Previous News and Updates

December 14, 2020

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

 

December 20, 2018

Vehicle Safety Inspection Study

In 2017, the 85th Texas State Legislature passed Senate Bill (S.B.) 2076 with this requirement:

“Not later than December 31, 2018, the Department of Public Safety and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles shall:

(1) conduct a study on the efficiency and necessity of the titling, including actions related to titling such as registration, and inspection of vehicles in this state; and
(2) submit to the legislature a report on the results of the study that includes:

a. identification of any elements of the vehicle titling, including actions related to titling such as registration, and inspection programs that can be eliminated; and
b. recommendations for legislation to eliminate those elements.”

S.B. 2076 was signed by Greg Abbott, the Governor of Texas, on June 15, 2017, and became effective September 1, 2017. The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS), using a competitive selection process, awarded a contract to The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Transportation Research (CTR) to conduct this study.

Study Objectives
The objectives of this study were to meet legislative requirements through these three tasks:

  • Quantify the efficiency of the vehicle inspection program by analyzing the economic impacts of eliminating the passenger Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Program (referred to in this document as the Inspection Program) in terms of potential cost and revenue changes for different entities impacted by the program;
  • Address the necessity of the Inspection Program by assessing the safety impact of eliminating the Inspection Program on all road users and vehicle owners in Texas; and
  • Make recommendations on whether the Inspection Program, as an element of vehicle titling, should be eliminated based on the economic and safety evaluations.

Recommendations
The findings from this study’s analysis indicate that the Inspection Program saves lives and enhances safety. The CTR team strongly recommends the following:

  • Retain the Inspection Program.
  • Conduct a further study to consider whether potential additional inspection items, such as tire age and recall information, should be included in the Inspection Program to further enhance highway safety in Texas.

Read the study:

September 1, 2017

All Certified Inspection Stations and Inspectors

Effective September 1, 2017 in order to comply with Senate Bill 1001 and Texas Transportation Code Section 548.052, the safety inspection requirements for trailers have been revised.

Trailers, semitrailers, pole trailers, or mobile homes having an actual gross weight or registered gross weight of 7,500 lbs. or less are exempt from inspection. All other vehicles are unaffected by this change.

January 1, 2017

All Certified Inspection Stations and Inspectors

Beginning January 1, 2017 in order 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 has been revised.

When conducting an Annual Safety Inspection, a visual inspection of the Center High Mounted Stop Lamp must be conducted on passenger vehicles, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses less than 80 inches wide with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less. These models must have working center high mounted stop lamps. The High Mounted Stop Lamp is a lamp mounted high and possibly forward of the tail, stop, and rear turn signal lamps intended to give a steady stop warning. Affected vehicle changes are listed below, all other vehicles remain unaffected.

PROCEDURE:

  1. Visually check operation and condition.
  2. Vehicles listed below are affected:

Passenger cars manufactured
1986 – Newer: 3 stop lamps required*
Light trucks/SUVs under 80” wide, manufactured
1994 – Newer: 3 stop lamps required*

* If originally equipped by manufacturer

March 28, 2016

To All Station Owners/Managers/Inspectors

New 90 Day Window for Registration Tool

Beginning March 1, 2016, the 90 day requirement will be enforced for all vehicle owners seeking inspection for registration purposes.  In order to renew registration on time, the owner’s vehicle must pass inspection no earlier than 90 days before their registration expires.

If you would like to validate the inspection being performed is within the 90 day window for registration purposes, please visit Two Steps, One Sticker and click the "When do I inspect?" button on the right hand side of the page.  This tool will be helpful in confirming the customer’s inspection will qualify for their upcoming registration.

You may also view/print the 2016/2017 calendar

Please Print And Give Copy To Manager/Owner

Thank you for your continued participation in the Texas inspection program.

Texas Department of Public Safety


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.

New Inspection Sticker

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.