First Annual Oversight Report of the 

Decentralized Gateway Vehicle 

Inspection Program 

 

Department of Natural Resources 

Division of Environmental Quality Missouri State Highway Patrol 

Air Pollution Control Program Motor Vehicle Inspection Division 

November 2008 
2

Table of Contents 

Introduction......................................................................................................................................3 

Interagency Agreement....................................................................................................................3 

Station Licensing .............................................................................................................................3 

Inspection Data ................................................................................................................................3 

Decentralized Emissions I/M Rule ..................................................................................................4 

Oversight Methods...........................................................................................................................5 

 Real Time Inspection Data/Paperless Inspection Verification ................................5 

 Digital Cameras .......................................................................................................5 

 Bulletin Messaging and Documents Menu..............................................................5 

 Laptop Audit Computers with Wireless Internet Access.........................................6 

 Emissions Waivers and Exemptions........................................................................6 

 Consumer Protection Technical Service Contracts..................................................6 

 Fingerprint Readers..................................................................................................7 

 Trigger Reports ........................................................................................................7 

 Equipment Lockouts and License Suspensions .......................................................8 

 Federal Prosecutions ................................................................................................8 

Oversight Results.............................................................................................................................8 

Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................9 

List of Acronyms 

EAV ................................................................................................Environmental Assistance Visit 

GVIP ..................................................................................... Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program 

I/M............................................................................................................... Inspection/Maintenance 

MDAS..............................................................................Missouri Decentralized Analyzer System 

MSHP............................................................................................... Missouri State Highway Patrol 

OBD ...............................................................................................................On-Board Diagnostics 

VID ......................................................................................................Vehicle Inspection Database 

VIN .................................................................................................. Vehicle Identification Number 

VIR...........................................................................................................Vehicle Inspection Report 

STI.................................................................................................................. SysTech International 

For more copies of this report, contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Gateway 

Vehicle Inspection Program at P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176. 
3

Introduction 

The vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance (I/M) program is a federally required air 

pollution control strategy in the St. Louis ozone nonattainment area, made up of the counties of 

Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles, and St. Louis, and the City of St. Louis. The I/M program is 

designed to reduce ground-level ozone-forming emissions from passenger vehicles and trucks by 

accurately identifying the vehicles that have emissions problems and requiring their repair prior 

to registration renewal. Ground-level ozone is a strong oxidizing chemical that when breathed 

affects the lung function of everyone, especially the young, the elderly and those with respiratory 

illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. 

Pursuant to paragraph 643.337.2, RSMo, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the 

Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) are issuing a joint annual report to the Missouri General 

Assembly on the status of the oversight measures implemented for the decentralized I/M 

program called the Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program (GVIP). This report summarizes the 

data collected regarding compliance and incidents of fraud during the first year of the Gateway 

Vehicle Inspection Program, which began operations on October 1, 2007. This report also 

provides our joint recommendations for oversight improvements to the GVIP. 

Interagency Agreement 

To comply with paragraphs 643.303.10 and 643.337.1, RSMo, the Department of Natural 

Resources and MSHP entered into an interagency agreement on July 3, 2007. The department is 

the lead agency with respect to motor vehicle emissions inspections, and the MSHP is the lead 

agency with respect to motor vehicle safety inspections. This interagency agreement defines the 

responsibilities and coordinates the oversight activities of both agencies for the shared 

administration of the GVIP. 

Station Licensing 

As of September 30, 2008, the MSHP had issued licenses to 734 public GVIP inspection stations 

and 19 private or government GVIP inspection stations. The MSHP had licensed approximately 

4,000 emissions inspector/mechanics who are employed by the GVIP stations. The state’s 

contractor, SysTech International (STI), provided no-cost training for emissions 

inspector/mechanics on a monthly basis at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis City. 

For a current list of licensed GVIP inspection stations, sorted by city or by zip code, please visit 

the web site: http://www.dnr.mo.gov/gatewayvip/repair/index.html. 

Inspection Data 

Each licensed GVIP station performs vehicle safety and emissions inspections using at least one 

purchased inspection analyzer from STI. These Missouri Decentralized Analyzer Systems 

(MDAS) send inspection information on a real time basis from the inspection stations directly to 

the GVIP vehicle inspection database (VID). The Department of Natural Resources, MSHP, the 

Department of Revenue and local license offices all have access to the VID through secure, 

dedicated Internet connections. 
4

The GVIP began collecting vehicle emissions and safety inspection data on October 1, 2007. 

1996 and newer model year light-duty gasoline-powered and 1997 and newer model year lightduty diesel-powered vehicles are subject to biennial emissions inspections. All model years and 

weight classes of vehicles are subject to biennial safety inspections. 

Through September 30, 2008, 758,859 emissions inspection records and 911,160 safety 

inspection records were collected from GVIP stations. Emissions inspections made up 83.3 

percent of the total inspection volume at GVIP stations during this first year. Through 

September 30, 2008, GVIP collected 77,803 vehicle emissions inspection failure records, a 10.3 

percent emissions failure rate. The department issued 389 cost based repair waivers and 219 

technical waivers, a 0.8 percent waiver rate. This data indicates that over 99 percent of vehicles 

that failed the emissions inspection were either repaired to pass the on-board diagnostics (OBD) 

test or not registered in the program area. 

In addition to exempting 1995 and older model year light-duty gasoline-powered and 1996 and 

older model year light-duty diesel-powered vehicles, the GVIP was designed to increase the 

convenience of vehicle emissions inspections with mileage-based exemption options as well as 

lower cost waiver limits when compared to the previous vehicle emissions inspection program. 

Through September 30, 2008, the department issued 1,852 mileage-based exemptions to twoyear old vehicles driven fewer than 40,000 miles at the first required safety inspection and to 

older vehicles driven fewer than 12,000 miles between biennial safety inspections. Retired 

motorists, public transportation users, carpoolers, and vehicle collectors have all benefited from 

the convenience of these new emissions mileage-based exemption options. The department also 

issued 248 out of area exemptions to vehicles that are registered in but operated exclusively 

outside the St. Louis ozone nonattainment area. 

Decentralized Emissions I/M Rule

The Missouri Air Conservation Commission (MACC) promulgated 10 CSR 10-5.381 On-Board 

Diagnostics Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspections, effective August 30, 2007. This rule 

established the state regulations that the department and MSHP currently use to oversee and 

enforce the GVIP inspection requirements. 

On December 4, 2008, the MACC will be holding a public hearing regarding a rule amendment 

to 10 CSR 10-5.381 that proposes to clarify the enforcement procedures and penalties for the 

GVIP. The department’s Air Pollution Control Program drafted this proposed rule amendment 

in close consultation with the MSHP Motor Vehicle Inspection Division. After the public 

hearing, if the rule amendment is adopted by the MACC in February 2009, it will become 

effective on May 30, 2009. If adopted, this rule will enable the department and MSHP to 

improve our joint enforcement activities to ensure that safety and emissions inspections and 

repairs are conducted with the best interest of the public in mind. 
5

Oversight Methods 

Real Time Inspection Data/Paperless Inspection Verification 

Each MDAS unit is connected to the VID using a dedicated Internet connection at the inspection 

station. Each licensed GVIP inspection station is responsible for the cost of maintaining either a 

low-speed or high-speed Internet connection for the MDAS units they have purchased. At the 

completion of each vehicle inspection, the MDAS software automatically uploads the inspection 

data to the VID, where it then becomes immediately available to the Department of Revenue 

contract license offices and online registration system for inspection verification. 

As a result of this real time paperless inspection verification system, GVIP has simplified 

registration verification and increased registration integrity for St. Louis area Department of 

Revenue contract license offices. Contract license offices now have the ability to quickly 

identify fraudulent vehicle inspection reports (VIRs) that motorists attempt to use to bypass the 

vehicle inspection requirements. Contract license offices now contact DEQ as soon as such 

attempts have been prevented so that the department and MSHP can initiate immediate 

investigation of the source of these fraudulent VIRs. The department has already contacted 

motorists who have tried to use fraudulent vehicle inspection reports and required legitimate 

inspections to be performed to prevent the suspension of fraudulently obtained registrations. 

Digital Cameras 

Each MDAS unit is equipped with a detachable digital camera. The MDAS software requires 

licensed inspector/mechanics to photograph the rear license plate, vehicle identification number 

(VIN) on the dashboard, and the odometer. An example of these three photographs is provided 

below. These photographs are attached to the vehicle inspection record, uploaded to the VID, 

and available for state agency review. As a result, the department and MSHP can be sure that the 

vehicle being inspected was physically present, and that the information on the vehicle 

inspection report is accurate. 

 Rear license plate Vehicle Identification Number Odometer 

Bulletin Messaging and Documents Menu 

Each MDAS unit is equipped with a messaging system that allows STI, the department, and 

MSHP to contact individual GVIP stations or all GVIP stations to inform the 

inspector/mechanics about inspection procedures, billing reminders, and software updates. This 

bulletin messaging system also allows STI, the department, and MSHP to quickly and costefficiently communicate with over 700 licensed GVIP stations and over 4000 inspectors. 

Each MDAS unit is equipped with a Documents menu, a digital library that stores GVIP state 

statutes, rules, and fact sheets, as well as comment, waiver and exemption forms. This feature 
6

allows GVIP stations to print public information that directly assists motorists with GVIP 

compliance. As a result of the Documents menu feature of the MDAS, GVIP has simplified the 

distribution of public information to inspection stations and to vehicle owners. 

Laptop Audit Computers with Wireless Internet Access 

Per their contract with the state, STI has provided the department and MSHP auditors with laptop 

audit computers that have MDAS lane software as well as customized auditing software. These 

laptops are also equipped with wireless Internet access cards that allow department and MSHP 

auditors to securely access the VID and conduct environmental assistance visits (EAVs) and 

overt and covert audits. Each MDAS unit is also equipped with audit software so that if the 

laptop audit computers are unavailable or can’t receive a wireless signal, department and MSHP 

auditors can still securely access the VID and conduct their EAVs and audits. 

These laptop audit computers allow department and MSHP auditors to review all inspection 

records for all stations and inspector/mechanics while in the field. DEQ and MSHP auditing 

managers can review audit results on the VID as soon as the EAVs or audits are completed, and 

they can generate summary audit reports from the VID. As a result of these laptop audit 

computers with wireless Internet access, GVIP has cost-effective inspection station auditing and 

audit reporting. 

Emissions Waivers and Exemptions 

The department is responsible for issuing the cost-based emissions waivers and out of area and 

mileage-based emissions exemptions described earlier in this report. Motorists whose vehicles 

fail the emissions inspection must repair their vehicle, retest their vehicle, and if the vehicle is 

still failing, may then apply to the department for a cost-based waiver. Motorists must have 

spent more than the minimum required for the type of cost-based waiver being requested, and the 

vehicle must pass certain portions of the OBD test in order for the cost-based waiver to be 

issued. Motorists whose vehicles are being driven exclusively outside of the ozone 

nonattainment area may apply to the department for an out of area exemption. Two-year old 

vehicles have fewer than 40,000 miles at the first biennial safety inspection or whose older 

vehicles have fewer than 12,000 miles between biennial safety inspections are statutorily exempt 

from an emissions inspection, provided that motorists apply to the department for a mileagebased exemption. 

The GVIP VID allows the department to review inspection records pertaining to cost-based and 

out of area waivers and mileage exemptions and approve or deny waiver and exemption requests 

in a timely fashion. As a result of these VID features, most mileage exemptions and out of area 

waivers are issued within one business day, and most cost-based waivers are issued within five 

business days. Just like vehicle inspection results, as soon as the department issues waivers or 

exemptions, these waivers and exemptions are available for real time verification by the 

Department of Revenue contract license offices and online registration system. 

Consumer Protection Technical Service Contracts 

GVIP has been designed to ensure maximum inspection and repair integrity. Since cost-based 

waivers allow a failing vehicle to be registered and operated in a failing condition for up to 

another two years, the department has designed a consumer protection system to ensure that: 1) 
7

emissions repairs that motorists pay for prior to applying for a cost-based waiver are appropriate 

for the emissions failure, and 2) failed vehicles show an improvement after repairs prior to 

receiving a cost-based waiver. 

Through negotiated contracts, the department has retained the services of eight local vehicle 

repair facilities, two in St. Louis City, four in St. Louis County, one in St. Charles County, and 

one in Jefferson County. These eight repair facilities serve as consumer protection technical 

service centers, and are paid on an as needed basis to: 1) review vehicles and repair receipts 

after repairs to ensure that vehicle owners who are seeking cost-based waivers have received 

qualified repairs that are cost-effective and appropriate for the emissions failure, and/or 2) 

accurately diagnose vehicles that have been repaired but haven’t shown an improvement. 

As a result of these consumer protection technical service contracts, the department has been 

able to deny waiver requests on the basis of an independent professional repair technician’s 

review of the repairs when motorists have paid for repairs that were not performed properly or 

appropriate for the failure. In some cases, the independent analysis and review by one of these 

consumer protection technical service centers has determined that the repairs paid for were not 

necessary or were not performed as billed. After these reviews, the department has worked with 

the shops that initially performed the repairs to provide the motorists with either additional free 

repairs or reimbursement for the ineffective repairs that they had paid for. In other cases, the 

independent analysis and review by one of these consumer protection technical service centers 

has been able to provide motorists with accurate diagnostic information on how best to repair 

their vehicle to pass the OBD test. Both results have reduced the number of cost-based waivers 

that have been issued, thereby minimizing the air quality effect of waived vehicles while 

maximizing the number of fully repaired vehicles. 

Fingerprint Readers 

Each MDAS is equipped with a fingerprint reader. The MDAS software requires licensed 

inspector/mechanics to scan one finger prior to beginning each inspection. The scanned 

fingerprint is compared to the fingerprint that is stored on the MDAS for that inspector/ 

mechanic. If the fingerprints match, then the identity of the inspector/mechanic is confirmed and 

the inspection is allowed to proceed. If the fingerprints do not match, then the inspector/ 

mechanic cannot perform the vehicle inspection. 

As a result of this technology, the department and MSHP have both a unique way of verifying 

the identity of each licensed inspector/mechanic and a cost-effective and fraud-resistant way to 

ensure that the inspector/mechanic was physically present and responsible for the inspections 

that the VID shows they conducted. Fingerprint readers, in combination with the trigger reports 

described below, have dramatically improved enforcement efficiency and capability by quickly 

pinpointing and documenting the inspector/mechanics who are conducting improper inspections. 

Trigger Reports 

As soon as the inspection data is uploaded by the MDAS systems to the VID, the inspection data 

is available to the department and MSHP via an Internet-based Reporting Suite. This reporting 

software can be accessed from the department and MSHP offices as well as the auditing laptop 

computers with wireless Internet cards. The Reporting Suite has a combination of standard 
8

reports to review GVIP records and “trigger reports” that automatically identify emissions or 

safety inspection patterns that are inconsistent with state regulations. These trigger reports were 

designed by STI, the department and MSHP so that as soon as improper inspections occur, the 

evidence of that activity is recorded and compiled into a report, and DEQ and MSHP can initiate 

immediate investigation. As a result of the trigger reports on the VID, GVIP has streamlined and 

increased the efficiency of overt and covert audits as well as the enforcement activities of the 

department and MSHP. 

For example, the OBD VIN Mismatch Report has revealed “clean scanning” violations occurring 

in several stations. Clean scanning is the illegal act of connecting the MDAS OBD cable to the 

computer of a vehicle other than the vehicle photographed and identified on the vehicle 

inspection report, with the intent of bypassing the required OBD test procedure for the vehicle 

being inspected. By comparing the VIN that the inspector/mechanic entered with the VIN that 

the vehicle reported through its OBD system, the OBD VIN Mismatch Report has efficiently 

identified the inspector/mechanics who have clean scanned vehicles. Once these cases were 

investigated and confirmed, MSHP took immediate enforcement action, which is described 

below. 

Equipment Lockouts and License Suspensions 

Because MDAS units must stay connected with the VID to perform vehicle inspections, the 

department and MSHP have the ability to apply an electronic “lockout” that removes the 

permission of an inspector/mechanic or a GVIP station from using their MDAS. This lockout is 

an effective tool that allows the department and MSHP to prevent an inspection station from 

performing future improper inspections. 

In addition to having their MDAS systems locked out from performing inspections, inspection 

stations that have been found to be involved with clean scanning vehicles or other improper 

inspection activities have had their inspection licenses suspended for up to one year. Lockouts 

are removed once the license suspension for such activity has been served. As a result of the 

equipment lockouts and license suspensions, GVIP has been able to limit fraudulent vehicle 

inspections as soon as they have been detected. 

Federal Prosecutions 

Because the federal Clean Air Act mandates that ozone nonattainment areas implement vehicle 

emissions I/M programs, inspector/mechanics who engage in inspection fraud activities such as 

clean scanning can be prosecuted for violating the Clean Air Act. The department and MSHP 

have collaborated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Criminal 

Investigations and the U.S. Attorney’s Office on investigations of vehicle inspection fraud and 

inspection document falsification. On September 24, 2008, a federal grand jury indicted three 

inspector/mechanics from two inspection stations, American Automotive Sales & Service and 

Sure Start Tire and Battery, with Clean Air Act violations. These individuals have been charged 

with intentionally conducting fraudulent vehicle emissions inspections via clean scanning. 

Oversight Results 

In its first year of operations, the GVIP has improved vehicle registration integrity by providing 

all Department of Revenue contract license offices with a real time verification system for 
9

vehicle safety and emissions inspection results without the use of paper VIRs. Because all GVIP 

inspection results are available on a real time basis to the Department of Revenue and local 

contract license offices through a secure, dedicated Internet connection, the GVIP is now able to 

instantly assure the Department of Revenue of the validity of inspection records. This system 

has prevented multiple attempts of document registration fraud and led to the investigation and 

identification of the individuals who were producing fraudulent vehicle inspection reports. 

In its first year of operations, the GVIP has implemented an improved auditing system that has 

streamlined the department and MSHP oversight of vehicle emissions and safety inspections. 

The combined effect of all of the integrated oversight methods described above is that DEQ and 

MSHP can cost-effectively audit, detect, enforce, and then prevent further emissions and safety 

inspection fraud. 

As a direct result of GVIP oversight methods described in this report, the MSHP has suspended 

or revoked more than 30 inspector/mechanic licenses for “clean scanning” violations. Additional 

investigations are underway, and violation reports are being submitted for further action as once 

the investigations become finalized. Through September 30, 2008, MSHP has suspended or 

revoked the following station licenses: 

St. Louis City

American Automotive Sales & Service, 1457 South Vandeventer, 63110, License #115368 

Bill’s Automotive, 4239 East Martin Luther King Drive, 63113, License #115100 

Century Tire, 4701 Gravois Road, 63116, License #115016 

Joseph Leake Service, 4582 Martin Luther King Drive, 63113, License #115458 

OK Used Cars, 6900 Noonan, 63143, License #115077 

Southside Motors, 4700 Eichelberger, 63116, License #115367 

St. Louis County

Joe Bess Automotive, 242 Lemay Ferry Road, 63125, License #096084 

J & M Service, 2020 Patterson, 63031, License #096191 

Precision Automotive, 10484 West Florissant, 63136, License #096405 

Sure Start Tire and Battery, 6767 St. Charles Rock Road, 63133, License #096265 

Conclusion 

In summary, the GVIP oversight measures described in this report are working as designed and, 

as the program matures, will have an even greater potential for compliance and enforcement 

capabilities. The department and MSHP will continue to jointly ensure compliance with state 

vehicle inspection statutes and rules, remove violators from the program, and work for the public 

health and safety by overseeing an inspection program with proven value and integrity. Lastly, 

both agencies will also continue working with STI to enhance the oversight tools needed so that 

the department and MSHP can identify more violations and improve enforcement capabilities.