Antique & Classic
• Vehicles registered as "Antiques" are exempt from annual inspection. To see the
restrictions on the use of antiques or to obtain more information on how to register
your vehicle as "Antique", visit the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Vehicles registered as "Classic" are required to have an annual safety inspection. These
types of vehicles are inspected like any passenger vehicle. Certain items of inspection,
however, may or may not be required to be inspected, depending on the age of the car.
(For example, seatbelts and anchorages are only required if the vehicle was originally
manufactured with them.)
Custom Vehicles & Street Rods
• A street rod is a vehicle manufactured before 1949 or after 1948 that looks like a vehicle
manufactured before 1949.
• A custom vehicle is a vehicle at least 25 years old and of a model year after 1948 or built
to resemble a vehicle at least 25 years old and of a model year after 1948.
• The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV) is responsible for issuing certificate
of title and creating a safety inspection program for custom vehicles and street rods.
Kit Cars
• Vehicles are required to meet the emissions standards for the year the vehicle is
assembled. Vehicle manufacturers have to certify that their vehicles meet EPA emissions
standards. Many kit car manufacturers comply with this requirement. If you purchase a
kit car, follow the instructions on assembly, including the emissions components. The
vehicle must pass an emissions test just like any other new vehicle.
• Just as the EPA does not allow an individual to reverse engineer a vehicle to defeat
emission standards, they do not allow an individual to build a brand new "old" vehicle to
bypass emissions standards. It is possible if you actually use old parts (like a 1965
engine, or complete 60s frame and power train) that the vehicle will be registered as
that model year (replica), but that is determined by Texas DMV. The inspection station
will follow the registration classification on the vehicle in determining the inspection
criteria.
Rebuilt/Reconstructed Vehicles
• All vehicles used on the public highways are required to meet all of the state equipment
laws and requirements; therefore, reconstructed or rebuilt vehicles which are using the
public highways are also expected to meet all of the state equipment laws and
regulations.
• All reconstructed or rebuilt vehicles (sand or dune buggies or hot rods) must comply
with inspection requirements for the class of motor vehicle being inspected as, such as
car, truck, motorcycle, or motor-driven cycle.
• Be sure to check reconstructed or rebuilt vehicles for all required items of inspection
with particular attention to the lighting devices. Head lamps shall be of a type
acceptable by the Department. No modifications are allowed that will change the
original design or performance of any lamp. Only acceptable automobile head lamps
may be used on cars and trucks. Either the 7-inch head lamps or both dual head lamps
(type 1 and type 2) may be used. Only acceptable motorcycle head lamps may be used
on motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and mopeds.
• All lighting devices must be of an acceptable type that meet Department standards and
must comply with the mounting heights as specified in the inspection requirements.
• The year model of a reconstructed vehicle will be the same year in which it was
reconstructed and not the year of original manufacture. Therefore, the inspection
requirements would be for the model year of the vehicle (same as the year of
reconstruction) or the year model of the engine itself, whichever is the later model.
• In general, the year model of a motorcycle is the year of the frame if the original date of
manufacture was 1971 or later. Contact Texas DMV for detailed information regarding
title of rebuilt and reconstructed vehicles.
• Motor vehicles used for competitive racing, such as modified stock cars, dragsters, and
hot rods may be inspected. When such a vehicle is presented for inspection, all rules
and regulations regarding the inspection of the vehicle will apply. This applies to brake
requirements, exhaust systems, as well as any other item required in these provisions.