Bexar County will become Texas’ 18th county to require emissions testing on Sunday, Nov. 1, adding a new step for some area motorists renewing their vehicle registrations.
Starting that day, gasoline-powered vehicles that are 2 through 24 model years old and registered in Bexar County must pass an emissions test before registration or renewal, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Department of Public Safety
Drivers with valid registrations do not need to get tested until it is time to renew. The test must be completed within the 90-day renewal window.
Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector Albert Uresti’s office said motorists renewing in October, November or December can renew without the new test if they do so by Saturday, Oct. 31.
READ ALSO: Will rain chances continue on Halloween in South Texas? Here’s what to expect.
The office said motorists could renew their registrations at county tax offices through Friday, Oct. 30, and at participating private title companies on Saturday, Oct. 31.
The emissions test is an on-board diagnostics check, different from the comprehensive safety inspection Texas ended for most noncommercial vehicles in 2025. It connects to a vehicle’s computer to check emissions systems and trouble codes. Electric vehicles, diesel vehicles, motorcycles and mopeds are exempt, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
City, county and state representatives have asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to pause the inspections in San Antonio. As of Wednesday, no decision had been finalized.
Charissa Barnes, CEO of Official Inspection Station, has spent nearly a year preparing her business to offer emissions inspections ahead of the deadline. Her business had performed vehicle inspections for more than 20 years before Texas ended most noncommercial inspections.
Barnes was speaking Wednesday outside her drive-through inspection station at 10480 Culebra Road while awaiting state certification for a different property. Behind her, eight new hires were learning how to greet customers, explain what happens when a vehicle fails inspection, and connect diagnostic tools and software.
New hires learn the process for helping customers and performing an emissions test Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Official Inspection Station, 10480 Culebra Road. (Jacob Beltran)
Barnes hosted pre-screening events over the summer as a practice run. She said the most common reasons area vehicles failed were problems with catalytic converters or O2 sensors, or an illuminated check-engine light.
“Some people can turn off the light. They think that if the light is not illuminated they’re going to get away scot-free,” Barnes said. “However, this is not a visual inspection like our safety test used to be. This is actually hooking up a computer, analyzer and hooking up to the computer on the car.”
Operations manager Mark Perales demonstrates an emissions test for new hires Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Official Inspection Station, 10480 Culebra Road. (Jacob Beltran)
If a vehicle fails, the inspection station gives the owner a report showing the failure codes. Barnes said drivers can take the report to a mechanic, who can use the codes as a starting point for diagnosis.
Drivers are responsible for finding a mechanic and having the problem repaired.
READ ALSO: Austin robotaxis are changing the ride-hailing equation for drivers
DPS allows a free retest at the original inspection station if the vehicle is repaired and returned within 15 days of the initial test. After that, or at a different station, the owner must pay for another test.
Some waivers or time extensions are available to eligible drivers. For example, drivers whose vehicles fail the test may qualify for a one-year extension if their annual income is below the national poverty level.
The test fee is $18.50, according to DPS. TxDMV says drivers will pay a separate $2.75 state fee when they register. Barnes said customers should budget about $30 at the shop after potential card or shop fees. She estimated each test would take 15 to 20 minutes, though waits may be longer during busy periods.
Barnes recommended getting an inspection in the middle of the month because her shops were often busy at the beginning and end of the month.
Subscribe
There’s more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢.
This article originally published at San Antonio drivers emissions test for registration renewal starting Sunday. Here’s what to know..