Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 3297 into law last June eliminating the requirement for Texas drivers to have their vehicles inspected by mechanics for safety every year beginning in 2025. Here’s what to know about how the law will impact you:
If you’re in a populous county like Dallas or Tarrant, you’ll still need to get an annual emissions test
Though safety inspections are no longer mandated, residents of the state’s 17 most populous counties, including Dallas, Collin, Tarrant and Denton counties, will still be required to take their vehicles in for an emissions test every year.
The emissions test is not a new requirement, but a continuation of the emission testing that has long been done alongside safety inspections. Safety inspections check things like seat belts, brakes and tires to ensure a car is safe to drive.
Those living in Brazoria, Ellis, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Travis and Williamson counties are also still subject to emissions testing.
Your vehicle might be exempt from emissions testing if it’s a certain model year
Regardless of where you live, if your vehicle was manufactured in the last two years or is older than 24 years, you will not have to have an emissions test performed.
You’ll still pay an annual fee
Texans will continue to pay the $7.50 inspection fee every year, though it will now be called an “inspection program replacement fee.” That money will go toward the Texas mobility fund, the Clean Air Fund and the state’s general revenue.
Drivers can pay the fee at the time of registration, whether or not they are required to get an emissions test.
Texas is joining a majority of states in not requiring annual safety inspections
Texas was one of only 13 states that mandated annual car inspections. Proponents of the bill, which included Continental Automotive Group, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Conservative Coalition and Tesla, said the law was unnecessary and wasted residents’ time. Opponents like the Dallas Police Association and the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas argued eliminating annual safety inspections would make roadways more dangerous.
