Before you register a vehicle in the state of Texas, whether you just bought it or you’ve recently moved to Texas and you’re transferring the registration, you’re required to take it in for a safety inspection. That might sound a little scary, but it’s a very easy process. Here’s how it works:
Rather than using a handful of government facilities to handle the massive duty of inspecting every vehicle in Texas, the state appoints qualified inspectors at thousands of privately-owned auto shops, service centers, and oil change stores from Amarillo to Brownsville and El Paso to Galveston. There are probably several right in your town. The Texas Department of Public Safety has a handy locator tool on their website so you can find info on the closest inspection stations to you.
Some shops allow walk-in inspections, while others require appointments and only offer inspection services on certain days of the week. So it’s a good idea to call ahead.
The Texas vehicle inspection covers 20 points:
1. Horn
2. Windshield wipers
3. Mirror
4. Steering
5. Seat belts
6. Brakes
7. Tires
8. Wheel assembly
9. Exhaust system
10. Exhaust emissions system
11. Beam indicator
12. Tail lamps
13. Stop lamps
14. License plate lamp
15. Rear red reflectors
16. Turn signal lamps
17. Head lamps
18. Vehicle Identification Number
19. Gas caps on vehicles 2-24 model years old
20. Window tint
Some of these items, like the exhaust system and the wheel assemblies, might be more than you’d care to inspect yourself. But you may have noticed how many lights are on the list. This is something you can check before you go. Replacing a simple license plate light might cost you $20 at the inspection station, but you can do it yourself for far less. The more items you can check ahead of time, the fewer trips you’ll need to make to the inspection station.
Finally, these 17 Texas counties require emissions testing as well:
- Brazoria
- Collin
- Dallas
- Denton
- Ellis
- Fort Bend
- Galveston
- Harris
- Johnson
- Kaufman
- Montgomery
- Parker
- Rockwall
- Tarrant
- Travis
- Williamson
Inspectors will test each vehicle to make sure it is compliant with federal emissions regulations. Most unmodified vehicles pass this test with ease.
Once your inspections are complete, you’ll be given an inspection certificate, which you’ll need to take with you when you register your vehicle. Texas requires annual inspections, so you’ll need to repeat this yearly for as long as you own the vehicle.
How to Register a Vehicle in Texas | Zohr
