Vehicle Inspection Connection - Bring Your Own Device Project launching Spring of 2023
January 27, 2023
The Texas Department of Public Safety is proud to announce that the next evolution of the Texas Vehicle Safety Inspection Program. The Vehicle Inspection Connection (VIC) Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Project is going to be launching in the Spring of 2023. Below are a few details and reminders to help stations and inspectors prepare for this transition.
Key Details & Reminders:
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Internet Browser - The software is a web-based solution designed to work on the following internet browsers - Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox.
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Equipment - The new evolution of VIC empowers stations owners to now choose the equipment in which they perform vehicle inspections that support their working environments. Required vehicle inspection information can now be captured using your Computer, Mobile Device, or Tablet. Please consider what device or devices you and your station plan to use now so that you are prepared for launch as the current VIC units will be disconnected from the system later this year.
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Printed Reports - You are still required to print the Vehicle Inspection Report at the conclusion of the inspection. Please make the necessary accommodations at your inspection station to ensure that your printer can print from your device of choice by the launch date. DPS doesn’t recommend any specific type of printer.
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Scan VINs - Stations can continue using the current USB scanner with your computer, or leverage the flexibility offered by a mobile device/tablet camera to capture the VIN.
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Training - As we near system launch, we will release training videos and guides. Please check your email along with the DPS website for those materials. If your email has changed or the point of contact for your station be sure to update your information on file with DPS.
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Questions - Please contact our VIC Call Center, open daily from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm Central Time at (855) 845-0842 or your DPS representative with questions you may have prior to launch.
Thank you for your participation in the Texas Vehicle Inspection Program as we eagerly approach switching to the bring your own device solution.
Station Renewal Year - All Vehicle Inspection Station Licenses Expire September 1, 2023
January 4, 2023
Attention Station Owners – All Vehicle Inspection station license renewals must be completed by August 31, 2023. Stations that fail to renew by August 31st, will expire September 1, 2023.
Steps to Renew Station License in the Vehicle Inspection Connection (VIC) Website
- VIC Login: An authorized buyer or owner will need to login to VIC to complete and submit the renewal application, URL: https://dpsdirect.portal.texas.gov/VICStation/login/auth?format,
- Select: “Station Renewal” in the upper right-hand corner of the page,
- Select: Station(s) to renew,
- Review station information, and update as needed,
- Email address,
- Website,
- Phone number, and
- Mailing address.
- Payment: Pay for your renewal with credit card, debit card or electronic check,
- Confirmation Number: Will be generated once renewal application has successfully been submitted.
Help Desk: If you have forgotten your User ID, password, or experience problems, please contact the help desk at 1-855-845-0842.
Thank you for your attention to the renewal deadline and for your continued participation in the Texas Vehicle Inspection Program.
Texas Department of Public Safety
Bexar County - Public Information Meeting on Expansion of Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Emissions Program
January 4, 2023
On December 15, 2022, the following notification was sent to all Station Owners, Managers, and Inspectors.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will hold a virtual public information meeting to provide information on implementation of the Bexar County Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program. The meeting is an opportunity for interested parties to learn about the TCEQ’s planning efforts to develop an I/M program for Bexar County and ask questions about I/M requirements.
| Date: | Tuesday, January 17, 2023 |
| Time: | 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. CST |
| Location: | Microsoft Teams Virtual Meeting |
| Join Meeting: | To find the link to join the meeting, please visit https://www.tceq.texas.gov/events |
If you wish to participate in the meeting and have special communication or other accommodation needs, please contact Jamie Zech at 512-239-3935.
- Requests should be made as far in advance as possible in order to allow adequate time to set up accommodations.
- The meeting will be conducted in English, with a Spanish language interpreter available.
If you have any questions, please email aqp@tceq.texas.gov or call 512-239-4939.
Thank you for your continued participation in the AirCheckTexas Emissions Program.
Texas Department of Public Safety
Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (3rd Brake Lamp) Inspection Information
November 23, 2022
ATTENTION ALL STATION OWNERS AND INSPECTORS
On January 1, 2017, to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 571.108, State Law and Texas Transportation Code Section 547.323, the inspection requirements for stop lamps on motor vehicles were revised to include a visual inspection of the Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (3rd brake lamp).
The 3rd brake lamp is a lamp mounted high and possibly forward of the tail, stop, and rear turn signal lamps.
The 3rd brake lamp is required on:
- 1986 and newer passenger cars
- 1994 and newer Light trucks/SUVs less than 80” wide with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less
Recently, a new type of 3rd brake lamp has been approved in use of passenger vehicles, light trucks and SUVs less than 80” wide. This 3rd brake lamp, which uses light emitting diodes (LEDs), flashes or pulses briefly and remains lighted when the vehicle’s brake pedal is pressed.
For a short video about this new type of 3rd brake lamp, please view the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C3Z8EwThNg
Please ensure that you and your team are aware of the inspection requirements for a vehicle’s 3rd brake lamp including the information about the new type of 3rd brake lamp referenced above.
NOTES:
- Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (3rd brake lamp) condition is entered in the Stop Lamp section of the vehicle inspection sequence on VIC and Emissions Analyzer units.
- References: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 571.108; TX Inspection Procedure Chapter 4, 04.20.28
Thank you for your continued participation in the Texas Vehicle Inspection Program. Please contact your department representative for any questions.
Texas Department of Public Safety
CREDIT CARD FEES BULLETIN
July 7, 2022
Attention all station owners:
The Department has received questions from inspection stations regarding the charging of credit card fees to motorists who use a credit card when paying for a state inspection.
The inspection station must list any credit card fees separately from the inspection fee on the invoice or bill provided to the customer.
In addition, charging additional fees in a manner that is misleading or deceptive is prohibited. It is therefore recommended that the stations:
- ensure that the credit card fee does not exceed the fee charged by the credit card company for the transaction; and
- provide the motorist the option to pay in cash for the inspection to avoid credit card fees.
- clearly display signage informing motorists of the additional fees if a credit card will be used to pay for the inspection to avoid misunderstandings.
The following are the relevant violations provided in Texas Administrative Code Rule 23.62(c)(2):
(F) Acting in a manner that could reasonably be expected to cause confusion or misunderstanding on the part of an owner or operator presenting a vehicle regarding the relationship between the statutorily mandated inspection fee and a fee for any other service or product offered by the vehicle inspection station.
(G) Failing to list and charge for any additional services separately from the statutorily mandated inspection fee.
(H) Charging a fee, convenience fee or service charge in affiliation or connection with the inspection, in a manner that is false, misleading, deceptive or unauthorized.
Thank you for your continued participation in the Texas Vehicle Inspection Program. Please contact your department representative for any questions.
"VIC - BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE" PROJECT TO ROLL OUT IN 2023
June 13, 2022
Attention all station owners and inspectors:
The Texas Department of Public Safety is excited to announce the “VIC - Bring Your Own Device” project, which will allow certified inspectors to use their cell phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer to enter vehicle inspection information at the time of the inspection.
A certified inspector will be provided a website address where they will log in with their inspector credentials and enter the required inspection information for each vehicle that is inspected. After the inspection data entry is completed, the certified inspector will print the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) to provide to the motorist.
The station will be able to use any printer that is compatible with their cell phone, tablet, laptop or desktop to print the VIR.
Currently, DPS is expecting the VIC Bring Your Own Device project will be rolled out to all VIC stations in Texas in mid-2023. DPS will be providing more details about the project closer to the rollout date.
The VIC units will no longer be utilized for inspections once the process is moved to a web format.
Thank you for your continued participation in the Texas Vehicle Inspection Program. Please contact your Department representative for any questions.
The latest Station & Inspector Bulletin is available: Inspector License Renewal Period Ending 8/31/2022.
March 1, 2022
ADDITIONAL SAFETY RECALL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN VEHICLE INSPECTION REPORT
August 5, 2021
Effective August 7, 2021, the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR), which is provided to motorists at the conclusion of an inspection, will include safety recall information to bring motorists' attention to open recalls on their vehicles. This information is provided in order to improve driver awareness of urgent safety recalls with the goal of increasing recall completion rates.
If the vehicle has an open safety recall, the recall information will be provided on the back or second page of the VIR. For open safety recalls, the motorist should contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at the number provided or visit the website provided at the top of the VIR. They may also contact their vehicle’s manufacturer for additional information.
Safety recalls can be repaired free of charge by the vehicle’s manufacturer.
You may see the following responses on the Vehicle Inspection Report:
- Open Recall Information. (See example below.)
- No Open Recalls.
- Manufacturer does not provide information. Check with NHTSA or vehicle manufacturer.
- Communication issue. Check with NHTSA or vehicle manufacturer.
RECALL INFORMATION ADDED TO VEHICLE INSPECTION REPORT EFFECTIVE 9/11/2020
September 11, 2020
The non-emission Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR), which is provided by the inspection station at the conclusion of the vehicle inspection, has been updated to provide general recall information. This information is provided in order to improve motorist awareness of urgent safety recalls with the goal of increasing recall completion rates.
The VIR will include the following information at the top of the report:
“Recall information details can be found by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website at www.nhtsa.gov or calling the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.”
A bulletin was sent by DPS to all safety inspection stations on September 9, 2020, notifying them of the change.
Below is the revised portion of the VIR with the new recall information.
INSPECTOR LICENSE RENEWAL UPDATE
June 1, 2020
ATTENTION STATION INSPECTORS AND STATION OWNERS:
All inspectors, including government inspectors, must complete the renewal process by August 31, 2020. If you have not already completed your inspector renewal, please follow the steps below to submit your application:
- Login to the VIC Inspector License Renewal Application.
- Update your email address, phone number and address as needed.
- Choose your payment method – Self Pay or Employer Pay.
- Complete by paying the $27 renewal fee with credit card, debit card or by completing the employer payment submission.
If you choose Employer Pay, you must notify your employer to complete the payment in the system before August 31, 2020 or the renewal process will not be complete.
NOTE: Inspectors at Government Inspection Stations must also complete the renewal process and choose Employer Pay.
Be sure to renew your license BEFORE the expiration date. Failure to do so will cause you to lose access to the VIC and/or emissions analyzer systems and you will no longer be able to conduct inspections without getting recertified.
If you have forgotten your password, please contact the help desk at 1-855-845-0842. For all other assistance, contact your DPS representative.
Thank you for your attention to the renewal deadline.
RESUMING VI TESTING FOR INSPECTORS
May 12, 2020
ATTENTION ALL STATION OWNERS AND INSPECTORS:
Vehicle Inspection testing for inspector applicants will be resuming in the next few weeks throughout the state. For those applicants that have already submitted an application, you will be contacted by a Department of Public Safety representative to inform you of the available test dates and times. We will be contacting applicants in order based on application date, so please be patient.
Please be aware that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department has put in place safety measures to protect applicants and Department representatives including:
- All applicants are required to wear a mask or face covering the entire time they are at the testing location.
- All applicants will be screened prior to entry to the DPS testing location including the taking of the applicant’s temperature using a touchless thermometer.
- All applicants will be asked if they have any symptoms that may indicate illness.
- All applicants must bring their own pen or pencil for the test.
- Class size will be determined by social distancing guidelines.
In order to offer more testing opportunities due to reduced class size, the Department has made a change in the testing process to eliminate the review of study material during class.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the material prior to taking the test.
All study materials can be found on the VI section of the DPS website 24 hours a day at the following link: https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/vehicle-inspection/inspectors.
Thank you for your continued participation in the Texas Vehicle Inspection Program. Please contact your Department representative for any questions.
TO ALL STATION OWNERS AND INSPECTORS:
April 17, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 virus situation, effective immediately the Department of Public Safety has canceled all inspector testing for new inspector applicants until at least May 18th.
All pending inspector applications will continue to be pending until inspector testing is resumed. Any new inspector applications submitted after March 20, 2020 will be delayed due to the canceling of inspector testing.
Thank you for your continued participation in the Texas Vehicle Inspection Program. Please contact your Department representative for any questions.
March 19, 2020
On March 13, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation, declaring a state of disaster for all counties in Texas due to the threat of COVID-19. Governor Abbott also issued a statement on March 16, 2020, granting a temporary extension to obtain initial registrations and the renewal of registrations. Per TxDMV, this temporary waiver will remain in effect until 60 days after TxDMV notifies the public that normal vehicle registration, vehicle titling and related services have resumed. The 60-day period will be the same for all counties. For this reason, even if your registration will be expiring in the near future, it is not necessary to have your vehicle inspected until after TxDMV notifies the public that normal registration and related services have resumed.
January 1, 2020
Effective January 1, 2020, Snap-on Equipment and Opus Inspection will no longer offer support or repairs for certain models of emissions analyzers.
- The affected Snap-On model numbers are: EEEA110, EEEA110A, EEEA110B, EEEA116A, and EEEA134A.
- The affected Opus Inspection analyzer model number is: ESP10400-57.
- Opus Inspection analyzer model number ESP10400-78 will not be supported as of July 1, 2020. This analyzer model will be locked out of TIMS on July 1, 2020, and you must replace this equipment for inspections occurring on or after July 1, 2020.
Note: Worldwide emission analyzers are not affected and will continue to be serviced by Worldwide and certified by TCEQ for the foreseeable future.
In an effort to minimize the burden on stations that own one of the analyzer models listed above, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the TCEQ have agreed to implement a three-month transition period. This will provide stations time to acquire replacement analyzers. At the end of the three-month transition period, on May 1, 2020, the analyzer models listed above will be permanently locked out of the Texas Information Management System (TIMS). For more information on analyzer vendors and models, visit TCEQ Vehicle Emissions Inspection pages.
A letter was sent by DPS to stations that own and/or use one of the models listed above in early January notifying them of the action required by the station by May 1, 2020. If you have any questions regarding this letter or the required action please contact our DPS Staff at (512) 424-7293.
January 14, 2020
Beginning January 1, 2020, all model year 1995 and older vehicles registered in a designated emissions county become exempt from vehicle emissions inspection requirements due to the age of the vehicle. Vehicle emissions tailpipe tests, such as the Acceleration Simulation Mode (ASM) and Two-Speed Idle (TSI) tests, will no longer be required. These vehicles are still required to receive an annual safety inspection to meet the registration requirements.
All model year 1996 and newer vehicles requiring emissions inspections will continue to receive on-board diagnostics (OBD) inspections in addition to safety inspections.
Counties requiring emissions inspections: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson.
Visit the inspection criteria page for more information