Austin-Round Rock program area
Emissions testing in Travis County, Texas
Required for registration renewal
Travis County is part of the Austin-Round Rock 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 $11.50. TxDMV counted 1,003,803 vehicles registered in Travis County in its fiscal year 2025 (September 2024 through August 2025). Our search of public map listings found 13 businesses in the county that name inspections or emissions testing, the most in Austin (8).
Key facts
- OBD testing from
- Sep 1, 2005
- Station fee (max)
- $11.50
- State fees at registration (most vehicles)
- $2.75 + $7.50
- Waiver repair minimum
- $600
- Vehicles registered (FY 2025)
- 1,003,803
- Stations, Austin area (TCEQ, 2023)
- 432
- Listings on this page
- 13
- Tax office
- Austin
- Neighbors without testing
- 5
Who must test in Travis County
TCEQ lists Travis County in the Austin-Round Rock program area with Williamson. Enhanced (OBD) testing applies here from September 1, 2005. The test applies by fuel and age, and only to vehicles registered in the county.
Austin Area: Travis and Williamson Counties
Travis and Williamson Counties implemented enhanced inspections on September 1, 2005.
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 Travis County
The station may charge at most $11.50 for the OBD test, less than the $18.50 cap around Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston. 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 Travis County
13 business listings in 6 towns of Travis County name inspections or emissions testing. For scale: TCEQ counted 432 active emissions stations in the Austin area (Travis and Williamson) 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 Austin area (Travis and Williamson) row (test-only, test-and-repair, total)
ARR 125 307 432
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.
Austin
8 listings
- Airport Auto Inspection3206 US-183 S, Austin, 78744(512) 358-1540
- Alan's Vehicle Inspections3717 Ranch Rd 620 N, Austin, 78734(512) 266-2944alansinspections.com
- Flashpoint Auto Inspection525 W Ben White Blvd, Austin, 78704(512) 326-4750
- Flashpoint Auto Inspection5700 Menchaca, Ste 580, Austin, 78745(512) 369-3130
- Mario's Inspection Station3605 Goodwin Ave, Austin, 78702(512) 383-5050mariosinspectionstation.com
- One Export Vehicle Inspection Station11817 Buckner Rd, Austin, 78726(512) 317-4482
- Stickers7044 E Hwy 290, Austin, 78723(512) 323-0444
- University Car Wash & Vehicle Inspections3825 Guadalupe St, Austin, 78751(512) 533-9274universitycw.com
Del Valle
1 listing
- Bob's Inspections5301 Wolf Ln, Del Valle, 78617(512) 773-6382
Jonestown
1 listing
- Inspection Store18566 FM 1431, Jonestown, 78645(512) 267-2442
Lakeway
1 listing
- Lakeway Lube & State Inspection1110 Ranch Rd 620 N, Lakeway, 78734(512) 502-5484lakewaylube.com
Pflugerville
1 listing
- Howard Auto Center15101 Fm1825, Pflugerville, 78660(512) 222-7814howardautocenter.com
Round Rock
1 listing
- Inspection Express409 Louis Henna Blvd, Round Rock, 78664(512) 648-3482
Renewing a registration in Travis County
After the vehicle passes, renew online, by mail or at the Travis County tax assessor-collector’s office. TxDMV’s directory lists the office in Austin.
Travis County Tax Office
2433 Ridgepoint Drive
Austin, TX 78754-5231
Physical Address: 2433 Ridgepoint Drive Austin, TX 78754-5231
Telephone: (512) 854-9473
Website: tax-office.traviscountytx.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.
Cities on the Travis County line
Census boundaries put these cities partly in Travis 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.
- AustinOutside the program: Hays County (about 971 residents)
- ElginOutside the program: Bastrop County (about 8,076 residents)
- Mustang RidgeOutside the program: Caldwell County (about 449 residents)
Counties next to Travis County
| County | Emissions test |
|---|---|
| Bastrop County | No |
| Blanco County | No |
| Burnet County | No |
| Caldwell County | No |
| Hays County | No |
| Williamson County | Yes |
Counties touching Travis County: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb (January 1, 2026 vintage).
Travis County questions
Does Travis County require an emissions test?
Yes. A gasoline vehicle 2 through 24 years old registered in Travis 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 Travis County?
Up to $11.50 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 Travis County tax office?
The TxDMV directory lists 2433 Ridgepoint Drive, Austin, TX 78754-5231, telephone (512) 854-9473. Check the county’s website for other locations and hours before you go.
Which counties next to Travis County do not test?
Bastrop County, Blanco County, Burnet County, Caldwell County and Hays 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, Travis 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