Texas Vehicle Inspection Checklist

[Banjer Picker]

Is there any official checklist of requirements available so I can address any issues (prior to taking to inspection) that would prevent me from passing? Florida didn't really have any inspection and I'm sure I have a whole list of things that need to be fixed.

Got a feeling they're not going to dig my loud ass Lake-pipes either.

 

[efossett]

Look into registering it as a "Classic." That should avoid the smog issues at least....



http://www.txdmv.gov/vehicles/license_plates/qualifying/antique/classic_truck.htm

 

[FRANKO289]

hey .... just go to the DMV in FL and get you self a 24 month tag sticker .... that way you are good untill 2012 !!!!!!

even better you can do it online !!!!!

http://www.flhsmv.gov/

 

[jsnouffer]

This might help you:

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/inspection/item_insp.asp

You can select each item that is inspected and it'll tell you what they are looking for.

 

[DrLathrop]

Tx inspection

I just had mine inspected around the first of the year as I bought an Oklahoma Bronco. I have no cat, dual exhaust & it's a 77. As long as the brakes work & all lights, turn signals, horn & seatbelts work there should not be a problem. the douche tried to tell me that it wouldn't pass since it did not have shoulder restraints & I just said it's a classic car, original equipment present the shoulder belt was not an issue. The guy also tried to tell me it was a 79. He obviously didn't know shit. Since I knew more about the vehicle than he did, he passed it. It helps I live in a po-dunk town. Hope that helps.

 

[barronj]

Flashers?

Windshield wipers?

 

[jw0747]

They'll drive it to test the stopping ability of the brakes ie. straight with no sideways pulls and plenty of pedal. Depending on the inspector I've seen them engage the e-brake to see if it holds the car stopped at idle in gear. Windshield wipers should have good rubber, all lights working, no vision impairing cracks in windshield, exhaust pipes with no leaks, etc etc.

I'll bring this up again. If you license it with Antique plates they are good for 5 years and no inspection is required. However, some restrictions apply which you should check out beforehand on the DMV web site. Here is the web site info.

http://rts.texasonline.state.tx.us/NASApp/txdotrts/SpecialPlateOrderServlet?grpid=10&pltid=1

 

[76 bronco J]

Look into registering it as a "Classic." That should avoid the smog issues at least....



http://www.txdmv.gov/vehicles/license_plates/qualifying/antique/classic_truck.htm

>>> no smog issues here in Texas for 25 years & older... there is supposed to be a visual test for smog equipment, but nobody ever checks these older rides they're just worried about the 24 & under crowd... the gas/service station around the corner from me never even drive mine & just start slappin' on the sticker without checkin' anything.. I'm guessing they can just tell it's very well taken care of.... last time I had mine inspected in july they had new owners & I started gettin' a little worried... to my surprise they just told me to drive inside the bay, then they immediately just started scraping off the old sticker & putting on the new sticker while talking about the truck ......(edit>JW747 mentioned this before I finished posting) as far as the classic truck plates, I have those & there for regular registered vehicles over 25 years old unlike the restricted antique plates.... a good thing to do for 75'-'77s is to put a little ford decal over the unleaded fuel only sign to further help them forget about emission stuff.......

 

[stock1970]

there was a thread on here about the mirror.. make sure you have one..

 

[barronj]

If you license it with Antique plates they are good for 5 years and no inspection is required. However, some restrictions apply which you should check out beforehand on the DMV web site. Here is the web site info.

http://rts.texasonline.state.tx.us/NASApp/txdotrts/SpecialPlateOrderServlet?grpid=10&pltid=1

When I first registered the Bronco, this last July, the owner had provided me w/ 1968 plates. They registered it & my registration expires in 2013 (5 years after registration).

I HOPE it's registered as a classic.

Do you get some sticker in lieu of an inspection sticker, or do you just rock the registration & nothing else?

 

[HollywoodC]

I just got mine inspected for the first time in 3 years. I live in Texas and here are the things they are looking for and its all about safety:
Brakes
E-Brakes
All lights working (low beam, high beam, turn signals, tail lights, brake lights, reverse lights)
Horn
Windshield Wipers
Clear Windshield
Thats all, the guys I went to just made sure everything worked and slapped a sticker on my windshield. I dont have side mirrors and they could have cared less. Maybe a lot of it had to do with the fact that it was 10 minutes before they closed. Call any shop in Texas and they will tell you the same check list I mentioned above. Best of luck.

 

[70 sport WA]

A couple more minor things...like license plate light and high beam indicator light. Plus a few details like your horn has to work, and not as a result of the driver pressing two exposed wires together LOL. Sounds minor, but I had a 67 Mustang that was rigged that way (don't ask) and was lucky that the shop let me drive the car in the bay and do the lights, horn, etc.

Also keep in mind that some inspection stations can be in someone's backyard. Yup, if they're running a shop out of their home (think rural areas where you've got a shop built) it can sometimes be a bit more relaxed. I found a place like that

Seriously, though, the Texas DOT website will have lots of detail beyond the check list that tells you details about what's good and what isn't. Like what "tires in good condition" really means, and so forth.

 

[AGShelby]

Texas Classic Registration

It is possible to just register it as a classic - and avoid inspections. This will also give you very good insurance rates.

However

Technically, you are limited in use to club activities, parades, etc. If you were to have an accident while driving it to work or for errands - the classic insurance company has the right to deny your coverage. You should seriously consider the risk vs. the benefit before taking this route.

I decided it wasn't worth it to risk, and had mine registered and insured for daily use. The inspection here in Texas covers the basics (lights, horn, signals, wipers, brakes, mirror, etc.) - which in reality should be in good working order in any vehicle that you would want to drive.

 

[mp]

There is a specific list. Do a google search on it, under TX Transportation Code. My penal code is not handy, or I would list them for you. It is not as extensive as you think.

 

[Pa PITT]

As most have said .. Podunk will most likely help .. But after you move to TEXAS ask your new coworkers if they know of a place where the inspector is not such a jurk... When I worke at dodge I work these inspections up . We had 5 techs to inspect one was a real prick . others went to easy fast .. But also like someone said it is nice to have most of the items working just for your safety .. High beam indicator should work but I really think I can tell if my lights are on high or low .I don't like E-Brakes living in the country they never work so I don't want some jurk stamping mine an locking it up on the floor. Disk brakes cure that issue of the truck not stopping straight ..Horn you need it working and it easy to put on a new set of wiper Blades and get all your lights working..I like that trick of putting a Ford decal over the unleaded emblem ..My Running Buddy and I have been stopped 2 times in his 66 for no seat belts ..Both times the HP Cop. Looked like a dumb ass when he says it a 66 doesn't require them. Then looked at nothing else after that..
....Oh you have to have proof of insurance also.
.....It also has to be inspected in the county where it is registered in.. So if your moving to Houston where they have smog test then you may want to go to another county seat to register it ..Then get it inspected in that county also.. Your License sticker on the window has a black bar that tells the inspector if it's in a smog county or not.
..So what town are you moving to .. If it Dallas you may want to come see me.

 

[efossett]

It is possible to just register it as a classic - and avoid inspections. This will also give you very good insurance rates.

However

Technically, you are limited in use to club activities, parades, etc. If you were to have an accident while driving it to work or for errands - the classic insurance company has the right to deny your coverage. You should seriously consider the risk vs. the benefit before taking this route.

I decided it wasn't worth it to risk, and had mine registered and insured for daily use. The inspection here in Texas covers the basics (lights, horn, signals, wipers, brakes, mirror, etc.) - which in reality should be in good working order in any vehicle that you would want to drive.

Thats for registering antique, not classic

 

[AGShelby]

Antique vs. Classic

Thats for registering antique, not classic

You are correct - my truck is registered as a 'classic car' (my wife registered it for me when I transfered the title and told them it was a sports utility. A sports utility is considered a car in Texas, and I could not get truck plates) - which is just a different license plate. The 'antique' tag has the restrictions I noted in my earlier post.

 

[AGShelby]

Emergency Brake

I don't like E-Brakes living in the country they never work so I don't want some jurk stamping mine an locking it up on the floor.

The emergency brakes on these trucks are very simple to fix. Not sure what living in the country would have to do with it, but you should always have one in working order on any car.

 

[Cooter_76]

I did have one inspection place fail my bronco after they determined my aux gas cap wouldn't hold a vacuum. %) Only time I've seem them checked.
Ironically, I went to this place because another Bronco owner told me they were bronco-friendly.

 

[barronj]

It is possible to just register it as a classic - and avoid inspections. This will also give you very good insurance rates.

However

Technically, you are limited in use to club activities, parades, etc. If you were to have an accident while driving it to work or for errands - the classic insurance company has the right to deny your coverage. You should seriously consider the risk vs. the benefit before taking this route.

I decided it wasn't worth it to risk, and had mine registered and insured for daily use. The inspection here in Texas covers the basics (lights, horn, signals, wipers, brakes, mirror, etc.) - which in reality should be in good working order in any vehicle that you would want to drive.

Well DAMNIT! I just called the tax office & asked them about how they'd registered mine ('68 plates, registration expires in 5 years) & they said it was registered as an ANTIQUE! FOCKERS! They said that b/c I had those plates, I couldn't switch it over to a "classic", and registering it as an ANTIQUE was the only choice I had.


While I'm excited not to have to inspect it, damned if I'm not going to drive it. When I was younger, I would just risk it. Now, I'm going to have to rethink me priorities. Cool plates, or cool w/ the popo (no offense MP)...