Texas Ditches Vehicle Inspections – Not So Fast El Paso

Texas, thankfully, has decided to end annual vehicle safety inspections. Not every city is off the hook though and El Paso is one of those who still have to have these.

The annual safety inspection required to register your vehicle in Texas are going away. You still have to pay the yearly fee and maintain insurance but the safety inspection is no longer needed.

Unless you're in certain parts of Texas, El Paso being one of the "lucky" ones who are in one of those selected areas, drivers will still have to go through the inspection process and deal, not only with that burden but also with any problems related to passing the inspection.

It's a good idea for Texas drivers who can now skip the inspections to still be sure their vehicles would pass one if they had to. Police can pull you over if they suspect that something about your vehicle is not in a safe condition.

Which vehicles are required to have the emissions test?

• Designated counties include: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson.
• Gasoline powered vehicles. Diesel powered vehicles and motorcycles are exempt from emissions testing, but are still required to have the annual safety inspection.
• Vehicles 2 through 24 years old OR upon expiration of the two-year initial inspection sticker. - TXDPS

So, sorry El Paso ... seems our air quality isn't so great so we still have to put up with these things.