SAN ANGELO, TX — The requirement for annual state inspections on non-commercial vehicles in Texas will be eliminated starting January 1, 2025. However, vehicles registered in certain counties will still need to pass emissions tests.
House Bill 3291, signed into law in 2023, abolished the need for state inspections on non-commercial vehicles. While this change will remove the inspection requirement, drivers will see a $7.50 increase in their vehicle registration fees to offset the cost.
Despite the end of state inspections, emissions testing will still be required in counties with high pollution levels, primarily around Texas’ major metropolitan areas. This requirement affects drivers in Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Montgomery, Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, Williamson, and El Paso counties. Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, will join this list in 2026.
It’s important to note that all commercial vehicles across Texas, regardless of the county, will still be required to undergo safety inspections.
For residents of San Angelo and other areas not listed, the end of state inspections means one less annual task starting in 2025. However, those living in the affected counties must continue to plan for emissions tests to maintain their vehicle registrations.
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