All Texas registered vehicles are required to receive an annual inspection. All inspections include a comprehensive safety inspection; however, some vehicles are required to have an emissions test in addition to the safety inspection.
Which vehicles are required to have the emissions test?
- Vehicles registered in designated counties. Designated counties include: Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Montgomery, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, Williamson and El Paso counties.
- Gasoline powered vehicles. Diesel powered vehicles and motorcycles are exempt from emissions testing, but are still required to have the annual safety inspection.
- Vehicles 2 through 24 years old OR upon expiration of the two-year initial inspection sticker.
New to Texas?
Vehicle registration and inspection are separate processes. In Texas, the Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV) oversees the vehicle titling and registration process and the Department of Public Safety supervises the inspection program
New residents are required to do the following within 30 days of moving to Texas:
- Get a vehicle inspection
- Register and title their vehicle
The vehicle must pass inspection before it can be registered and titled.
Both the registration and inspection process require proof of financial responsibility
Texas has both a safety inspection program and an emissions (I/M) program. If you present your vehicle for inspection in one of the emissions counties it will receive a safety & emissions test.
Counties participating in the emissions (I/M) program include:
Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Montgomery, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, El Paso, Travis, and Williamson counties.