Texas Vehicle Safety Inspections: 2025 Changes
Texas state vehicle inspection requirements are changing: starting January 1, 2025, Texas will no longer require an annual safety inspection for non-commercial passenger vehicles, but vehicle owners will still pay the fee. The annual safety inspection tested the vehicle’s basic road worthiness, including steering, brakes, lights, and signals. Texas used the 7.50 inspection fee to pay for road construction and other programs.
Texas will still collect the fee – vehicle owners will now see it as a new line item added directly to the cost of their annual registration.
These changes are the result of TX House Bill 3297, passed and signed into law in 2023.
Excalibur in the News!
https://www.fox7austin.com/news/inspection-stickers-texas
TX Emissions Inspections: Travis & Williamson Counties
Vehicles in Travis and Williamson counties will still be required to pass an annual emissions inspection.
Do You Need An Emissions Inspection?
Bring your vehicle to Excalibur Auto Repair in north Austin. We are a Texas Vehicle Inspection Station AND a Recognized Emission Repair Facility. We can perform your emissions inspection, and issue your new sticker if everything checks out. If there’s a problem, we can diagnose it and figure out the most cost-effective way to fix it and keep you legal.
Emissions Inspections are available Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm.
Emissions Inspection Cost
Inspection prices are set by the state. All inspection stations charge the same price, and use the same equipment. In Travis and Williamson counties, the annual TX Emissions Inspection costs $11.50.
Travis County Emissions Inspections
Emissions inspections help ensure that vehicles’ exhaust systems are operating properly. Faulty exhaust systems produce gasses that contribute to lung-damaging ground-level ozone.
On-Board Diagnostic (OBDII) Test
The On Board Diagnostics (OBDII) system is installed on all 1996 and newer passenger vehicles. It monitors your emissions system components to make sure they’re working correctly. OBDII sensors can detect components which are starting to fail – even before you notice a problem. OBDII lets us know about small problems so we can repair them before they become big, expensive problems.
TX Department of Public Safety – Emissions Testing FAQ
www.dps.texas.gov/section/vehicle-inspection/faq/emissions-testing
If You Fail the Emissions Test
If your vehicle fails the emissions test, you need to fix the problem. Failed vehicles are entitled to a free re-test, within 15 days of the initial test.
If you spend $600 on repairs at a Recognized Emissions Repair Facility (we are one) and your vehicle still does not pass its emissions inspection, the TX Department of Public Safety may grant you an Individual Vehicle Waiver. Contact us for details.
Reasons your vehicle might fail its emissions test include:
- Faulty catalytic converter
- Faulty gas cap
- Incorrect ignition timing
- Faulty fuel injection system
- Inoperative thermostatic air cleaner
- Faulty or improperly installed vacuum lines
- Faulty Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) System
- Faulty Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System
- Poorly adjusted carburetor
- Worn rings/valve guides
- Faulty oxygen sensor
We Can Fix That
Excalibur is a Recognized Emissions Repair Facility. We have the tools and training we need to correctly diagnose your vehicle’s emissions problem, figure out the most cost-effective way to repair it, and get you back on the road with a legal sticker.
Additional Info
- Texas Tribune: Beginning Jan. 1, cars registered in Texas won’t need to pass a safety inspection, but owners will still pay the fee (Updated 12/2024)
www.texastribune.org/2023/06/01/texas-car-safety-inspection-changes/ - Texas Department of Public Safety, Vehicle Inspections
dps.texas.gov/section/vehicle-inspection - Texas Department of Public Safety: Vehicle Safety Inspection Changes Take Effect January 2025
www.dps.texas.gov/news/icymi-vehicle-safety-inspection-changes-take-effect-january-2025 - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ): Austin-Round Rock and the Implementation Plan
tceq.texas.gov/airquality/sip/aus/sip-aus
Excalibur Inspection Customers Say . . .
Brian G.
These guys are awesome!
I called this place this morning to schedule two car inspections. Michael got us on the schedule at set times and got us in instantly upon arrival, which showed that they appreciate us as customers, something very important to somebody with three children under two. Other shops wanted us to wait in first-come, first-serve lines.
While I was there, I needed help printing proof of insurance for my registration, which Michael did for me happily. These guys will always get my business!
Frederick R.
BMW 325i
Excalibur delivered as they said they would. Had both state inspection and Evap system repair. Every mechanic was helpful. Would recommend business to anyone.
