Missouri Safety & Emissions Inspections

Below is the simple breakdown of which years need Safety, which years need Emissions, and who’s exempt — plus what to expect when you come in.

Safety

Which Years Need Safety?

  • 0–10 years old & less than 150k miles → typically exempt (renewal)
  • Over 10 years old or over 150k miles → safety inspection required
Emissions

Which Years Need Emissions?

  • 1996 and newer → tested (required counties)
  • 1995 and older → typically exempt
  • First 4 years/less than 40k miles → typically exempt
  • Diesel over 8,500 lbs GVWR → emissions exempt
Counties

Where Emissions Is Required

  • St. Louis City
  • St. Louis County
  • St. Charles County
  • Jefferson County
  • Franklin County
ID/OD

Out-of-State Vehicles

If your vehicle was previously titled in another state, Missouri typically requires an Identification & Odometer (ID/OD) inspection.

  • VIN is verified
  • Odometer reading is recorded
  • Title matches vehicle
ID/OD is not a safety or emissions inspection.
Safety

What’s Checked

  • Brakes & brake system
  • Lights & signals
  • Tires & wheels
  • Steering & suspension
  • Windshield & wipers
  • Seat belts, mirrors, horn
Emissions

Common Fail Reasons

  • Check engine light on
  • OBD monitors not ready
  • Active emissions-related codes
If your check engine light is on, diagnosis will be required before passing emissions.
Exemptions

Who’s Exempt?

Common exemptions include:

  • Newer vehicles (first 4 years)
  • Historic registration
  • Motorcycles (emissions)
  • Electric vehicles (emissions)
  • Many diesel/heavy vehicles (emissions)
Some exemptions depend on vehicle class/weight. If you’re unsure, call and we’ll confirm.
At a Glance

Quick Reference

Vehicle
Safety
Emissions (required counties)
0–5 years old
Typically exempt
Typically exempt (Less than 4 years)
6+ years old
Typically required
Typically required (if 1996+)
1995 & older
Typically required (if over 5 years)
Typically exempt
Tip: If you recently disconnected the battery or cleared codes, monitors may not be ready yet.
Process

What to Expect

We confirm what your vehicle requires, perform the safety and/or emissions test, then provide a clear pass/fail result. If something fails, we’ll explain what failed, what’s required to pass, and your options.

Please Note: Appointments are not confirmed until you receive confirmation from our team. State inspections must be paid in advance to secure and hold your scheduled time.
Heads Up

Before You Come In

  • If you cleared codes recently, expect a “not ready” result until monitors reset
  • Bring your registration + confirm county requirements if you’re unsure
  • We’ll confirm exactly what you need before testing

Ready to Call it DONE?

Call to schedule your Missouri safety and/or emissions inspection — we’ll confirm what you need and get you taken care of.

CALL TO SCHEDULE
Do I need both safety and emissions?

Not always. Safety is common for vehicles over 5 years old. Emissions is only required in certain counties and typically applies to 1996+ vehicles (unless exempt). Call us with your year/make/model and county and we’ll confirm before you come in.

What if my check engine light is on?

In most cases, that will cause an emissions failure. We can diagnose the cause and provide a clear repair plan so you can retest.

What if I’m transferring a title or registering a newly purchased vehicle?

Title transfers and first-time registrations can differ from normal renewal. Call us with your details and we’ll tell you exactly what you need.