Need a DOT inspection near you in Texas?
If your vehicle is registered in another state or isn't covered by the Texas program, Bright Inspect does the federal annual where your truck is parked. Texas-registered vehicles in the state program need a DPS-certified station, and we tell you which applies before you pay.
| Item | Texas |
|---|---|
| Lead agency | Texas Department of Public Safety, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement |
| Federal rules | Federal baseline plus state inspection programs |
| Who's covered intrastate | Over 26,000 lb; more than 15 passengers; placarded hazmat |
| Annual inspection | Every 12 months |
| State program | Commercial inspection at DPS-certified stations (Transportation Code ch. 548) |
| Sticker | No windshield sticker; electronic record and Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) |
Compare Texas with other states on the state requirements hub, or see which states run their own inspection programs.
Texas DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement handles roadside enforcement, and the DPS Vehicle Inspection program certifies inspection stations and inspectors. TxDMV handles registration and motor carrier credentials (Texas DPS CVE).
Yes, federal rules are the baseline. For intrastate-only operations, ordinary property-carrying vehicles are covered at more than 26,000 lb gross weight, registered weight or rating; passenger vehicles over 15 passengers and placarded hazmat vehicles are covered regardless of weight.
| Operation | Who's covered |
|---|---|
| Interstate | 10,001 lb or more, plus federal passenger and hazmat triggers (49 CFR 390.5) |
| Intrastate (Texas only) | Over 26,000 lb gross weight, registered weight or rating; more than 15 passengers; placarded hazmat at any weight |
Texas requires an annual commercial inspection at a DPS-certified station for covered vehicles, which FMCSA accepts in place of the federal annual. Each unit, including trailers and converter dollies, needs its own inspection. School buses have their own annual commercial inspection with added criteria.
| Inspection | Applies to | How often | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas commercial annual / federal periodic | Every covered CMV, each unit in a combination | 12 months | Transportation Code ch. 548; 49 CFR 396.17 |
| School bus commercial inspection | School buses in the commercial program | Annual | DPS commercial inspection criteria |
Every unit counts on its own: see whether each trailer needs its own annual inspection.
Texas runs an FMCSA-accepted state program, so vehicles it covers must use it. The Texas state inspection must be done by a DPS-certified commercial inspector at a certified inspection station (DPS inspector qualifications). A technology-based inspection does not replace it.
Bright Inspect's federal annual, designed to meet FMCSA annual inspection requirements, may fit vehicles that aren't covered by the Texas program, such as some trucks registered in other states. Which vehicles fall outside the program is still being confirmed, so we check your registration and vehicle before you pay.
Results go to DPS electronically and you receive a Vehicle Inspection Report; there's no separate windshield sticker. Proof of a current periodic inspection must be on the vehicle, and the carrier keeps the report 14 months.
| Vehicle | Rule |
|---|---|
| Tow trucks | Each tow truck needs a TDLR permit, with its cab card kept in the cab; TDLR inspects towing companies and can require corrective action, and cities and counties may add rules (Occupations Code ch. 2308; 16 TAC ch. 86) |
| School buses | Annual commercial inspection at a certified station, with school bus criteria |
| Passenger carriers | Covered intrastate at more than 15 passengers. We're still confirming other Texas passenger carrier rules. Check with Texas DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement directly. |
DPS CVE officers, and certified local agencies, conduct roadside inspections under 49 CFR 396.9 and Transportation Code ch. 644. Federal rules let an officer cite you under 49 CFR 396.17(c) when proof of a current annual inspection isn't on the vehicle; it carries a CSA severity weight of 4. The officer gives the driver an inspection report. The carrier must certify that listed violations were corrected and return it within 15 days, and keep a copy for 12 months (49 CFR 396.9). Fines are set by state law. A roadside inspection is not the same as your Texas annual and doesn't replace it.
Texas also makes operating a vehicle without complying with its inspection requirements a Class C misdemeanor (Transportation Code 548.605); a passing inspection report in effect at the time is a defense.
Stopped without proof of a current annual? See what to do when your inspection expired or failed at roadside and what happens if your annual inspection is expired. Nobody can promise to remove a violation or change a safety score; what fixes the problem going forward is a current inspection and a complete record.
Last reviewed: September 11, 2026