The new year will bring a major change in how Texas drivers handle their vehicle registration renewals. Starting on Wednesday, a new law goes into effect that eliminates mandatory vehicle safety inspections for non-commercial vehicles in most counties in Texas. The new law, House Bill 3297 from the 88th Legislature, retains the annual $7.50 safety inspection fee paid at the time of vehicle registration, as it will now be labeled as the inspection program replacement fee on registration renewal notices.