Missouri bill proposes penalty increase on expired temp tags
The Missouri House of Representatives is considering a bill that will increase penalties on vehicles with expired tags.
When drivers buy a car in Missouri, they receive a set of temp tags and are expected within 30 days to pay the sales tax and obtain their license plates.
However, some drivers may opt to ride with expired temp tags because the sales tax is too expensive to pay at one time.
“A lot of times it’s financial based,” said Capt. Mike Hess with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department. “Sometimes people purchase a car and don’t have the financial means to get the remainder of the car completely legal, meaning the registration, taxes and licensing fees.”
HB 378, introduced by Missouri State Rep. Brad Pollitt, R-Sedalia, would operate on a three-strike system, with the final violation resulting in the vehicle being impounded until registered.
Buchanan County law enforcement officials say stiffer penalties are needed to motivate people driving with expired tags to get their official license plates.
“It also could be an indicator that their insurance is expired or there’s some other underlying issue, Hess said. “So, as law enforcement, we’re continuously targeting expired license plates because it’s an ongoing issue we see.”
In addition, the bill would allow police to stop and inspect vehicles if they have “reasonable suspicion” that a driver’s temp tag is no longer valid. If the temp tag has been altered or expired by at least 60 days, the driver will be ticketed and fined $250.
If the person registers the vehicle within 30 days of receiving the ticket, the local prosecutor will drop the ticket, court costs will be waived.
However, if the driver or owner still doesn’t register the vehicle, the director of revenue will suspend or limit the owner’s driving privileges.
As a final penalty, if the driver receives another ticket for a temp tag, the vehicle will be impounded until the car is registered.
The full version of HB 378’s new provision can be read at, https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB378.
