Missouri vehicle inspection requirements

Frequency and due triggers

Safety inspection · renewal: Every two years when model-year parity matches the calendar year; Before renewal when model-year parity matches the calendar year.

Safety inspection · move in: Once before the initial Missouri title or license, then by biennial parity; Before Missouri issues the title or license.

Safety inspection · private sale: Once for the title-transfer transaction; Before Missouri completes the title-transfer transaction.

Safety inspection · dealer: Once for the dealer title-transfer transaction; Before Missouri completes the dealer title-transfer transaction.

Safety inspection · retest: The exact cycle or trigger varies by vehicle details; use the checker above.

Emissions inspection · renewal: Every two years; Before the applicable registration renewal.

Emissions inspection · move in: Once before initial registration, then every two years; Before initial registration in the Gateway program area.

Emissions inspection · private sale: Once for the ownership-transfer transaction; Before the ownership-transfer registration is completed.

Emissions inspection · dealer: Once for the dealer ownership-transfer transaction; Before the dealer ownership-transfer registration is completed.

Emissions inspection · retest: The exact cycle or trigger varies by vehicle details; use the checker above.

VIN / identity inspection · move in: Once before titling the out-of-state vehicle; Before Missouri issues title to the out-of-state vehicle.

VIN / identity inspection · private sale: Once before titling the vehicle transferred on an out-of-state or foreign title; Before Missouri completes the out-of-state or foreign-title transfer.

VIN / identity inspection · dealer: Once before dealer titling of the vehicle transferred on an out-of-state or foreign title; Before Missouri completes the dealer out-of-state or foreign-title transfer.

VIN / identity inspection · retest: One repeat identity inspection after an incomplete inspection; After correcting the cited identity issue and before title issuance.

Fees

Safety inspection (vehicle or transaction-specific branch): Maximum fee: $12. Missouri caps the safety-inspection fee at $12; the same licensed station includes one free reinspection within 20 business days.

Safety inspection (vehicle or transaction-specific branch): No inspection charge. One safety reinspection is included at the same station within Missouri's 20-business-day window.

Safety inspection (vehicle or transaction-specific branch): Maximum fee: $12. Missouri caps the safety-inspection charge at $12 when the included same-station 20-business-day reinspection conditions are not met.

Emissions inspection (vehicle or transaction-specific branch): Maximum fee: $24. Missouri caps the Gateway emissions-inspection fee at $24; one same-station reinspection is free within 20 business days.

Emissions inspection (vehicle or transaction-specific branch): No inspection charge. One same-station Gateway emissions reinspection is free within 20 business days.

Emissions inspection (vehicle or transaction-specific branch): Maximum fee: $24. Missouri caps the Gateway emissions-inspection charge at $24 when the included same-station 20-business-day reinspection conditions are not met.

VIN / identity inspection: Amount set or confirmed by the listed authority. A current Missouri safety inspection can satisfy the ID/OD requirement; otherwise use an authorized ID/OD inspection option identified by DOR.

What to bring

Certificate of Inspection and Approval, normally no more than 60 days old; Failed Certificate of Inspection or rejection record; Vehicle; Failed Vehicle Inspection Report; ID/OD inspection document less than 60 days old or a current Missouri safety inspection

High-impact exceptions

• This follow-up concerns emissions or ID/OD identity verification, not a failed safety inspection.
• Missouri exempts a vehicle through the first ten years following its model year while its odometer remains below 150,000 miles.
• A gasoline, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid vehicle from model year 1995 or earlier is exempt from the Gateway emissions test.
• A diesel vehicle from model year 1996 or earlier is exempt from the Gateway emissions test.
• A vehicle over 8,500 pounds GVWR is outside the Gateway light-duty emissions-testing requirement.
• A battery-electric or qualifying non-gasoline alternative-fuel vehicle is exempt from the Gateway emissions test.
• Missouri exempts a new and unused vehicle on its original dealer sale when its model year is within two years of the calendar year and its odometer is below 6,000 miles.
• The selected official Missouri DNR mileage-based exemption has been approved for this registration cycle, so the Gateway emissions inspection is not required for this renewal.