Keeping the air clean is a community effort, and in Texas, vehicle emissions inspections are a key part of this. If you’re a vehicle owner in certain Texas counties, you might be asking, “Where Can I Get An Emissions Test?” This guide will provide you with the information you need to understand Texas emissions testing, find a testing station, and ensure your vehicle is compliant.
Understanding Texas Emissions Inspections
Texas has implemented enhanced vehicle emissions inspections in specific areas to improve air quality. These inspections are integrated with the annual vehicle inspection program and are managed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in partnership with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
Enhanced emissions testing started in several counties in 2002 and 2003, and expanded to others in later years. Currently, these counties require enhanced inspections:
- Brazoria
- Collin
- Dallas
- Denton
- Ellis
- El Paso
- Fort Bend
- Galveston
- Harris
- Johnson
- Kaufman
- Montgomery
- Parker
- Rockwall
- Tarrant
- Travis
- Williamson
- Bexar (starting November 1, 2026)
If you reside in one of these counties, your vehicle is subject to emissions testing as part of your annual inspection.
Finding a Certified Emissions Testing Station Near You
The Texas DPS offers a convenient online tool to locate the nearest certified vehicle emissions inspection station. This official Emissions Inspection Station Locator is your best resource to find a testing center. Simply use this locator, and you’ll be able to identify certified stations in your area.
Remember, to complete your vehicle registration, you first need to pass your annual emissions inspection. Texas transitioned to a “Two Steps, One Sticker” program in 2015. This means you must pass your inspection before you can renew your vehicle registration. More details about this program are available on the Two Steps, One Sticker website.
Vehicle Registration and Emissions Compliance
For vehicle owners in the counties listed above, failing to comply with emissions inspection requirements will directly impact your ability to renew your vehicle registration. If your vehicle doesn’t pass the emissions test, or you haven’t met the program requirements, you won’t be able to renew your annual registration.
If you receive a vehicle registration renewal notice with a “TCEQ – EMISSIONS PRGM NON-COMPLIANCE” remark, it indicates an issue with your emissions compliance. You’ll need to resolve this before you can renew your registration. For assistance with registration denials related to emissions, you can contact the TCEQ’s Registration Denial Hotline at 1(888)-295-0141.
Key Facts About Texas Emissions Testing
Here’s a quick overview of important aspects of the Texas Emissions Inspection Program:
- Program Areas: Emissions testing programs are categorized into areas like Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, El Paso, and San Antonio (starting 2026). These areas encompass the specific counties listed earlier.
- Inspection Requirement: Passing an emissions inspection is mandatory to receive a passing vehicle inspection report, which is essential for vehicle registration renewal and obtaining your registration sticker.
- Vehicle Age: Gasoline vehicles from model-year 2 up to 24 years old require annual emissions inspections, starting from the vehicle’s second anniversary.
- Remote Sensing: Texas utilizes remote sensing technology to randomly monitor vehicle emissions on highways.
- Central Database: All inspection data is collected in a central database.
- Repair Facilities: Recognized Emission Repair Facilities are available to ensure quality repairs for vehicles that fail emissions tests.
- Waivers and Extensions: Under certain conditions, waivers and time extensions may be available for eligible vehicle owners.
- Station and Repair Locator Tools: Utilize the DPS’s station locator to find inspection stations and the repair facility locator to locate Recognized Emissions Repair Facilities.
By understanding the requirements and utilizing the resources provided by the Texas DPS and TCEQ, you can easily find “where can I get an emissions test” and ensure your vehicle meets Texas emissions standards, contributing to cleaner air for everyone.
