Newberry Automotive performs approximately 13,000 vehicle inspections each year at our Bee Cave Road location.
The emissions test itself typically takes about 5 minutes, and most customers are in and out in approximately 15 to 20 minutes total, depending on how many vehicles are ahead of them.
Vehicle inspections are first come, first served during all regular business hours.
There is no need to book ahead. Just bring your vehicle and current proof of insurance.
Didn't Texas Get Rid of Vehicle Inspections?
Yes and no.
Effective January 1, 2025, Texas eliminated the annual safety inspection requirement for most non-commercial vehicles.
However, emissions testing is still required in certain Texas counties, including Travis and Williamson counties.
In general, gasoline-powered vehicles 2 through 24 years old registered in an emissions-testing county must pass an annual emissions inspection before registration can be completed.
This includes hybrid vehicles.
Fully electric vehicles and diesel-powered vehicles are not subject to this emissions test.
What Do I Need to Bring?
It's simple.
Bring current proof of insurance for the vehicle being inspected.
Your proof of insurance:
- Can be physical or digital
- Must be current
- Must show the vehicle being inspected
Newberry cannot electronically verify your insurance, so please have your current insurance card or digital proof available when you arrive.
You do not need to bring a driver's license.
The registered owner also does not have to be the person who brings the vehicle in. A family member, friend, employee, or someone else can bring the vehicle for inspection as long as they have the required proof of insurance.
What Does the Emissions Inspection Check?
The emissions test is performed through your vehicle's OBD port, which allows the state's inspection system to check the vehicle's emissions-related computer systems.
The inspection checks for things including:
- Emissions-related fault codes
- An illuminated Check Engine Light
- Emissions readiness-monitor status
- Gas-cap integrity
To pass, the vehicle cannot have an emissions fault that causes an inspection failure or an illuminated Check Engine Light, and it generally cannot have more than one readiness monitor showing "Not Ready."
The gas cap must also pass its required test.
When the vehicle passes, the inspection result is submitted electronically so you can proceed with your registration.
What Does "Not Ready" Mean?
Your vehicle's computer performs a series of emissions self-tests called readiness monitors.
If the battery has recently been disconnected or replaced, trouble codes have been cleared, or certain repairs have been performed, some of those monitors may show "Not Ready."
That doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong with the vehicle. It means the vehicle hasn't yet completed all of the testing it needs to perform.
How Do I Get the Monitors Ready?
Driving is what allows the monitors to change from "Not Ready" to "Ready."
Every vehicle has a different drive cycle, but many vehicles will complete their monitors within approximately 50 to 100 miles of mixed driving, including some highway driving.
Simply clearing a Check Engine Light immediately before an inspection won't solve an emissions problem. Clearing the codes also resets the readiness monitors, which then need time and driving to run again.
Need Help Getting the Vehicle Ready?
Newberry can help drive and monitor a vehicle to complete its readiness cycle.
Because completing a drive cycle requires employee time and vehicle mileage, this is a paid service.
What Happens If My Vehicle Fails?
A failed emissions inspection doesn't always tell us exactly what is wrong. It tells us the vehicle does not currently meet the state's emissions-testing requirements.
Because Newberry is also a full-service automotive repair shop, we can take the next step and diagnose the cause.
If you'd like us to diagnose the failure, we'll open a repair order and begin our normal diagnostic process.
Diagnostic work does not begin automatically just because your vehicle failed.
We'll explain the option to you, and you decide whether you'd like us to proceed.
When needed, Newberry can handle the entire process:
- Inspection
- Diagnosis
- Repair
- Verify Readiness
- Reinspection
As with any repair at Newberry, we'll explain what we find, provide an estimate, and receive your authorization before performing repairs.
Free Reinspection After a Failure
If your vehicle fails its emissions inspection, you have 15 days following the failed inspection to correct the problem or get the vehicle ready and return for a free reinspection.
Bring your original failure receipt when you return.
This is particularly important for vehicles that fail because too many readiness monitors are showing "Not Ready." You can drive the vehicle to allow the monitors to complete and then return within the reinspection period.
Can I Get an Inspection With My Check Engine Light On?
Yes, but an illuminated Check Engine Light will cause the vehicle to fail the emissions inspection.
We'll let you know that before running the test and give you the choice.
Some customers want the official inspection performed anyway. Others choose to have the Check Engine Light diagnosed and repaired before attempting the inspection.
The $11.50 inspection fee is charged whether the vehicle passes or fails.
If you'd rather address the problem first, Newberry can diagnose the Check Engine Light and determine what is causing it.
How Much Does an Emissions Inspection Cost?
$11.50
The emissions inspection fee is $11.50 for the Travis and Williamson County inspection program.
This is a state-regulated inspection fee. Inspection stations cannot simply add additional service charges to the price of the inspection.
A credit-card processing fee may apply when paying by credit card.
When Can I Get My Inspection?
Your emissions inspection can be performed up to 90 days before your vehicle's registration expires.
Vehicle registrations expire at the end of the month shown on the registration.
Once your vehicle passes its emissions inspection, you have 90 days to complete the registration process using that passing inspection.
What If My Registration Is Already Expired?
You can still bring the vehicle in for its emissions inspection.
There isn't a separate inspection deadline simply because your registration has already expired.
What About Brand-New or Out-of-State Vehicles?
New vehicles are generally exempt from emissions testing during their initial period.
If you're bringing a vehicle into Texas from another state and registering it in Travis or Williamson County, it may need to pass a Texas emissions inspection before it can be registered.
If you're unsure whether your vehicle needs an emissions inspection, call or text Newberry and we'll help you determine what you need.
Why So Many Austin Drivers Choose Newberry for Inspections
Newberry performs approximately 13,000 vehicle inspections every year.
We've built our inspection process around getting customers through quickly and making the process as straightforward as possible.
- 13,000+ Inspections Per Year
- Approximately 5-Minute Test
- Most Customers In & Out in 15 to 20 Minutes
- No Appointment Needed (or Accepted)
For many customers, an inspection is also their first introduction to Newberry.
If your vehicle ever needs maintenance, diagnostics, or repair, we're a full-service automotive shop too.
Ready for Your Inspection?
Just Come In (No Appointment)
Inspections are performed first come, first served during all regular Newberry business hours.
Bring:
- Your vehicle
- Current proof of insurance
That's it.
$11.50 Emissions Inspection
Please do not use the website's appointment scheduler for vehicle inspections. Inspection appointments are not offered.
