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Safety and Emissions Inspections & Required Equipment — Missouri Driver's License Practice Test

Safety and Emissions Inspections & Required EquipmentQuestion 1 of 30

33 questions in this topic · 30 drawn at random this round

What is required of a vehicle's turn signals and brake lights for the Missouri safety inspection?

Missouri Driver Guide

All questions are based on the official Missouri Driver Guide (Missouri Dept. of Revenue). Study the relevant chapter to reinforce your knowledge.

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This Missouri Driver's License Safety and Emissions Inspections & Required Equipment practice set has 33 practice questions based on the official exam materials, each with an instant explanation. You need 80% on the real Missouri Driver's License knowledge test to pass.

Topic overview

This section covers Missouri's safety and emissions inspections and the equipment your vehicle must have to pass. A safety inspection is required to register or renew registration on many vehicles and is good for two registration years, but vehicles in their first ten model years with fewer than 150,000 miles are exempt, along with trailers, historic-plate, salvage or junk, dealer-to-dealer, and low-speed vehicles.

To pass a safety inspection your brakes, horn, tires, steering, lights, and exhaust system must all work properly, including at least two white headlights and at least two red taillights visible from 500 feet. Some requirements depend on the vehicle's age: safety glass is required on vehicles made after 1936, two sets of front seat belts on passenger cars made after June 30, 1964, and inside and outside rearview mirrors on vehicles made after 1967.

An inspection may cost up to $12, or up to $10 for a motorcycle, and the certificate is good for 60 days. Emissions inspections are required for residents of St. Louis City and St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, and Jefferson counties, with exemptions for 1995-and-older gasoline vehicles, 1996-and-older diesel, and vehicles over 8,500 pounds. Other rules to remember: window tint on the front door windows may block no more than 65% of light, and studded snow tires may be used only from November 1 to April 1.

How long is a Missouri safety inspection valid?

The inspection covers two registration years, and the certificate itself is good for 60 days, or 90 days if it comes from a Missouri dealer who inspected the vehicle within 60 days before purchase.

Which vehicles are exempt from the safety inspection?

Vehicles in their first ten years following the model year with fewer than 150,000 miles, plus all trailers, historic-plate vehicles, salvage or junk vehicles, dealer-to-dealer sales, and low-speed vehicles.

Who has to get an emissions inspection?

Residents of St. Louis City and St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, and Jefferson counties. Exemptions include 1995-and-older gasoline vehicles, 1996-and-older diesel vehicles, and vehicles over 8,500 pounds GVWR.

Written from the official Missouri Driver Guide — Safety and Emissions Inspections & Required Equipment ↗· Last checked: 2026-07-10· Reviewed by the PassPrep editorial team· How we verify →

Sample questions

Three questions from the Safety and Emissions Inspections & Required Equipment bank with the correct answer and an explanation. The practice quiz above draws 30 questions at random from the same bank.

  1. In Missouri, why are safety inspections important for vehicle registration?

    • They are required to register or renew the registration of many motor vehicles — Correct answer
    • They are only needed when selling a vehicle to a dealer
    • They replace the need for vehicle insurance
    • They are required only for commercial trucks

    Explanation: Safety inspections are required to register or renew the registration on many motor vehicles.

    Handbook: Safety and Emissions Inspections & Required Equipment — Safety Inspections

  2. How long is a Missouri vehicle safety inspection generally good for?

    • Two registration years, unless you sell the vehicle — Correct answer
    • One registration year
    • Five years from the model year
    • It never expires once passed

    Explanation: A safety inspection is good for two registration years (with even model years inspected in even calendar years and odd model years in odd calendar years), unless you sell the vehicle.

    Handbook: Safety and Emissions Inspections & Required Equipment — Inspection Validity

  3. What is the maximum safety inspection fee an inspection station may charge for a passenger vehicle in Missouri?

    • Not more than $12 — Correct answer
    • Not more than $25
    • Not more than $50
    • There is no limit on the fee

    Explanation: An inspection station may charge an inspection fee not to exceed $12 (or up to $10 for a motorcycle).

    Handbook: Safety and Emissions Inspections & Required Equipment — Inspection Fee