Texas Administrative Code
Title 30 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Part 1 - TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Chapter 114 - CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION FROM MOTOR VEHICLES
Subchapter C - VEHICLE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE; LOW INCOME VEHICLE REPAIR ASSISTANCE, RETROFIT, AND ACCELERATED VEHICLE RETIREMENT PROGRAM; AND EARLY ACTION COMPACT COUNTIES
Division 1 - VEHICLE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
Section 114.50 - Vehicle Emissions Inspection Requirements

Universal Citation: 30 TX Admin Code § 114.50

Current through Reg. 50, No. 13; March 28, 2025

(a) Applicability. The requirements of this section and those contained in the Texas Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) State Implementation Plan (SIP) must be applied to all gasoline-powered motor vehicles 2 - 24 years old and subject to an annual emissions inspection beginning with the first safety inspection. Military tactical vehicles, motorcycles, diesel-powered vehicles, dual-fueled vehicles that cannot operate using gasoline, and antique vehicles registered with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles are excluded from the program. Safety inspection facilities and inspectors certified by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) must inspect all subject vehicles in the following program areas as defined in § 114.2 of this title (relating to Inspection and Maintenance Definitions), in accordance with the following schedule.

(1) This paragraph applies to all vehicles registered and primarily operated in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) program area.
(A) Beginning May 1, 2002, all 1996 and newer model year vehicles registered and primarily operated in Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant Counties equipped with on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems must be tested using United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved OBD test procedures.

(B) Beginning May 1, 2002, all pre-1996 model year vehicles registered and primarily operated in Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant Counties must be tested using an acceleration simulation mode (ASM-2) test or a vehicle emissions test approved by the EPA.

(C) All vehicle emissions inspection stations in affected program areas must offer both the ASM-2 test and the OBD test except low volume emissions inspection stations. If an owner or operator wishes to have his or her station classified as a low volume emissions inspection station, the station owner or operator shall petition the DPS in accordance with the rules and procedures established by the DPS.

(2) This paragraph applies to all vehicles registered and primarily operated in the extended DFW (EDFW) program area.
(A) Beginning May 1, 2003, all 1996 and newer model year vehicles registered and primarily operated in Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, and Rockwall Counties equipped with OBD systems must be tested using EPA-approved OBD test procedures.

(B) Beginning May 1, 2003, all pre-1996 model year vehicles registered and primarily operated in Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, and Rockwall Counties must be tested using an ASM-2 test or a vehicle emissions test approved by the EPA.

(C) All vehicle emissions inspection stations in affected program areas must offer both the ASM-2 test and the OBD test except low volume emissions inspection stations. If an owner or operator wishes to have his or her station classified as a low volume emissions inspection station, the station owner or operator shall petition the DPS in accordance with the rules and procedures established by the DPS.

(3) This paragraph applies to all vehicles registered and primarily operated in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria (HGB) program area.
(A) Beginning May 1, 2002, all 1996 and newer model year vehicles registered and primarily operated in Harris County equipped with OBD systems must be tested using EPA-approved OBD test procedures.

(B) Beginning May 1, 2002, all pre-1996 model year vehicles registered and primarily operated in Harris County must be tested using an ASM-2 test or a vehicle emissions test approved by the EPA.

(C) All vehicle emissions inspection stations in affected program areas must offer both the ASM-2 test and the OBD test except low volume emissions inspection stations. If an owner or operator wishes to have his or her station classified as a low volume emissions inspection station, the station owner or operator shall petition the DPS in accordance with the rules and procedures established by the DPS.

(D) Beginning May 1, 2003, all 1996 and newer model year vehicles equipped with OBD systems and registered and primarily operated in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, and Montgomery Counties must be tested using EPA-approved OBD test procedures.

(E) Beginning May 1, 2003, all pre-1996 model year vehicles registered and primarily operated in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, and Montgomery Counties must be tested using the ASM-2 test procedures or a vehicle emissions test approved by the EPA.

(4) This paragraph applies to all vehicles registered and primarily operated in the El Paso program area.
(A) All vehicles must be tested using a two-speed idle (TSI) test through December 31, 2006.

(B) Beginning January 1, 2007, all 1996 and newer model year vehicles equipped with OBD systems must be tested using EPA-approved OBD test procedures.

(C) Beginning January 1, 2007, all pre-1996 model year vehicles must be tested using a TSI test.

(D) Beginning January 1, 2007, all vehicle emissions inspection stations in the El Paso program area must offer both the TSI test and OBD test.

(5) This paragraph applies to all vehicles registered and primarily operated in the Bexar County program area.
(A) Beginning November 1, 2026, all 2 - 24 year old subject vehicles equipped with OBD systems must be tested using EPA-approved OBD test procedures.

(B) Beginning November 1, 2026, all vehicle emissions inspection stations in the Bexar County program area must offer the OBD test.

(b) Control requirements.

(1) No person or entity may operate, or allow the operation of, a motor vehicle registered in the DFW, EDFW, HGB, El Paso, and Bexar County program areas that does not comply with:
(A) all applicable air pollution emissions control-related requirements included in the annual vehicle safety inspection requirements administered by the DPS as evidenced prior to the single sticker transition date as defined in § 114.1 of this title (relating to Definitions) by a current valid inspection certificate affixed to the vehicle windshield, a current valid vehicle inspection report (VIR), or other form of proof authorized by the DPS;

(B) beginning on the single sticker transition date, all applicable air pollution emissions control-related requirements included in the annual vehicle safety inspection requirements administered by the DPS, as evidenced by a current valid vehicle registration insignia sticker, a current valid VIR, or other form of proof authorized by the DPS or the DMV; and

(C) the vehicle emissions I/M requirements contained in this subchapter.

(2) All federal government agencies must require a motor vehicle operated by any federal government agency employee on any property or facility under the jurisdiction of the federal government agency and located in a program area to comply with all vehicle emissions I/M requirements specified in Texas Health and Safety Code, Subchapter G, §§382.201 - 382.216 (concerning Vehicle Emissions), and this chapter. Commanding officers or directors of federal facilities shall certify annually to the executive director, or appointed designee, that all subject vehicles have been tested and are in compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act (42 United States Code, §§ 7401 et seq.). This requirement will not apply to visiting federal government agency, employee, or military personnel vehicles as long as such visits do not exceed 60 calendar days per year.

(3) Any motorist in the DFW, EDFW, HGB, El Paso, or Bexar County program areas who has received a notice from an emissions inspection station that there are recall items unresolved on his or her motor vehicle should furnish proof of compliance with the recall notice prior to the next vehicle emissions inspection, such as a written statement from the dealership or leasing agency indicating that emissions repairs have been completed.

(4) A motorist whose vehicle has failed an emissions test may request a challenge retest through the DPS. If the retest is conducted within 15 days of the initial inspection, the retest is free.

(5) A motorist whose vehicle has failed an emissions test and has not requested a challenge retest or whose vehicle has failed a challenge retest shall have emissions-related repairs performed and submit a properly completed vehicle repair form (VRF) in order to receive a retest. In order to receive a waiver or time extension, the motorist shall submit a VRF or applicable documentation as deemed necessary by the DPS.

(6) A motorist whose vehicle is registered in the DFW, EDFW, HGB, El Paso, or Bexar County program areas or in any county adjacent to a program area and whose vehicle has failed an on-road test administered by the DPS shall:
(A) submit the vehicle for an out-of-cycle vehicle emissions inspection within 30 days of written notice by the DPS; and

(B) satisfy all inspection, extension, or waiver requirements of the vehicle emissions I/M program specified in 37 TAC Chapter 23, Subchapter E (relating to Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Program).

(7) A subject vehicle registered in a county without an I/M program that meets the applicability criteria of subsection (a) of this section and the ownership of which has changed through a retail sale as defined by Texas Occupations Code, § 2301.002, is not eligible for title receipt or registration in a county with an I/M program unless proof is presented that the vehicle has passed an approved vehicle emissions inspection within 90 days before the title transfer. The evidence of proof required may be in the form of the vehicle inspection report (VIR) or another proof of the program compliance as authorized by the DPS. All 1996 and newer model year vehicles with less than 50,000 miles are exempt from the test-on-resale requirements of this paragraph.

(8) State, governmental, and quasi-governmental agencies that fall outside the normal registration or inspection process must comply with all vehicle emissions I/M requirements for vehicles primarily operated in I/M program areas.

(c) Waivers and extensions. A motorist may apply to the DPS for a waiver or an extension as specified in 37 TAC Chapter 23, Subchapter E, which defers the need for full compliance with vehicle emissions standards for a specified period of time after failing a vehicle emissions inspection.

(d) Prohibitions.

(1) No person may issue or allow the issuance of a VIR, as authorized by the DPS unless all applicable air pollution emissions control-related requirements of the annual vehicle safety inspection and the vehicle emissions I/M requirements are completely and properly performed in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the DPS and the commission. Prior to taking any enforcement action regarding this provision, the commission must consult with the DPS.

(2) Before the single sticker transition date as defined in § 114.1 of this title, no person may allow or participate in the preparation, duplication, sale, distribution, or use of false, counterfeit, or stolen safety inspection certificates, VIRs, VRFs, vehicle emissions repair documentation, or other documents that may be used to circumvent applicable vehicle emissions I/M requirements and to commit an offense specified in Texas Transportation Code, § 548.603 (concerning Fictitious or Counterfeit Inspection Certificate or Insurance Document). Beginning on the single sticker transition date, no person may allow or participate in the preparation, duplication, sale, distribution, or use of false, counterfeit, or stolen vehicle registration insignia stickers, VIRs, VRFs, vehicle emissions repair documentation, or other documents that may be used to circumvent applicable vehicle emissions I/M requirements and to commit an offense specified in Texas Transportation Code, § 548.603.

(3) No organization, business, person, or other entity may represent itself as an emissions inspector certified by the DPS unless such certification has been issued under the certification requirements and procedures contained in Texas Transportation Code, §§ 548.401 - 548.404.

(4) No person may act as or offer to perform services as a Recognized Emissions Repair Technician of Texas, as designated by the DPS, without first obtaining and maintaining DPS recognition.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Texas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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