State to begin 'Two Steps, One Sticker' vehicle registration, inspection program

By Krista Wadsworth

Drivers in Texas will soon only be required to have one sticker on their vehicle's windshield instead of two.

As a result of a law passed in the 83rd legislative session, the state will stop issuing inspection stickers and move to a program that combines the registration and inspection and places them on a single sticker.

As of March 1, vehicles will not be issued an inspection sticker. Instead the registration sticker will serve as combined proof of registration and inspection, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Drivers may renew their registration if their vehicle has a current inspection. If inspection and registration stickers both expire in the same month the vehicle will need to pass inspection before registration renewal.

From March 1, 2015, to Feb. 29, 2016, some vehicle owners will go beyond their 12-month inspection cycle to align the expiration dates for inspection and registration.

For example, if a registration sticker expires in March 2015 but the inspection sticker does not expire until September 2015, the owner will be able to renew registration in March 2015 and not have to get the vehicle inspected again until the car is due to be registered in 2016.

Beginning March 1, 2016, drivers will have a 90-day window to complete both inspection and registration.

Drivers will still have the option of renewing their registration online, in person or by mail.

Most passenger vehicle registrations in Tarrant County are $39.75. A commercial inspection is $62. A trailer or motorcycle inspection is $14.50.

Visit www.twostepsonesticker.com for more information.