Vehicle Ownership in Missouri — Car Alpha

Complete guide to vehicle ownership in Missouri: insurance requirements (25/50/25), lemon law protections, emissions testing, registration fees, and EV incentives.

Missouri Overview

Midwest · Capital: Jefferson City

Missouri requires liability insurance and safety inspections. The state has emissions testing in the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas and a lemon law protecting new vehicle buyers.

Insurance Requirements

Minimum Coverage

25/50/25

Average Annual Cost

$1,569

$25,000 bodily injury per person / $50,000 bodily injury per accident / $25,000 property damage

Full insurance guide Compare Missouri rates

Missouri Lemon Law

Missouri's Lemon Law covers new vehicles within the first year or 12,000 miles. After four repair attempts or 30 business days out of service, the consumer can seek a refund or replacement.

Full lemon law guide Talk to a lemon law attorney

Emissions Testing

Emissions testing is required in the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas for gasoline-powered vehicles from 2 to 25 model years old. Biennial OBD-II testing costs approximately $24.

Safety Inspection

Missouri requires safety inspections every two years or when a vehicle changes ownership. Inspections cover brakes, lights, steering, tires, glass, and horn. Cost is typically $12.

Registration & Title

Registration Fee

$18.25 - $51.25 based on horsepower

Title Fee

$8.50

Plate Fee

$8.50

Missouri registration fees are uniquely based on vehicle horsepower. Fees range from $18.25 for vehicles under 12 hp to $51.25 for vehicles over 72 hp. Personal property tax is also assessed annually.

Full registration guide