Texas car inspection safety/emissions

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Nov 23, 2010
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Greensboro NC
I may be moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth area next year from NC and i have a 1983 Toyota FJ60 Land Cruiser. I just wanted to know if it would be exempt by age for getting a inspection. Depending on answer maybe swapping in a Isuzu turbo diesel prior to moving.
 
Depends on how you register it. Normal, classic, special event.
Any vehicle over 25 years of age can be registered as a classic vehicle and is required to have an annual safety inspection. You don't lose any of the operating privileges so it's really a no brainer.

Lights, horn, blinkers, seat belt, stock smog equipment (no one checks), tires, brakes. It goes really quick and costs about $15.00

Texas is very vehicle friendly so you shouldn't have any problem getting it registered and pass inspection.

Looking forward to having another 60 in town!
 
cool deal. The DMV website is not very user friendly. Well when i get to texas will have to let me know the best place to get a inspection.
 
Even registered normal it will be just safety (unless it's been recently changed).

My 40 was registered as an antique. Registration was $55 for 5 years. Got me out of an inspection all together. If it's something you drive a few times a month, it may be something to consider. However, you will always be "headed to the mechanic, or just fixed something and testing it out" if you did get pulled over. I never had any issues with mine.
 
No smog test at all on anything 25 years old or older, only a basic safety inspection, even for an ordinary (non-antique) registration.
 
i guess i will go for classic, and hope for not getting a hassle. Do they do the inspections at dealerships or do they have special places to get them done.
 
There is a difference between classic and antique. I don't think classic will get you any extra hassle, probably mileage limit per year or something. May want to do some research on the options first.

You can go to dealerships, most oil change places, and then inspection only locations.
 
ok so it is same as here. I work at Toyota Dealer ship and am licensed to do State inspection. Will have to get my stat inspection license there if i move.
 
in Texas "Classic car" tags don't get you anything special except for license plate that looks different. Anyone can request one as long as vehicle is at least 25 years old - no restrictions on where/when you can drive. The classic car tag is no extra charge unless your personalize. Any vehicle > 25 years old only needs a safety inspection no matter what county you live in no matter if you have a classic car tag or not. It's just a different looking tag.

"Antique" tags are much more restrictive but they are cheaper and require no inspection at all and you only renew every 5 years or so. Antique cars are only supposed to be driven in parades or for service/etc. They can be a hassle but if you only drive in parades or car shows they are great.

Any car < 25 years old needs safety plus emissions testing if you live near one of the metroplex areas. In the far out counties you only need safety inspection.

In Texas you used to need separate stickers on your windshield for the tag and inspection, this year they are transitioning to a single sticker - you get inspected within a couple months of registration renewal and they clear you to renew. You will also need to get an inspection before you can transfer your title into Texas and get Tags.
 
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cool deal. I was also wondering if like in NC when the car hits 35 years old you do not have to get inspection any more.
 
Over 25 years is Safety inspection only (~$11 only) - all vehicles over 25 years are exempt from emissions testing if you live somewhere that requires it - not all counties require emissions anyway. Only way to get out of safety inspection is to do the "antique vehicle" registration but there are caveats with having that - technically the boys in blue can give you a citation if your driving to work or joyriding with an antique tag.

Safety inspections are bare bones - ie brakes, parking brake must work, lights, blinkers, tag light, wipers, seat belts (if vehicle had them originally). They don't care about glass condition and have never looked under my hood.

On your diesel swap - nobody will care since it's no emissions testing for an 83 year model anyway. Find a good local place to get your inspections done and you will have no hassle - I used to have a great no frills place where I live but they sold out to one of these chain oil depot type places - they will try to scam you and push crap during just inspection.

Welcome to Texas - FYI we only have two seasons here in DFW: Summer and Christmas
 
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Well my wife has her video interview next week and pretty sure we are going to be moving. This will be the third time living in Texas just glade it will not be El Paso.
 
In Texas you used to need separate stickers on your windshield for the tag and inspection, this year they are transitioning to a single sticker - you get inspected within a couple months of registration renewal and they clear you to renew. You will also need to get an inspection before you can transfer your title into Texas and get Tags.

I found this out the hard way when I got my FJ73 with non-working windshield wipers. I don't know how people will buy non-running cars now and transfer the title.

I want to add that my FJ73 passed inspection easily once the wipers were fixed and there was no emissions testing at all. This is in San Antonio so I don't think it is done anyways.
 
Well my wife has her video interview next week and pretty sure we are going to be moving. This will be the third time living in Texas just glade it will not be El Paso.
Cool. Where are you guys looking?
 
Well coming down to Texas next weekend and looking around Burlson. May go put in a application a family Toyota. She has to go see what MillerCoors is going to offer on that following Monday.
 

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