That's funny. My brother in San Antonio did all kinds of work to get the wipers and horn working on his '69 GTO to pass its first inspection.
The inspector didn't even try either one. The next year the inspector not only didn't test the horn or the wipers, he didn't even get in the car. He just asked if it was for sale.
Thankfully Governor Abbott signed a law getting rid of the idiotic "safety" inspections beginning in 2025.
I'm very familiar with that law and it was never meant to be humorous nor idiotic. For a pickup here is what is currently legally required and for a passenger vehicle the list is virtually the same:
* Check for evidence of Financial Responsibility
1. Horn
2. Windshield Wipers
3. Mirror
4. Steering
5. Seat Belts
6. Brakes (system) Parking - (beginning with 1960 models)
7. Tires
8. Wheel Assembly
9. Safety Guards or Flaps (if four tires or more on rearmost axle)
10. Exhaust System
11. Exhaust Emission System (beginning with 1968 models) Note: for certain counties this will continue to be legally required even after the inspection rules change
12. Beam Indicator (beginning with 1948 models)
13. Tail Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier
14. Stop Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier
15. License Plate Lamp (1)
16. Rear Red Reflectors (2)
17. Turn Signal Lamps (beginning with 1960 models) (measure if 1959 model or earlier)
18. Head Lamps (2)
19. Motor, Serial, or Vehicle Identification Number
20. Gas caps on vehicles 2-24 model years old
21. Window Tint
22. License Plates (2)
The inspector (based on what you've said) would obviously have had to falsify statements on the form two years in a row. The inspector is legally required to drive the vehicle with the owner not seated inside. What you've stated is not good and it could include very serious penalties for the owner of that inspection station. Can you please tell me where he got his GTO inspected?
