Rules and changes
Texas emissions inspection stations: how to find one
Updated Oct 7, 2026 · sources read Oct 6, 2026 · 5 official sources quoted
Short answer
Emissions tests are done by private businesses certified by DPS, many of them repair shops, oil-change shops and service stations. The official list is the DPS station locator; our [station finder](/find-a-station) shows the map listings we found in each program county.
Who does the test
Many mechanic shops, oil change locations and service stations are certified by DPS as inspection stations.
TCEQ counts two kinds of public station: test-only stations, and test-and-repair stations that also fix vehicles that fail.
| Program area | Test-only | Test-and-repair | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth | 1,468 | 2,533 | 4,001 |
| El Paso | 73 | 169 | 242 |
| Austin-Round Rock | 125 | 307 | 432 |
| All | 1,666 | 3,009 | 4,675 |
Table ES-2. Number of Texas Emissions Inspection Stations in the TIMS Database by Program Area and Station Type (November 2023)
HGB/DFW 1,468 2,533 4,001
El Paso 73 169 242
ARR 125 307 432
Total 1,666 3,009 4,675
Excludes fleet and government stations. Bexar County stations were not yet in the program in November 2023.
From 2022 to 2024, the number of stations overall decreased by 574 (−12.5%) in HGB/DFW and 17 (−3.8%) in ARR but increased by 12 (5.2 %) in El Paso.
Finding a certified station
DPS runs the official inspection station locator. Our station finder and each county page list businesses whose map listing mentions inspections or emissions testing, after removing home inspectors, dead links and listings with no way to contact them; a listing is not proof of DPS certification, so confirm with the station or the DPS locator before you go. Our lists are a sample: TCEQ counted thousands of stations, and we list far fewer.
Testing Network: All inspection stations are required to offer OBD inspections.
Only businesses with a Bexar County address are eligible to become a certified emissions station.
Repairs after a failed test
DPS recognizes some repair shops as Recognized Emissions Repair Facilities (RERFs). Using one matters if you may apply for a waiver: all diagnosis, parts and labor costs at an RERF count toward the waiver, but only certain parts count for repairs done elsewhere or by yourself.
If you choose a Recognized Emissions Repair Facility of Texas to repair your vehicle, all diagnostic, parts and labor costs associated with the emissions-related repairs go toward the waiver requirements.
if you choose an independent, non-recognized facility or perform the emissions repairs yourself, only the cost of certain emissions-related parts involved in the emissions-related repairs apply to the waiver requirements.
Fewer stations than before
TCEQ’s fee studies count the stations every few years. Between 2022 and 2024 the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth areas lost hundreds of stations, and in a 2023 survey only a minority of stations there said the capped fee covered their costs. Call ahead before you go.
in the HGB/DFW program areas, 17% of test-only stations and 22% of test-and-repair (T&R) stations reported the emissions inspection fee covered their costs
the motor vehicle emissions inspection fee charged by inspection stations is capped at $18.50 for on-board diagnostic ( OBD ) inspections in the HGB and DFW program areas, $11.50 in the El Paso program area, and $11.50 in the ARR program area
Questions
Can any mechanic do the emissions test?
Only a station certified by DPS. TxDMV notes that many mechanic shops, oil change locations and service stations are certified.
Many mechanic shops, oil change locations and service stations are certified by DPS as inspection stations.
How many emissions stations does Texas have?
TCEQ counted 4,675 active public emissions inspection stations in November 2023, before Bexar County joined.
the Texas Information Management System (TIMS) database identified 4,675 active vehicle emissions inspection stations (excluding fleet and government stations) in the four active program areas
Sources
- TxDMV, New to Texasread Oct 6, 2026
- TCEQ, 2024 Fee Analysis for AirCheckTexas Vehicle Emissions Inspection Programpage as published Oct 5, 2025 (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
- Texas DPS, Bexar County Emission Inspections (FAQ)page as published Aug 22, 2026 (archived copy), read Oct 6, 2026
- Texas DPS, Waivers and Time Extensionspage as published Jun 24, 2026 (archived copy), read Oct 6, 2026
TX Emissions Guide is an independent guide, not a government site. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.