AUSTIN, Texas — As of January 2025, there are now different requirements for Texas drivers that depend on the county you live in.
Mandatory vehicle safety inspections are no longer required for many drivers, but some local counties still require an emissions test.
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.
Mechanics at Tech One Automotive on Burnet Road in Austin said they’ve been taking calls from customers seeking clarification on the new rules.
“We’ve gotten a lot of questions. And even getting in touch with DPS, you might get three different answers from three different people to talk to,” manager Andrew West said.
First, you need to make sure your local auto shop provides this service because not all of them do. You can click here to access the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Inspection Station Locator.
“Some people might recognize it as a smog test. It’s basically checking to make sure your emissions system, exhaust system, is filtering out all those nasty hydrocarbons before they exit out of your exhaust and into the atmosphere,” West said.
The emissions test takes about 20 minutes and costs $11.50.
“It does automatically upload to the state’s website. It takes a couple hours to get there, but we also have a hard copy for you as proof of your inspection if you get pulled over,” West said.
After your emissions test, you can then begin to register your vehicle through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles’ website. Regardless of what county you live in, all non-commercial vehicles are still required to be registered.
You’ll pay a $7.50 inspection replacement fee, and then the registration fee depends on the type of vehicle and its weight. Then you will have a sticker mailed to you to put on your vehicle.
Learn more about the state’s Vehicle Inspection Program.