In 2023, a new law was passed that eliminates the need for drivers to have their cars inspected. However, there is a slight issue that has emerged on the internet.
In January, Texas will no longer mandate a safety inspection for most vehicles when renewing registration. However, this change has caused a slight inconvenience for some drivers.
When individuals attempt to register online, they encounter an issue. This problem arises because the current state law mandates that a vehicle must pass inspection before its registration can be renewed. As a result, any attempts to renew registration prior to January 1 will not be processed until that date.
Drivers are now exempt from getting vehicle inspections due to the passing of House Bill 3297 by the 88th Legislature in 2023. This bill eliminates the vehicle safety inspection program for non-commercial vehicles.
According to the DMV, you have the option to renew your vehicle registration online either 90 days before the expiration date or within 12 months after the expiration date, provided you haven’t received a citation for an expired registration.
When you attempt to renew your registration early in January or March, you may encounter a message stating, “The vehicle was not found. Corrected Vehicle Information may be required.”
According to the DMV, the solution to this issue is straightforward – avoid registering early. Instead, wait until January when the law, which no longer requires an inspection, comes into effect, and then renew your registration online.
Seventeen counties in Texas will continue to mandate emissions inspections for vehicles registered within their jurisdictions. These counties include Brazoria, Fort Bend, Collin, Parker, Galveston, Dallas, Rockwall, Harris, Denton, Tarrant, Johnson, El Paso, Travis, Kaufman, Ellis, Williamson, and Montgomery.