Schuelke Law Weighs In on Changes to Vehicle Inspection Laws

Required annual vehicle inspections are coming to an end in Texas – at least for non-commercial drivers. 

In June 2023, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a new law to end the annual vehicle inspection requirement. Beginning in 2025, Texas drivers won’t need to take their cars into the shop for a yearly inspection. 

Commercial vehicles are still required to meet federal and state requirements for inspection and maintenance. Owners of personal vehicles, however, won’t need to take their car to the shop once per year for a checkup. 

However, an end to vehicle inspections doesn’t mean an end to the fees. Texas drivers will still be required to pay an annual fee of $7.50, which matches the current annual vehicle inspection fee. Vehicles registered in 2025 or later will include an additional $16.75 fee. These fees go into the Texas Mobility Fund, the Clean Air Fund, and the Texas General Revenue Fund. 

The new rule also doesn’t eliminate emissions testing in Texas’s 17 most-populated counties. In these counties, annual emissions tests are still required, even if an annual inspection is not.

Proponents of the new law say it makes life easier for Texas families. They argue that vehicle inspections waste time and money and that the tradeoffs – in improved safety and vehicle quality – simply aren’t worth the effort. 

Opponents, however, believe that the bill’s supporters underestimate its safety value. Those in favor of keeping the annual inspection requirement note that the inspection helps protect Texas motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians from hidden defects or dangers in vehicles. 

Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and independent agencies estimates that about 12 to 13 percent of all vehicle accidents each year are caused by mechanical or equipment failure. Many of these failures occur because parts simply wear out – or don’t receive the yearly maintenance inspection they need. 

Experienced Austin personal injury lawyers, including the team at Schuelke Law, stand ready to help those who suffer injuries or losses in a vehicle accident. This includes accidents caused by equipment failures as well as other types of crashes.