Missouri Car Inspection
Missouri requires that vehicle owners get safety inspections and emissions inspections every two years, although some vehicles are exempt.
Written by Georgina Grant
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
In
Missouri
, you must get a safety inspection and an emissions inspection every two years, unless your vehicle is exempt. If you buy a car from a different state
or country, you may also need to get an identification number/odometer reading inspection.What are the vehicle inspection requirements in Missouri?
When you
register a vehicle
or renew your current registration in Missouri, you are required to get a safety inspection.You will also need to get an
emissions inspection
if your vehicle is registered in one of the following areas:If you buy a car that was previously registered in another state or country, you will need to get a vehicle identification number/odometer reading inspection (ID/OD) in order to receive a title for the vehicle.
Exceptions to the state requirements
The following vehicles are exempt from Missouri’s safety inspection requirements:
- New vehicles
- Trailers
- Vehicles or RVs over 8,500 pounds
- Motorcycles
- Vehicles over 25 years old (unless they are sold)
- Vehicles that are driven under 12,000 miles between safety inspections
- Interstate commerce vehicles
- Vehicles sold to junkyards, salvage yards, or otherwise sold for the purpose of rebuilding
- Vehicles sold from one dealership to another
- Vehicles sold at public auction
- Gasoline-powered low-speed vehicles
- Vehicles with historic plates or street rod plates
- School buses and shuttle buses
- Alternative fuel vehicles
The following vehicles are exempt from Missouri’s emissions requirement:
- Vehicles that are under 10 years old and have fewer than 150,000 miles on the odometer
- Vehicles that weigh over 26,000 pounds and have been registered for less than 12 months
- Trailers
- Interstate commerce vehicles
- Vehicles with historic plates
- Vehicles sold to junkyards, salvage yards, or otherwise sold for the purpose of rebuilding
- Vehicles sold from one dealership to another
- Low-speed vehicles
ID/OD inspections are not required on vehicles transferred on a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) instead of a title.
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Where to get a car inspection in Missouri
You can get a safety inspection or an ID/OD inspection at one of the
official safety inspection stations
located across the state. Emissions tests can be performed at
official emissions inspection stations
within the counties where emissions tests are required. Several of these stations also perform safety inspections.How often do you need a car inspection?
You will need to get a safety inspection and an emissions inspection every two years.
The inspection schedule is based on your vehicle’s model year. Cars with even model years (ex: 2010) must be inspected during even years (ex: 2022, 2024, etc.), and cars with odd model years (ex: 2011) must be inspected during odd years (ex: 2021, 2023, etc).
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FAQs
Do I have to get an inspection before I sell my car?
Yes. You will need to get a safety inspection and an emissions inspection no more than 60 days before selling your car.
How much does a safety inspection cost?
A safety inspection in Missouri costs $12.
How much does an emissions inspection cost?
An emissions test (smog check) in Missouri costs $24.
How much does a vehicle identification number check cost?
The ID/OD check is included in the $14.50 fee you pay when you apply for a title.
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