Enhanced vehicle emissions inspections were implemented in affected areas in Texas to improve air quality and are integrated with the annual safety inspection program and operated by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
in conjunction with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Enhanced inspections began in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Harris, and Tarrant Counties on May 1, 2002, and in Brazoria, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, and Rockwall Counties on May 1, 2003. Travis and Williamson Counties implemented enhanced inspections on September 1, 2005. El Paso County implemented enhanced inspections on January 1, 2007. Enhanced inspections will begin in Bexar County on November 1, 2026.
On March 1, 2015, the State of Texas stopped issuing vehicle inspection stickers and transitioned to a “Two Steps, One Sticker” vehicle inspection and registration program. Vehicles owners must pass the annual safety inspection before going to register the vehicle. More information is available on the Two Steps, One Sticker
Motorists with vehicles registered in Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson Counties will not be eligible to renew their vehicle's annual registration if the vehicle has not passed its annual emissions inspection or complied with the vehicle emissions inspection program requirements. Beginning November 1, 2026, motorists with vehicles registered in Bexar County will not be eligible to renew their vehicle's annual registration if the vehicle has not passed its annual emissions inspection or complied with the vehicle emissions inspection program requirements.
Vehicle owners that receive an annual vehicle registration renewal notice that has a "TCEQ - EMISSIONS PRGM NON-COMPLIANCE" remark printed on the front page will be unable to renew registration until the non-compliance issue is resolved. For information call the TCEQ's Registration Denial Hotline at 1(888)-295-0141.