The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced that starting January 1, 2025, most vehicle safety inspections will be eliminated due to the passage of House Bill 3297 by the 88th Legislature. This bill, signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in 2023, abolishes the Vehicle Safety Inspection Program for non-commercial vehicles.
Under the new law, non-commercial vehicles will no longer need a vehicle safety inspection prior to registration. However, all non-commercial vehicles will still be required to pay a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee when registering with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. New vehicles purchased in Texas that have not been previously registered will be required to pay an initial inspection program replacement fee of $16.75 for two years.
The replacement fee is not an increase in the cost of registration but is intended to replace revenue previously generated from vehicle safety inspections, which funded state programs, including the construction and expansion of highways.
Despite the elimination of safety inspections for non-commercial vehicles, Texans in emissions counties will still be required to undergo emissions testing.
Emissions tests are required in major metropolitan areas, including Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris and Montgomery counties; Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall and Tarrant counties; Travis and Williamson counties; and El Paso County. Bexar County will be added to the list of counties requiring emissions tests in 2026.
Commercial vehicles, however, will still need to undergo a passing vehicle safety inspection and will be exempt from the inspection program replacement fee.
While vehicle safety inspections are no longer required for most vehicles, the DPS reminds drivers to maintain their vehicles regularly to ensure they meet safety standards and operate correctly. Regular maintenance of key vehicle components, such as lights, tires, and windshield wipers, remains critical to road safety.
