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Texas RV Inspection

We are selling our bricks&sticks, putting our stuff in storage, and going full-time in about two weeks with the plan of eventually settling someplace.  Maybe Georgetown Texas.  We have a full schedule starting with the Maritimes Motorcade and ending with the Grandvention/Indiana events.  Thus we won't have time to do anything serious, house hunting wise, till November.

I already have an Escapees Livingston address and have been changing our mailing addresses for the last month.  My plan is to start our trip to the Maritimes by going first to Nacogdoches/Livingston and establishing our domicile (per Patricia Hatfield's excellent posting and the Escapees literature).

Thus two of the biggees are new drivers licenses and registering our vehicles in Texas and thus the safety inspections.

What are the issues with the inspections?  Obviously all lights must be operational.  Any gotchas?

I have cracks in both my coach windshields.  However, they are not in my field of view, but I am assuming that they will have to be replaced.

Thanks,
Audrey & Harvey Nelson
2000 U-320, 40' towing 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
nelsonah@ieee.org

Re: Texas RV Inspection

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Harvey Nelson –

What are the issues with the inspections?  Obviously all lights must be operational.  Any gotchas?


Lights, horn, wipers.  No check engine lights allowed.  Tires (depth).  Brakes (stopping).  A number of counties (Williamson, where Georgetown is located, is one) require emissions testing on gasoline-powered vehicles so for your car(s) you need to follow whatever your county requirements are.  Diesels like the MH are exempt from emissions testing so you can have that inspection done at any registered inspection station.  The windshield cracks will depend on where they are.

If you are not aware, Texas now requires inspection/registration in the same month.  Shouldn't be an issue for someone doing a first registration in the state.  If you are out of state for the renewal date you can self-certify to delay the inspection but then you have 3 days from re-entering the state to get your inspection done.

You should get a class B non-CDL drivers license if domiciling in Texas and your coach weighs over 26000 lbs.  This requires written testing for the signs/markers/etc. portion of the CDL exam followed by a driving test in the vehicle itself.  You can't do them both on the same day - you have to pass the written before scheduling the driving.  Nac and Livingston DPS are very familiar with the test for an motorhome.  We did ours in Nac in 2004.

Oh, and the county tax assessor is where you go for vehicle registrations.  Department of Public Safety (DPS) is drivers' licenses.  Completely different organizations (unlike states which have Departments of Motor Vehicles to cover both).

Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Texas RV Inspection

Reply #2 –
First, CONGRATULATIONS on going Full-Time!  You are taking the step to which many aspire!

My TX safety inspection last year was very simple, basic and quick.  The tech walked around the outside, checked all the lights, wipers, glanced at the tires, and had me beep the horn.  Then he climbed aboard, and had me drive around the (large) parking lot.  I showed him the coach "went (in forward and reverse), turned, and stopped".  Then back to the office, took my money, issued decal.

My windshield glass is intact, so I can't say if your cracked glass will be a problem.

Texas just revised the inspection program.  See the link below for details.  You MUST get the safety inspection first, and then get your new tags.  They no longer issue a Safety Inspection decal, just a paper receipt, so you will only have 1 decal on your glass.

Inspection and Registration -- Together At Last! | Two Steps. One Sticker....
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Texas RV Inspection

Reply #3 –
Harvey,

Keep us updated with the process if you would. If our house sells, we will be doing similar to you, and probably in a rapid fashion.

Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: Texas RV Inspection

Reply #4 –
I've had several RV's inspected in Livingston (our home base), pretty basic. No driving, just function checks on wipers and lights. Generally if you can see thru the windshield it good enough.

Haven't done the class B drivers license yet.
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: Texas RV Inspection

Reply #5 –
Last coach inspection was: I went and asked if that inspection station could do my coach. They said yes and I wrote a check for the $12.50 or whatever it was then. They handed me a sticker and told me where to put it on the window. That was it. Have no ide why they still have the inspection. Florida dropped theirs. My lights, wipers, and all the other stuff could honestly fail a block following the inspection and be bad until next year. Kinda foolish. 8)
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: Texas RV Inspection

Reply #6 –
Our coach has been inspected twice at Herman Powers Tire Shop in Nacogdoches.  It doesn't get driven, the horn doesn't get blown and it only takes a few minutes.  This year, I got to scrape off the old sticker...since a new one was no longer needed.  Doesn't take long and only cost a few bucks.
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Texas RV Inspection

Reply #7 –
I used Boatman Tire in Nacogdoches for my last inspection. Trust me, there was "nothing " to it. I was told that is where FOT takes there coaches.
2002 U320 40Ft  MC # 15759
Coach # 5995
Previous coaches
2002 U320 coach  #5941
1996 U270 coach #4808

Re: Texas RV Inspection

Reply #8 –
Had both of my coaches inspected in Seabrook Texas this afternoon at Kwick Car Lube.  Cost $7 and there was absolutely nothing to it.  Took about 10 minutes to do the paperwork.  Now you get an inspection report (no sticker) that you must take when you renew registration.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Texas RV Inspection

Reply #9 –
In Texas:  Until things change.. again. 

You will need a copy of a current inspection receipt (no decal needed after the current window sticker expires) to get the annual "tag registration decal" along with current proof of Insurance.
 
As for the month of the inspection and "tag renewal" being within the same month, I don't think it matters (although it's great to get it all taken care of at same time.)  pc

S/W Houston 95" U320C SE/40' 
Build #4778  Cummins M11
Repairs & Covered RV Parking (BAO)
PPL is close..

Re: Texas RV Inspection

Reply #10 –
I just renewed my license plate (registration) renewal and my inspection expires next month.  I have never had my coach driven during an inspection.  My coach was one month apart.  No questions about inspection when renewing.  I plan to renew the inspection next month so I will still be a month apart but with no inspection sticker.  Not sure what will happen next year when the registration is due.  Will I have to renew the inspection a month early??  The State has indicated no one will be penalized if they are not the same month.  We will see.  Not a big deal but changes are coming.
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650
 

Re: Texas RV Inspection

Reply #11 –
Quote from: pocketchange –
As for the month of the inspection and "tag renewal" being within the same month, I don't think it matters

Actually, the whole idea of the new program is that both are now forced to expire in the same month.

When you renew (under the new One Sticker system), if you are in the state you must have had a state inspection within the last 30 days.  It will either be in the tax assessor's computer system OR have a paper receipt to show them.  If you are out of state on your renewal expiration date, you may "self certify" this, but then you have 3 days from when you first return to the state to get your inspection done (and be sure to carry that receipt with you)

Previously, you could renew within 60 days of the registration expiration.  You may now renew up to 90 days ahead, but you will still need an inspection.  Also, for those who had an inspection done prior to the March 2015 changeover and if that inspection sticker expires AFTER your 2015 renewal date, you don't need to have an inspection until your next renewal.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320