I have my truck and 5th wheel registered in TX and we'll be heading out to travel up the east coast this coming year. The inspection expires in April and when we come off the road in June, we'll be moving back to our home in So Cal. We won't be coming back to TX at any point once we leave TX in a few weeks. We are only Texans during our traveling on the road and using Escapees for domicile purposes while traveling (we're actually from So Cal where our home is at).I just called the place to get the inspection done and they said as long as we don't come back through TX, there's no need to get the inspection done. They informed me that I can still register the vehicles in TX without the inspection though. My question is: since we're not going to be coming back through TX, should we even waste our time getting the vehicles inspected? Even though the guy informed us at the vehicle inspection that we don't need to, I'd be curious to hear from someone else that has had a similar situation. I just want to make sure if this guy was correct. Obviously I could call the DMV, but of course they're gonna want me to get the inspection done.I think I'm just looking for some feedback from anyone that has had a similar issue to be completely sure.

I have passed on the NY inspection when I am not in NY, never had a problem....

Out of state no problem. Its when you come back into the state you can get ticket unless you get it do at a border city. Been there did that in Louisiana. For me its easier now just to get it done early. Also the DMV does not care about vehicle inspections only law enforcement cares.

GENECOP wrote:I have passed on the NY inspection when I am not in NY, never had a problem....I am not sure how the process works in New York applies to the OP and his vehicles being registered in Texas.

Check out this web page.From it:"The Department of Public Safety extends the time within which a certificate of inspection shall be obtained by a resident owner or operator of a Texas-registered vehicle, when the vehicle has no valid inspection certificate. The extension will be granted only on the first occasion of operation in this state during an inspection year and only until the resident owner or operator of the vehicle has arrived at his home, station, or destination in this state and for three days thereafter."So, theoretically at least, you could arrive at El Paso and then take a couple of weeks to travel across the state to your domicile before getting the inspections. I think an officer would probably ask for documentation proving you have been out of state.

Flinx777 wrote:I have my truck and 5th wheel registered in TX and we'll be heading out to travel up the east coast this coming year. The inspection expires in April and when we come off the road in June, we'll be moving back to our home in So Cal. We won't be coming back to TX at any point once we leave TX in a few weeks. We are only Texans during our traveling on the road and using Escapees for domicile purposes while traveling (we're actually from So Cal where our home is at).Do you pay taxes in CA??Do you drive around your "home" with TX platesWho issued your DL??I think you got more to worry about than a couple of dollars for an inspection sticker.

TX state inspection & being out of state for the next year

40 Replies

ML
Explorer
Jul 26, 2014
Update on Texas vehicle registration inspection requirement

"During a Senate Transportation Committee meeting chaired by Senator Nichols, Whitney Brewster, the Director of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, publicly stated in the Transportation meeting that residents who are out of state at the time of re-registration will be allowed to complete the process without the need to return to the state for the vehicle inspection. On-line re-registration will be available for people who choose to use this option; however, at this time we do not know what type of documents will be needed to show proof that one is out of state."

The complete article here: http://rvdailyreport.com/owner/texas-allows-rv-owners-to-renew-without-inspection/
Belgique
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014
What WBWOOD said re NC. No inspection, no tag renewal. We don't even have inspection stickers anymore. Not sure what we'll do since we will be faced with this in Dec.
ML
Explorer
Jun 01, 2014
In Texas if your MH is due in January and your toad in July you would have to go back to Texas twice a year for your inspections. For fulltimers that may crimp your travel style?
wbwood
Explorer
Jun 01, 2014
copeland343 wrote:
Also the DMV does not care about vehicle inspections only law enforcement cares.

Not for us in NC. You can not renew your registration in NC without having an inspection done before hand. But, you can have the inspection done up to 90 days before your registration expires. Don't get the inspection done and try to renew it and their website won't let you. Happened to me. Got my car inspected and opil changed at oil change place. Went home, renewed registration on line. Turned around. got my wifes car inspected at dealership. Went home to renew and it wouldn't let me. Dealerships computer had not updated the DMV's computer. Had to call the DMV. They had me scan the paperwork from the dealership proving the inspection and fax it to them. Once they received it, they made it where I could renew it online. My son tried to go in to the DMW and register his car before he got the inspection. They told him he needed the inspection.

So here in NC, the DMV does care!
traveylin
Explorer
Jun 01, 2014
Back when I traveled 90% of the time internationally for work, I did not bother to get an international drivers permit. My Texas drivers license was recognized where ever I went in the middle east and far east. I was stopped several times driving but never had a problem due to Texas drivers license.
New York is a state, Texas is a country.

pops
wandering1
Explorer
Jun 01, 2014
I wouldn't get them inspected. I have been out of state for 3-5 years at a time and renewed the registration by mail and didn't get an inspection until I came back to TX with no problems.
ML
Explorer
Jun 01, 2014
Flinx777 wrote:
....My question is: since we're not going to be coming back through TX, should we even waste our time getting the vehicles inspected? Even though the guy informed us at the vehicle inspection that we don't need to, I'd be curious to hear from someone else that has had a similar situation. I just want to make sure if this guy was correct. Obviously I could call the DMV, but of course they're gonna want me to get the inspection done.

I think I'm just looking for some feedback from anyone that has had a similar issue to be completely sure.

I just came across this post when Googling "2015 Texas requires inspection before registration".

Starting March 2015 HB2305 will go into affect and you must get your vehicles inspected within 90 days of renewing you vehicle registration. There will only be one sticker and that is your registration sticker issued only upon confirmation of inspection. "The measure by Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, is aimed at curtailing fraud in vehicle inspections, which has become a growing problem in the state." Article from Dallas Newspaper

Here is the Texas DMV's spin on the new process:
“Two Steps, One Sticker”: Inspection & Registration Together at Last

Nick Russell of the Gypsy Journal wrote that the Escapees RV Club is opening a mail service in Florida Click Here For Complete Article
mlts22
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2014
Inspections are another story... but those are mainly driving to a RV place, getting brakes and axles checked, and a sticker slapped on a window.
Flinx777
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
mlts22 wrote:
I called and registered my TT at the Travis County office. They just needed the license plate, the VIN, and a credit card that would authorize, and they sent me a sticker.

We Texans get off light when it comes to registrations and such, relatively.

Wow, that's pretty amazing. We just went to a local authorized inspection station...cost little to nothing to get done.
mlts22
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2014
I called and registered my TT at the Travis County office. They just needed the license plate, the VIN, and a credit card that would authorize, and they sent me a sticker.

We Texans get off light when it comes to registrations and such, relatively.