Driver Guide

TRAFFIC CRASHES
A traffic crash is when you injure yourself, injure someone else, or cause 
damage to property while driving your vehicle.  Driving responsibly and 
defensively can reduce your chances of being in a crash, but nothing can 
totally prevent it.  Even if you have a crash with a parked vehicle, do not 
leave.  Leaving the scene of a traffic crash is a crime.  If you are in a crash, 
you should:
•   STOP!  Move your vehicle off the road if possible, especially if it may 
cause other crashes.
•  
Help anyone who is hurt.  Try to make the injured person comfortable, but 
do not move him or her. Call an ambulance.
•  Call the police.
•  
Use flares, reflectors, or flashlights to warn other traffic if the crash has 
happened at night or in bad weather.
•  Exchange the following information with everyone involved:
    • Name
    • Address
        •   Driver license number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and 
license plate number
        •   Name of your insurance company and policy number
•  
Stay until a law enforcement officer says you may leave the crash scene.
•  
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible, even if the crash 
wasn’t your fault.
“Steer It and Clear It”
If you’re involved in a minor traffic crash, one of the first thoughts you might 
have is whether or not you should move your vehicle. The answer is yes.
A state law that took effect 10 years ago requires vehicles involved in 
minor, non-injury crashes to move off the road. The Missouri Department 
of Transportation is using the 10-year anniversary to remind motorists to 
“steer it and clear it” to ensure minor traffic crashes don’t turn into major 
pileups. The agency is also putting up signs in the St. Louis and Kansas 
City areas with the “steer it and clear it” message.
“If you’re involved in a minor traffic crash and there aren’t any injuries, you 
need to move your vehicle onto the shoulder or other nearby location off of 
the roadway. Every minute a vehicle stops on the freeway and blocks one 
lane of traffic, it backs up approaching traffic for four minutes.”
The law, known as the “Move It” law also helps reduce the chance of 
motorists being involved in secondary crashes, which cause 18 percent of 
fatalities in Missouri.
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Filing an Accident Report
Under certain circumstances, you are required to file an accident report with 
the department.  State law requires the accident report to be filed within 
30 days.  Even if the accident happened in a parking lot, or a settlement is 
made, you must report an accident to the Driver License Bureau if:
  1.  The accident happened in Missouri;
  2.  The accident happened less than one year ago;
  3.   Someone involved in the accident did not have liability insurance 
coverage; AND
  4.   There is damage to one or more person’s property in excess of $500, 
or there was personal injury or death.
In other circumstances, you may not be required to report the accident, 
but you may want to report it anyway.  If the accident did not cause more 
than $500 in property damage, personal injury, or death, you may still 
file an accident report if there was an uninsured motorist involved.  The 
department will only be able to take action against the uninsured motorist 
for not maintaining insurance.
You may obtain a Motor Vehicle Accident Report (Form 1140) from the 
department’s web site at http://dor.mo.gov/forms/1140.pdf, from your 
insurance company or agent, or from any license office.
After you fill out the accident report, you may mail or fax it to the department: 
 
Missouri Driver License Bureau 
 
301 West High Street — Room 470 
 
Post Office Box 200 
 
Jefferson City, Missouri 65105-0200 
 
FAX: [phone]

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SAFETY INSPECTIONS
Safety inspections are required to register or renew the registration on 
many motor vehicles.  There are some exceptions, which are discussed in 
the next section. 
Chapter 10 discussed that you need to be in shape to drive. Just the same, 
your vehicle needs to be in shape to be driven.
Your vehicle safety inspection is good for two registration years unless you 
sell the vehicle.  “Even” model year vehicles (like 2008) must be inspected 
when their registration expires during “even” calendar years.  “Odd” model 
year vehicles (like 2007) must be inspected when their registration expires 
during “odd” calendar years. Each official inspection station may charge an 
inspection fee not to exceed $12 (or up to $10 for a motorcycle inspection).
If your vehicle passes the safety inspection, the inspection station will give 
you a certificate of inspection to show as proof.  The certificate is good for 
60 days.
Your vehicle registration renewal notice will indicate whether an inspection 
is required for your next renewal.
Exceptions to the Requirement
The following types of vehicles are exempt from the safety inspection 
requirement:
•  Motor vehicles are exempt for the first five years following the model year of  
  manufacture even when there is a change of ownership. This includes    
  vehicles with an out-of-state title.  Example: A 2007 model year vehicle is  
  exempt from safety inspection in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. 
•  All trailers
•   Motor vehicles engaged in intrastate commerce and registered with the 
Missouri Department of Transportation
•  Motor vehicles that display historic license plates
•  Motor vehicles sold for junk, salvage, or rebuilding
•  Motor vehicles sold from dealer to dealer
•   Low speed vehicles as defined in Section 304.029, RSMo.
•  Motor vehicles registered for 26,000 pounds or above and registered  for 
  a period of less than 12 months. Note: Renewal notice will list a safety  
  inspection requirement; however, if the office issues/renews the  
 
  registration on or after April 1st an inspection is not required. 
If your vehicle does not fit into the exceptions 
listed above, it will be required to pass a safety 
inspection. Any licensed inspection station may 
inspect your vehicle for safety.  Authorized stations 
will display the sign shown on the bottom of page 
92.  Read your motor vehicle renewal notice to find 
out whether your vehicle needs a safety inspection.
CHAPTER 14 — SAFETY AND EMISSIONS 
INSPECTIONS AND REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

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