Skip to Content
Questions or Comments: aqp@tceq.texas.gov

Highlights of the Vehicle I/M Program

Brief description of the inspection and maintenance (I/M) program by area in Texas

San Antonio Area (Bexar County)

    • Subject Vehicles: Gasoline vehicles model-year 2-24 years old are required to have an annual emissions inspection beginning with the vehicle's second anniversary.
    • Inspection Method: Model-year 1996 and newer vehicles are subject to on-board diagnostics (OBD) inspections.
    • Inspection Fees: Not to exceed $18.50 for an OBD inspection.
    • State Administration Fees (collected at registration): $2.50 from all emissions inspections for the TCEQ/Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) administration of the I/M program.
    • Timing: OBD inspections will begin on November 1, 2026, in Bexar County.
    • Testing Network: All inspection stations will be required to offer OBD inspections.
    • Waivers: Waivers and time extensions will be available for eligible vehicle owners.
    • Public Information Meeting Presentation on the Expansion of Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) to Bexar County

Back to the top of the page Back to top


Austin-Round Rock Program Area

  • Subject Vehicles: Gasoline vehicles model-year 2-24 years old are required to have an annual emissions inspection beginning with the vehicle's second anniversary.
  • Inspection Method: Model-year 1996 and newer vehicles are subject to OBD inspections.
  • Inspection Fees: Not to exceed $11.50 for an OBD inspection, plus $7.00 for the safety inspection, total not to exceed $18.50.
  • State Administration Fees (collected at registration): $2.50 from all emissions inspections for the TCEQ/DPS administration of the I/M program.
  • Timing: OBD inspections began on September 1, 2005, in Travis and Williamson Counties.
  • Testing Network: All inspection stations are required to offer OBD inspections.
  • Waivers: Waivers and time extensions are available for eligible vehicle owners.

Back to the top of the page Back to top


Houston-Galveston-Brazoria and Dallas-Fort Worth Program Areas

  • Subject Vehicles: Gasoline vehicles model-year 2-24 years old are required to have an annual emissions inspection beginning with the vehicle's second anniversary.
  • Inspection Method: Model-year 1996 and newer vehicles are subject to OBD inspections.
  • Inspection Fees: Not to exceed $18.50 for an OBD inspection, plus $7.00 for the safety inspection, total not to exceed $25.50.
  • State Administration Fees (collected at registration): $2.50 from all emissions inspections for the TCEQ/DPS administration of the I/M program.
  • Timing:
    • May 1, 2002: OBD inspections began in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Harris, and Tarrant Counties.
    • May 1, 2003: OBD inspections began in Brazoria, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, and Rockwall Counties.
  • Testing Network: All inspection stations are required to offer OBD inspections.
  • Waivers: Waivers and time extensions are available for eligible vehicle owners.

Back to the top of the page Back to top


El Paso Program Area

  • Subject Vehicles: Gasoline vehicles model-year 2-24 years old are subject to annual emissions inspection beginning with the vehicle's second anniversary.
  • Inspection Method: Model-year 1996 and newer vehicles are subject to OBD inspections.
  • Inspection Fees: Not to exceed $11.50 for an OBD inspection, plus $7.00 for the safety inspection, total not to exceed $18.50.
  • State Administration Fee (collected at registration): $2.50 from all emissions inspections for the TCEQ/DPS administration of the I/M program.
  • Timing: OBD inspections began on January 1, 2007, in El Paso County.
  • Testing Network: All inspection stations are required to offer OBD inspections.
  • Waivers: Waivers and time extensions are available for eligible vehicle owners.

Back to the top of the page Back to top