What must you present when your vehicle is inspected?

Evidence of financial responsibility

What does the registration sticker on your windshield prove?

Both registration and inspection

For registration purposes, a passing Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) is valid for how long?

90 days from the month of inspection

30 days from the month of inspection

One year from the month of inspection

How many license plates must a regular passenger car display?

One on the front and one on the rear

Which equipment is not allowed on a regular passenger car?

A red light showing from the front

How low may a vehicle’s body be lowered or weighted down?

Not below the lowest part of the wheel rims

Not below six inches from the road

A new Texas resident must register their vehicles before doing what?

Applying for a Texas driver license

Renewing their vehicle insurance

What happens if you cannot show evidence of financial responsibility when registering a vehicle?

The vehicle cannot be registered

You pay a higher registration fee

Inspection, registration and insurance

Practice this topic28 questions

Questions and answers

How often must a motor vehicle registered in Texas be inspected?

Every year

All Texas-registered motor vehicles must pass inspection each year at an official inspection station.
Chapter 2 · Vehicle Inspection ↗PDF, 29 MB
Do mopeds and scooters registered in Texas need a yearly inspection?

Yes

The yearly inspection rule includes motorcycles, mopeds, scooters and autocycles.
Chapter 2 · Vehicle Inspection ↗PDF, 29 MB
What must you present when your vehicle is inspected?

Evidence of financial responsibility

Proof of insurance or other financial responsibility for the vehicle must be shown at inspection.
Chapter 2 · Vehicle Inspection ↗PDF, 29 MB
What does the registration sticker on your windshield prove?

Both registration and inspection

Texas uses one windshield sticker as combined proof of registration and inspection.
Chapter 2 · Vehicle Inspection ↗PDF, 29 MB
For registration purposes, a passing Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) is valid for how long?

90 days from the month of inspection

You must register within 90 days of the month your vehicle passed inspection for the VIR to count.
Chapter 2 · Vehicle Inspection ↗PDF, 29 MB
Your foot brake must be able to stop the car within what distance from 20 mph?

25 feet

The foot brake must stop the car within 25 feet at a speed of 20 mph.
Chapter 2 · Required Equipment for Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
A car has a third, high-mounted brake light. How many of its brake lights must work?

All three

Vehicles normally need two working brake lights, and if a third high-mounted lamp is installed all three must work.
Chapter 2 · Required Equipment for Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
What color light must light up the rear license plate?

White

A white light must light the rear plate whenever the headlights are on.
Chapter 2 · Required Equipment for Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
On a car built in 1960 or later, the red rear reflectors must be visible up to what distance?

600 feet

Reflectors must be visible up to 600 feet. Only cars made before 1960 may meet the shorter 350-foot rule.
Chapter 2 · Required Equipment for Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
Your horn must be heard from at least how far away?

200 feet

A horn must be audible for a minimum distance of 200 feet.
Chapter 2 · Required Equipment for Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
Your rearview mirror must show the road behind you for at least what distance?

200 feet

The rearview mirror must reflect a view of the highway at least 200 feet to the rear.
Chapter 2 · Required Equipment for Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
What is the minimum legal tire tread depth?

2/32 of an inch

All vehicles need tires in safe condition with tread at least 2/32 of an inch deep.
Chapter 2 · Required Equipment for Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
How many license plates must a regular passenger car display?

One on the front and one on the rear

Passenger and commercial vehicles need a plate in front and one in back, except dealer and commercial vehicles issued only one.
Chapter 2 · Required Equipment for Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
Which equipment is not allowed on a regular passenger car?

A red light showing from the front

Red lights showing to the front are allowed only on emergency vehicles.
Chapter 2 · Equipment You Must Not Have ↗PDF, 29 MB
How far may an object extend beyond the right side of your car’s body or fenders?

No more than six inches

Nothing may stick out more than six inches past the right side. The left side limit is stricter.
Chapter 2 · Equipment You Must Not Have ↗PDF, 29 MB
Is a device made to jam police radar or laser speed devices allowed in your vehicle?

No, it is not allowed

Radar interference devices are on the list of equipment you must not have.
Chapter 2 · Equipment You Must Not Have ↗PDF, 29 MB
How low may a vehicle’s body be lowered or weighted down?

Not below the lowest part of the wheel rims

A vehicle must not be modified so the body sits below the lowest part of the wheel rims.
Chapter 2 · Minimum Road Clearance ↗PDF, 29 MB
If your headlights fail and you use a spotlight, how far ahead may its beam strike the road?

No more than 50 feet ahead

A spotlight may replace failed headlights only if its beam hits the road within 50 feet of the vehicle.
Chapter 2 · Optional Equipment for Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
How many additional driving lights may be mounted on the front of a vehicle?

Up to three

Up to three extra driving lights are allowed, mounted 12 to 42 inches above the road.
Chapter 2 · Optional Equipment for Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
Within how many days must you register a newly purchased vehicle?

30 days

An owner must register a newly bought vehicle within 30 days of purchase.
Chapter 2 · Registration of Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
For how long are buyers’ temporary tags recognized?

60 days

Buyers’ temporary tags are honored for 60 days.
Chapter 2 · Registration of Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
Can a vehicle with a dealer’s temporary cardboard tag be used for a driver license driving exam?

No

Vehicles on dealer cardboard tags may not be used for driving exams.
Chapter 2 · Registration of Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
Which of these does not need to be registered or inspected when temporarily operated on a highway?

A farm tractor

Farm tractors are on the list of vehicles exempt from registration, inspection and plates when temporarily on a highway.
Chapter 2 · Vehicles Not Required to be Registered or Inspected ↗PDF, 29 MB
A nonresident moves to Texas or takes a job here. How long may their vehicle be driven before it must be registered in Texas?

30 days

After 30 days of residency or gainful employment, the vehicle must be registered in Texas.
Chapter 2 · Vehicle Registration for New and Nonresidents of Texas ↗PDF, 29 MB
A new Texas resident must register their vehicles before doing what?

Applying for a Texas driver license

New residents register every vehicle they own before applying for a Texas license.
Chapter 2 · Vehicle Registration for New and Nonresidents of Texas ↗PDF, 29 MB
What happens if you cannot show evidence of financial responsibility when registering a vehicle?

The vehicle cannot be registered

Without proof of financial responsibility the vehicle will not be registered.
Chapter 2 · Vehicle Registration for New and Nonresidents of Texas ↗PDF, 29 MB
How far may an object extend beyond the left side of your car’s body or fenders?

No more than three inches

Nothing may stick out more than three inches past the left side. The right side allows six inches.
Chapter 2 · Equipment You Must Not Have ↗PDF, 29 MB
Cars from which model year on must have an exhaust emission system?

1968

All 1968 and later models need an exhaust emission system to help reduce air pollution.
Chapter 2 · Required Equipment for Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB

Inspection, registration and insurance

Questions and answers

How often must a motor vehicle registered in Texas be inspected?

Do mopeds and scooters registered in Texas need a yearly inspection?

What must you present when your vehicle is inspected?

What does the registration sticker on your windshield prove?

For registration purposes, a passing Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) is valid for how long?

Your foot brake must be able to stop the car within what distance from 20 mph?

A car has a third, high-mounted brake light. How many of its brake lights must work?

What color light must light up the rear license plate?

On a car built in 1960 or later, the red rear reflectors must be visible up to what distance?

Your horn must be heard from at least how far away?

Your rearview mirror must show the road behind you for at least what distance?

What is the minimum legal tire tread depth?

How many license plates must a regular passenger car display?

Which equipment is not allowed on a regular passenger car?

How far may an object extend beyond the right side of your car’s body or fenders?

Is a device made to jam police radar or laser speed devices allowed in your vehicle?

How low may a vehicle’s body be lowered or weighted down?

If your headlights fail and you use a spotlight, how far ahead may its beam strike the road?

How many additional driving lights may be mounted on the front of a vehicle?

Within how many days must you register a newly purchased vehicle?

For how long are buyers’ temporary tags recognized?

Can a vehicle with a dealer’s temporary cardboard tag be used for a driver license driving exam?

Which of these does not need to be registered or inspected when temporarily operated on a highway?

A nonresident moves to Texas or takes a job here. How long may their vehicle be driven before it must be registered in Texas?

A new Texas resident must register their vehicles before doing what?

What happens if you cannot show evidence of financial responsibility when registering a vehicle?

How far may an object extend beyond the left side of your car’s body or fenders?

Cars from which model year on must have an exhaust emission system?

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