TEXAS VEHICLE INSPECTOR TXDPS
CERTIFICATION EXAM 2026
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE WITH
PRACTICE QUESTIONS, CORRECT
ANSWERS AND DETAILED EXPLANATIONS
What vehicles are exempt from inspection? - CORRECT ANSWER -a. Road-
building equipment
b. Farm machinery
c. Trailers under 7500 lbs capacity
d. Semitrailers
e. Pole Trailers
f. Mobile Homes
g. Any vehicle required to display a slow-moving vehicle emblem
Can an out of state vehicle be inspected? - CORRECT ANSWER -Yes. So long
as they meet state requirements including evidence of financial
responsibility
Can a customer leave the vehicle with you to inspect it and come back for it
later? - CORRECT ANSWER -Yes, exception: (CNG)After verifying vehicle
insurance, CNG tank should be inspected with the owner present.
,Can a customer with a motorcycle do the road brake test part themselves? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Yes, if the inspector does not have a motorcycle license,
they may watch to verify the brake test.
Does a motorcycle need front brakes? - CORRECT ANSWER -Yes, all vehicles
need brakes acting on all wheels, except motor driven cycles, mopeds,
motor scooters, and some multi axle trucks and tractors.
A vehicle has a Check engine light on. Will it pass? - CORRECT ANSWER -A
CEL will not fail a vehicle. It is not an inspection item.
My windshield is cracked, will it fail the state inspection? - CORRECT
ANSWER -An inspector may fail the vehicle if the cracked windshield is
causing an unsafe operating condition.
You notice the vehicle is missing a lug nut on one wheel. Pass/fail? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Fail
The vehicle has a license plate that is falling off the bumper because it is not
secured correctly. Pass/fail? - CORRECT ANSWER -Not an item of inspection
You notice the transmission is leaking fluid on the ground while you are
checking the brakes and exhaust. Pass/fail? - CORRECT ANSWER -Not an
item of inspection
You notice motor oil leaking onto the ground as you inspect the exhaust.
Pass/fail? - CORRECT ANSWER -Not an item of inspection
, You notice gasoline leaking onto the ground while inspecting the exhaust
system. Pass/fail - CORRECT ANSWER -Most likely fail. It is a major safety
issue for the driver
My 79 Ford F150 has an aftermarket Open-style air filter that replaces the
TAC and no Cat visible. Would it pass/fail and why? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Fail, due to it needing a closed style air filter system if it was Inspect every
Passenger Car and Motorhome under 80 inches wide for: - CORRECT
ANSWER -Horn, Windshield Wipers, Mirror, Steering, Seat Belts, Brakes,
Tires, Wheel Assembly, Exhaust System, Exhaust emissions system, Beam
Indicator, Tail Lamps, Stop Lamps, License Plate Lamp, Rear Red
Reflectors, Turn Signal Lamps, Head Lamps, VIN number, Window
Tinting, Gas Cap.
How should you test the horn? - CORRECT ANSWER -a. Sound the horn
b. Check actuating device
c. Examine wiring - mounting
Inspection of the horn will result in failure if: - CORRECT ANSWER -a.
Vehicle does not have a horn
b. Horn or switch not securely fastened
c. Wiring insulation is worn, rubbed bare, shorting, burning, or poor
connections
d. Horn switch not readily accesible to operator
e. Horn actuated by striking bare wires
f. Sound not audible for 200ft
CERTIFICATION EXAM 2026
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE WITH
PRACTICE QUESTIONS, CORRECT
ANSWERS AND DETAILED EXPLANATIONS
What vehicles are exempt from inspection? - CORRECT ANSWER -a. Road-
building equipment
b. Farm machinery
c. Trailers under 7500 lbs capacity
d. Semitrailers
e. Pole Trailers
f. Mobile Homes
g. Any vehicle required to display a slow-moving vehicle emblem
Can an out of state vehicle be inspected? - CORRECT ANSWER -Yes. So long
as they meet state requirements including evidence of financial
responsibility
Can a customer leave the vehicle with you to inspect it and come back for it
later? - CORRECT ANSWER -Yes, exception: (CNG)After verifying vehicle
insurance, CNG tank should be inspected with the owner present.
,Can a customer with a motorcycle do the road brake test part themselves? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Yes, if the inspector does not have a motorcycle license,
they may watch to verify the brake test.
Does a motorcycle need front brakes? - CORRECT ANSWER -Yes, all vehicles
need brakes acting on all wheels, except motor driven cycles, mopeds,
motor scooters, and some multi axle trucks and tractors.
A vehicle has a Check engine light on. Will it pass? - CORRECT ANSWER -A
CEL will not fail a vehicle. It is not an inspection item.
My windshield is cracked, will it fail the state inspection? - CORRECT
ANSWER -An inspector may fail the vehicle if the cracked windshield is
causing an unsafe operating condition.
You notice the vehicle is missing a lug nut on one wheel. Pass/fail? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Fail
The vehicle has a license plate that is falling off the bumper because it is not
secured correctly. Pass/fail? - CORRECT ANSWER -Not an item of inspection
You notice the transmission is leaking fluid on the ground while you are
checking the brakes and exhaust. Pass/fail? - CORRECT ANSWER -Not an
item of inspection
You notice motor oil leaking onto the ground as you inspect the exhaust.
Pass/fail? - CORRECT ANSWER -Not an item of inspection
, You notice gasoline leaking onto the ground while inspecting the exhaust
system. Pass/fail - CORRECT ANSWER -Most likely fail. It is a major safety
issue for the driver
My 79 Ford F150 has an aftermarket Open-style air filter that replaces the
TAC and no Cat visible. Would it pass/fail and why? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Fail, due to it needing a closed style air filter system if it was Inspect every
Passenger Car and Motorhome under 80 inches wide for: - CORRECT
ANSWER -Horn, Windshield Wipers, Mirror, Steering, Seat Belts, Brakes,
Tires, Wheel Assembly, Exhaust System, Exhaust emissions system, Beam
Indicator, Tail Lamps, Stop Lamps, License Plate Lamp, Rear Red
Reflectors, Turn Signal Lamps, Head Lamps, VIN number, Window
Tinting, Gas Cap.
How should you test the horn? - CORRECT ANSWER -a. Sound the horn
b. Check actuating device
c. Examine wiring - mounting
Inspection of the horn will result in failure if: - CORRECT ANSWER -a.
Vehicle does not have a horn
b. Horn or switch not securely fastened
c. Wiring insulation is worn, rubbed bare, shorting, burning, or poor
connections
d. Horn switch not readily accesible to operator
e. Horn actuated by striking bare wires
f. Sound not audible for 200ft
