Dallas-Fort Worth program area
Emissions testing in Tarrant County, Texas
Required for registration renewal
Tarrant County is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth 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 1,743,345 vehicles registered in Tarrant County in its fiscal year 2025 (September 2024 through August 2025). Our search of public map listings found 15 businesses in the county that name inspections or emissions testing, the most in Arlington (9).
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)
- 1,743,345
- Stations, Houston + DFW areas (TCEQ, 2023)
- 4,001
- Listings on this page
- 15
- Tax office
- Fort Worth
- Neighbors without testing
- 1
Who must test in Tarrant County
TCEQ lists Tarrant County in the Dallas-Fort Worth program area with Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker and Rockwall. Enhanced (OBD) testing applies here from May 1, 2002. The test applies by fuel and age, and only to vehicles registered in the county.
Dallas-Fort Worth Program Area: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, and Tarrant 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 Tarrant 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 Tarrant County
15 business listings in 7 towns of Tarrant 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.
Arlington
9 listings
- 10 Minutes State Inspection901 E Abram St, Arlington, 76010(817) 548-9221
- Auto State Inspection3230 S Fielder Rd, Arlington, 76015(817) 525-0239
- Cooper Pit Stop2536 S Cooper St, Arlington, 76015(817) 275-4773cooperpitstop.com
- DEKRA Vehicle Inspection Station5711 SW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, 76017(817) 561-1606dekra.us/en/texas/arlington-5711-sw-green-oaks
- DEKRA Vehicle Inspection Station5503 West Arkansas Ln, Arlington, 76016(817) 457-6311
- Discount Inspection And Muffler901 N Cooper St, Arlington, 76011(817) 274-3500
- Just State Inspections1001 E Pioneer Pkwy, Arlington, 76010(817) 460-5878
- Taylor's State Inspection Center1529 S Cooper St, Arlington, 76010(817) 275-0341taylorsstateinspection.com
- Warren's Emission & Maintenance2303 Webb Lynn Rd, Ste A, Arlington, 76002(817) 375-2025
Euless
1 listing
- State Inspection & Tire Shop407 Euless Blvd, Euless, 76040(817) 545-9999
Everman
1 listing
- C and A inspection107 Wichita, Everman, 76140(940) 389-9062
Grapevine
1 listing
- Jet Fast Inspections120 E Northwest Hwy, Grapevine, 76051(817) 416-8373
Haltom City
1 listing
- Inspection Station4099 Denton Hwy, Haltom City, 76117(817) 222-0025
North Richland Hills
1 listing
- Dave's State Inspection6680 Glenview Dr, North Richland Hills, 76180(817) 590-2964
Watauga
1 listing
- DEKRA Vehicle Inspection Station6739 Rufe Snow Dr., Watauga, 76148(817) 605-8947dekra.us/en/home-page
Renewing a registration in Tarrant County
After the vehicle passes, renew online, by mail or at the Tarrant County tax assessor-collector’s office. TxDMV’s directory lists the office in Fort Worth.
Tarrant County Tax Office
100 E Weatherford St
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0301
Physical Address: 100 E Weatherford St Fort Worth, TX 76196-0301
Telephone: (817) 884-1100
Website: https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en.html
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 Tarrant County
| County | Emissions test |
|---|---|
| Dallas County | Yes |
| Denton County | Yes |
| Ellis County | Yes |
| Johnson County | Yes |
| Parker County | Yes |
| Wise County | No |
Counties touching Tarrant County: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb (January 1, 2026 vintage).
Tarrant County questions
Does Tarrant County require an emissions test?
Yes. A gasoline vehicle 2 through 24 years old registered in Tarrant 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 Tarrant 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 Tarrant County tax office?
The TxDMV directory lists 100 E Weatherford St, Fort Worth, TX 76196-0301, telephone (817) 884-1100. Check the county’s website for other locations and hours before you go.
Which counties next to Tarrant County do not test?
Wise 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, Tarrant 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