
Drive Your Career Forward with a Car Safety Inspection Certificate
Begin your path in the automotive industry with a vehicle inspection and light maintenance certificate of specialization from St. Louis Community College. STLCC’s hands-on courses cover essential car safety inspection techniques, fluid checks, steering, suspension and alignment procedures, giving you the skills you need to succeed as an automotive inspector or in other entry-level automotive roles.
What is Automotive Vehicle Inspection at St. Louis Community College?
The automotive vehicle inspection program teaches you how to check a car from top to bottom to make sure it’s safe and running right. You’ll get hands-on experience and learn the skills you need to start a career as an automotive inspector, performing inspections and offering trusted vehicle maintenance services.
In this program, you’ll learn to:
- Properly lift and support a vehicle using both drive-on and two-post style lifts.
- Follow safe waste handling practices and maintain a clean, organized shop.
- Inspect different automotive fluids and assess their condition.
- Examine suspension, chassis and brake components using Missouri Safety Inspection guidelines.
- Service tires and wheel assemblies, including tire replacement or repair, balancing and reprogramming the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
- Remove and replace worn steering and suspension components.
- Conduct professional car safety inspections as a certified automotive inspector.
What Can You Do with an Automotive Vehicle Inspection Certificate?
With an automotive vehicle inspection certificate, you can become a certified vehicle inspector. This qualification allows you to inspect and certify the safety and compliance of vehicles, typically working for automotive repair shops, dealerships or government agencies responsible for vehicle inspections.
CS in Automotive Vehicle Inspection and Light Maintenance
- Degree offered: Certificate of specialization
- Locations: Forest Park
- Hours to complete: 12
- Program contact name: Joe Jackson
- Program contact email: jjackson519@stlcc.edu
Tuition for district residents is $122 per credit hour for in-district students. Find out more about our straightforward and low-cost tuition structure.
Related Programs
At STLCC, you can combine this degree with a number of certificates to enhance your career opportunities, including:
Why You Should Choose STLCC's Vehicle Inspection and Light Maintenance Program

Schedules Built for Your Busy Life
Fitting a quality education into your busy life is easy with the flexibility STLCC offers, including day and evening classes, in-person and live virtual lectures, as well as online and hybrid options.

Graduate with Little or No Debt
We believe cost should never be a barrier to achieving your potential. Save over $4,700 per year with tuition that's one-third lower than other local institutions. Plus, we'll help you navigate scholarship options and financial aid.

Ramp Up High-Wage Skills
STLCC offers career-focused programs for high-wage, high-skill and in-demand jobs. STLCC provides opportunities for college transfers, career development and workforce training. Certificate programs can establish you in a new career in as few as 12 weeks.

Build Skills You Need with Stackable Credentials
Stackable credentials help students level up career opportunities without investing a large amount of time and resources. Students can stack a series of traditional and nontraditional credentials including degrees, certificates, apprenticeships and more.
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