Are vehicle safety inspections done in Texas? | FOX 7 Austin

HB 3297, which eliminates vehicle safety inspections for non-commercial vehicles in Texas, was signed by Gov. Abbott in August. A closer look reveals the law is not for everyone, and everyone is still going to pay.

[@LoriL010]

Of course he's against it. It will kill his business.

[@nickd920]

If you would understand the safety side of it though. I used to inspect vehicles and I was also a mechanic and I've seen vehicles that shouldn't be on the road due to vehicle problems. Things like the brakes, which are a major factor in accidents. Last year, my car was inspected and they have a brake testing machine that you drive on for testing. Found out that it had issues but I didn't really notice it until they tested it. I am glad they did because I needed to replace my rear disc rotors that were cracking.

[@garybender432]

He opposed it because he makes money. Florida did away with them 30 years ago and it did not impact safety at all.

[@scotttardif763]

Try 40 years ago. Florida became one of the most EXPENSIVE states to insure a car. BI and UM- not required.

[@peterpowers4851]

​@@scotttardif763that is not because of the lack of inspections. I live in Florida and it is expensive because of hurcanes that cause floods, tourists and senior citizens that cause a lot of accidents, and the biggest problem, uninsured motorists because they do not want to pay the expensive insurance. I came from Vermont where they have very strict inspections and have seen way more run down cars up there then I do living here in Florida where there are no state inspections.

[@cconnon1912]

True, but I’m not sure I would use Florida as a yardstick. 😂

[@DirtyBanditable]

The guy who profits from government regulation says people are gonna die, I almost pissed myself laughing. Useless people attach themselves to government at every level, he is a tit dweller and would starve in an actual free market.

[@timothymartin9523]

I lived in Colorado when they did away with there state inspections a lot of people said the same thing, that it would cost lives, nope or that one, but there was more beaters on the road.

[@ThePhonymo]

Less money for the shops is better especially for such a useless endeavor as an inspection

[@GoonyMclinux]

They use the inspections to grift old ladies out of $60 to fix wiper blades, I bet $1 I could go there right now and tubbs would jack me for wiper blades.

[@TucoJames]

Glad theyre doing away with inspection. They told me my wipers were bad 29.95 per side. Went to auto parts store they said my wipers were fine.

[@onthefarside2096]

Had the same experience when told I'd need a new tail light, but at another station, I was told it was fine. Go figure. Some are using the law to dupe people?

[@edy5082]

just clean the rubber with alcohol and should help. If they need replacing purchase 100% silicone wipers online, they will last many years, just note they still need to have the dirt removed from the blades at least once a month to prolong life of and windshield wiper. Cleaning goes for rubber and silicone materials.

[@usercarlos.1]

Lots of laws need to go 🙏

[@derekcruz7576]

Also this saves DPS Troopers time not having to check machines and stations all over the state.

[@GoonyMclinux]

There is no way that dude employs 20 people with nothing but inspections, he is making money grifting people for wiper blades and tail lights which is why is doesn't need to be done at all.

[@JOSERIZALADVENTURES]

remove the inspection!

[@phoenixpai954]

stop emission testing for cars that are 10 years or newer, it's such a waste of time too

[@vinceruland9236]

My county has never done emissions tests

[@-OBELUS-]

What a joke. It's for the money.

[@davidlane256]

The requirement for having your car in safe, working condition is on the car owner. Cops will still ticket you for defective equipment

[@Chris_at_Home]

When I was young they used to do spot checks at a checkpoint for safety and DUIs. It was usually done on a weekend evening. It was deemed unconstitutional for some reason. They would check lights and tires while making contact with the driver.

[@scott78731]

Good reporting. Living in a rural area, inspections are a drive to another town. What this motivates me to do is buy land in New Mexico, spend the summers there, and register all my vehicles there.

[@GoonyMclinux]

Move because you want to get safety inspections after driving really far?

[@boofert.washington2499]

bc that will TOTALLY save you money, right?

[@frognutz0o]

definitely doesnt keep defective cars off the road, they just drive without an inspection or with fake plates.

[@theoriginaldashriprock]

There are tens of thousands of unregistered cars on Texas roads using temporary tags. I had a neighbor that every couple of months he would get a new temporary tag. Drove this way for two or three years that I know of. I see this same thing happening all the time everywhere.

[@AlexR604]

Trying to find what is actually supposed to be inspected is hard. And some inspecters seem to make up what is required. On one car of mine they did not want to pass it because I had a six inch tint strip at the top of my windshield. Always passed before. They said it was a 1/4 in to wide. Another measured my factory steering wheel to see it was athe right size. Then wouldn't pass saying there was play in the steering wheel and they could fix it for $200 cash. Another time they tried not enough break fluid in the resevoir even theough the level was in between the min and hot max levels. Closer to the max. Not sorry to see it go.

[@StillLivinginthewoods]

If you can. figure out a way to register your cars in a rural county. They don't even look at the car most of the time, much less actually check anything. And no emissions test either, so the inspection is cheaper too.

[@captnron59]

Total lie about safety. Colorado doesn't have inspection and I have seen very few cars that weren't safe looking. The police can stop and inspect anytime.

[@gdonham1203]

As usual short term gain for long term loss. The emission testing is a scam. Sometimes cars fail the emission but the majority pass and it is a waste of time and money for the emission testing. The ones that fail eventually pass so what is being gained by all the time and money of emission testing anyway.

[@edy5082]

The shop owner is worried about jobs and clients leaving, he just needs to offer free multi point inspections and help those who truly don't maintain their vehicles if safety if a real concern that way he can make money on helping install tires , change bulbs and small job that the inspection business already does just implement more and add on a mechanic shop. Business will only die if you let it and dont adjust to the circumstances.

[@UncleFjester]

I straight Piped my Porsche 911. Police told me to go ahead! They don't have Decibel meters, they aren't exhaust specialist, its unsafe for them to crawl under any car and would be torn apart in any Muni court.

[@Chris_at_Home]

Most modern cars will let you know when something isn’t working right.

[@larryjanson4011]

many states stoped the “safety” testing decades back. and there has been no increases in accidents do to that. here in ca cars do not rust except if you live on the coast. but junk cars with problems just tend to die out. as the poor can not afford to maintain let alone fix them.

[@icoborg]

"just rolled in" disagree with you.

[@oll1998]

Safety inspections for cars is a good idea. Safety inspections for cars from a shop that will sell "fixes" at exploitative prices because the safety fail list is ridiculously strict, is not a good idea. Sounds like we're just moving the problem around. Should have just revamped what fails and eliminated the inspectors ability to sell you the fix. "You're vehicle was fine, except there was one screw missing from your tail light housing out of the four there, so we had to fail you. Oh but for $39 we can fix that right up for you." ...and I'm not even kidding.

[@user-er6wb9rf8u]

Now you don't get the "safety" inspection, but you still pay for it. Crooked as as Snake tax!!

[@johnhix484]

Our Texas government needs to spend some time reviewing the useless and out of date laws still on the books that only serve to justify another tax or fee to the citizens and businesses of our state instead of constantly dreaming up new laws and regulations to harass the people with ie less government control.

[@xXJoeChevyXx]

It is just another way for the government to keep there hands in your packets

[@tigerber]

Bye bye inspection! 😆

[@paulemery9733]

Texas loves tax money...

[@theoriginaldashriprock]

There are tens of thousands of cars on Texas roads that are not even registered. Look at all the temporary tags you see on roads now. They keep getting a new temporary tag over and over and never registering, and never having to go through inspections. I don't understand that.

[@wolfhawg]

About time they shut down that cash cow. FJB

[@drunkenwino6546]

of course he opposed it. his livelihood depends on an archaic rule and law

[@blueishxx]

repair shops abused this law using it to drive repairs

[@bobadingo]

I'm from Texas now living in Montana and up here there is no such a thing as emission or inspection test! just a one-time registration fee for your vehicle the way it's supposed to be.. .

[@porscheguy3820]

The inspections are a joke . I live in NC and we have to have the joke inspections and half the cars on the road have no headlights, bald tires, windshields shatter , and no brake lights. THe owner said it will cost lives all it is that fat as% his job

[@garyh9039]

Cedar Park is in Williamson county. You will still have to go through the PITA annually for the emissions testing.

[@waynesworkshop7069]

Tell your employees to get a job at a real shop and learn a trade. Stop being part of the problem.

[@elevenbucks5682]

State inspections are a joke, most places just print them out and get your money, I know because I used to be an inspector.

[@midlifecars]

Those shops can’t make it on inspection only, they can only make it on selling you repairs and oil changes etc. feel bad for the shops but I hate going through the process and trying to get time to go do that. Then in the mean time you can get a ticket. Glad it’s going away

[@alaingillot4718]

A lot of states have discontinued it , because it does not raise the numbers of wrecks on the road , and some shops used that inspections to recommend unnecessary repairs . So some states got tired of the people complaining about that ant closed down the program.

[@justbe4481]

In Oklahoma it was found to be a scam to charge the public and end it after a senator was charged for replacement parts after buying a new car and having to pay for a safety inspection ...

[@joeanthony8087]

People still crash in Brand new vehicles with a bunch of technology for safety he’s worried about his business

[@user-me8qn9wv8e]

This decision pretty much tells you it’s all about the money …

[@stevensalinas1994]

I believe vehicle inspection should be up to the driver/owner of the vehicle. The more we use the gov for this the less people will do for themselves. It’s their vehicle and cars are so common now it’s expected for almost everyone to drive. This is an archaic law and is not necessary anymore. The safety thing seems like some bullshit.

[@AmericaFirst77]

its a joke anyways. just a way to take more of the peoples money

[@SuperEightball1]

Just a tax for the state , Nothing more

[@jameshancock7285]

The auto insurance companies and waiting on this to happen. From what I understand. If you are involved in an accident, where you are at fault due to a safety issue, the insurance will not pay out. That is supposedly their loophole.

[@donaldmaxie5264]

And its going to cost him business.

[@majicmancoo]

why are they down grading the public safety system? crazy.

[@gomerhanger2285]

No 😊

[@AlexOrtiz-sq4ns]

Gonna lose money also 😂

[@user-yh7xs9xf4m]

Im glad i moved to Arkansas

[@CalienteDesign]

They need to be over for the disabled and those over 65. Most of us have vehicles that we can't afford the always present catalytic converter issue; we just can't do it on a barely there retirement. It's a really bad problem that has gone on forever and apparently still going on. The feds should give some relief to those who can't shell out $2500 - 3000 on a dime for an older vehicle.

[@crosslink1493]

Wow, Texas has safety inspections on cars and California doesn't? I thought California was the lib/safety state, not Texas. We also have emissions inspections, but those are every-other-year, not yearly.

[@rob8789]

Everybody is saying what a joke the yearly inspection is in the first place. The real joke is we will still be paying the $7.50 fee. It has been renamed and tacked onto the registration fee. Nothing has really changed. Sounds to me like a sneaky way of raising the cost of vehicle registration.

[@6kooter]

Bull! the only purpose of the whole inspection thing is to create business for mechanics. The real problem however, is the emissions part. That's where expensive repairs for failure happens and has nothing whatsoever to do with safety. if that is federally mandated and was never done so by vote or any other representation by the people , then if a vehicle fails it, then the fed should have to pay for the repair they are demanding in addition to paying for the expense such as rental vehicle while it it being done, or buy the vehicle and replace with one of the owner's choosing.

[@CoreyB777]

Y'all can shove the environment and emissions test up your butt!

[@lauriivey7801]

I guess Teslas won't need any testing ... no emissions

[@lilCHIQUIS1]

$12 or under my backside!

[@EpicSprint]

These guys can shut it😂 Sorry you decided to be in a scam field of work.

[@ronweaver9296]

It's just a money maker sone states don't have any

[@00060850]

I would go to a place that is dependent on the sticker and ask if they are worth it...Come to me and I will tell you just the opposite they are worthless but we will still be paying for it just cut out the middle man tax collector.

[@DIYnService]

Walmart will still be employing.

[@williamcarlson5405]

From WC, We had basic auto inspections when I lived there, in my opinion not very expensive, but it kept bald tires off of the road, and in my case I had a new exhaust system put on my car, when expected they found that the exhaust system was loose, never tightened and if the inspection had not caught it my family and I could have easily died from carbon Monoxide poisoning! So to me the $10-20 for each inspection was certainly worth it, otherwise my family and I certainly could have ended up dead!

[@williamc2930]

Who is going to enforce the safety of the vehicles and laws?

[@user-yh7xs9xf4m]

Texas is so far behind in the times

[@RealCptHammonds]

We don't have vehicle inspections or emissions inspections in Florida. Florida is also the birthplace of ranching in the United States. TEXAS SHOULD QUIT COPYING FLORIDA. 😊😊😊 #Freedom

[@gazamisheawoh]

Should only be a thing for cars older than 5 years

[@arthurtomczak8474]

Accident rate will increase .

[@RedLeo-pf9yo]

If it ain’t broke, why fix it. This is one law that didn’t need to be changed. Cost like eight dollars and it takes a few minutes for them to check it. What inconvenience is that.

[@tnnsboy18]

Take a few min yes, not when I have to drive around town trying to find someone to do the fking inspection. Then you get a ticket because there are no inspectors... If you like BIG GOVT move to California you liberal!

[@Throughthelurkingglass]

It deems many vehicles as unregisterable. Thus reducing state revenue, forcing poorer Texans to risk continued driving in an unregistered vehicle. And probably reduces the number of drivers getting pulled over for expired tags.

[@AKHWJ3ST]

The inconvenience is waiting your turn with other cars ahead of you. That 8 minutes turns into over an hour.

[@oll1998]

22.50 and that doesn't include when they find something trivial that's wrong.

[@Throughthelurkingglass]

@@oll1998 To save money on tolls, tell them every year, you lost the front license plate, they'll send a new bill in the mail for each new plate. It's like 7 bucks, have never paid a TX toll road in my life

[@marknoviskie2178]

Bad through we need inspection

[@StillLivinginthewoods]

As much as I usually support less government regulation, I'm not sure this is such a great idea. People driving around with bad tires and/or brakes can be a danger to others. It's the emissions test that is truly a waste of time and money, and it is what should be done away with, not the safety inspection.

[@StillLivinginthewoods]

@@user-go8vi5lb6u There are 9 states that do no impose state income taxes on their citizens,.. not just Texas.

[@ChopperChad]

I lived in Alabama for 10 yrs and they don’t do vehicle inspections and it’s obvious. The amount of dangerous vehicles on the roads is shocking. Completely bald tires with wires poking out are common. It’s fking nuts. Don’t Alabama my Texas. And who comes up with this dumb sht? Go Texas!

[@frognutz0o]

do you think vehicle inspections stop the people that drive like that from still doing it? they just ride around with no inspection.

[@kbrown5218]

@@frognutz0othey ride around with expired plates, no inspection, bald tires no blinkers no windshield. While drunk.

[@te8828]

Might as well just rename this country to mexico...

[@stevenkongslien6730]

As an inspector this is very dangerous to eliminate safely . I fail more for safety than emissions . Pass whatever you want i see safety issues I'll just refuse inspection. People lifes are worth more than couple bucks

[@marknoviskie2178]

You need inspections

[@user-lo9vk1hr4m]

Texas should eliminate required or mandatory insurance ! If you want coverage so be it but to require one to have it is oppression ... Insurance companies are the crooks !