Texas Inspection?

Question

I am looking to mod my car and I need to know what I can and can't have. Like neon, smoked headlights/taillights, cai, cats, ect. I need to be able to pass inspection so if anyone could help me out I would like that. Thanks!

Answer 1

I have been inspecting cars, trucks and commercial vehicles for over 30 years and the rules are getting stricter each year and below is what you need to begin with.......

1. Horn

2. Windshield Wipers

3. Mirror

4. Steering

5. Seat Belts

6. Brakes (system) (Parking - beginning with 1960 models)

7. Tires

8. Wheel Assembly

9. Exhaust System

10. Exhaust Emission System (beginning with 1968 models)

11. Beam Indicator (beginning with 1948 models)

12. Tail Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier

13. Stop Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier

14. License Plate Lamp (1)

15. Rear Red Reflectors (2)

16. Turn Signal Lamps (beginning with 1960 models)

17. Head Lamps (2)

18. Motor, Serial, or Vehicle Identification Number

19. 1988 & newer - inspect for window tinting or coating

20. Gas caps on vehicles 2-24 model years old.

21. Check for evidence of Financial Responsibility

As for what you cannot have well that in some case is very clear.......

Headligh or taillight covers will not pass.

Any chages to the vehicles emissions will not pass.

Very dark tint will not pass but regular tint is fine but you need a tint label that is permanently installed between the material and the surface to which the material is applied.

Note: This label should be provided by the installer.

Engine mods that increase emissions will not pass if you are living where the emissions are checked.

Aftermarket Air Intake Systems (AIS) and Thermostatic Air Cleaners (TAC)

1996 and newer vehicles do not have a Thermostatic Air Cleaner (TAC) system. The TAC system went away on 1996 & newer vehicles, because these vehicles are equipped with OBDII (On-Board Diagnostics – Second Generation) computer systems and these vehicles have more sophisticated fuel injection systems and emissions control systems, so there’s no need for a TAC system. There are several different brands of aftermarket open-type air filter/intake systems by K&N, Airaid, AEM, etc, so these are OK to install on any vehicle that did not come factory equipped with a TAC system and you will pass the visual emissions component inspection.

NOTE: If the air intake system reads "For Racing Purposes Only" or "For Off Road Use Only" then it is not intended for use on public roadways and is not street legal. If the air intake system is CARB approved and 50-state legal, then it is street legal in all 50 states.

1995 and older vehicles that are equipped with a TAC system are required to have all the components in place in order to pass the visual emissions component inspection, which is part of the annual safety inspection. The TAC system consists of the enclosed air cleaner/filter assembly and a heat shroud at the exhaust manifold and then there is also a heat duct hose that connects from the heat shroud to the air cleaner assembly. Also, some of the TAC systems had a fresh air duct hose that attached from the front or side of the air cleaner assembly to either the front or side of the vehicle. The TAC system is a closed-type air cleaner/filter assembly and it was designed to reduce Hydrocarbon (HC) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) emissions during cold engine operation, so if your vehicle came equipped with a TAC system and if it was removed and replaced with an open-type design air filter/intake assembly, the vehicle will fail the visual emissions component inspection.

No red or blue bulbs........red or amber in the rear only..

The catalytic converter will be considered as a part of the exhaust system on all vehicles prior to 1984 year model and will be inspected only visually (if present) for leakage. On 1984 and later model light truck and passenger vehicles, the catalytic converter will be checked for presence and leakage. Flexible tubing which meets the requirements listed below may be used anywhere in the exhaust system.

NOTE: Inspection of exhaust systems covers the discharge of exhaust fumes and is not concerned with the noise level.

Neon light can be on the car and are not part of the inspection but this is the Texas law for neon lights.......

The common practice to circumvent these laws is to install the lighting

under the vehicle, out of direct view, so that the light is cast downward

illuminating the ground. State law is silent on this issue (in this case

silence is not golden) and the federal regulations do not prohibited it,

except for taking the place or interfering with any required lamp,

especially the license plate lamp.

This is a technical loophole. As with all technical or legal loopholes, it

is not understood by everyone to include some law enforcement personnel. All

questions of law are finally resolved in court.

To put it simply, while you may be able to drive the vehicle with the accent

lights illuminated and not receive a citation, there may come a time when

you are cited and the judge agrees with the officer. Your only recourse will

be to appeal the decision until you reach a court that recognizes the

loophole and you may still lose.