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Vehicle Emissions Testing in Missouri

Updated on Thu, 4/28/2011

In Missouri, a vehicle emissions test is required for many original registrations, as well as for annual registration renewals. Renewal notices are sent annually to vehicle owners, and indicate whether and by what date an emissions test must be completed.

Note: All vehicles registered in Missouri have to complete a biennial safety inspection. The safety inspection can be done at authorized stations. Safety inspections cost $12 for all vehicles.

VEHICLES THAT REQUIRE AN EMISSIONS TEST

A car, truck, motor home or RV (recreational vehicle) requires an emissions test when:

  1. It is a 1996 model or newer, running on gas.
  2. It is a 1997 model or newer, running on diesel.
  3. It is registered and operated in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Franklin County, or Jefferson County.

VALIDITY

Emission tests are valid for 2 years. A valid test is required to reinstate a suspended registration and to complete an original vehicle registration or registration renewal. Used car dealers are required to issue a valid emissions test for any vehicle they sell. Getting an emissions test is the buyer's responsibility when the vehicle is purchased from a private owner.

EXEMPTIONS

Some vehicles exempt from emissions testing are:
  1. Those not registered in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Franklin County, or Jefferson County.
  2. Those which are 1995 models or older running on gas.
  3. Those which are 1996 models or older running on diesel.
  4. A new vehicle, or on its first or second registration.
  5. A solar power or an electric vehicle.
  6. A motorcycle or motor-tricycle.
  7. Those using alternative fuel like hydrogen [i.e. other than gasoline, diesel, or ethanol (E10 and E85)].
  8. See all categories of emission testing exempt vehicles here.

EMISSIONS TESTING LOCATIONS

The Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program licenses shops to perform emission tests. You have to find an auto shop near you with the GVIP sign displayed along with the Missouri Official Vehicle Inspection Station sign.

A new enhanced emission test program called the Gateway Clean Air Program has been implemented recently for St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Franklin County, or Jefferson County to further improve air quality. This test is only available in 10 specialized stations in those counties.

EMISSIONS TESTING FEES

The enhanced emission testing fee is $24 for two years for all counties except Franklin County. All vehicles requiring emissions testing can also use RapidScreen, a high-tech sensor, for performing the test at the same cost of $24. In Franklin County, the test fee is $10.50 per year. However, Franklin County residents can choose to use test stations of St. Louis City, Jefferson, St. Louis or St. Charles counties and pay the biennial $24 fee. In the test stations at St. Louis City, Jefferson, St. Louis or St. Charles counties, if you have to wait for more than 30 minutes, the test fee will be reduced by $10; and it will be reduced by $20 more than 60 minutes (except during the last three days of the month). This reduction is also not applicable to Franklin Country since it follows different state laws.

EMISSIONS TEST FAILURES

If your vehicle fails the emissions test, you must have the vehicle repaired, after which it must pass the after repairs emissions test. The vehicle can be repaired at the station or elsewhere. If a re-test is done within 20 working days of the first test, no additional charge is applicable. If your vehicle is unable to meet the emissions standard following the necessary repair work, you may be able to obtain a waiver, based on different criteria as mentioned here.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • If you are out of state, you can submit your vehicle for inspection in that particular state for safety and emissions inspections and submit the test results to the Missouri. You can also return to Missouri and complete the tests within 10 days of your return by submitting a Department of Revenue General Affidavit Form 768 at Missouri to prove you were out of state.
  • See also Vehicle History Reports.

Reviews of Vehicle Emissions Testing in Missouri

Submitted by meper4m on Wed, 05/18/2011 - 02:21.

My car is a 1997 Ford Tauras. The check engine light is on and the code comes up as an emissions code. The problem is, no one can seem to find the problem. I've had the care to Dobbs and a local mechanic. Dobbs ran smoke through the entire system and could find nothing. I'm due for renewal in July. I can't keep paying $85 dollars plus for them to find nothing. Other than that it runs just fine. Can I apply for a waiver of some kind?

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 05/01/2011 - 03:06.

My son is attending college in Springfield Mo and drives a 1995 Toyota which now needs an emmission sensor replaced. Due to the problem with obtaining auto parts from Japan after it's recent disaster, we have been unable to locate the needed part, and an after market product did not work with that particular engine. The car is registered and insured with our home in St Louis County. As it would be exempt from an inspection in Springfield but not in St Louis Co , what options do we have? Will there be delay exceptions until the parts become available ? He needs the car for work and school

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 05/09/2011 - 04:09.

If the vehicle is a 95 it is exempt from the emissions test.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 05/01/2011 - 02:51.

My son is away at college in Springfield, Mo and drives a 1995 Toyota which now needs a emmission sensor. We are having trouble getting the part due to the disaster in Japan effecting auto parts. The car is registered in St Louis County where we live. I am told it will pass inspection in Springfield but not St Louis Co. As the car 's inspection must be done this summer what options do we have??With documentation of part shortage can an exemption be given? The after market part was installed and did not work and the dealer is telling us it will only work with a Toyota part on this engine.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 00:47.

My daughter is in college in Joplin, mo and hasn't been home for a while and will not be home until the middle of summer. There are no inspection stations there. What do I do!

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 04/04/2011 - 18:01.

is it illegal to sell a vehicle that can't pass an emisson test?

Submitted by vindickulous on Sun, 06/07/2009 - 00:54.

DUMB QUESTION:

If I live in St. Louis County (city) and my Vehicle is a 1988 model, do I need an emission test?

I know the exemptions are:

if you don't live blah, blah

if your vehicle is older than a '96 running on gas.

But, it doesn't say, if You live in St. Louee county and if You have a vehicle older than a '96 running on gas, your are exempt from emission testing. I just want to clarify any mis-interpretation I may encounter at the DMZ (oops, DMV)...

thanks,

VinDickUlous

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 22:00.

If you are this STUPID, you don't deserve a reply!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 13:18.

Hey genius, way to answer a two year old question.