TX Vehicle Inspection (Dallas, Howe: home, inspectors, safe)

[thelonious85]

Hi, I posted this in the Dallas subforum, but thought others in the TX forum might have some input as well.

We just moved to TX and are wondering about the vehicle inspection. We have a car that has a long crack in the windshield, but it is safe and it's been there for years.

Does anyone know if this will cause us to fail the safety inspection or not?

I looked at: Texas Department of Public Safety - Inspection Criteria for the Annual SAFETY Inspection
and it only shows the criteria I posted below, but I just wondered if anyone else knows for sure if the car will pass or not.

Thanks!

>
Items of Inspection

05.01 Inspect Every Passenger Car For: (Listed in suggested order of inspection)

* Check for evidence of Financial Responsibility

1. Horn
2. Windshield Wipers
3. Mirror
4. Steering
5. Seat Belts
6. Brakes (system) (Parking - beginning with 1960 models)
7. Tires
8. Wheel Assembly
9. Exhaust System
10. Exhaust Emission System (beginning with 1968 models)
11. Beam Indicator (beginning with 1948 models)
12. Tail Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier
13. Stop Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier
14. License Plate Lamp (1)
15. Rear Red Reflectors (2)
16. Turn Signal Lamps (beginning with 1960 models)
17. Head Lamps (2)
18. Motor, Serial, or Vehicle Identification Number
19. 1988 & newer - inspect for window tinting or coating
20. Gas caps on vehicles 2-24 model years old

[TexasHorseLady]

We have a Toyota Camry that has a long crack across the bottom of the windshield. (A small crack, then a serious freeze during which my husband drove home and watched the crack inch its way all across the windshield.)

We thought it wouldn't pass, but it has twice now.

[awecelot]

I've always heard that a crack will pass so long as it does not pass through a driver's field of vision when the driver is looking forward, but I am not sure if that is correct or not.

[texan55]

maybe i'll go take a picture of my truck's windshield. lol...

if my windshield will pass, anyone's will. but i think i remember being told last time that i should replace it before getting inspected again.

[TexasGirl@Heart]

Originally Posted by awecelot

I've always heard that a crack will pass so long as it does not pass through a driver's field of vision when the driver is looking forward, but I am not sure if that is correct or not.

This is true for PA. I had a crack in my truck that spread the entire length of the windshield after a particularly cold night. It passed inspection.

[High_Plains_Retired]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

We have a Toyota Camry that has a long crack across the bottom of the windshield. (A small crack, then a serious freeze during which my husband drove home and watched the crack inch its way all across the windshield.)

We thought it wouldn't pass, but it has twice now.

Just a week ago I suffered a crack all the way across the bottom of my truck's windshield when my hot defrosters met a cold rock "star." Luckily New Mexico does not have a safety inspection. However, I wonder how Texas inspectors will deal with the crack after I fully move to Texas in a year or so.

[thelonious85]

Thanks for all the input! I think I'm going to go ahead and see if it'll pass as is.

[texdav]

I teaxs if it obstructs the view it will fail. Inspectors are trained as to what to look for.

[texan55]

Originally Posted by texdav

I teaxs if it obstructs the view it will fail. Inspectors are trained as to what to look for.

inspectors can also be very lenient depending on where you go

[txsizzler]

Originally Posted by awecelot

I've always heard that a crack will pass so long as it does not pass through a driver's field of vision when the driver is looking forward, but I am not sure if that is correct or not.

I think awecelot is correct. The only time my car back in the late 1990's didn't pass was because I had a crack going through the field of view from the driver's side window. I remember the inspector saying something to that effect.


Ian