So what exactly are the new rules?

Have taken a couple cars in for this and the places are still saying they are required to do a safety inspection, not just the emission testing that was advertised. They are also still charging 18.50 for the service AND the state is charging the 7.50 more on the online registration. Don't remember the inspection being 26 bucks before, but could be wrong.

So those of us in the 17 emission counties are just getting double screwed? At least this guy didn't say anything about the front license plate not being on.

So are they just emission testing or are they doing safety, insurance and emissions?

Are they supposed to check insurance?

The guys that did my 2 vehicles in April said they needed insurance to pull up the car in the computer. When I gave them my expired card they said they needed the current one. I tried to argue that there was no insurance or safety component to the test and that my expired card had the exact same info on it as the current policy, and they said the only way they could do it was with the current card. The info they needed seemed to be an expiration date in the future.

The whole thing pissed me off, but it was a Friday at 4:30 and I wanted to get both cars finished before they closed so I relented.

Roger350 said:

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The guys that did my 2 vehicles in April said they needed insurance to pull up the car in the computer. When I gave them my expired card they said they needed the current one. I tried to argue that there was no insurance or safety component to the test and that my expired card had the exact same info on it as the current policy, and they said the only way they could do it was with the current card. The info they needed seemed to be an expiration date in the future.

The whole thing pissed me off, but it was a Friday at 4:30 and I wanted to get both cars finished before they closed so I relented.

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The first time I went I asked the question. Was told they could not even start the process without the insurance.

This time I had it on my phone and the only thing he wrote down was the expiration date. Which I more told him than showed him.

I am also pissed at the inconsistencies and the difference in rules for different places. I somehow don't my late model vehicles are causing more issues than all the commercial vehicles I see literally spewing black exhaust and all the similar vehicles that occupy the none testing areas.

I get the places are trying to do anything they can to upsell. The guy today came up to me with the air filters smudged with dark stuff. I was on the phone and just shook my head no. But I was thinking, why exactly are you messing with my air filters for an emission test?

As per usual our leaders are fing idiots.

$18.50 emissions testing only. they ask for proof of insurance because that is proof of "financial responsibility".

State still gets their money for the other safety inspections items they just dont inspect anymore. safety replacement fee.

https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/vehicle-inspection/new-texas
"Both the registration and inspection process require proof of financial responsibility."

https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/vehicle-inspection/news-and-updates
Vehicle Safety Inspection Program Changes
April 12, 2024
House Bill 3297 (88th Legislative Session, 2023), effective January 1, 2025, abolishes the Vehicle Safety Inspection Program for non-commercial vehicles, eliminating most safety vehicle inspections statewide. This means if you live in a non-emissions county and are currently not required to obtain an emissions inspection on your vehicle, you will not be required to have your vehicle inspected prior to registration beginning January 1, 2025. However, the $7.50 fee remains intact under a new name: the inspection program replacement fee. This fee will be added to your vehicle registration fee. For owners of new cars, either the current model or preceding model year that has not been previously registered in Texas or another state, there will instead be an initial fee of $16.75 to cover two years.
The bill does not eliminate vehicle emissions inspections. Emissions inspections will also still be required in the following Texas counties:

• Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, and Montgomery Counties
• Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, and Tarrant Counties
• Travis and Williamson Counties, and
• El Paso County

Please note, in November 2026 Bexar County will be added to the above list of counties required to have an emissions inspection. Those motorists with vehicles registered in Bexar County will have to obtain a passing emissions inspection in order to renew their vehicle's annual registration.

The safety inspection fee will also be eliminated for vehicle owners in emissions counties; however, those in emissions counties will also be subject to the inspection program replacement fee.

All commercial vehicles, regardless of county, will still be required to have a safety inspection. Commercial vehicles will be exempt from the inspection program replacement fee as they will still be required to pay for a safety inspection.

All vehicles will still be required to be registered; the registration process will continue to be managed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

I'm confused about providing proof of insurance in non emissions counties. We just renewed one of our cars on line and no proof of insurance was required.

Does this mean more people will be driving without insurance now?

the state website checks it on their side. there is no proof for you to do it online. same as if you got pulled over by an officer, they already know if you have insurance or not.

somewhere on the checkout/registration screen there is little blue text that said something to the effect of "insurance verified".

FightinTAC08 said:

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the state website checks it on their side. there is no proof for you to do it online. same as if you got pulled over by an officer, they already know if you have insurance or not.

somewhere on the checkout/registration screen there is little blue text that said something to the effect of "insurance verified".

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So why is it not done that way for the counties with the emissions inspection?

I still contend that there is poor oversite and that there is a lot of potential for these emission inspection places to take advantage of folks. Ultimately it is stupid to have different rules for different places. Plus those of us in the emissions counties are paying 18.50 more than others for the privilege of having the additional hassle.

Thank you. Will look a little closer the next renewal, but I'm glad at least they're checking.

New twist to this stupid rule.

Have taken my car to three different places near my house (North Dallas/Richardson). All said their machine was down. Last one said they had been down more than a week and that he had been told by customers that most around us weren't working.

Guess it must not be high profit and they aren't too interested in it anymore.

Kinda sucks for the consumer.

As in you can't get your emissions inspection completed?

drop it off at north haven auto and walk over to cindys while they do whatever they do

Yup.

I haven't killed myself looking around. But it is certainly inconvenient. Pissed me off when I had a free afternoon and went to get it done and had that happen.

My vehicle who "occasionally" visits Tarrant county but primarily "resides" in a non emissions county is exempt from the emissions. I simply click the exemption option when registering and they shipped me my sticker. Easy peasy lemon squeezey

Absolute said:

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Yup.

I haven't killed myself looking around. But it is certainly inconvenient. Pissed me off when I had a free afternoon and went to get it done and had that happen.

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Same happened to me a few weeks ago. Had to go to five different locations to finally get an inspection completed. The first four said their machines were maxed out for the day. One happened when I was next up. Overall I spent nearly 6 hours total that day to get an inspection.