New law eliminates most vehicle safety inspections, but emissions inspections are still required in 17 Counties
Beginning January 1, 2025, Texas vehicle owners will no longer be required to obtain a safety inspection prior to vehicle registration. House Bill 3297, passed during the 88th Legislature in 2023, abolishes the vehicle safety inspection program for non-commercial vehicles.
The new law maintains the annual $7.50 safety inspection fee under a new name: Inspection Program Replacement Fee. The state will collect the fee at the time of vehicle registration. Owners registering a new vehicle will pay a $16.75 Inspection Program Replacement Fee to cover the first two years.
State law will still require vehicle emissions inspections in the following 17 counties prior to vehicle registration:
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Informational Links
- Vehicle Registration (Texas Department of Motor Vehicles)
- Vehicle Safety Inspection (Texas Department of Public Safety)
- Vehicle Emissions Inspection (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality)
- House Bill 3297 (88th Legislature)
