Emissions Testing in Missouri

If you live in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Franklin County, or Jefferson County in Missouri then you know that before you can license your vehicle you need to pass an emissions test. For those moving into one of these counties this may be the first time you are hearing of such a test. Here is some information to help you navigate the emissions testing process.

Why is an emissions test needed? The state of Missouri wants to improve the air quality for citizens in the above-mentioned counties and city. The amount of cars that travel daily in and out of these 4 counties and the City of St. Louis contribute to a lot of vehicle-produced pollution. Cars that are properly maintained emit fewer amounts of pollutants. Cars that have emission malfunctions produce more pollutants. Requiring Missourians in these areas to keep their cars maintained at a higher standard, is one way to help us have cleaner air to breathe.

Where do I get my emissions tested? The Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program (GVIP) is the agency responsible for overseeing the emissions and safety inspections required in order to license a vehicle in the state of Missouri. This agency trains operators of local service stations to perform the emission test. You can visit the GVIP website, www.dnr.mo.gov/gatewayvip/, to find a list of the participating service stations. There are at least 17 pages worth of stations that are eligible to perform these tests.

How long is my test valid and how much will it cost me? Tests are valid for 60 days and the cost is $24.

What happens if my car fails? There are many reasons why a car may fail. The problems can be small (like spark plugs) or costly (think new transmission). If your car fails, you will receive a printout of the failure and you will need to have this malfunction fixed. Once the problem is fixed, return to the testing station and have them re-test. Re-testing is free as long as it is done within 20 business days of the initial test. You can take your car anywhere to have it fixed, but you will need to bring back with you a completed repair sheet signed by the person who completed the repairs. If you fixed the problem, bring receipts of the materials that you bought to make the repair.

Are there cars that are exempt? Yes, there are vehicles that are exempt to the emissions testing. Here is a list of exemptions taken directly from the GVIP website.

• 1995 and older gas-powered vehicles;
• 1996 and older diesel-powered vehicles;
• New motor vehicles, not previously titled and registered, for the four-year period
• following their model year of manufacture, with fewer than 40,000 miles at the first
• required biennial safety inspection;
• New and unused vehicles, with model years within two years of the calendar year,
• that have odometer readings of less than 6,000 miles at the time of original sale by
• the manufacturer or dealer; and
• Motor vehicles that are driven fewer than 12,000 miles between biennial
• safety inspections.
• Motorcycles and motortricycles;
• Vehicles powered by fuels other than gasoline, ethanol or diesel;
• Vehicles that are domiciled and operated exclusively in an area of the state not
• subject to the emissions inspection requirements;
• Historic Vehicles registered pursuant to section 301.131 RSMo;
• School buses;
• Tactical military vehicles; and
• Visitor, employee or military personnel vehicles on federal installations provided
• appointments do not exceed 60 calendar days.

Waivers are also available for cars the meet certain requirements. These requirements can be found at the GVIP website.

Getting your vehicle checked for emissions can seem like a hassle and extra cost, but it can reduce the amount of vehicle pollution in the air. Less pollution means better air quality and less chance of contracting chronic lung and heart conditions. Keeping your car in good health keeps Missourians in good health.