Houston-Galveston-Brazoria program area
Emissions testing in Montgomery County, Texas
Required for registration renewal
Montgomery 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 672,464 vehicles registered in Montgomery County in its fiscal year 2025 (September 2024 through August 2025). Our search of public map listings found 8 businesses in the county that name inspections or emissions testing, the most in Conroe (6).
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)
- 672,464
- Stations, Houston + DFW areas (TCEQ, 2023)
- 4,001
- Listings on this page
- 8
- Tax office
- Conroe
- Neighbors without testing
- 5
Who must test in Montgomery County
TCEQ lists Montgomery County in the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria program area with Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston and Harris. 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery County
8 business listings in 3 towns of Montgomery 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.
Conroe
6 listings
- Adams Auto Inspection1207 N Frazier St, Ste B, Conroe, 77301(936) 232-8263
- Fast Inspections2114 E Davis St, Conroe, 77301(346) 434-0253
- Inspections Plus & Automotive Repair17639 Highway 105, Conroe, 77306(936) 539-2886
- MI Auto Inspection413 Porter Rd, Conroe, 77301(832) 904-0384miautoinspection.org
- Speedy Inspections820 N Frazier St, Conroe, 77301(936) 539-1578
- Zeke's Inspections Plus1006 S Frazier St, Conroe, 77301(936) 441-8200
Pinehurst
1 listing
- Lone Star State Inspection35227 State Hwy 249, Pinehurst, 77362(713) 817-1458
Porter
1 listing
- Inspections R Us23325 Sorters R, Porter, 77365(832) 353-9291
Renewing a registration in Montgomery County
After the vehicle passes, renew online, by mail or at the Montgomery County tax assessor-collector’s office. TxDMV’s directory lists the office in Conroe.
Physical Address: 400 N. San Jacinto St Conroe, TX 77301-2823
Telephone: (936) 539-7896
Website: www.mctotx.org
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 Montgomery County
| County | Emissions test |
|---|---|
| Grimes County | No |
| Harris County | Yes |
| Liberty County | No |
| San Jacinto County | No |
| Walker County | No |
| Waller County | No |
Counties touching Montgomery County: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb (January 1, 2026 vintage).
Montgomery County questions
Does Montgomery County require an emissions test?
Yes. A gasoline vehicle 2 through 24 years old registered in Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery County tax office?
The TxDMV directory lists 400 N. San Jacinto St, Conroe, TX 77301-2823, telephone (936) 539-7896. Check the county’s website for other locations and hours before you go.
Which counties next to Montgomery County do not test?
Grimes County, Liberty County, San Jacinto County, Walker 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, Montgomery 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