Texas EV Drivers Exempt From State Inspections in 2025?

Discussion
1

I just got my car inspected, and the inspector told me that starting in 2025, Texas will be doing away with safety inspections.

Apparently, EV drivers will just pay $200 online, and that’s it?

2

I don’t mind paying a bit more if it goes to the highway fund, but I doubt it will.

3

@sorphia
Ugh, that’s terrible. Feels like a step backwards.

4

jessicah said:
@sorphia
Ugh, that’s terrible. Feels like a step backwards.

For sure. No safety inspections means a bunch of beat-up, rusted-out cars on the road. In Indiana, we have that problem—expect to see more cars with busted lights and body damage in Texas too.

5

I’m in Texas too, and waiting for 2025 to see how it shakes out. It seems like inspections are going away statewide.

For counties with emissions testing, EVs should be exempt. My EV’s registration isn’t due until August, so I’ll hopefully know for sure by then. That’s how it’s looking, though.

6

<cries in October registration>

7

Maria said:
<cries in October registration>

Thinking I’ll just let mine expire (end of November) and renew on January 1. Not many cops around Austin anyway!

8

jeff said:

Maria said:
<cries in October registration>

Thinking I’ll just let mine expire (end of November) and renew on January 1. Not many cops around Austin anyway!

So that saves you $7, but you still have to pay $200, right?

9

@Imani
Yeah, but if you value my time at $100/hr (it’s not), that’s at least $50 saved by avoiding the drive and wait at the inspection place.

10

jeff said:
@Imani
Yeah, but if you value my time at $100/hr (it’s not), that’s at least $50 saved by avoiding the drive and wait at the inspection place.

FYI from the TX DMV:

You can renew your vehicle registration online 90 days before it expires, or up to 12 months after if you haven’t gotten a ticket for an expired registration. The expiration month won’t change.

https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/register-your-vehicle

So, your plan might actually work!

11

@Imani
Exactly, as long as I dodge a ticket for a month. :slight_smile: That $200 EV fee feels ridiculous when the average driver pays about $100/year in gas taxes, though.

12

I’m in New Jersey, and that’s pretty much how it works here too. Safety inspections are gone, emissions only, and EVs are exempt.

13

That’s the most Texas thing I’ve heard all week.

14

jabali said:
That’s the most Texas thing I’ve heard all week.

Which part? This didn’t start in Texas or anything unique to the state.

15

jabali said:
That’s the most Texas thing I’ve heard all week.

I’ve had cars registered in California, Oregon, and Washington, and none of them required safety inspections for registration.

16

@chozen
Yeah, inspections aren’t really a thing on the west coast. It felt weird at first when I moved here, but Texas isn’t alone. Plenty of other eastern states still require them.

17

jabali said:
That’s the most Texas thing I’ve heard all week.

Tickets bring in more money than keeping cars safe on the road. That’s probably how Texas decided on this.

Source: Texan here (Austin).

18

:notes:Money for nothing.:notes:

19

Yep, fellow Texan here. It’s supposed to be $200 + usual registration fees, so probably around $275 total.

20

This isn’t just for EVs – all non-commercial vehicle safety inspections are ending then.