Car Inspection Laws for Missouri Vehicles

Missouri mandates vehicle inspections to ensure road safety and environmental compliance. These inspections are crucial for maintaining vehicle standards and reducing pollution. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Missouri's car inspection laws, detailing the requirements, processes, and exemptions.

Types of Inspections

Missouri requires two main types of vehicle inspections:

1. Safety Inspections: Mandatory statewide, these inspections check essential vehicle components to ensure they meet safety standards.
2. Emissions Inspections: Required only in certain areas, primarily around St. Louis, to control pollution levels.

Safety Inspections

Safety inspections are designed to ensure that vehicles on Missouri roads are safe to operate. These inspections cover various components, including:

• Brakes: The braking system must be in good working order.
• Lights: All lights, including headlights, taillights, and turn signals, must function properly.
• Tires: Tires must have adequate tread depth and be free of significant damage.
• Steering and Suspension: These systems must be in good condition to ensure vehicle control.
• Exhaust System: The exhaust system must be intact and functioning to reduce emissions.
• Seat Belts: All seat belts must be operational and in good condition.
• Windshield and Windows: These must be free of significant cracks or obstructions that impair the driver's view.

Emissions Inspections

Emissions inspections are required in the city of St. Louis and the counties of St. Louis, St. Charles, and Jefferson. These inspections aim to reduce air pollution by ensuring vehicles meet emissions standards. The inspection checks for pollutants such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

Inspection Requirements

Frequency of Inspections

• Safety Inspections: Required every two years for most vehicles. Vehicles registered in even-numbered years must be inspected in even-numbered years, and those registered in odd-numbered years in odd-numbered years.
• Emissions Inspections: Required biennially for vehicles in designated areas. The same even-odd year rule applies.

New Residents

New residents must have their vehicles inspected within 30 days of moving to Missouri. Proof of a current vehicle inspection is required to register the vehicle.

Selling a Vehicle

When selling a vehicle, the seller must provide the buyer with a safety inspection certificate less than 60 days old. If the vehicle is in an area requiring emissions testing, an emissions inspection certificate less than 60 days old is also required.

Exemptions

Certain vehicles are exempt from inspection requirements:

• New Vehicles: Vehicles less than 10 years old are exempt from safety inspections.
• Heavy Vehicles: Vehicles weighing 26,000 lbs. or more and registered for under 12 months are exempt from safety inspections.
• Electric Vehicles: Fully electric vehicles are exempt from emissions inspections.
• Historic Vehicles: Vehicles registered as historic are exempt from both safety and emissions inspections.

Inspection Process

Documents Needed

To complete a vehicle inspection, the following documents are required:

• Proof of Insurance: An up-to-date insurance card.
• Vehicle Registration: Current registration or renewal notice.
• Bill of Sale: If the vehicle was recently purchased.
• Inspection Notices: Any specific notices from the DMV regarding required inspections.

Steps in the Inspection Process

1. Preparation: Ensure all required documents are available.
2. Inspection: Take the vehicle to an authorized inspection station.
3. Evaluation: The inspector will check the vehicle's components and emissions (if applicable).
4. Certification: If the vehicle passes, a certificate valid for 60 days is issued.
5. Repairs: If the vehicle fails, necessary repairs must be made before re-inspection.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with inspection requirements can result in penalties, including fines and the inability to register or renew vehicle registration. Law enforcement officers may also order a vehicle to be inspected if it appears unsafe.

Conclusion

Missouri's car inspection laws are designed to ensure that vehicles on the road are safe and environmentally compliant. Regular inspections help maintain vehicle standards, reduce pollution, and enhance road safety.