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The Daily Insight

How often do you need an emissions test in Missouri

Author

Ava Hall

Published Mar 26, 2026

In Missouri, most vehicles are required to undergo a safety inspection once every two years unless the vehicle is within its first 5 model years or meets another exemption rule. Residents living in certain areas are also required to get smog and emissions testing in addition to the safety inspection.

How long is an emissions test good for in Missouri?

The State of Missouri validates passing test results for only 60 days from the initial inspection date. Vehicle owners must get their car registration or registration renewal did within that 60 – day time frame or pass the test again.

How often do I need a vehicle inspection in Missouri?

How often do I need to get my car or truck inspected in Missouri? Your vehicle will need to be inspected once every two years by an authorized service provider. If your car or truck has a model year that is even, it will need to be inspected during even years.

Does my car need safety and emissions this year Missouri?

If there is no change in vehicle ownership, even model year vehicles must be safety/emissions inspected (unless exempt) in even calendar years, and odd model year vehicles must be inspected (unless exempt) in odd calendar years.

How often are emission tests required?

Vehicles driven in California are required to have an emissions test every two years. Drivers who fail to have their car, truck, or SUV smog-checked will not be allowed to register their vehicle.

How old does a car have to be to be exempt from emissions in Missouri?

The Missouri measure also exempts all vehicles 26-years old and older from emissions inspections. The 26-year rolling emissions test exemption will replace current law which only exempts vehicles manufactured prior to the 1971 model year.

Do you have to get an emissions test every year in Missouri?

In Missouri, most vehicles are required to undergo a safety inspection once every two years unless the vehicle is within its first 5 model years or meets another exemption rule. Residents living in certain areas are also required to get smog and emissions testing in addition to the safety inspection.

Do I need an inspection to renew my tags in Missouri?

To renew your license plates, you will need: A Missouri safety inspection and/or emissions inspection certificate not more than 60 days old, if applicable; … The correct registration (license plate) and processing fee.

What year cars need inspection in Missouri?

Now, with a few exceptions, Missouri safety inspections are not required until a vehicle is more than 10 years old, or the vehicle’s odometer has exceeded 150,000 miles.

How long does an emissions test take?

Emissions testing typically takes between 15-30 minutes. Since there’s no standard federal test — each state and municipality can set its own requirements — the timing can vary. After all, more requirements take more time.

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Do 30 year old cars need smog?

The owner cannot legally sell or register the vehicle. … Under the current law, cars 30 years or older are exempt from smog testing. That means that this year a model 1974 car is exempt and next year a model 1975 will become exempt.

How can I avoid emissions testing?

  1. Get an oil change. …
  2. Inflate your tires. …
  3. Get a tune-up. …
  4. Warm your car up. …
  5. Resolve an illuminated check engine light. …
  6. Use a fuel additive. …
  7. Pretest or free retest.

Does a 1985 car need smog?

The state of California currently enforces a law in which any vehicle 1976 and later must adhere to a “vehicle inspection and maintenance check (smog check)” every two years.

Will a cracked windshield pass inspection in Missouri?

A: Inspection stations are supposed to reject a vehicle if there is 1) a crack in the windshield beyond 3″ in length within the driver’s vision area OR 2) any unrepaired star breaks, bull’s-eyes, half moons, stone nicks or chips larger than 2″ in diameter at any area outside of the driver’s vision area of the …

How much does a Missouri vehicle inspection cost?

A: Inspection stations may charge no more than $12.00 for the safety inspection of passenger vehicles and trucks, and no more than $10.00 for the safety inspection of motorcycles, motor tricycles, and autocycles.

How long can you drive on expired tags in Missouri?

Owners will be allowed to continue driving on Missouri roadways without penalty until they can apply for renewal. Extensions for driver license, nondriver license and noncommercial instruction permits applies for those where the date falls between March 1 and April 30, allowing 60 days from the day it expired.

Does Missouri have a grace period for expired tags?

Vehicle owners with registrations (license plates) expiring in the months of March and April have been granted an automatic two-month extension and will be able to continue operating their vehicles on Missouri roadways without penalty until they can apply for renewal.

What is the grace period for expired tags in Missouri?

Missouri Car Registration Renewal Grace Period Renewals can be processed up to 6 months before the expiration date. If you renew after your registration expires, you will be charged a late fee.

When should I do emission test?

After the expiry date of the first certificate, two-wheeler owners need to undergo the emission test once in every 6 months (twice in a year) and get a fresh certificate issued every time. The validity of the new PUC certificate is 6 months unless any adverse reading is observed in the emission test.

Is emissions and inspection the same thing?

One is a state safety inspection that looks at a vehicle’s systems from a practical safety standpoint. The other is emissions testing that assesses the exhaust system and other components of vehicle’s emissions systems to make sure they’re in correct working order.

What years of cars are smog exempt?

What vehicles do not require a Smog Check? Gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and alternative-fuel vehicles that are model-year 1975 and older. Gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and alternative-fuel vehicles that are eight model years and newer do not require a biennial Smog Check.

Is a 1990 car smog exempt?

classic cars do qualify for a smog exemption in California. By definition, a classic or antique car is any vehicle that is 25 years or more old. Since cars built before 1975 are exempt from the California smog certification program, owners are not required to have their vehicles checked for smog-producing emissions.

How old does a car have to be to be considered a classic?

For insurance and registration purposes, the age of a classic car, in most cases, is at least 20 years old but not more than 40 years old. If you are going to register it (and insure it) as a classic, it should have been kept to its original design and specifications.

What can I put in my gas tank to pass emissions?

So if you’re looking for help passing an emissions test, or you just want a better running car or truck, try this: Add two cans of Sea Foam Motor Treatment or Sea Foam High Mileage (for cars and trucks with over 75,000 miles) to a low tank of fuel and drive normally for about 20 miles.

How do you cheat a smog test?

  1. Test a very warm car on a cool day. …
  2. Use a specialized fuel additive. …
  3. Inflate tires to the proper (high) level. …
  4. Perform an oil change. …
  5. Turn off your “Check Engine” light (if needed). …
  6. Find a shop that offers a free retest.

Can I pass emissions with check engine light on?

If you have a “Check Engine” light on, your car will not pass an emissions test.

Does a 1991 car need smog?

Both diesel and gasoline powered out-of-state vehicles require a smog check for initial California registration, and every two years thereafter. … 1975 & Older Exempt – Under the old smog laws, 1975 and subsequent model year vehicles became exempt from Smog Check when they turned 30 years old (30-year rolling exemption).

How do I pass smog with an old car?

  1. Check the “Check Engine” light. …
  2. Make sure the battery hasn’t been recently disconnected. …
  3. Get an oil change. …
  4. Get a tune-up—but not right before the test. …
  5. Fill up the coolant and gas tanks. …
  6. Drive fast two weeks before the test. …
  7. Get a pre-inspection.

How much will it be to register my car in Missouri?

What You’ll Need to Register your Vehicle in Missouri. Fee of $8.50 for the title and $6.00 for processing fee. Identification number and odometer inspection. Notarized Lien Release ( Form 4809 ) if applicable.

Can you tint your windshield in Missouri?

Missouri law states that vehicles registered in Missouri may have the windows to the immediate right and left of the driver tinted to 35 percent, plus or minus 3 percent or more light transmittance. … The windshield is not to be tinted except that portion at the top, which is normally tinted by the vehicle manufacture.

Is it illegal to drive without a windshield in Missouri?

RCW 46.37. 410 does require each vehicle equipped with a windshield to have wipers “maintained in good working order.” … You can drive your car without a windshield if you’re wearing eye protection.