Texas Emissions Test
Under the state vehicle inspection and maintenance program, gas and hybrid cars get tested in 18 Texas counties. Model years 2002 to 2024 are the covered range for 2026. Each year it comes due before you renew the registration.
New: emissions testing begins in Bexar County (San Antonio) on November 1, 2026.
What cars are required to get tested?
That green band marks which model years Texas tests during 2026. Testing begins once a car reaches two years old. No test applies once a car is more than 24 years old.
Look up your car by model year and fuel type.
Texas emissions test at a glance
| Program | The Texas vehicle inspection and maintenance program |
|---|---|
| Where | Testing happens in these 18 places: Harris County, Brazoria County, Tarrant County, Collin County, Travis County, Dallas County, Williamson County, Denton County, Bexar County, Ellis County, Montgomery County, Galveston County, Parker County, El Paso County, Kaufman County, Johnson County, Fort Bend County, and Rockwall County |
| Fuels tested | Gas, hybrid |
| Model years tested in 2026 | 2002 to 2024 |
| How often | Every year, before registration renewal |
| The test | An OBD plug-in test |
| Fee | In El Paso, Travis and Williamson counties it is $11.50; around Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth, up to $18.50 |
| Retest | DPS allows a free challenge retest within 15 days |
| New cars | Cars are tested from their second anniversary |
| Older cars | No test once a car is more than 24 years old |
| Waiver | After at least $600 in emissions repairs ($450 in El Paso County), an individual vehicle waiver is possible if the car still cannot pass |
How the test works, and what if the car fails?
For an OBD plug-in test, a reader goes into the port below the dashboard; the inspector then checks data stored by the car computer. The check engine light must stay off, and the self-checks (readiness monitors) must be complete.
The report lists whatever did not pass when the car fails. Fix that issue first, then come back: DPS gives a free challenge retest within 15 days.
Texas offers an individual vehicle waiver if a car still won't pass once emissions repair costs reach at least $600 ($450 in El Paso County).