OBD Communication Error
January 15, 2025
Gasoline powered vehicles that are 2-24 years old that are registered in an affected county or primarily operated in an affected county, must complete an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) emissions test in accordance with State and Federal requirements. The primary purpose of the OBD test is to ensure that vehicles emit the minimum level of pollutants through their useful life.
Effective February 1, 2025, if a vehicle fails the required On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) emissions test due to a communication error, the owner/operator of the vehicle will need to contact Texas Department of Public Safety at the phone number listed at the top of the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) provided by the vehicle inspection station.
Vehicle Safety Inspection Program Changes Now in Effect
January 6, 2025
As of January 1, 2025, Texas Department of Public Safety, Regulatory Services Division implemented House Bill 3297 (88th Legislative Session, 2023). This implementation means non-commercial vehicles are no longer required to obtain a safety inspection before registering their vehicle. Non-commercial vehicles that reside in an emissions county are still required to obtain an emissions inspection prior to registering their vehicle.
All commercial vehicles, regardless of county, continue to be required to have a safety inspection. Commercial vehicles will be exempt from the inspection program replacement fee, as a safety inspection is still required.
All vehicles must be registered. The registration process continues to be managed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. You can find more information on registering your vehicle here.
For more information, please refer to the Department’s news article here.
Emission Inspection Station Requirement Change Effective January 1st, 2025 - Updated Information
October 16, 2024
Effective January 1st, 2025, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) requires all Vehicle Emissions Inspection (VI) stations to obtain a single static Internet Protocol (IP) address to be used by all analyzers at each location (Texas Admin Code, Chapter 23, Subchapter E, Rule 23.55) and submit the Static IP Address to DPS.
For clarification:
Ensure the address submitted is the analyzer’s Static IP address (an address that does not change), and not the analyzers Dynamic IP address (an address that changes over time).
Note that the IPv4 (32-bit address) will be the only version of the Static IP address that will be accepted, not IPv6 (128-bit address).
A public IP address is an outward-facing IP address used to access the Internet. Public IP addresses are provided by an internet service provider (ISP) and assigned to the router. It is a unique IP address on the Internet. Private (internal) IP addresses aren't routed on the Internet, they never leave the local network, and no traffic can be exchanged using private IP addresses. Private IP addresses within the same local network must be unique.
Lastly, the Router’s IP Address will not be accepted either.
Submit the Static IP Address form VI-100 and official communication (account information with static IP address and name) from the internet carrier to the DPS Contact Us page on the website. Documentation can also be emailed to RSD.StaticIP@dps.texas.gov.
DPS will review the submitted documentation and contact the station if there are questions. If the Inspection Station changes location or internet provider, the new static IP information must be provided to DPS. Non-compliance of Rule 23.55 can result in possible state lockout, as of January 1, 2025.
Emission Inspection Station Requirement Change Effective January 1st, 2025
October 1, 2024
Effective January 1st, 2025, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) requires all Vehicle Emissions Inspection (VI) stations to obtain a single static Internet Protocol (IP) address to be used by all analyzers at each location (Texas Admin Code, Chapter 23, Subchapter E, Rule 23.55) and submit the Static IP Address to DPS. Submit the Static IP Address form VI-100 and official communication from the internet carrier to the DPS Contact Us page. Documentation can also be emailed to RSD.StaticIP@dps.texas.gov.
DPS will review the submitted documentation and contact the station if there are questions. If the Inspection Station changes location or internet provider, the new static IP information must be provided to DPS.
Non-compliance of Rule 23.55 can result in possible state lockout, as of January 1, 2025.
Password Changes for Vehicle Inspection Connection Application
September 27, 2024
Effective 26 October 2024, all users of the Vehicle Inspection Connection suite of applications will need to update their password to meet the new DPS strong password criteria. This password change does not affect TIMS units or passwords.
Passwords can be updated through the Vehicle Inspection Connection page or by using the password reset flow. The new password criteria are as follows:
- A minimum of 12 characters, but not more than 20.
- Two (2) special characters.
- Two (2) capital letters.
- Two (2) numbers.
- Two (2) lower case letters.
- The new password cannot be the same as your last ten (10) passwords.
- The new password cannot be a dictionary word or proper name.
- The new password cannot contain or be the same as the user ID.
Users who do not update their password by 26 October 2024 will not be allowed to log into the Vehicle Inspection Connection suite of applications until they have updated their password using the password reset flow.
Passwords will now expire 90 days after they have been created. Users are encouraged to update their password using the change password option before their password expires. If a user’s password expires, they can use the password reset flow to set a new password that will be good for another 90 days.
Vehicle Safety Inspection Program Changes
June 10, 2024
Effective July 1, 2024, DPS will no longer issue licenses for new safety-only vehicle inspection stations. This will not impact new or renewal licenses for emission and commercial inspection stations; those applications will continue to be accepted and processed. This is in preparation for the elimination of the Vehicle Safety Inspection Program for non-commercial vehicles effective January 1, 2025. See the notice below dated April 12, 2024 for more detailed information on the upcoming vehicle inspection program changes.
Updates to Vehicle Inspection Connection (VIC) - “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD)
April 24, 2024
Enhancements to VIC BYOD include:
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Single Session Sign-On: If an inspector is logged into the BYOD application, they will be prevented from logging-in to the BYOD application on any other device, browser, or tab until they sign-out of the first session.
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Select Station Update: Inspectors assigned to only one station will no longer be required to select their station upon login.
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Scanning Functionality Upgrade: Inspectors will experience improved scanning functionality.
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User Support: Inspectors can now access BYOD training and FAQs directly from the BYOD login page.
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A Spanish version of the BYOD walkthrough video is available on the DPS website.
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BYOD FAQs are available here.
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Questions? Please contact our VIC Call Center, open daily from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm Central Time at (855) 845-0842 or your DPS representative with questions.
Vehicle Safety Inspection Program Changes
April 12, 2024
House Bill 3297 (88th Legislative Session, 2023), effective January 1, 2025, abolishes the Vehicle Safety Inspection Program for non-commercial vehicles, eliminating most safety vehicle inspections statewide. This means if you live in a non-emissions county and are currently not required to obtain an emissions inspection on your vehicle, you will not be required to have your vehicle inspected prior to registration beginning January 1, 2025. However, the $7.50 fee remains intact under a new name: the inspection program replacement fee. This fee will be added to your vehicle registration fee. For owners of new cars, either the current model or preceding model year that has not been previously registered in Texas or another state, there will instead be an initial fee of $16.75 to cover two years.
The bill does not eliminate vehicle emissions inspections. Emissions inspections will also still be required in the following Texas counties:
- Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, and Montgomery Counties
- Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, and Tarrant Counties
- Travis and Williamson Counties, and
- El Paso County
Please note, in November 2026 Bexar County will be added to the above list of counties required to have an emissions inspection. Those motorists with vehicles registered in Bexar County will have to obtain a passing emissions inspection in order to renew their vehicle's annual registration.
The safety inspection fee will also be eliminated for vehicle owners in emissions counties; however, those in emissions counties will also be subject to the inspection program replacement fee.
All commercial vehicles, regardless of county, will still be required to have a safety inspection. Commercial vehicles will be exempt from the inspection program replacement fee as they will still be required to pay for a safety inspection.
All vehicles will still be required to be registered; the registration process will continue to be managed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
FMCSA Amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs)
03/11/2024
FMCSA has amended the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to include rear impact guards on the list of items that must be examined as part of the required annual inspection for each commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Operation of a CMV with a missing or noncompliant rear impact guard is a violation of the FMCSRs.
Rear Impact Guards:
Must be permanently marked or labeled.
Inspect for and reject if:
- Label is missing or unreadable.
- The label does not contain the manufacturer’s name and address.
- The label does not state “Manufactured in __” (inserting the month and year the guard was manufactured); and,
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The label does not contain the letters “DOT”, constituting a certification by the guard manufacturer that the guard conforms to all requirements of FMVSS No.223.
Trailers and semitrailers manufactured on or after January 26, 1998 (except pole trailers, pulpwood trailers, low chassis vehicles, special purpose vehicles, wheels back vehicles, and road construction controlled horizontal discharge trailers, and trailers towed in driveaway-towaway operations).
Inspect for and reject if:
- Missing guard.
- Guard is not securely attached to trailer, including broken or missing fasteners, any welds or parent metal cracked, or other damage that compromises secure attachment of the guard.
- Guard horizontal member does not extend to within 100 mm (4 inches) of each, or extends beyond either, side extremity of the vehicle.
- Guard horizontal member is more than 560 mm (22 inches) above the ground.
- Guard horizontal member is more than 305 mm (12 inches) forward of the rear extremity of the vehicle.
- Guard horizontal member does not have a cross sectional vertical height of at least 100 mm (4 inches) across its entire width.
Vehicles manufactured after December 31, 1952 (except trailers or semitrailers manufactured on or after January 26, 1998). Vehicles manufactured after December 31, 1952, (except truck tractors, pole trailers, pulpwood trailers, road construction controlled horizontal discharge trailers, or vehicles in driveaway-towaway operations).
Inspect for and reject if:
- Missing guard.
- Guard is not securely attached to trailer by bolts, welding, or other comparable means.
- Guard horizontal member is more than 762 mm (30 inches) above the ground.
- Guard horizontal member does not extend to within 457 mm (18 inches) of each side extremity of the vehicle.
- Guard horizontal member is more than 610 mm (24 inches) forward of the rear extremity of the vehicle.
eCFR :: 49 CFR 393.86 -- Rear impact guards and rear end protection.
**Enter fails/repairs under “FRAME” in the vehicle inspection system.
Vehicle Inspection Connection (VIC) - “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) is LIVE
February 12, 2024
BYOD is an inspection entry alternative for the VIC units. Inspectors will be able to record vehicle inspections using a cell phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. Safety or commercial inspection stations currently using a VIC unit may now utilize BYOD. Inspectors can access BYOD here (vic.portal.texas.gov) and log-in with their existing username and password.
- Stations may transition to VIC BYOD at any time before January 1, 2025. All VIC units will remain active until January 1, 2025. Beginning January 1, 2025, non-commercial safety-only inspections are no longer required for registrations (HB 3297). Stations performing commercial inspections must transition to BYOD by January 1, 2025. VIC units do not need to be returned to DPS. Stations are responsible for following local electronic waste guidelines to manage disposal of their VIC units if no longer in use.
- BYOD FAQs are available here.
Key Details & Reminders:
- BYOD can be accessed at vic.portal.texas.gov. Please note that the BYOD URL is different from the VIC unit URL.
- Inspectors can utilize a built-in scanning feature to quickly capture VINs using their device camera or handheld scanner. Manual entry of the VIN will still be an option if the inspector prefers to use that method.
- BYOD is not replacing emissions analyzers and does not impact emissions stations.
- All stations using BYOD should confirm that their printer is compatible with the devices used to complete inspections. DPS will not supply printers and does not endorse any specific model.
- Training videos and user guides are available on the DPS website under “Vehicle Inspection Connection - Bring Your Own Device (VIC-BYOD).”
- Mobile device/tablets: Adding the VIC BYOD site as a bookmark to the homepage of the device is preferred for optimal performance.
- Questions? Please contact our VIC Call Center, open daily from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm Central Time at (855) 845-0842 or your DPS representative with questions.
We appreciate your involvement in the Texas Vehicle Inspection Program as we modernize our processes via VIC BYOD.
License Expiration Date Update
January 4, 2024
ATTENTION STATION INSPECTORS AND STATION OWNERS:
License expiration dates are changing for all inspectors, including government inspectors. The new expiration date for current inspector licenses will be December 31, 2024. This change will be permanent going forward, inspector licenses will need to be renewed by December 31 in even numbered years.
The license renewal window opened on January 1, 2024. The expiration date at that time will still reflect August 31, however, this will automatically be updated to December 31 at a future date.
Station License expiration dates will change to December 31 of odd number years. This will automatically be updated by DPS at a later date.
When the updates occur, DPS will send messages through the inspection systems, and will also post on our website in the News & Updates section. https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/vehicle-inspection/news-and-updates
Previous News and Updates