Texas State inspectors 2024
Before the Safety Inspection: INSURANCE/CNG TANK - answer Policy Length (at least
30 Days total)—no proof of insurance, do not inspect vehicle
VIN/Make & Model (should be taken from vehicle)
Exempt Vehicles:
Check CNG Tank label if vehicle runs off of CNG—if date on label is expired, do not
inspect vehicle
Vehicle owner/operator should be present when inspector is checking a CNG tank
located in the trunk of a car.
When visually inspecting a CNG system, a letter of documentation is acceptable if the
label cannot be found.
BRAKE TEST - answer Speed (20 mph)
Stopping Distances: 25 ft. for passenger cars, 30 ft. for pickups & motorcycles, 40
ft. for vehicles weighing over 10,000 lbs. gross weight, 50 ft.
for any 2-vehicle combination
Check equalization.
Metal to metal sound: fail
If the Brake warning lamp or signal is on or comes on during test, reject or fail vehicle.
Anti-lock (ABS) lamp or signal which is on or comes on
during test will not be cause for rejection.
INSIDE THE VEHICLE - answerWINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROLS (ON/OFF SWITCH)
Operation: has to be operational
HORN (Audible 200 ft.)
Switch & Sound: cannot be unreasonably loud sound, harsh sound, or whistle
TURN SIGNALS INDICATOR LAMPS
Switch/Lock/Indicator Lamps
Must lock into position but does not have to cancel out automatically
MIRROR
Number/Condition/View to rear of at least 200 ft. (only 1 required; should not be
cracked, peeled, or tarnished; should have clear view to the
rear; cannot interfere with driver's forward vision)
SEAT BELTS
Number required: Vehicles required to be inspected for seat belts when anchorages
were part of the manufacturer's original equipment.
Front lap belts only are inspected.
BRAKE PEDAL RESERVE
Power brakes (1")
Conventional brakes--nonpower (2")
, Brake Pedal Reserve: Distance from back of brake pedal (when engaged) to the floor
board
PARKING BRAKE
1960 & newer vehicles, conduct service test.
Operation/When required (should hold vehicle) (listed below)
Should not have parts missing, broken, badly worn or not operating properly
Should not have pull cables that are badly stretched, frayed or not operating properly
STEERING
Check lash & free movement: turn steering wheel from full left to full right
Check wheel size/column
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR LAMP (1948 & up)
Should work properly; any color
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE - answerTIRES (at least 2/32 of an inch)
Tread depth & condition (no cord exposed or sidewall separation; no visible
bumps, bulges, or knots
Cuts, snags, & tears in excess of one inch
Tread wear indicators should not contact the road on any two adjacent major grooves
in the center of the middle of the tire
MUD FLAPS
Required on trucks/light trucks behind the rearmost axle or combination if it has 4 or
more tires (always required on dual wheel pickups)
Height/Width Required (as wide as tires they are protecting; no more than 12" above
roadway)
Exceptions: truck-tractors, motor homes, pole trailers, buses
WHEELS
Lugs, bolts & nuts/Condition - nothing missing
Any part of wheel is bent, cracked, rewelded, or damaged fails
WIPERS
Tears (No more than 1")
Number Required (as many as originally equipped)
LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
Headlamps (2; clear/white); glass or composite lens with condensation will not fail; a
sealed beam lamp will fail for having condensation; height
requirement: 24"-54"
Stop lamps (1959/older, 1 stop lamp; 1960/newer, 2; red or amber in color); height
requirement: 15"-72"
Tail lamps (1959/older, 1 tail lamp; 1960/newer, 2; red in color); height requirement:
15"-72"
LED tail lamps may have no more than 50% of diodes malfunctioning.
Turn signal lamps: required on all vehicles beginning 1960 or newer (2 in front, white or
amber; 2 in rear, red or amber)
License plate lamp (1; clear or white)
Center high mount stop lamp (red; must be steady-burning when brakes are applied);
required on 1986 and newer model passenger cars;
required on trucks/SUVs under 80" wide beginning with 1994 model year
Before the Safety Inspection: INSURANCE/CNG TANK - answer Policy Length (at least
30 Days total)—no proof of insurance, do not inspect vehicle
VIN/Make & Model (should be taken from vehicle)
Exempt Vehicles:
Check CNG Tank label if vehicle runs off of CNG—if date on label is expired, do not
inspect vehicle
Vehicle owner/operator should be present when inspector is checking a CNG tank
located in the trunk of a car.
When visually inspecting a CNG system, a letter of documentation is acceptable if the
label cannot be found.
BRAKE TEST - answer Speed (20 mph)
Stopping Distances: 25 ft. for passenger cars, 30 ft. for pickups & motorcycles, 40
ft. for vehicles weighing over 10,000 lbs. gross weight, 50 ft.
for any 2-vehicle combination
Check equalization.
Metal to metal sound: fail
If the Brake warning lamp or signal is on or comes on during test, reject or fail vehicle.
Anti-lock (ABS) lamp or signal which is on or comes on
during test will not be cause for rejection.
INSIDE THE VEHICLE - answerWINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROLS (ON/OFF SWITCH)
Operation: has to be operational
HORN (Audible 200 ft.)
Switch & Sound: cannot be unreasonably loud sound, harsh sound, or whistle
TURN SIGNALS INDICATOR LAMPS
Switch/Lock/Indicator Lamps
Must lock into position but does not have to cancel out automatically
MIRROR
Number/Condition/View to rear of at least 200 ft. (only 1 required; should not be
cracked, peeled, or tarnished; should have clear view to the
rear; cannot interfere with driver's forward vision)
SEAT BELTS
Number required: Vehicles required to be inspected for seat belts when anchorages
were part of the manufacturer's original equipment.
Front lap belts only are inspected.
BRAKE PEDAL RESERVE
Power brakes (1")
Conventional brakes--nonpower (2")
, Brake Pedal Reserve: Distance from back of brake pedal (when engaged) to the floor
board
PARKING BRAKE
1960 & newer vehicles, conduct service test.
Operation/When required (should hold vehicle) (listed below)
Should not have parts missing, broken, badly worn or not operating properly
Should not have pull cables that are badly stretched, frayed or not operating properly
STEERING
Check lash & free movement: turn steering wheel from full left to full right
Check wheel size/column
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR LAMP (1948 & up)
Should work properly; any color
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE - answerTIRES (at least 2/32 of an inch)
Tread depth & condition (no cord exposed or sidewall separation; no visible
bumps, bulges, or knots
Cuts, snags, & tears in excess of one inch
Tread wear indicators should not contact the road on any two adjacent major grooves
in the center of the middle of the tire
MUD FLAPS
Required on trucks/light trucks behind the rearmost axle or combination if it has 4 or
more tires (always required on dual wheel pickups)
Height/Width Required (as wide as tires they are protecting; no more than 12" above
roadway)
Exceptions: truck-tractors, motor homes, pole trailers, buses
WHEELS
Lugs, bolts & nuts/Condition - nothing missing
Any part of wheel is bent, cracked, rewelded, or damaged fails
WIPERS
Tears (No more than 1")
Number Required (as many as originally equipped)
LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
Headlamps (2; clear/white); glass or composite lens with condensation will not fail; a
sealed beam lamp will fail for having condensation; height
requirement: 24"-54"
Stop lamps (1959/older, 1 stop lamp; 1960/newer, 2; red or amber in color); height
requirement: 15"-72"
Tail lamps (1959/older, 1 tail lamp; 1960/newer, 2; red in color); height requirement:
15"-72"
LED tail lamps may have no more than 50% of diodes malfunctioning.
Turn signal lamps: required on all vehicles beginning 1960 or newer (2 in front, white or
amber; 2 in rear, red or amber)
License plate lamp (1; clear or white)
Center high mount stop lamp (red; must be steady-burning when brakes are applied);
required on 1986 and newer model passenger cars;
required on trucks/SUVs under 80" wide beginning with 1994 model year
