Vehicle safety inspections no longer mandatory starting 2025

MERCEDES, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Starting January 2025, Texas drivers will no longer be required to complete a safety inspection on their vehicle.

The new law, signed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2023, abolishes the Vehicle Safety Inspection Program for all non-commercial vehicles. It comes after Texas lawmakers claimed the mandatory inspections are time-consuming and inconvenient to drivers.

The Texas Department of Public Safety is reminding drivers that despite no longer being required to get safety inspections on their vehicles, they are still responsible for making sure their cars are properly functioning on the road.

"Regardless if you’ve always taken your vehicle through a safety inspection, it’s still the responsibility of the motorist to make sure that the vehicle is up to par and working properly to have it out there on the roadways," DPS Sargeant Maria Hernandez said.

Jesse Ledesma owns Ledesma 505 Inspections in Mercedes, Texas. He said he thinks the removal of the program is a mistake and will lead to more accidents.

“I think it’s a big mistake. I see it as more accidents going on in the expressways since the lights won’t be working properly, and there will be more insurance claims," Ledesma said.

Ledesma said without the mandatory inspections, he would either go out of business or transition to commercial vehicle inspections. He said he encourages his customers to continue getting the safety inspections when it is no longer mandatory.

“For their own safety, I tell my customers even though the program might come to an end, for them to continue doing their own safety inspection. Especially before they renew their tags," Ledesma said.

Non-commercial drivers will still have to pay a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee, and new vehicles purchased in Texas or vehicles that have never had a Texas registration will need to pay an initial inspection program replacement fee of $16.75 to cover two years.

Drivers of commercial vehicles will still be required to obtain a passing vehicle safety inspection throughout Texas.

The law goes into effect January 1, 2025. Any expired tags before that date are still required to complete the safety inspection before renewing registration.