Is Inspection Required for Registration in Texas?
Effective January 1, 2025, Texas eliminated the mandatory safety inspection requirement for non-commercial vehicles during the registration process. However, emissions testing remains mandatory in 17 designated counties before a vehicle can be registered or renewed. Commercial vehicles remain unaffected by these changes and continue to require comprehensive safety inspections annually and prior to registration renewal.
Commercial Vehicle Safety Inspections in Texas
All commercial motor vehicles operating in Texas remain subject to mandatory annual safety inspections regardless of county location. A commercial motor vehicle is defined as any self-propelled or towed vehicle (other than farm vehicles under 48,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating) that meets one of the following criteria: gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeding 26,000 pounds; design capacity to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver; or transport of hazardous materials requiring placarding under federal regulations. Commercial vehicles must pass comprehensive safety inspections meeting federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) standards established by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Emissions Inspection Requirements in Texas
Texas mandates emissions testing in the following counties: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson. Vehicle owners in these counties must obtain a passing Emissions Testing report from a certified inspection station before registering or renewing their vehicle. Gasoline-powered vehicles between model-year 2 and 24 years of age are subject to annual emissions inspections beginning with the vehicle's second anniversary. Vehicles outside these 17 counties face no emissions testing mandate. Beginning November 1, 2026, Bexar County will join the emissions-testing requirement.
Texas Vehicle Registration Requirements by County and Origin
| Vehicle Origin | Registration Type | VIN Inspection | Safety Inspection | Emissions Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-state initial | Initial registration | Required | Not required* | Required (17 counties) |
| Out-of-state renewal | Renewal | Not required | Not required* | Required (17 counties) |
| In-state initial | Initial registration | Not required | Not required* | Required (17 counties) |
| In-state renewal | Renewal | Not required | Not required* | Required (17 counties) |
*Note: Safety inspection requirements apply to all commercial vehicles in all counties.
A VIN inspection is mandatory only when importing a foreign or out-of-country vehicle into Texas for contact information.
Vehicles with existing titles from another U.S. state do not require a separate VIN inspection for registration purposes in Texas. Vehicle owners relocating from another state may self-certify the vehicle identification number on the Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U) at their county tax office.
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
1601 East Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78752
Phone: 1-888-368-4689
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (Central Time)
Official Website: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality – Vehicle Emissions Program
12100 Park 35 Circle
Austin, TX 78753
Phone: 1-888-295-0141 (Registration Denial Hotline)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (Central Time)
Official Website: Emissions Testing
Texas Department of Public Safety – Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
5805 North Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78752
Phone: 1-800-299-1700
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (Central Time)
Official Website: Vehicle Inspection Program
