These Texas counties still require emissions testing
AUSTIN, Texas - While Texas vehicle owners are no longer required to have a yearly inspection, some counties still require emissions testing, and one more is joining the list.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Texas won't require vehicle inspections starting Jan. 1, do you still need emissions testing?
Bexar County to require emissions testing
What we know:
Bexar County will be requiring emissions tests beginning Nov. 1, 2026.
The price of vehicle emissions tests in Bexar County will be $18.50, says Texas DPS.
Which counties require emissions testing?
Big picture view:
The following Texas counties still require emissions tests for all vehicles, except those exempt from inspections, such as electric-only vehicles:
- Brazoria
- Collin
- Dallas
- Denton
- Ellis
- El Paso
- Fort Bend
- Galveston
- Harris
- Johnson
- Kaufman
- Montgomery
- Parker
- Rockwall
- Tarrant
- Travis
- Williamson
Emissions testing prices vary by vehicle and county, says the Texas DPS.
Vehicle safety inspections eliminated in 2025
Are vehicle safety inspections done in Texas?
HB 3297, which eliminates vehicle safety inspections for non-commercial vehicles in Texas, was signed by Gov. Abbott in August. A closer look reveals the law is not for everyone, and everyone is still going to pay.
The backstory:
In 2023, the Texas legislature passed House Bill 3297 to remove mandatory vehicle safety inspections for noncommercial vehicles.
Instead, the state has implemented a $7.50 "inspection program replacement fee" added when the vehicle is registered with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
New vehicles (vehicles of the current or preceding model year on the date of purchase) bought in Texas that have not yet been registered in Texas or any other state are required to pay a one-time initial inspection program replacement fee of $16.75. That fee covers two years.
The changes took effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
Commercial vehicles still required to pass inspection
Dig deeper:
The changes implemented by HB 3297 do not apply to commercial vehicles, which are still required to obtain a passing safety inspection.
Because they still need to pay for an inspection, commercial vehicles are exempt from the $7.50 fee.
The Source: Information in this report comes from the Texas Department of Public Safety and previous reporting by FOX Texas Digital. This story was reported from Austin.