While Texas is currently one of just 15 states that requires annual vehicle safety inspections, that requirement could soon be dropped if Gov. Greg Abbott signs legislation passed by the House and Senate.
House Bill 3297 by State Rep. Cody Harris (R–Palestine) would eliminate the requirement for passenger vehicles to receive annual safety inspections.
The bill passed the House and Senate this month and is currently heading to Abbott’s desk for final confirmation.
Former State Sen. Don Huffines, who championed the removal of inspections when he was in office, says the the bill represents the best chance yet for success.
“While in the Texas Senate I spent four years trying to eliminate the vehicle inspection tax, and I almost killed it in 2017. We have our best chance in 70 years to eradicate this unnecessary big government program, the vehicle safety inspection,” said Huffines.
The Huffines Liberty Foundation has released its own in-depth analysis, making the case for the program’s removal.
“I am quite familiar with the car business, and trust me when I tell you: vehicle inspections are a scam. You are being ripped off. Texas is the only Republican state to have this policy. This inspection is not about safety but about stealing your time and money. We will be the 36th state to return liberty to vehicle ownership,” Huffines added.
The elimination of the inspection doesn’t fully eliminate the cost, however. The legislation would also institute a new $7.50 “Inspection Program Replacement Fee” on all cars in addition to the annual registration cost.
It would also continue to require emissions testing in Texas’ most populous counties, including Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson.
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