Missouri permit test: vehicle equipment and inspections
Tire pressure, safety inspections and required equipment. 9 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember7 key vehicle equipment and inspections rulesShow the rules
- If part of Lincoln's head is covered, the tread is safe. (p. 62)
- Cars are exempt from safety inspection for their first ten model years only while they have less than 150,000 miles. (p. 85)
- The certificate of inspection is good for 60 days. (p. 85)
- An inspection is good for two registration years. (p. 85)
- You need at least two working red taillights, and they and the reflectors must be visible to other drivers from 500 feet. (p. 86)
- Your vehicle must have at least two functioning white headlights. (p. 86)
- Vehicles made after 1967 must have both an inside and an outside rearview mirror. (p. 86)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample vehicle equipment and inspections questions
1.How many working headlights must your vehicle have to pass a Missouri safety inspection?
- AAt least two white headlights
- BAt least four headlights
- CAt least two yellow headlights
- DAt least one white headlight
Show the answer
✓ A. At least two white headlights
Your vehicle must have at least two functioning white headlights.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 86
2.You do the penny test on your tires and Lincoln's whole head shows above the tread. What does that mean?
- AYour tread is too worn
- BYour tires only need rotating
- CYour tires are overinflated
- DYour tread is deep enough
Show the answer
✓ A. Your tread is too worn
If part of Lincoln's head is covered, the tread is safe. If all of it shows, the tread is below about 2/32 of an inch and your grip in bad conditions is greatly reduced.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 62
3.You own a car built after 1967. Which mirrors must it have?
- AOnly an inside rearview mirror
- BAn inside and an outside mirror
- CNo mirrors are required at all
- DOnly a driver's side mirror
Show the answer
✓ B. An inside and an outside mirror
Vehicles made after 1967 must have both an inside and an outside rearview mirror.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 86
4.Your car is 4 years old and has 60,000 miles. Does it need a safety inspection to renew its registration?
- AYes, every year
- BYes, every two years
- CNo, it is exempt for now
- DOnly if you sell it
Show the answer
✓ C. No, it is exempt for now
Vehicles are exempt from safety inspections for the first ten years after the model year, as long as they have fewer than 150,000 miles.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 85