HOUSTON — Texas is eliminating vehicle safety inspections beginning next year, but you’ll still spend time at an auto shop to get a sticker.
KHOU 11 News has gotten many questions about things like the emissions testing you’ll still need to get done in Harris County.
Charli contacted KHOU 11 News asking: "I live in Montgomery County, so will I have to do an inspection or emission?
According to Texas DPS, Texans whose vehicles are registered in emissions counties will be required to have emissions test.
Near Houston, those counties include Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris and Montgomery County.
According to DPS Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall and Tarrant counties; Travis and Williamson counties; and El Paso County are also included. Bexar County will be added to the list of counties requiring emissions tests in 2026.
Jesse commented on Facebook asking: “If we need an emissions test, do we still have to pay $7.50 more in registration?”
The Texas DMV answers, yes. The bill maintains the annual $7.50 safety inspection fee under a new name: Inspection Program Replacement Fee, which the state will collect at the time of vehicle registration.
Another viewer asked: “My truck is a 1998 so no emissions, just a safety inspection. So now what happens to the people who only had safety inspections?”
The Texas DMV answers that a vehicle that does not require an emissions inspection will no longer need any inspection when the new law takes effect. The owner will be able to proceed with vehicle registration renewal.
According to the Texas DPS website, vehicles between two and 24 years old require emissions testing.
The bill eliminating vehicle safety inspections does not make changes to emissions inspection fees or to the cost of vehicle registration.
Keep in mind, you will have to pay local and state registration fees when you renew your registration.
For additional information, you can visit the DPS website.