November 2015

House Bill 2305

As required by HB 2305, all commercial vehicles required to obtain a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation inspection are exempt from the 90-day sync-up requirement. In lieu of an administrative rule, this statement may be understood as DPS’ official position.

September 1, 2015

House Bill 2115

Effective Sept. 1, 2015
HB 2115 adds commercial fleet buyers to the list for initial inspections valid for two years for vehicles purchased in Texas or out-of-state. Only vehicles purchased in state were previously eligible for the initial two-year inspection.

Senate Bill 807

Effective Sept. 1, 2015
SB 807 amends the Occupations Code to require a state agency that issues an occupational license to waive the license application and examination fees paid to the state for an applicant who is a military service member or military veteran whose military service, training, or education substantially meets all of the requirements for the license or who is a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse who holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in Texas.

Feb. 18, 2014

Stant Fuel Cap Tester Adapters

Effective Feb. 10, 2014

Attention: All official VI Stations and Certified Inspectors

Stant recently updated some of its Fuel Cap Tester Adapters. Please confirm your station has the current adapters. (Note: The part numbers and the color scheme are the same for the old adapters. The new adapters will have either a white or grey ring.) White ring designates the adapter has had one upgrade, grey ring designates two upgrades. Black ring is original with no upgrades. For more information, please contact Stant at (765) 825-3122.

New Updated Adapters

• Adapter #12405 Red Adapter/White Ring
• Adapter #12407 Black Adapter/White Ring
• Adapter #12422 Tan Adapter/White Ring
• Adapter #12419 Orange Adapter/Grey Ring
• Adapter #12423 Light Green/Black Ring
• Adapter #12424 Natural (Crème)/Black Ring
• Adapter #12426 Pink
• Adapter #12427 Purple

Other Adapters (these have not been updated)

• #12403 Dark Blue Adapter/Black Ring
• #12404 Yellow Adapter/Black Ring
• #12406 Green Adapter/Black Ring
• #12408 Gray Adapter/Black Ring
• #12421 Light Blue Adapter/Black Ring

Oct. 25, 2013

New procedure for Inspector Applications

Beginning Oct. 23, 2013, the Vehicle Inspector License Application is online. ALL inspector applications must be submitted using the online process. The application can be found at Vehicle Inspector Licensing.

Some of the major features of this new application are ...

Inspector Applicant

• Submit your inspector license application and payment online through Texas.gov
• Receive emails regarding your payment, requests for documentation, license issuance and more
• Check the status of your application

Owner or Buyer

• Pay for one or more inspector license application(s)
• Receive a confirmation email of the inspector license application fee payment

May 22, 2013

Station License Renewals now available

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has opened online renewals for stations through DPS Direct. DPS continues to streamline our processes to improve your experience with the Vehicle Inspection program. The simplified process allows you to complete renewals in just a few quick steps. You can now provide both an email address and a website for your station(s). All renewals must be completed by Aug. 31, 2013.

1. Login to the VIC Station Renewal Application.
2. Select station(s) to renew.
3. Update your station's email, website, phone number and mailing address as needed.
4. Complete by paying renewal fee with credit card, debit card or electronic check. Your confirmation will be visible along with your other orders.

Thank you for your attention to the renewal deadline.

December 14, 2012

SB197

Consolidated Inspection and Registration System Joint TxDPS/TxDMV Study

July 27, 2012

Vehicle Inspection Stations

We are getting close to our scheduled launch date of Sept. 1, 2012, for DPS Direct – VIC (Vehicle Inspection Connection). VIC is a web-based system allowing inspectors to easily comply with Texas state law with improved flexibility and a condensed, streamlined checklist. To keep you informed, here are a few items and reminders:

Inspector Renewals (all stations)

• Must be completed in TAVIS by Aug. 15, 2012
• There is no grace period. If you miss the deadline, you will be locked out Sept. 1 and must reapply

Certificate Orders (all stations)

• Last day to place orders in TAVIS is Aug. 29, 2012
• Begin placing orders in the new system Sept. 1, 2012. Orders will not begin to ship until Sept. 4, 2012 because of the Labor Day holiday

VIC Inspections (safety-only stations)

• Inspections should be performed on VIC as soon as you receive and activate your VIC Equipment

VIC Equipment (safety-only stations)

• Delivery will be from Aug. 13 to Aug. 24
• The VIC equipment will replace all the TAVIS equipment on the cart
• VIC scanner is a new model that will read inspection certificates, registration certificates and VINs
• Place all TAVIS equipment except for the large monitor in the VIC box

VIC Training (safety-only stations)

• VIC is designed to guide you through the process, reducing the need for training.
• You will be given documents to help you set up your unit, connect and activate your unit, and activate Inspector, Owner and Buyer accounts

For additional VIC or Vehicle Inspection program information, please visit Regulatory Services Division and select the Vehicle Inspection option.

June 26, 2012

Inspector License Renewals must be submitted by Aug. 15, 2012

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is continually working to update our technology and improve our vehicle inspection system. We will completely transition to our new system – DPS Direct, Vehicle Inspect Connection – as of Aug. 31, 2012. To ensure your inspection privileges transfer to the new system, renewals must be submitted by Aug. 15, 2012. The transition will require all inspector licenses to be processed before Aug. 31, 2012. There will be NO grace period. Inspectors who miss the deadline will need to reapply and go through the certification process.

• Inspectors can renew their certificate through TAVIS.
• Buyers can pay for inspector renewals by going into Certificate Purchasing and selecting Bulk Renewal. After the buyer has paid for the renewal, the Inspector must go to the Main Menu and go to License Renewals to update or confirm their address and personal information. Renewal is not complete until this has been done.

Thank you for your prompt attention and payment.  DPS will send additional communication and information about our new system – DPS Direct, Vehicle Inspect Connection – as we get closer to the launch.

July 28, 2011

New Inspection Stickers

Inspection stickers with expiration dates in 2013 and later display only the last digit of the inspection year.

06/29/2011

License and Renewal Fees Increase October 1, 2011

Senate Bill 197, signed into law on 06/17/2011, increases the license fees for stations and inspectors, and details penalties for certain inspection related offenses.   

• Station License Fee increases to $100
• Station License Renewal cost increases to $102
• Inspector License Fee increases to $25
• Inspector License Renewal cost increases to $27

To read the entire bill, please visit Texas Legislature Online and search for SB 197.

09/01/2009

Revised Window Tint Laws

• Section 547.613 of the Texas Transportation Code makes it a misdemeanor to operate a vehicle with an object or material (including a sunscreening device) attached to the windshield, rear, or side windows that obstructs or reduces the driver’s visibility.
• Section 547.613 also makes it a misdemeanor for any person to apply any material (including a sunscreening device) that changes the color or reduces the light transmission of any vehicle window.