Home › Texas emissions test: cost, timing and retests
Texas emissions test: cost, timing and retests
| Area | Counties | Station fee for an OBD test | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth areas | Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant | Not to exceed $18.50 | (source: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) checked November 1, 2026 |
| San Antonio area | Bexar (from November 1, 2026) | Not to exceed $18.50 | (source: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) checked November 1, 2026 |
| Austin area | Travis, Williamson | Not to exceed $11.50 | (source: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) checked November 1, 2026 |
| El Paso area | El Paso | Not to exceed $11.50 | (source: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) checked November 1, 2026 |
You pay only the station's part at the test. The state's part is collected at registration. (source: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles)
When to test
You can renew up to 90 days before expiration, and for vehicles that need a test, the inspection must be done within that 90 day renewal period. (source: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles)
If the car fails
DPS's Bexar County FAQ says: repair the failed items and go back to the same station within 15 days for a free retest. After 15 days, or at another station, you pay again. (source: Texas Department of Public Safety)
On this site: When is my Texas registration due, and what if it is late? · I just moved to Texas. What are the vehicle deadlines? · Buying or selling a car in Texas: title and transfer deadlines · Do I still need a vehicle inspection in Texas? · Texas emissions test: cost, timing and retests · Bexar County emissions testing: required from November 1, 2026 · Towed from a private lot in Texas: what can they charge? · Texas vehicle storage lot fees and getting your car back · How to challenge a tow in Texas (tow hearing) · Texas Lemon Law: tests, deadline and fee · Texas vehicle fees at a glance · Cities · FAQ · Sources
Sources
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ): Highlights of the Vehicle I/M Program (checked November 1, 2026)
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV): Register Your Vehicle (checked November 1, 2026)
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV): Registration and Title Bulletin RTB 003-26: Bexar County Emissions Testing Requirements (PDF) (checked November 1, 2026)
- Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS): Bexar County Emission Inspections FAQ (checked November 1, 2026)
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