Emissions test
The yearly test for gas vehicles 2 to 24 years old registered in Harris County. This is what most people mean by a state inspection.
Mon to Fri 9 to 6 · Sat 9 to 1
State inspection in Houston. Done in 25 minutes or it's free.
Our dedicated inspection lane gets you in and out. If your inspection isn't done within 25 minutes, it's on the house. Licensed Texas station on Bellaire Blvd.
What we inspect
Commercial vehicle inspection
Texas still requires a safety inspection for commercial trucks, vans and trailers. Fleet accounts welcome.
Failed-test repair
Check engine light, oxygen sensor, catalytic converter, EVAP leak. Diagnosed and repaired next door at Texas Auto Center, then retested.
Pre-purchase inspection
Standard: computer scan, lift inspection, road test and written report. Premium adds paint thickness readings and a frame check for accident history.
Post-repair collision inspection
Had collision work done somewhere else? Our I-CAR Gold Class, OEM-certified team checks it against factory repair procedures and gives you a photo-documented report.
How it works
- Pull inFollow the inspection signs at 5609 Bellaire Blvd and park in an inspection spot.
- Show your insuranceA current Texas liability card, paper or on your phone.
- We run the testIn our dedicated inspection lane. Done within 25 minutes or it's free. You get a printed Vehicle Inspection Report.
- Renew your registrationYour pass goes to the state electronically. Renew online, by mail or at the county tax office.
Failed your test? Fix it at the same stop.
Most sticker shops can only tell you that you failed. We share a building with Texas Auto Center, a full repair shop with ASE-certified technicians, so the same visit can end with a pass.
- Check engine light diagnosis with a written quote first
- Oxygen sensors, catalytic converters, EVAP and gas cap leaks
- "Not ready" monitors after a dead battery or cleared codes
- Retest at the same station after the repair
Who needs an emissions test
Rules for vehicles registered in Harris County.
| Vehicle | Emissions test? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gas car, SUV or pickup, 2 to 24 years old | Yes, every year | Pass within 90 days before your registration expires |
| New vehicle, first 2 years | No | Exempt until it is 2 years old |
| Vehicle 25 years or older | No | Exempt by age |
| Electric vehicle | No | Nothing to test |
| Diesel vehicle or motorcycle | No | Not part of the emissions program |
| Commercial vehicle | Safety inspection | Still required statewide, plus emissions if it is gas powered |
| Just moved to Texas | Yes | Pass the test before you register the vehicle here |
Questions people ask
Do I still need a state inspection in Texas?
If your vehicle is registered in Harris County, yes. You need to pass an emissions test every year before you can renew your registration. Texas ended the safety inspection for regular passenger vehicles on January 1, 2025. Commercial vehicles still need one.
How much is a state inspection in Houston?
The emissions test is $18.50 in Harris County. The state sets the price, so it is the same at every station.
How long does it take?
We have a dedicated inspection lane. If your inspection isn't done within 25 minutes of check-in, it's free.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Drive in any time we are open: Monday to Friday 9 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 1 PM. The last days of the month are the busiest at every station, so come earlier if you can.
What do I need to bring?
The vehicle and proof of current Texas liability insurance. A photo of your insurance card on your phone works.
Will my car pass with the check engine light on?
No. On 1996 and newer vehicles the test reads the car's computer, and a lit check engine light is a fail. We can diagnose the cause and repair it on site.
I just replaced my battery or cleared a code. Can I test today?
Probably not yet. Disconnecting the battery or clearing codes resets the car's readiness monitors, and the test will read "not ready." A few days of normal mixed city and highway driving usually sets them again.
Do I get a sticker?
No. Texas stopped using inspection stickers. Your result goes to the state electronically and you get a printed report. Your registration sticker is the only one on the windshield.
What if I fail?
You get a report showing why. Fix the problem and bring the car back. One retest at the same station is included in the fee. We can do the repair next door so you are not driving around town.
Find us
Houston Auto State Inspections
5609 Bellaire Blvd, Ste B-1
Houston, TX 77081
5609 Bellaire Blvd, Ste B-1
Houston, TX 77081
On Bellaire Blvd just west of Chimney Rock Rd, inside the Texas Auto Center building. Minutes from Bellaire, Gulfton, Sharpstown and Meyerland.
Phone: (713) 817-2075
| Monday | 9 AM to 6 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM to 6 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM to 6 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM to 6 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM to 6 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM to 1 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Inspección estatal en Houston
Hablamos español. Prueba de emisiones para renovar su registro en el condado de Harris. $18.50. Sin cita. Si no terminamos en 25 minutos, es gratis. Traiga su vehículo y su comprobante de seguro. Si su carro no pasa, lo podemos reparar aquí mismo. Lunes a viernes de 9 a 6, sábado de 9 a 1.