Texas?!? I'm shocked.

[CFerguson]

"...An annual safety inspection is required as a prerequisite to registering a vehicle. Valid out-of-state safety inspection certificates will not be honored on vehicles that are required to be registered. Every motor vehicle, trailer, pole trailer, or mobile home registered in the state must be inspected at an inspection station or by an inspector annually...."

I didn't know TX had an annual inspection requirement for anything. Last I knew, some metro areas had smog inspection requirements, but never this. I had always classified TX as one of the Freedom States.


eta: oops, forgot the link: https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/emissions-inspection/

[1320Fastback]

I wish Texas, and most other states honestly, would do safety inspections on their roads. Potholes, bridge transitions, construction damage and unlevel surfaces are the real danger.

[Second_Chance]

It's been that way in Texas for a very long time. It's also not an issue for full-timers who are domiciled there but not back in the state very often. When we renew online, we attest that the vehicles are out of state and we just have to have them inspected the next time we're back in Texas. The inspection fee is $7.50 per vehicle. We've renewed while in Maryland, Ohio, California, and all over the place.

Rob

[down_home]

monkey44 wrote:
Inspections help keep junk and unsafe vehicles off the road. It's a pretty inexpensive safeguard for the highways.

Not sure how RV'ers that don't enter the state often keep registration valid... I expect Escapees and others will come up with a solution, but I suspect it's a small number of vehicles compared to total state resident populations.

AS I recall it, Mass inspection sticker was $85 for two years. Fine for no sticker on windhield was $100 or more for each time if you got stopped for it. Stickers were different color for each month, so easy to spot if expired.

ALso one of the least expensive fees that Mass RMV charges for vehicle registrations.

My interpretations is it's about the money. Here in Tn you have to register a canoe or a log if you are going to use it in the water and a boater safety course is mandatory as is flotation devices, and a list of things. In the fifties though the eighties who would ever have thought of this. It is, "there ought to be a law," its about the children, it is about safety and the tally is over a hundred dollars.
And hunting and fishing licenses for deer and trout too approaching 200.00 and what does it get more Rangers to make sure your paperwork is in order....and trails and such for bird watchers etc who don't pay any of the freight.
Sorry drifted a bit off subject but it iss all about the money.

[PNW_Steve]

B.O. Plenty wrote:
I wish every State had a required inspection. Some of the rotted out junk running around here is an accident waiting to happen.

B.O.

There is a valid point but when I went full time I made sure to establish residency in a state with no annual inspection.

Many do tie registration to inspection and I didn't want to have to go "home" every year for inspection. As it turned out, after I set out on the road I did come back to Washington for around eight years.

Regarding WA inspections. There are certain circumstances where a one time inspection is needed. But no annual inspection requirements.

I did find out recently that VT has an annual inspection but does not tie your registration to it and as long as you stay out of VT you have no problem.

[monkey44]

Inspections help keep junk and unsafe vehicles off the road. It's a pretty inexpensive safeguard for the highways.

Not sure how RV'ers that don't enter the state often keep registration valid... I expect Escapees and others will come up with a solution, but I suspect it's a small number of vehicles compared to total state resident populations.

AS I recall it, Mass inspection sticker was $85 for two years. Fine for no sticker on windhield was $100 or more for each time if you got stopped for it. Stickers were different color for each month, so easy to spot if expired.

ALso one of the least expensive fees that Mass RMV charges for vehicle registrations.

[12th_Man_Fan]

For years Texas has required annual inspections on trailers over a certain weight but people refused to have it done or did not know the law So the State made it where you had to have the inspection before you can renew you license plates.

All they do is check the tires and lights.It's a pain but it is the law.

[Tom_Barb]

Wa. State, you are subject to an inspection at any time by the State patrol. tires being the biggest offender.

Cracked broken / windshield not far behind.

Home built, restored vehicles, and any vehicle brought into the state with out proper title also must be inspected.

[JimK-NY]

No inspections in South Dakota, at least there were none when I was a resident.

[B_O__Plenty]

I wish every State had a required inspection. Some of the rotted out junk running around here is an accident waiting to happen.

B.O.

[TomG2]

A problem for my buddies that claim Texas residency to save on taxes but never visit their "Home" state.

[PNW_Steve]

I seem to remember seeing annual inspection stickers in the windshield of my grandparents car in the 1970's.