John BlessingThe term “inspection sticker” in Texas now refers to a fee rather than a physical windshield sticker. Prior to 2025, Texas required most non-commercial vehicles to undergo an annual safety inspection and display a windshield sticker as proof. That system was eliminated effective January 1, 2025, when House Bill 3297 ended mandatory safety inspections for non-commercial vehicles.
This article explains the cost of the inspection sticker in Texas under the current system. It covers the Inspection Program Replacement Fee, emissions inspection fees in applicable counties, exemptions for certain vehicles, and what drivers should expect at registration.
The Inspection Program Replacement Fee
Effective January 1, 2025, all non-commercial vehicles registered in Texas are subject to an annual Inspection Program Replacement Fee of $7.50 . This fee appears on registration renewal notices under the label “Inspection Replacement Fee” . It replaces the revenue that the state previously collected through safety inspection fees .
The fee is collected at the time of vehicle registration, not at an inspection station. This means drivers pay it alongside their standard registration fees, rather than as a separate transaction. The $7.50 fee is not an increase in registration cost; it is a continuation of the same revenue stream under a different collection method.
For new vehicles, the initial Inspection Program Replacement Fee is higher. Owners of new vehicles that are of the current or preceding model year and have not been previously registered in Texas or another state pay an initial fee of $16.75, which covers two years of registration. Applicants who pay the $16.75 fee are not required to pay the annual $7.50 fee for the same vehicle during the following registration year.
Emissions Inspection Fees by County
While safety inspections have been eliminated statewide, emissions inspections remain mandatory in certain counties before vehicle registration. These counties are subject to federal air quality requirements and must maintain an Inspection and Maintenance program . The inspection sticker in these counties is effectively an emissions inspection, and the fee varies by program area.
The counties currently requiring emissions inspections include Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, and Montgomery in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area; Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, and Tarrant in the Dallas-Fort Worth area; Travis and Williamson in the Austin-Round Rock area; El Paso County; and Bexar County beginning November 1, 2026.
Emissions inspection fee caps are set by program area. The Austin-Round Rock area has a maximum fee of $11.50 for an on-board diagnostics inspection. The San Antonio area (Bexar County) will have a maximum fee of $18.50 once emissions testing begins . The Houston-Galveston-Brazoria and Dallas-Fort Worth program areas have separate fee schedules established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Drivers in emissions counties must obtain a passing emissions inspection before renewing their registration. The emissions inspection fee is paid directly to the inspection station at the time of testing, and the station electronically reports the results to the state.
Vehicles Exempt from Fees
Several categories of vehicles are exempt from the Inspection Program Replacement Fee and emissions inspection requirements.
Commercial vehicles are exempt from the replacement fee because they are still required to obtain passing safety inspections . All commercial vehicles in all Texas counties must continue to undergo safety inspections and pay the associated inspection fees.
Electric vehicles are exempt from emissions inspections because they produce no tailpipe emissions . However, fully electric cars and trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less are subject to an annual $200 electric vehicle fee assessed at registration renewal, and new electric vehicles issued two years of registration are assessed a $400 fee.
Certain vehicles registered under extended registration periods, such as trailers and rental vehicles, pay fees under different schedules. Rental vehicles eligible for three-year initial registration pay a one-time fee of $22.25 instead of the standard amounts, covering the three-year period.
What Happened to the Windshield Sticker
The physical inspection sticker that Texas drivers once displayed on their windshields is no longer issued for non-commercial vehicles. The safety inspection program was eliminated on January 1, 2025, and with it the requirement to display proof of inspection . Texas Department of Motor Vehicles stopped sending Vehicle Inspection and Registration Notices to non-commercial vehicle customers .
For emissions counties, the inspection station still issues a passing report electronically, and the vehicle registration serves as proof that the vehicle passed the required emissions test. No separate windshield sticker is needed.
Conclusion
The cost of the inspection sticker in Texas has been replaced by the Inspection Program Replacement Fee, which is $7.50 annually for most non-commercial vehicles and $16.75 for new vehicles covering two years. This fee is paid at the time of registration rather than at an inspection station.
Drivers in emissions counties must still obtain a passing emissions inspection before registration, with fees capped at $11.50 in the Austin area and $18.50 in Bexar County once testing begins.
Commercial vehicles remain subject to safety inspections and are exempt from the replacement fee. Electric vehicles are exempt from emissions inspections but subject to separate electric vehicle fees. The windshield sticker itself is no longer issued, as the safety inspection program was eliminated effective January 1, 2025.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or administrative advice. The fees, requirements, and exemptions described herein are based on publicly available information and may vary depending on the specific county, vehicle type, and changes in applicable law or administrative rules.
Nothing in this article creates a professional relationship of any kind. Readers should consult the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles or a qualified professional for advice regarding their specific situation.