- Missouri bill could exempt newer cars from safety inspections.
- Supporters say rural drivers face cost and access challenges.
- Critics warn it could increase unsafe vehicles and fatalities.
Missouri drivers struggling to afford the time and cost of keeping their older car on the road might soon catch a break. A new bill moving through the state legislature could relax vehicle safety inspection rules, meaning plenty of cars may dodge checks of brakes, lights, and suspension. But not everyone is thrilled about it.
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Right now Missouri requires inspections every two years for vehicles more than 10 years old or which have covered more than 150,000 miles (240,000 km).
The cost of the inspection isn’t exactly a bank breaker at $12 (though the price of necessary repairs might be), but it can be a hassle, especially if you live far from an inspection station and your workday is already packed.
Is It Time to Rethink Inspections?
House Bill 2743 would shift the rules. Inspections would only be required on vehicles built before 2013 or which have crossed the 150,000-mile mark. That means a lot of relatively old high-mileage cars could keep cruising without a state mandated once over.
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Supporters say this is about practicality, not recklessness. Lawmakers from rural districts argue their constituents sometimes drive long distances just to find a licensed inspector.
Fewer requirements could mean fewer wasted afternoons and less frustration for people who already depend heavily on their cars. Rep. Jeff Farnan, a sponsor of the bill, noted that there are only six licensed inspectors across four counties in his district, FOX4 KC reports.
Accident Waiting to Happen
Opponents aren’t convinced. Safety advocates, repair industry groups, and some lawmakers warn that inspections catch problems drivers might ignore, like worn suspension parts or failing brakes. They argue that even small issues can snowball into serious safety risks when left unchecked.
There’s also some research that links inspection programs with lower fatality rates, which sounds plausible. Critics of the bill say loosening the rules could gradually put more questionable vehicles on the road, especially in lower income areas where repairs often get delayed until something actually breaks.
States are Divided
Still, 14 states don’t require regular inspections at all, and their roads have not turned into demolition derbies. Supporters see this as Missouri simply updating an old system to better match modern vehicle reliability and the realities of rural life, though other states have even tighter rules and demand annual inspections.
The bill has cleared committee and is headed for more debate. So if you drive an aging sedan with a mystery rattle, you might soon get a break. Whether that’s a win for convenience or a gamble with safety depends on who you ask. Do you think inspection rules should be relaxed?