Frequently Asked Questions

MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION FAQ’S


Q: When is a motor vehicle safety inspection required? A: The Missouri Department of Revenue provides oversight to motor vehicle registration requirements.

Inspection requirements related to motor vehicle registration may be viewed at https://dor.mo.gov/motorv/help.php#safety.

Inspection requirements related to the sale of a vehicle may be viewed at https://dor.mo.gov/motorv/selling.php.

 Q: What if I am selling a used vehicle that is for salvage use or repair and not for use on the roadway in its current condition? A: A vehicle being sold for junk, salvage, or for rebuilding may be sold without a certificate of safety inspection and approval if the buyer gives the seller an affidavit declaring such.

The form attached here is approved to be used in this circumstance.

 Q: What fees are associated with obtaining a motor vehicle safety inspection? 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.

 Q: Where is the nearest official motor vehicle safety inspection station? A: Click here to search for an official motor vehicle safety inspection station.  Stations may be searched by city, zip code and type of vehicle to be inspected.

 Q: What if a safety inspection is due for my vehicle while it is in a different state? A: You may register your vehicle with the Missouri Department of Revenue while temporarily residing out-of-state, without obtaining a safety inspection; however, a safety inspection must be obtained within ten (10) days of return to the state of Missouri.

 Q: What vehicle components are included in a motor vehicle safety inspection? A: Click here for an overview of motor vehicle safety inspection vehicle components.

Click here for detailed regulations governing the safety inspection of passenger vehicles, trucks, motorcycles, and autocycles.

Click here to view regulations governing the safety inspection of school buses.

 Q: Are airbags included in a motor vehicle safety inspection? A: Airbags are not inspected during motor vehicle safety inspections. Questions regarding airbags should be directed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1 (800) 424-9393, or online at www.nhtsa.gov.

 Q: What are the requirements for bumper heights on motor vehicles? A: Bumper height requirements are included in the Motor Vehicle Inspection Regulations Manual.

 Q: My windshield has been replaced since my last safety inspection. Do I need a new inspection sticker for the windshield? A: When a windshield is replaced, no new safety inspection sticker is required. Retain the white approval certificate issued to you at the time of inspection, as it serves as proof your vehicle passed inspection.

 Q: How do I file a complaint on an inspection station? A: Should you question the integrity of a safety inspection performed on your vehicle, contact the Motor Vehicle Inspection Office at your local troop headquarters. An investigation of your complaint will be conducted to determine if proper inspection procedures were followed.

Click here for troop contact information.

Click here to access a printable version of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Complaint Receipt Form.

 Q: My vehicle failed a safety inspection. When I returned for reinspection, the station has closed. How do I get my vehicle reinspected? A: If the business that inspected your vehicle ceases to operate as a Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Station prior to completing a reinspection of your vehicle, contact the Motor Vehicle Inspection Office at your local troop headquarters to schedule a date and time for the reinspection of your vehicle by a Motor Vehicle Inspector.

Click here for troop contact information.

 Q: I want my business to become a motor vehicle safety inspection station. What is required? A: Click here for motor vehicle safety inspection safety requirements.

The fee for a safety inspection station permit is $10.00 annually. The fee for an emissions inspection station permit is $100.00 annually. The combined fee for a safety and emissions inspection station permit is $110.00 annually. All fees are payable at the time of application.

A business may apply to become an official motor vehicle safety, emissions, or safety and emissions inspection station by making application through the Motor Vehicle Inspection Office at the nearest troop headquarters. Click here for troop contact information.

Q: How do I enroll my business as an official motor vehicle safety inspection station? A: Information regarding inspection station and inspector/mechanic requirements is available in the Motor Vehicle Inspection Regulations Manual. Contact the Motor Vehicle Inspection office at the nearest troop headquarters to obtain more detailed information regarding enrolling as an official Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Station.

Click here for contact information.

 Q: How does an inspection station obtain safety inspection program supplies? A: Public and private motor vehicle safety inspection stations may click here to order supplies online.       (Note: Station signs are available through hard-copy requisition ONLY.)

Click here to view transaction fees associated with ordering supplies online.)

In lieu of ordering supplies online, please mail requisitions to:

Missouri State Highway Patrol
Attn: Motor Vehicle Inspection
Post Office Box 568
Jefferson City, MO 65101

Click here to access a printable version of the SHP-455, Requisition for MVI Supplies..

Click here to access a printable version of the SHP-453, Requisition for GVIP Supplies.

Orders are only accepted online or via mail submission. Motor Vehicle Inspection employees are not authorized to accept public or private station orders via e-mail, telephone or walk-in.. Requisitions and online orders are processed daily by employees, with stickers and decals shipped to the station's address of record via United Parcel Service. Please consider processing and delivery time when determining when to order supplies.

MVI-2 Motor Vehicle Inspection Certificates shall be obtained through the Motor Vehicle Inspection Office at your local troop headquarters. Click here for troop contact information.

NOTE: Government-owned stations are not eligible to place online orders.  Government-owned stations are not assessed station fees or fees for motor vehicle safety inspection stickers or motorcycle inspection decals, are not subject to minimum order requirements, and may submit orders via e-mail or telephone.  Walk-in orders from government-owned stations are not accepted.

 Q: What should my station do if safety inspection stickers/motorcycle inspection decals have expired? A: Missouri Revised State Statute allows for the exchange of expired motor vehicle safety inspection stickers and motorcyle inspection decals between January 1 and April 30 following the year of expiration. Requests for exchange postmarked after the April 30 statutory deadline will not be processed. There is no cost associated with the exchange of expired stickers/decals. Exchanges are completed on a one-for-one basis; therefore, combinations of exchanges and orders are not accepted and will be returned to the station unprocessed. Public and private stations should complete and submit the SHP-466, Return of Expired Stickers/Decals form, along with the expired stickers/decals to:

Missouri State Highway Patrol
Attn: Motor Vehicle Inspection
Post Office Box 568
Jefferson City, MO 65101

NOTE: Government-owned stations are not eligible for the exchange process, and should order additional stickers/decals upon expiration.

VIN/SALVAGE FAQ’S


Q: Do I need a trailer examination? If so, how do I obtain one? A: Click here for information regarding trailer examinations.

 Q: What documentation must I provide at the time a VIN/Salvage examination is performed? A: Click here for documentation requirements for VIN/Salvage examinations.

 Q: Where do I go to obtain a VIN/Salvage Examination or Watercraft Verification? A: Click here to access sites for VIN/Salvage Examinations and Watercraft Verifications.

SCHOOL BUS INSPECTION FAQ’S


Q: What vehicle components are included in the inspection of a school bus? A: Click here to view inspection criteria for school buses.

 Q: How do I access school bus inspection results for my school district? A: Click here to obtain school bus inspection results for all Missouri schools providing pupil transportation services.

GATEWAY VEHICLE INSPECTION PROGRAM FAQ’S


Q: How do I enroll as an official Emissions Inspection Station in the Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program (GVIP)? A: Click here for information pertaining to the Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program in the non-attainment area of Missouri.

For additional information, contact the Troop C Motor Vehicle Inspection Office at (314) 416-2180, Ext: 4357/4358.