Are Missouri safety inspections Going Away?

Date: March 3, 2026 JEFFERSON CITY, MO — As of March 3, 2026, the Missouri Legislature is actively considering several bills that could change the state’s vehicle safety inspection requirements, a longstanding program that currently requires most cars and trucks over 10 years old or with over 150,000 miles to undergo a safety inspection every two years before registration. The most prominent proposal is House Bill 1838, a committee substitute combining multiple inspection-related bills. Sponsored by Rep. Anne Kelley (R-Lamar), HB 1838 passed the Missouri House with a 104-43 vote in mid-February and would end routine safety inspections for most personal vehicles, maintaining inspection duties only for rebuilt salvage vehicles and those ordered by law enforcement after a crash. Other proposals on inspection reform include House Bill 1069, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Farnan (R-Stanberry), which would repeal the safety inspection requirement for non-commercial vehicles altogether while retaining federally required emissions testing in certain areas. This bill reflects continued lawmaker interest in cutting back inspection mandates. During committee hearings earlier in the session, legislators also discussed variants of inspection reform, including measures to alter mileage and age thresholds for inspections or modify requirements tied to vehicle services, though HB 1838 and HB 1069 are the primary active vehicles for change this year. Supporters of the reforms argue inspections are outdated and burdensome in light of modern vehicle technology; critics warn that eliminating inspections could reduce roadway safety. Both HB 1838 and related proposals now await further action in the Missouri Senate, and no changes to law have taken effect yet.