Texas to Eliminate Annual State Inspections for Non-Commercial Vehicles Starting 2025

 

HOUSTON — Texas drivers will soon be relieved from the requirement of annual state inspections for non-commercial vehicles. Beginning January 1, 2025, residents will no longer need to complete state inspections to register their vehicles.

This change comes as part of House Bill 3291, which was signed into law in 2023, eliminating the inspection requirement for non-commercial vehicles. However, drivers can expect a slight increase in their registration fees, which will go up by $7.50 to offset the removal of inspections.

While state inspections will no longer be necessary, certain vehicles will still need to pass emissions tests, depending on where they are registered. Emissions testing will remain mandatory in several counties, particularly those in major metropolitan areas, including Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and El Paso. San Antonio will join this list in 2026.

If you own a non-commercial vehicle and reside in Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Montgomery, Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, Williamson, or El Paso counties, you will still be required to complete an emissions test each year.

It is important to note that commercial vehicles will still need to undergo safety inspections across all counties in Texas.