The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) reported that it issued over 16,000 tickets and nearly 40,000 warnings for vehicles without proper registration in 2023. This issue – mainly expired temporary tags and failure to renew license plates – has been a persistent annoyance for Missouri drivers.

Understanding the Issue

A large number of drivers neglect to renew their license plates, relying on reminders or habitual behaviors. For example, Elijah Hovis depends on his mom’s reminders while Michael Matthews, who has been driving for 50 years, counts on routine behavior.

A trip down any Missouri street shows a large number of cars with expired license plates. Paula Vasan, Senior Investigative Reporter joined Cpl. Dallas Thompson from the Missouri State Highway Patrol to witness the scale of this problem firsthand.

During their drive, they noticed several cars with overdue license plates — some just a month behind while others were years overdue. They also spotted expired temporary tags which should only be used up to 30 days in Missouri.

The Consequences

Beyond being illegal, expired license plates and unregistered vehicles cause other problems:

• Issues With Insurance: If an accident occurs with an unregistered car —which is likely uninsured as well— repairs could be costly as they fall onto you and your insurance company. This could cause insurance premiums to rise.
• Loss of State Revenue: Lack of updated license plates leads to lost income for the state that could have been directed towards important projects like road maintenance. The Missouri Department of Revenue accounts nearly $145 million in lost income from overdue temporary tags over the last three-and-a-half years.

A Potential Solution

Missouri is hoping that a new law, Senate Bill 398, will address the problem starting in 2026. This law would make it mandatory for drivers to pay their sales tax upfront when purchasing a car. Unpaid sales tax is often the reason behind expired temporary tags according to Missouri Department of Revenue.

Kathy Lammers, a concerned driver considers stricter rules necessary. Cpl. Thompson highlights the importance of thinking ahead regarding financial aspects.

Approaches To Address the Problem

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and Missouri State Treasurer’s Office have started strict enforcement of expired temporary tags. In addition, St. Louis city administration is offering help to residents with low income meet registration requirements through a revolving loan fund.

The loan program aims at helping residents comply with the law and get insured while repaying the loan “The presence of unregistered cars with expired temporary tags on our streets is frustrating and affects all road users in our city,” said Tishaura Jones, Mayor of St. Louis.

Renewing License Plates

Different items are required for renewing license plates in Missouri:

• A renewal notice for vehicle registration or an application form (Form 184) filled out.
• A certificate from safety/emissions inspection if applicable not older than 60 days.
• Verification that personal property tax was paid in previous year(s), considering one/two years based on type of registration.
• Paid receipt for personal property tax or statement without assessment from resident county.
• Current proof of financial responsibility or insurance ID card.
• The right fee for processing and registration.

Response from Department

The issue has caught Missouri Department of Revenue’s attention. They send notices two months before the due date to last known addresses but there are still many who don’t follow titling requirements, leaving temporarily permits expired.

Failing to apply for title after 30 days can lead to a delinquency penalty of $25 fee for first month and an additional $25 each subsequent month, capped at $200. Nearly $145 million in delinquent fees have been accumulated by the state from January 1, 2021, to July 23, 2024.

The Way Forward

There is expectation that Senate Bill 398 will decreases the numbers of expired temporary permits. By making it compulsory for licensed dealerships in Missouri to collect sales tax at purchase time will hopefully make drivers less likely to avoid registration process.

The issue of outdated tags and unregistered vehicles still remain as a challenge but there hope for future improvement through legislative reforms and community support programs. If drivers plan ahead and stay legal, they can greatly contribute towards safer roads and better-funded public infrastructure.