What are the smog laws in Texas? Do you have sniffer tests? If so, how often?

 

Just depends on where you live if they sniff. They do it once a year and sniff mainly in the larger cities like Houston and Dallas/FT. Worth areas...

 

Yeah like said they have sniffer tests in more populated areas, others just require a safety inspection and are SUPPOSED TO make sure you have your emissions equipment. But I have my car registered where my parents live(Austin County) and they never look, just check my lights and horn and give me a sticker.

If you live in a place that does use a sniffer, its not too hard to find a way around it. The restrictions are there, but its not enforced anything like it is in California(despite Houston being the smoggiest city in America for the last 5 years)

 

All vehicles require an annual safety inspection in Texas, which includes a visual inspection of all emission equipment. Unless it is registered as a antique.

In addition, anything 1980-1995 requires a loaded sniffer test in the larger cities/counties, more are to be added in 2005.
1996 and newer OBDII cars are just plugged into at the test port, as well as a visual. AS long as you have no emissions related codes, you pass.
The emissions program covers vehicles 24 years old and up, so next year it would go back to 1981.

They also like to setup mobile testers on on-ramps, and will mail you the ticket with a pic of the plate.

 

Wow, sounds pretty lax What a nice change

So it looks like it differs from city to city and county to county. I plan on moving to Travis county (Pflugerville). Any idea on what the requirements are there?

I found this link that says those testing procedures outlined on that page will start September of next year, but I'm curious to know what the current smog laws in Travis county are right now.

It says cars will be subject to a two-speed idle test. Does that mean the car will be run on a loaded roller?

Thanks for the info.

 

Currently in Austin and surrounding areas (such as Pflugerville) the testing is just visual in addition to taking your car for a spin to test brakes etc... Even the visual inspection is fairly "lax", I've passed with no AIR and no EGR without hesitation. One guy even asked where I got my polished block off plates.

Most of the time, the inspectors get all giddy when you bring a Z28 in that is modified, so they tend to miss stuff since they are asking you 20 questions and telling you they're gonna put a 200 shot on their Corolla.

As far as the two speed idle test, have no clue if it will be performed on rollers or not.

 

Sweet! It seems very lax based on what you describe, but I don't know if I should go through the trouble of putting on cats or not.

Sorry for sounding dumb, but do you think they'll see this and think it's cool or freak out in a bad way?

 

Well, my car is lowered 2" which means they generally can't put it on the lift to check for cats so they just look underneath and take my word for it. Although I would suggest putting the cats on, it's a pain but they won't pass you without them.

As far as your nitrous setup, I don't think you will have a problem passing with that unless you get some 'by the book' type that is hard up on finding anything wrong or what they think shouldn't be there. If you were referring to your cutout, they won't care so long as it's closed.

 

Thanks for the help, fellas. Since I've managed to "pass" out here, I'm sure I'll figure something out to pass out there.