Houston-Galveston-Brazoria program area
Emissions testing in Galveston County, Texas
Required for registration renewal
Galveston County is part of the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria program area. A gasoline vehicle from 2 through 24 years old registered here needs a passing on-board diagnostics (OBD) emissions test before its registration can be renewed, and stations may charge up to $18.50. TxDMV counted 313,275 vehicles registered in Galveston County in its fiscal year 2025 (September 2024 through August 2025). Our search of public map listings found 5 businesses in the county that name inspections or emissions testing.
Key facts
- OBD testing from
- May 1, 2003
- Station fee (max)
- $18.50
- State fees at registration (most vehicles)
- $2.75 + $7.50
- Waiver repair minimum
- $600
- Vehicles registered (FY 2025)
- 313,275
- Stations, Houston + DFW areas (TCEQ, 2023)
- 4,001
- Listings on this page
- 5
- Tax office
- Galveston
- Neighbors without testing
- 1
Who must test in Galveston County
TCEQ lists Galveston County in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria program area with Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris and Montgomery. Enhanced (OBD) testing applies here from May 1, 2003. The test applies by fuel and age, and only to vehicles registered in the county.
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria Program Area: Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, and Montgomery Counties
in Brazoria, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, and Rockwall Counties on May 1, 2003
Gasoline vehicles model-year 2 through 24 years old are inspected annually beginning with the vehicle's second anniversary.
Not required to inspect: electric vehicles, diesel vehicles, motorcycles, and mopeds.
Motorists with vehicles registered in Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson Counties will not be eligible to renew their vehicle's annual registration if the vehicle has not passed its annual emissions inspection or complied with the vehicle emissions inspection program requirements.
What the test costs in Galveston County
The station may charge at most $18.50 for the OBD test. The state’s share comes with the registration renewal: TxDMV’s sample notice lists the $2.75 emissions inspection fee, and most non-commercial vehicles also pay the $7.50 inspection program replacement fee there (the law exempts some, such as vehicles with antique plates; see the replacement fee). The fee calculator adds it up for your model year.
Where to get a test in Galveston County
5 business listings in 4 towns of Galveston County name inspections or emissions testing. For scale: TCEQ counted 4,001 active emissions stations in the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth areas together in November 2023, so the listings here are a sample. The official list of certified stations is the DPS inspection station locator.
Table ES-2. Number of Texas Emissions Inspection Stations in the TIMS Database by Program Area and Station Type (November 2023)
The the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth areas together row (test-only, test-and-repair, total)
HGB/DFW 1,468 2,533 4,001
These are businesses whose public map listing (Apple Maps or Yelp data, found through DuckDuckGo) names inspections, emissions testing or smog checks. A listing is not proof that the business is certified by the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the list is not complete: confirm with the station or the DPS inspection station locator before you go.
Dickinson
2 listings
- M A Perez Sticker Express2707 State Hwy 3, Dickinson, 77539(281) 534-1671
- Mike’s Inspection12006 Tx-146, Dickinson, 77539(281) 339-1700
Friendswood
1 listing
- Atlas Auto Inspection101 N Friendswood Dr, Friendswood, 77546(281) 482-1302
La Marque
1 listing
- R&R Inspections146 Main St, La Marque, 77568(409) 938-1369
Texas City
1 listing
- Sharp's State Inspections831 9th Ave N, Texas City, 77590(409) 941-0519
Renewing a registration in Galveston County
After the vehicle passes, renew online, by mail or at the Galveston County tax assessor-collector’s office. TxDMV’s directory lists the office in Galveston.
Physical Address: 722 21st St Galveston, TX 77550
Telephone: (409) 766-2284
Website: www.galvestoncountytx.gov
Your vehicle registration may be renewed online 90 days prior to the expiration date or up to 12 months after the expiration date if you have not received a citation for an expired registration.
If the vehicle fails
Repair it and go back to the same station within 15 days for a free re-test. If it still fails after at least $600 of emissions-related repairs, DPS may grant an Individual Vehicle Waiver; see waivers and time extensions.
You do not have to pay to get your vehicle re-inspected if it fails inspection. If your vehicle fails the inspection, have the item(s) repaired and take it back to the inspection station that originally performed the inspection within 15 days for a free re-test.
This waiver is available to a vehicle owner that has spent at least $600 ($450 in El Paso) on emission-related repairs and is still unable to pass an emissions inspection or unable to qualify for another type of waiver.
Counties next to Galveston County
| County | Emissions test |
|---|---|
| Brazoria County | Yes |
| Chambers County | No |
| Harris County | Yes |
Counties touching Galveston County: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb (January 1, 2026 vintage).
Galveston County questions
Does Galveston County require an emissions test?
Yes. A gasoline vehicle 2 through 24 years old registered in Galveston County needs a passing emissions test before the registration can be renewed.
Motorists with vehicles registered in Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson Counties will not be eligible to renew their vehicle's annual registration if the vehicle has not passed its annual emissions inspection or complied with the vehicle emissions inspection program requirements.
How much is an emissions test in Galveston County?
Up to $18.50 at the station. The state’s share is paid at registration: TxDMV lists a $2.75 emissions inspection fee, and most non-commercial vehicles also pay the $7.50 inspection program replacement fee ($16.75 once for a new vehicle).
Where is the Galveston County tax office?
The TxDMV directory lists 722 21st St, Galveston, TX 77550, telephone (409) 766-2284. Check the county’s website for other locations and hours before you go.
Which counties next to Galveston County do not test?
Chambers County is not in the emissions program (U.S. Census county boundaries; TCEQ program list). What counts is the county where the vehicle is registered.
Sources
- TCEQ, Vehicle Emissions Inspections in Texaspage as published Sep 23, 2026 (archived copy), read Oct 6, 2026
- Texas DPS, Cost of Inspectionpage as published May 19, 2026 (archived copy), read Oct 6, 2026
- TCEQ, Highlights of the Vehicle I/M Programpage as published Jun 16, 2026 (archived copy), read Oct 6, 2026
- TxDMV, Register Your Vehicleread Oct 6, 2026
- TxDMV, FY 2025 Vehicles Registered and License Fees by County and Regional Officeread Oct 6, 2026
- TxDMV, Galveston County Tax Office (TxDMV county tax office directory)read Oct 6, 2026
- TCEQ, Affidavit, Waivers and Extensions, and the Vehicle Inspection Reportpage as published Jun 24, 2026 (archived copy), read Oct 6, 2026
- Texas DPS, General Inspection (FAQ)page as published May 19, 2026 (archived copy), read Oct 7, 2026
- TCEQ, 2024 Fee Analysis for AirCheckTexas Vehicle Emissions Inspection Programpage as published Oct 5, 2025 (archived copy), read Oct 6, 2026
- U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb, Texas county boundaries