Car Registration/Inspection (Houston, Dallas, El Paso: coupon, insurance, costs)

[sloppymeg]

I have been here almost a year, so it's time to renew the vehicles.

I was able to pay for the registration (and got my stickers already), but I have not gotten an inspection done.

My research suggests that I should have an inspection done as well. Does that sound right? Even though I already have the registration done?

In my previous town, the registration couldn't be processed until the registration was done. But since it didn't say anything about it in the registration packet for renewal, I am confused.

I am in Williamson County, if that is a piece of info needed.

[TexasHorseLady]

You have to have the inspection done annually. If you have Texas plates/registration sticker, but have no inspection sticker, you're going to be pulled over sooner or later.

So the answer is, yes, you have to have an inspection done. You'll have to provide proof of insurance when you get it or they can't do it, by law.

This is throughout Texas.

[10scoachrick]

The exception that applies most often is the '2 year' sticker that comes on new vehicles. If you had a new vehicle for one year and renewed the registration sticker, you would not need the inspection done for the second year. Check the inspection sticker on your windshield. It should have the expiration date clearly visible.

[owlman]

Yeah, look at the date on front of the sticker. The state doesn't send you a reminder, like for registration, so it's easy to forget.

[RooCeleste]

And it is a standardized cost, although some places will sometimes offer a coupon for a few dollars off.

[Trainwreck20]

And it is a standardized cost

...by county. If you go to a county that requires an emissions test (Travis does, not sure about Williamson), you will pay a lot more than in a county that doesn't require emissions testing.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

...by county. If you go to a county that requires an emissions test (Travis does, not sure about Williamson), you will pay a lot more than in a county that doesn't require emissions testing.

... but you have to be tested in the county you are registered in.

For those not in the know, in more heavily populated counties, like Travis, you're required to get an emissions test in addition to the safety test, and that costs more.

Here's the official state website on the topic:

TxDPS - Vehicle Inspection Program

[Trainwreck20]

but you have to be tested in the county you are registered in.

That would be new, then...I thought if you were registered in an emission testing county, then you had to be tested in an emission testing county, even if not the same. I got my car tested in Houston a few years back while I was there, even though I am registered in Travis, never thought about it. If you are not required to do emissions testing, I think you are free to go anywhere (even if they end up doing and charging you for a test).

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

That would be new, then...I thought if you were registered in an emission testing county, then you had to be tested in an emission testing county, even if not the same.

Erkk, that's what I meant. If you are registered in an emissions-test county (see the list on the website I posted) you can't go to a non-emissions test county to get your sticker.

Better?

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

...by county. If you go to a county that requires an emissions test (Travis does, not sure about Williamson), you will pay a lot more than in a county that doesn't require emissions testing.

Correct on the cost. Per the article linked, here are the counties that require emissions testing:

Vehicles registered in designated counties. Designated counties include: Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Montgomery, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, Williamson and El Paso counties.

By the bye, the last few days of the month and the first couple of the month are usually a bit busier than mid-month at many of the inspection stations. I think StickerStop offers a small discount for not being a 'deadline' customer.