less than six months, drivers will not be required to have an annual car safety inspection.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, non-commercial vehicles no longer need a vehicle safety inspection prior to registration, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. 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 your total when you register your vehicle with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. 

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DPS said 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.

As far as commercial vehicles are concerned, they will still be required to obtain a passing vehicle safety inspection in all counties. Since they will be required to pay for that safety inspection, commercial vehicles will be exempt from the inspection program replacement fee.

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This comes after lawmakers who supported the bill claimed the inspections were time-consuming and inconvenient.

One thing to note is that annual emissions inspections are still required in major metropolitan areas including 17 counties.

Those counties are:

  • Brazoria
  • Fort Bend
  • Galveston
  • Harris
  • Montgomery
  • Collin
  • Dallas
  • Denton
  • Ellis
  • Johnson
  • Kaufman
  • Parker
  • Rockwall
  • Tarrant
  • Travis
  • Williamson
  • El Paso
  • Bexar (beginning on Nov. 1, 2026)

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