Starting in 2025, non-commercial Texas drivers will instead have to pay a $7.50 inspection replacement fee during the renewal process.
House Bill 3297 was signed into law during the 2023 Texas Legislative Session and will be going into effect beginning on January 1, 2025. The bill removes the inspection requirement when renewing the registration of an automobile.
Most Texas residents will not have to get an inspection when renewing their vehicle’s registration. However, commercial driver’s license holders will still be subject to inspections. Texas residents in some large counties will still be required to pass an emissions test.
Critics of the law claim that this will lead to unsafe vehicles on the road, while supporters argue that it removes an unnecessary financial burden. Texans will have to wait and see how this law will impact the safety of the roads.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has released a public service announcement in English and Spanish explaining the new law: