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Texas emissions test: the official wording
Everything in quotation marks here is from 6 sources and was matched to them on November 11, 2026. The quotes are the sources’ words; ours only label them.
About these quotes.
Two Texas DPS pages print different county lists. Both are quoted under the county heading; the place names offered in the checker are those of the longer list.
On this page: where · how often · fee · new and older vehicles · diesel, electric, hybrid · check a vehicle · sources
What does the text call it?
Program overview of the vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) program in Texas
The page we point to: TCEQ, Vehicle Emissions Inspections in Texas.
Which counties does the text name?
The quoted text names 18 counties:
- Bexar County
- Brazoria County
- Collin County
- Dallas County
- Denton County
- Ellis County
- El Paso County
- Fort Bend County
- Galveston County
- Harris County
- Johnson County
- Kaufman County
- Montgomery County
- Parker County
- Rockwall County
- Tarrant County
- Travis County
- Williamson County
Counties requiring emission tests: Bexar, Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson
Counties participating in the emissions (I/M) program include: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnston, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson.
How often is the test?
Gasoline vehicles model-year 2 through 24 years old are inspected annually beginning with the vehicle's second anniversary.
All non-commercial vehicles registered in Texas that reside in one of the 18 non-attainment counties will need to receive an annual emissions inspection.
What does the test cost?
Emissions-only vehicles (El Paso, Travis & Williamson counties) $11.50
Emissions-only vehicles (DFW/Houston/Bexar County) $18.50
Amounts shown are the maximum charge for each inspection type
State Administration Fees (collected at registration): $2.50 from all emissions inspections for the TCEQ/DPS administration of the I/M program.
What does the text say about new and older vehicles?
Gasoline vehicles model-year 2 through 24 years old are inspected annually beginning with the vehicle's second anniversary.
What about diesel, electric and hybrid vehicles?
Every current line we hold for Texas that uses the word diesel, electric or hybrid. Some are about one place or one kind of test; each speaks for itself.
Not required to inspect: electric vehicles, diesel vehicles, motorcycles, and mopeds.
What else does the text say?
Enhanced inspections will begin in Bexar County on November 1, 2026.
Gasoline-powered vehicles two through 24 years old are required to have an emissions inspection.
As of Jan 1. 2025, non-commercial vehicles no longer need a vehicle safety inspection prior to registration. Texans whose vehicles are registered in emissions counties are still required to have emissions tests.
Vehicles must successfully pass the emissions inspection before receiving a passing vehicle inspection report, which is required in order to renew the vehicle's annual registration and obtain a vehicle registration sticker.
If your vehicle fails the initial inspection, have the item(s) that failed repaired and take your vehicle back to the inspection station that originally performed the inspection within 15 days for a free re-test.
Check a vehicle against these quotes
Enter a model year, a fuel, and choose the county. The checker repeats the quotes above and, where a figure can be compared, says where your entry falls against it. It does not decide anything about your vehicle.
Where do these quotes come from?
- TCEQ, Vehicle Emissions Inspections in Texas (tceq.texas.gov; state agency page; read November 11, 2026)
- TCEQ, Highlights of the Vehicle I/M Program (tceq.texas.gov; state agency page; read November 11, 2026)
- Texas DPS, Cost of Inspection (dps.texas.gov; state agency page; read November 11, 2026)
- Texas DPS, Vehicle Inspection Program Overview (dps.texas.gov; state agency page; read November 11, 2026)
- Texas DPS, Bexar County Emission Inspections (dps.texas.gov; state agency page; read November 11, 2026)
- Texas DPS, New to Texas (dps.texas.gov; state agency page; read November 11, 2026)
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