Starting January 1st, no more vehicle state inspection in Texas; some county will still require emissions testing; how does it apply to bikes?

[p6x]

@PJPR01

Hey Paul, I am having difficulty understanding the new rules taking effect in Texas from January 2025 with regards to State inspection for motorcycles.

I don't think my Moto Guzzi have ever been checked for emissions, because one is from 2000, the other from 2004, before emission testing was required in Texas?

However, I reside in Harris County, which is one of the County that will still require emission testing with the new rules.

I did not find any litterature regarding motorcycles, and my Quota is due to renew registration in January 2025. I did understand that the inspection is not required, but you still need to pay each year for the registration.

I went to the place that inspects my vehicles, and they said they don't know about motorcycles.

 

[GuzziMoto]

Pretty bad that your inspection place doesn't know.

I tend to assume that if something is needed, like an emissions test, they will let you know.

Here in Maryland we have a Historic option to register older vehicles, which does not require an inspection of any sort, and both your motorcycles are old enough to qualify for that. I have no idea if Texas has a similar option.

[p6x]

1 minute ago, GuzziMoto said:

Pretty bad that your inspection place doesn't know.

I just saw the add yesterday on one of the Houston TV channels.

The place where I do my State Inspections is actually a full scale auto workshop, and they always did my motorcycle inspections for free. In today's world, I thought it was really a nice gesture on their part. It works too. I do all my car maintenance at their place.

[p6x]

Found the answer to my question;

Emission testing is not required for motorcycles

Here's the list of what they were doing before.

Not sure what "wheel assembly" means.

* Check for evidence of Financial Responsibility ( I am guessing insurance).

1. Horn
2. Mirror
3. Steering
4. Brakes (system)
5. Tires
6. Wheel Assembly
7. Exhaust System
8. Tail Lamp (1)
9. Stop Lamp (1)
10. License Plate Lamp
11. Rear Red Reflector (1)
12. Head Lamp (1)
13. Motor, Serial, or Vehicle Identification Number.
14. License Plate.

[PJPR01]

Correct…no emissions test as in the past for motorcycles…I have even heard no inspection from my place…but we’ll see as mine are Sep and Nov renewal dates….so no immediate concerns.  One other good one is no more inspections for Diesel cars so my Rover is now exempt too.

[WDGUZZI]

I was told by a friend that checked with Travis County and Hays County (Austin area) and found that Travis will continue to require motorcycle inspections (but not cars) in 2025 but in Hays County neither will need inspections.  This runs counter to what I had found with my own research, so we will see shortly.

[ScuRoo]

On 12/28/2024 at 3:53 AM, p6x said:

* Check for evidence of Financial Responsibility ( I am guessing insurance).

Does Grubberment extend this to voting taxpayers?

Imagine that!

[p6x]

10 hours ago, WDGUZZI said:

I was told by a friend that checked with Travis County and Hays County (Austin area) and found that Travis will continue to require motorcycle inspections (but not cars) in 2025 but in Hays County neither will need inspections.  This runs counter to what I had found with my own research, so we will see shortly.

You are probably not aware, but in France, they had managed to avoid inspections for motorcycles until last year. There is an organization named "Les Motards en colère" (the angered motorcyclists) who legally fought and contested the rationale to implement these inspections for motorcycles.

The prime reason why those exist is for safety. The organization used statistics to demonstrate that motorcycle accidents are not due to poorly maintained motorcycles, unlike cars; only 4% of the totality of motorcycles accidents are due to mechanical issues. The rationale is very simple and does not take a genius to understand. Motorcyclists are totally exposed in case of accidents. So they are the prime concerned to have all the major components of their machine in good working order.

And they won. Only the powerful European lobby of specialized companies which only business purpose is to inspect vehicles requested mediation from the "constitutional council", something similar to the "Supreme Court" in the USA. That council determined that because it was a European requirement, it had to be implemented.

It started this year, 2024, and it is only a money grab. The Motards en Colère are continuing their action, hoping to reverse it.

I am surprised that Travis county would continue with inspections only for motorcycles. Especially in Texas. I have not seen a single bike looking poorly maintained. Cars, I have seen many.

 

Edited December 31, 2024 by p6x

[p6x]

2 hours ago, ScuRoo said:

Does Grubberment extend this to voting taxpayers?

Imagine that!

Well, it is a moot point now. But each time I did a state inspection on any of my vehicles, I had to show a proof of insurance. However, each time I have been stopped by the police, I was only asked to show my driver's license. Nothing else. Car and motorcycle the same.

I was told, that in Texas, if you wear a helmet, the police does not have the right to ask if you are insured. I don't know if this is true.

Edited December 31, 2024 by p6x

[gstallons]

Just a WAG , I am sure they have enough trouble w/unlicensed drivers . Uninsured drivers would result in tickets for 75% of drivers and the Court system would explode !  

I have found , I get better results w/a happy officer than I do being a SovCit smartass w/a degree in Obfuscation. BTW , I meet a lot of police , it must be my driving habits , and I try to be nice !

 

Edited December 31, 2024 by gstallons

[Tomchri]

Never was an inspection of bikes in Norway. Like mentioned here, bikes usually well taken care of. Car inspection is every  second year, and cost around 1300kr, 100$+.  Chang time here.

Cheers Tom.

[gstallons]

It is not about safety or compliance , it is a revenue producing feature.