Millions of drivers in Texas have experienced a big change this 2025, and although it has already been in place for a few months, there are still some who haven’t realized that Texas has completely eliminated the annual vehicle inspection requirement for drivers. Of course, many are celebrating it, but other drivers are still requesting their inspection. Don’t worry, we’re here like your fairy godmothers so you won’t be lost anymore.
Why are they changing this?
Because the world needs to modernize, and while some believe this will affect road safety, it was only a bureaucratic hassle for the millions of users who drive in this state.
What has changed in the new law?
With this new legislation, drivers are no longer required to submit their vehicles to an annual inspection to renew their registration. But this is not for all vehicles, sorry, it will only apply to personal-use vehicles, so commercial vehicles and other types of vehicles will still be subject to annual inspection. Also, some counties will still require emissions verification, so be careful.
The warning
This doesn’t mean that all cars will be able to drive in any condition. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) reminds that police officers can still issue fines if a car has obvious faults such as broken lights, worn-out tires, or damaged windshields. So, even if there’s no formal inspection, maintenance is still the responsibility of the owner and will be a priority for everyone, since road safety (both for passengers and the environment and other road users) will now depend on each user.
Are there more states that don’t require the annual inspection?
Texas has joined the other 36 U.S. states that no longer require this type of inspection. It’s a bureaucratic relief for drivers but also a call to individual and collective responsibility, since, as we said before, it will be up to the driver to ensure that their vehicle does not pose a danger to anyone, inside or outside the vehicle.
What are the fees?
The annual fee will be the same, $7.50 per inspection, only its name will change to Inspection Program Replacement Fee. Those who register a new vehicle will have to pay $16.75 to cover the first two years of this fee.
Counties where emissions testing is mandatory:
- Houston-Galveston Area: Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, and Montgomery counties
- Dallas-Fort Worth Area: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, and Tarrant counties
- Austin Area: Travis and Williamson counties
- El Paso County
- A growing state
This legal change is neither casual nor isolated. It comes in a context of demographic growth where Texas has more and more residents. According to recent Census data, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington is the third fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States, and Dallas County is already the eighth most populous county in the country. The removal of inspections seeks, among other things, to reduce the administrative burden and improve system efficiency, in a state that adds thousands of new drivers every year.
Will Texas be an example for other states?
Texas’s move has already been implemented in other states, and it’s very likely that those remaining will also implement it with a single goal: to reduce administrative costs and streamline the process. It’s not that much will change in general terms, but it will require us to be a bit more aware of our own vehicles and more meticulous with their maintenance!