Texas vehicle inspection rules changed on January 1, 2025: since then, non-commercial vehicles in Texas no longer need a safety inspection to register, under House Bill 3297. Instead, every non-commercial vehicle pays a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee at registration. Emissions testing did not end: gasoline vehicles 2 to 24 years old still need a passing emissions test before registration in 18 counties, including Travis, Williamson and, starting November 1, 2026, Bexar County.
Between Austin and San Antonio, that splits the corridor in two. Hays, Caldwell, Comal and Guadalupe counties have no emissions test; Travis, Williamson and Bexar do.
What HB 3297 changed
Texas DPS summarizes the change:
- Safety inspection ended for non-commercial vehicles as a registration requirement, starting January 1, 2025.
- Replacement fee added: all non-commercial vehicles pay a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee when they register or renew.
- First-time Texas registrations pay $16.75 instead, which covers the first two years.
- Commercial vehicles in every county still need a passing safety inspection.
- Emissions testing was not eliminated.
So if you live in a county without emissions testing, you go straight from buying the car to registering it. If you live in an emissions county, the test comes first.
Which counties require an emissions test
The TCEQ list of emissions counties is:
Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson, plus Bexar County starting November 1, 2026. TxDMV's out-of-state vehicle page lists the same 18 counties.
Bexar County joined on November 1, 2026
This is the biggest local change. Before November 2026, San Antonio drivers did not test emissions. Now a Bexar County resident with a gasoline vehicle in the testing age range needs a passing emissions test before renewing or registering (TCEQ; Bexar County Tax Office). That applies to communities such as Live Oak, Converse and Universal City, and to all of San Antonio inside Bexar County.
The Austin to San Antonio corridor at a glance
| County | Emissions test to register? | Max station charge for emissions test | Main tax office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travis | Yes | $11.50 | Travis County Tax Office |
| Williamson | Yes | $11.50 | Williamson County Tax Office |
| Hays | No | Not applicable | Hays County Tax Office |
| Caldwell | No | Not applicable | Caldwell County Tax Assessor-Collector |
| Comal | No | Not applicable | Comal County Tax Office |
| Guadalupe | No | Not applicable | Guadalupe County Tax Assessor-Collector |
| Bexar | Yes, from Nov. 1, 2026 | $18.50 | Bexar County Tax Office |
Station charges are the maximums listed by Texas DPS: $11.50 in El Paso, Travis and Williamson counties, and $18.50 in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Bexar County areas. A station may charge less. Hays, Caldwell, Comal and Guadalupe are not on the state lists, so their non-commercial vehicles need neither a safety inspection nor an emissions test to register. They still pay the $7.50 replacement fee.
Cities that cross county lines
Your test requirement follows the county where the car is registered, which is normally where you live. Several corridor cities straddle a line:
- Schertz is mostly in Guadalupe County, with parts in Bexar and Comal.
- Selma is mostly in Bexar County, with parts in Guadalupe and Comal.
- New Braunfels is split between Comal and Guadalupe, neither of which tests.
- Round Rock is mostly Williamson, with a small part in Travis; both test.
If you live near a line, check your county on your property tax or appraisal district record before assuming.
Which vehicles get tested
Per TCEQ:
- Tested: gasoline vehicles from 2 through 24 years old, every year, starting on the vehicle's second anniversary.
- Not tested: electric vehicles, diesel vehicles, motorcycles and mopeds.
A brand-new car is not tested until its second anniversary, and a vehicle older than 24 years drops out of testing. If you are shopping for a used EV in Texas, there is no emissions test, but fully electric vehicles pay a separate $200 annual fee at renewal (TxDMV).
How the test fits with registration
Texas uses a system called Two Steps, One Sticker (TxDMV):
- Step one: in an emissions county, pass the emissions test at a DPS-certified station.
- Step two: renew or register the vehicle with the county or online.
The registration sticker is the only sticker on your windshield. TxDMV asks private-sale buyers to bring a Vehicle Inspection Report only when the state database does not already show a current record (TxDMV).
You can renew up to 90 days before your registration expires. You may drive up to five working days after expiration without penalty; after that, a citation of up to $200 may apply (TxDMV).
Fees you pay at registration
| Fee | Who pays | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspection program replacement fee | All non-commercial vehicles | $7.50 per year | Texas DPS |
| Replacement fee, first Texas registration | Vehicles never registered in Texas | $16.75 (covers two years) | Texas DPS |
| State emissions fee | Vehicles in emissions counties | Varies; ask your county | TxDMV |
| Commercial safety inspection | Commercial vehicles | Up to $40 at the station | Texas DPS |
| State fee at renewal, Bexar County | Bexar County vehicles | $2.75 | Texas DPS |
Texas vehicle inspection by county: what to do in your county
The rule follows the county where the car is registered. Here is what that means in practice for each corridor county, with the main tax office from each county's own site.
Travis County (Austin, Pflugerville, Manor, Del Valle)
Gasoline vehicles 2 through 24 years old need a passing emissions test every year before registration (TCEQ). The station charge is capped at $11.50. Register at the Travis County Tax Office, main office at 2433 Ridgepoint Dr, Austin, or a branch in Pflugerville, Northwest Austin, Southeast Austin, Oak Hill or East Austin. Area pages: North Austin, Pflugerville, Manor.
Williamson County (Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park)
Same rule as Travis: yearly emissions test for gasoline vehicles 2 through 24 years old, station charge up to $11.50 (Texas DPS). The Williamson County Tax Office main office is at 1848 Texas Trail, Georgetown, with branches in Round Rock, Cedar Park and Taylor.
Hays County (San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Dripping Springs, Wimberley)
No emissions test and no safety inspection for non-commercial vehicles. You still pay the $7.50 replacement fee. The Hays County Tax Office main office is at 712 S Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, with substations in Kyle, Dripping Springs and Wimberley. See Kyle and San Marcos.
Caldwell County (Lockhart, Luling)
No emissions test. The Caldwell County Tax Assessor-Collector is in the courthouse at 110 S Main St, Lockhart, with an office in Luling.
Comal County (New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, Bulverde)
No emissions test. The Comal County Tax Office main office is at 205 N Seguin Ave, New Braunfels, with offices in Sattler and Bulverde.
Guadalupe County (Seguin, Schertz, Cibolo)
No emissions test. The Guadalupe County Tax Assessor-Collector main office is at 307 W Court St, Seguin, with a Schertz substation.
Bexar County (San Antonio, Converse, Live Oak, Universal City)
New since November 1, 2026: gasoline vehicles 2 through 24 years old need a passing emissions test before registration (TCEQ). The station charge is capped at $18.50, and owners also pay $2.75 to the state at renewal (Texas DPS). The Bexar County Tax Office main office is at 233 N Pecos La Trinidad, San Antonio, with Northeast, Northwest, Southside and Precinct 4 (Converse) offices.
Example: what inspection-related charges look like
The charges below are the official maximums and fixed fees. Stations may charge less, and other registration fees are left out on purpose.
| Car registered in | Station emissions charge (max) | Replacement fee | State fee at renewal | Total of these items, at most |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis or Williamson | $11.50 | $7.50 | Ask your county | $19.00 plus any state emissions fee |
| Hays, Caldwell, Comal or Guadalupe | Not required | $7.50 | None listed | $7.50 |
| Bexar | $18.50 | $7.50 | $2.75 | $28.75 |
Sources: Texas DPS cost of inspection and Texas DPS program changes. The difference between counties is small. The real cost of an emissions county is a car that fails and needs repairs before you can register it.
What this means when you buy a used car
- In an emissions county, ask the seller when the car last passed. A recent pass does not guarantee the next one, but a car that cannot pass will block your registration. Include an emissions check in your pre-purchase inspection.
- A check engine light is a red flag in emissions counties. Have a mechanic read the codes before you pay.
- Without a safety inspection, no one checks brakes, tires or lights at registration anymore. That makes your own inspection more important, not less.
- Moving between counties changes the rule. A car registered in Hays County that moves to Travis County will need a test at its next registration.
Common mistakes with Texas vehicle inspection rules
- Thinking "no inspection" means no emissions test. Only the safety inspection ended for non-commercial vehicles. Emissions testing continues in 18 counties.
- Assuming San Antonio is still test-free. Bexar County joined the program on November 1, 2026.
- Buying a car with the check engine light on in Travis, Williamson or Bexar. Have the codes read before you pay.
- Guessing your county. If you live in Schertz, Selma or Round Rock, confirm your county on your appraisal district record.
- Waiting until the last day of registration. You can renew up to 90 days early, and you get only five working days after expiration before a citation of up to $200 may apply (TxDMV).
- Skipping a mechanic because the state no longer inspects. Brakes, tires, lights and suspension now get checked only if you pay someone to check them.
What I would do
If I lived in Bexar County and were buying a gasoline car between 2 and 24 years old, I would treat the emissions test as part of my pre-purchase inspection. I would ask the mechanic to scan for codes and check readiness, and I would not pay for a car that might not pass.
If I lived in Hays or Comal County, I would not relax. With no state safety inspection, the only person checking the brakes and tires is the mechanic I hire. I would book that inspection before I hand over any money, using our pre-purchase inspection checklist, and I would note the renewal month so I could renew early.
Sources
- Texas DPS - Vehicle Safety Inspection Program Changes Now in Effect
- Texas DPS - Cost of Inspection
- TCEQ - Vehicle Emissions Inspections in Texas
- TxDMV - Register Your Vehicle
- TxDMV - New to Texas
- TxDMV - Out of State and Imported Vehicles
- TxDMV - Buying or Selling a Vehicle
- County tax office pages: Travis, Williamson, Hays, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Bexar
Frequently asked questions
Does Texas still require a vehicle inspection?
Not a safety inspection for non-commercial vehicles, since January 1, 2025. Emissions tests still apply in 18 counties, and commercial vehicles still need a safety inspection everywhere.
Does Bexar County require emissions testing now?
Yes. Bexar County was added to the emissions program starting November 1, 2026, so gasoline vehicles 2 to 24 years old there need a passing test before registration (TCEQ).
Do Hays, Comal, Guadalupe or Caldwell counties require emissions tests?
No. They are not on the TCEQ or DPS emissions county lists, so non-commercial vehicles there need no inspection to register. They still pay the $7.50 replacement fee.
How much does an emissions test cost in Austin?
The maximum station charge is $11.50 in Travis and Williamson counties, according to Texas DPS. Stations may charge less.
What happens if my registration expires while I fix an emissions problem?
You may drive up to five working days after expiration without penalty. After that, a citation of up to $200 may apply (TxDMV). Renew early, up to 90 days before expiration, to leave room for repairs.
Do electric cars need an emissions test in Texas?
No. Electric and diesel vehicles, motorcycles and mopeds are not emissions tested. Electric vehicles pay a $200 annual fee at renewal instead.
Educational content. Anthony does not sell, broker or arrange vehicle sales in Texas. Confirm fees and rules with the office named in each source before you pay anything.
