The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has announced that significant changes to the state's vehicle safety inspection requirements will take effect on January 1, 2025. This development follows the passage of a bill by the 88th Legislature and its subsequent signing into law by Governor Greg Abbott in 2023. The new regulations eliminate the Vehicle Safety Inspection Program for non-commercial vehicles.
Starting on New Year's Day, non-commercial vehicles in Texas will no longer require a safety inspection before registration. However, these vehicles will be subject to a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee, payable during vehicle registration.
For new vehicles purchased in Texas—those of the current or preceding model year at the time of purchase—that have not been registered previously in Texas or another state, an initial inspection program replacement fee of $16.75 will apply to cover two years.
It is important to note that "the inspection program replacement fee is not an increase in the cost of your vehicle registration." According to DPS, this fee replaces the revenue source for state programs and operations previously supported by vehicle safety inspections.
In emissions counties, comprehensive safety inspections are eliminated for non-commercial vehicles; however, emissions tests remain mandatory. These tests are required in several major metropolitan areas across various counties including Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Montgomery, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall and Tarrant counties; Travis and Williamson counties; and El Paso County. Bexar County will join this list in 2026.
Commercial vehicles across all counties must still undergo and pass a vehicle safety inspection but are exempt from paying the inspection program replacement fee due to their continued need for inspections.
Despite these changes in inspection requirements, "all vehicles will still need to be registered," with the registration process continuing as managed by state authorities.
