Texas drivers will soon be relieved of the obligation to undergo an annual safety exam for their cars as state lawmakers have eliminated this requirement from the Texas code.
Out of the 50 states, Texas was one of the 13 that enforced mandatory yearly inspections for vehicles.
However, this is expected to change within the next 18 months following the final approval of House Bill 3297 by the Texas Legislature.
Supporters of this bill argue that the safety inspection is inconvenient and time-consuming.
Conversely, opponents of this bill express concerns that this decision may lead Texas drivers, as well as future residents, down a perilous path.
These annual inspections are crucial for assessing the safety of various aspects of a vehicle, such as brakes, seat belts, and tires, to ensure they are suitable for driving.
The Texas Legislature has cancelled the sections in state law that previously required annual car inspections.
But a new fee of $7.50, now called the "inspection program replacement fee," will continue to be imposed.
It is important to note that in the 17 counties of Texas that enforce emissions inspections, annual tests will still be mandatory, irrespective of the recent legislative changes.
These counties include Williamson, Collin, Travis, Dallas, Ellis, El Paso, Rockwall, Galveston, Johnson, Harris, Fort Bend, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Tarrant, Denton, and Brazoria.