The Official Inspection Station has had to reduce its number of stations from eight to just two, resulting in the unfortunate layoff of at least a dozen employees.
Starting from Wednesday, Texas non-commercial drivers will no longer be required to undergo an annual safety inspection for vehicle registration. This change comes after the passing of legislation in 2023 that eliminates the need for such inspections.
Starting in November 2026, drivers in larger municipalities such as Dallas, Harris, Travis, and Bexar counties will be mandated to undergo emissions tests in order to pass.
When you register your vehicle with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, a fee of $7.50 will be automatically allocated towards a state fund for the construction of state highways.
Official Inspection Station in Bexar County has been operating for 40 years. Charissa Barnes, the president and owner, has been anticipating this day, even though she admits that it hasn’t been a smooth journey.
Barnes expressed that the impact on their company, employees, and families who work for them has been significant. He mentioned that at their Culebra location, they conduct approximately 1,600-1,800 inspections every month.
According to Barnes, the Official Inspection Station has reduced its number of stations from eight to two. Consequently, this downsizing has resulted in the termination of employment for at least a dozen employees.
“It’s incredibly challenging, and unfortunately, there’s not much we can do about it. However, that doesn’t make the situation any less heartbreaking,” expressed Barnes.
In 2023, Barnes and others testified in Austin, aiming to convince the majority of lawmakers to understand their perspective on the necessity of mandatory inspections.
Barnes emphasized that the paramount concern is the safety of the vehicle. He highlighted the responsibility to ensure the safety of not only oneself and one’s family but also other individuals on the road.
The drivers KENS 5 spoke with will still undergo annual inspections, even though there is no official requirement for them to do so.
