Houston-Galveston-Brazoria program area
Emissions testing in Harris County, Texas
Required for registration renewal
Harris 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 3,552,979 vehicles registered in Harris County in its fiscal year 2025 (September 2024 through August 2025). Our search of public map listings found 39 businesses in the county that name inspections or emissions testing, the most in Houston (22), Baytown (4) and Humble (3).
Key facts
- OBD testing from
- May 1, 2002
- Station fee (max)
- $18.50
- State fees at registration (most vehicles)
- $2.75 + $7.50
- Waiver repair minimum
- $600
- Vehicles registered (FY 2025)
- 3,552,979
- Stations, Houston + DFW areas (TCEQ, 2023)
- 4,001
- Listings on this page
- 39
- Tax office
- Houston
- Neighbors without testing
- 3
Who must test in Harris County
TCEQ lists Harris County in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria program area with Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston and Montgomery. Enhanced (OBD) testing applies here from May 1, 2002. 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
Enhanced inspections began in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Harris, and Tarrant Counties on May 1, 2002
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 Harris 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 Harris County
39 business listings in 11 towns of Harris 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.
Houston
22 listings
- Alpha Auto Center6703 Bissonnet St, Houston, 77074(832) 304-2006alphahouston.com
- ASAP State Inspections10508 Airline Dr, Houston, 77037(346) 204-2694
- BB Inspections11293 Fuqua St, Ste C, Houston, 77089(281) 683-8344
- Big Sticker2690 FM 1960, Houston, 77073(281) 444-4440
- Clay's Auto Inspection4320 Gessner Dr, Houston, 77041(713) 690-1587
- East End Inspections1006 N Wayside Dr, Houston, 77011(346) 434-0254
- Enrique Auto Inspection14010 S Post Oak Rd, Ste 1302, Houston, 77045(832) 512-6953
- Fast 5 Auto Inspection17126 Pine Forest Ln, Ste C, Houston, 77084(832) 638-9179
- Gulf Inspections8915 Sweetwater Ln, Ste B, Houston, 77037(832) 987-5222
- Inspections r us14610 Tomball Pkwy, Houston, 77086(832) 353-9672
- Inspections R Us9338 Clearwood Dr, Houston, 77075(832) 353-9632
- Inspections R Us7213 Airline Dr, Houston, 77076(832) 353-9309
- Inspections R Us13909 Nimitz St, Ste B, Houston, 77015(832) 353-8425
- Jessie’s Auto Inspection10213 Market St, Ste L, Houston, 77029(832) 462-4452
- Joe’s Garage & State Inspection50 Aldine Bender Rd, Houston, 77060(281) 405-0088joesgaragehouston.com
- Larry's Auto Inspection6306 Cullen Blvd, Houston, 77021(713) 747-7277
- One Stop Muffler Shop #213803 Tomball Pkwy, Houston, 77086(281) 931-9112
- Quick Fiesta Inspection5930 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, 77081(713) 349-0902
- Quick Inspection & Oil Change864 Wilcrest St, Houston, 77042(832) 946-2740
- Quick Inspections40 Maxey Rd, Houston, 77013(346) 715-4480
- R Inspections6407 N Main St, Houston, 77009(713) 864-0285
- Sticker Plus Station2007 FM 1960 Rd E, Houston, 77073(281) 233-0450
Baytown
4 listings
- C & D State Inspection2113 N Alexander Dr, Baytown, 77520(832) 556-0456
- Express Lube and Inspection2500 N Main St, Baytown, 77520(281) 427-0877expresslubeandinspection.com
- Express Lube And Inspection1115 W Baker Rd, Baytown, 77521(281) 421-2615expresslubeandinspection.com
- Todd's Inspection Station1702 W Cedar Bayou Lynchburg, Baytown, 77521(832) 262-3959
Humble
3 listings
- 1960 Auto State Inspection7017 FM 1960, Humble, 77338(832) 896-4582
- State Inspection of Kingwood2630 Chestnut Ridge Dr, Humble, 77339(281) 358-4787
- Texas Inspection Station14531 Old Humble Rd, Humble, 77396(281) 441-2412
Pasadena
2 listings
- Inspector Quick2830 E Sam Houston Pkwy S, Pasadena, 77503(281) 487-3459
- Xero Modz Auto and Ez State Inspection2710 Shaver St, Ste G, Pasadena, 77502(713) 344-8418
Spring
2 listings
- Mr Sticker18115 Kuykendahl Rd, Spring, 77379(281) 251-5560mrsticker.com/locations
- Mr. Jiffy Sticker5127 Louetta Rd, Spring, 77379(832) 447-4775
Channelview
1 listing
- TTT Inspections16406 E Fwy I-10, Channelview, 77530(281) 452-5757tttinspections.com
Cypress
1 listing
- Sticker Plus Official Vehicle Inspection Station13811 Schmidt Rd, Cypress, 77429(281) 894-8626
El Lago
1 listing
- 15 Minute Inspection3910 Nasa Pkwy, El Lago, 77586(281) 326-3500
Huffman
1 listing
- F & F State Inspections12502 FM 1960 E, Huffman, 77336(281) 324-2595
South Houston
1 listing
- Po Panha1013 Spencer Hwy, South Houston, 77587(713) 947-7168
Tomball
1 listing
- 5 Star Auto Inspection22949 Kuykendahl Rd, Tomball, 77375(713) 476-80905starautotexas.com
Renewing a registration in Harris County
After the vehicle passes, renew online, by mail or at the Harris County tax assessor-collector’s office. TxDMV’s directory lists the office in Houston.
Physical Address: 1001 Preston Houston, TX 77002
Telephone: (713) 274-8000
Website: www.hctax.net
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.
Cities on the Harris County line
Census boundaries put these cities partly in Harris County and partly in a county outside the program, with residents on both sides (2020 Census). A vehicle’s test depends on the county it is registered in, not the city.
Counties next to Harris County
| County | Emissions test |
|---|---|
| Brazoria County | Yes |
| Chambers County | No |
| Fort Bend County | Yes |
| Galveston County | Yes |
| Liberty County | No |
| Montgomery County | Yes |
| Waller County | No |
Counties touching Harris County: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb (January 1, 2026 vintage).
Harris County questions
Does Harris County require an emissions test?
Yes. A gasoline vehicle 2 through 24 years old registered in Harris 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 Harris 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 Harris County tax office?
The TxDMV directory lists 1001 Preston, Houston, TX 77002, telephone (713) 274-8000. Check the county’s website for other locations and hours before you go.
Which counties next to Harris County do not test?
Chambers County, Liberty County and Waller County are 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, Harris 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