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)
- Austin-Round Rock Area
- Houston-Galveston-Brazoria and Dallas-Fort Worth Areas
- El Paso Area
San Antonio Area (Bexar County)
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- 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 topAustin-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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.