- Missouri bill could end most vehicle safety checks in 2027.
- Officials say viral claims inspections are already gone are false.
- Critics argue inspections improve safety and reduce road risk.
Missouri drivers could soon be looking at a significant change to how they register their vehicles, though the rules haven’t shifted just yet. At the same time, some sources appear unwilling to wait for the law. Viral stories are popping up that tell owners to stop getting safety inspections because they’re no longer needed. Authorities say that’s not the case… at least not yet.
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A newly introduced bill in the Missouri House would eliminate most vehicle safety inspections statewide, with supporters arguing the system is outdated, costly, and inconvenient. At the same time, the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) says misinformation has spread rapidly online, falsely claiming inspections are already gone. They aren’t.
In a January 6 statement, the DOR pushed back on false reports circulating online that safety inspections were no longer required or that registration options had changed. The department stated that the claims were “most likely generated from artificial intelligence (AI) sources.”
A Push to Drop Inspections
The proposal comes from State Rep. Mazzie Christensen (R–Bethany), who introduced House Bill 1695 earlier this month. If passed, the legislation would end safety inspections for nearly all passenger vehicles, leaving requirements in place only for commercial vehicles and salvage-titled cars. The bill has been read twice, but has not yet been assigned to a committee.
Currently, Missouri requires safety inspections every two years for vehicles over 10 years old with more than 150,000 miles, as well as during ownership changes and for certain special vehicle categories. Drivers pay $12 for the inspection. Shops hand $1.50 of that to the state for the windshield sticker.
That fee structure is one of the bill’s key targets. Repair shop owners say inspections are effectively a loss in the end. Christensen told FirstAlert4 that he estimated businesses net around $10 per inspection while absorbing $60–$75 in labor costs. As a result, some rural counties no longer offer inspection stations at all. Beyond that potential change, some believe the bill could help cut down on crime.
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St. Louis has a significant issue with expired tags and plateless vehicles. The thinking is that eliminating the need for safety inspections could free up some cash for those who struggle to afford proper registration. Critics aren’t convinced.
A 2022 Carnegie Mellon study found that states with safety inspections experience about 5.5 percent fewer roadway deaths than states without them. If HB 1695 advances and becomes law, it wouldn’t take effect until January 1, 2027. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for Thursday.
