It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle in this City when his/her privilege to do so has been suspended, revoked, or canceled.
A. 
Unless otherwise provided for by law, it shall be unlawful for any person, except those expressly exempted by Section 380.040, to:
1. 
Operate any vehicle upon any highway in this City unless he/she has a valid license;
2. 
Operate a motorcycle or motortricycle upon any highway of this City unless such person has a valid license that shows he/she has successfully passed an examination for the operation of a motorcycle or motortricycle as prescribed by the Director. The Director may indicate such upon a valid license issued to such person, or shall issue a license restricting the applicant to the operation of a motorcycle or motortricycle if the actual demonstration, required by Section 302.173, RSMo., is conducted on such vehicle;
3. 
Authorize or knowingly permit a motorcycle or motortricycle owned by him/her or under his/her control to be driven upon any highway by any person whose license does not indicate that the person has passed the examination for the operation of a motorcycle or motortricycle or has been issued an instruction permit therefor;
4. 
Operate a motor vehicle with an instruction permit or license issued to another person.
5. 
Refuse to write his/her name and address in the presence of a Police Officer, Court Official or any other duly authorized person, in order that identity of the licensee may be determined.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
1. 
Display or to permit to be displayed, or to have in his/her possession, any license knowing the same to be fictitious or to have been canceled, suspended, revoked, disqualified or altered;
2. 
Lend to or knowingly permit the use of by another any license issued to the person so lending or permitting the use thereof;
3. 
Display or to represent as one's own any license not issued to the person so displaying the same;
4. 
Fail or refuse to surrender to the Clerk of any Division of the Circuit Court or the Director, any license which has been suspended, canceled, disqualified or revoked, as provided by law;
5. 
Use a false or fictitious name or give a false or fictitious address on any application for a license, or any renewal or duplicate thereof, or knowingly to make a false statement;
6. 
Knowingly conceal a material fact, or otherwise commit a fraud in any such application;
7. 
Authorize or consent to any motor vehicle owned by him/her or under his/her control to be driven by any person, when he/she has knowledge that such person has no legal right to do so, or for any person to drive any motor vehicle in violation of any of the provisions of Sections 302.010 to 302.780, RSMo.;
8. 
Employ a person to operate a motor vehicle in the transportation of persons or property, with knowledge that such person has not complied with the provisions of Sections 302.010 to 302.780, RSMo., or whose license has been revoked, suspended, canceled or disqualified; or who fails to produce his/her license upon demand of any person or persons authorized to make such demand;
9. 
Operate a motor vehicle in any manner in violation of the restrictions imposed in a restricted license;
10. 
Fail to carry his/her instruction permit, operator's or chauffeur's license while operating a vehicle and to display instruction permit or said license upon demand of any Police Officer, Court Official or any other duly authorized person for inspection, when demand is made therefor. Failure to exhibit his/her instruction permit or license as aforesaid shall be presumptive evidence that said person is not a duly licensed operator or chauffeur.
A. 
The following persons are exempt from license hereunder:
1. 
Any person while operating any farm tractor or implement of husbandry temporarily operated or moved on a highway;
2. 
A non-resident who is at least sixteen (16) years of age and who has in his/her immediate possession a valid license issued to him/her in his/her home state or country;
3. 
A non-resident who is at least eighteen (18) years of age and who has in his/her immediate possession a valid license issued to him/her in his/her home state or country which allows such person to operate a motor vehicle in the transportation of persons or property as classified in Section 302.015, RSMo.;
4. 
Convicted offenders of the department of corrections who have not been convicted of a motor vehicle felony as follows—driving while intoxicated, failing to stop after an accident and disclosing his/her identity, or driving a motor vehicle without the owner's consent—may operate state-owned trucks for the benefit of the correctional facilities, provided that such offender shall be accompanied by a correctional officer or other staff person in such truck.
No person shall operate or park any motor vehicle or trailer upon any street or highway of this City, unless such motor vehicle or trailer has properly displayed a valid license plate or plates or temporary permit issued to the lawful owner of the vehicle by the Department of Revenue of the State of Missouri, except that any person who is a non-resident of the State of Missouri may operate or park any motor vehicle or trailer upon any street or highway of this City, provided the motor vehicle or trailer has been duly registered for the current year in the State, country, or other place of which the owner is a resident, provided that at all times such motor vehicle or trailer is being operated or parked upon the streets or highways of this City, the valid license plate or plates or temporary permit is properly displayed on such vehicle or trailer.
[Ord. No. 901 §1, 8-18-2010]
A. 
No motor vehicle or trailer shall be operated on any highway or street of this City unless it shall have displayed thereon the license plate or set of license plates issued by the Director of Revenue or the State Highways and Transportation Commission and authorized by Section 301.140, RSMo. Each such plate shall be securely fastened to the motor vehicle or trailer in a manner so that all parts thereof shall be plainly visible and reasonably clean so that the reflective qualities thereof are not impaired. Each such plate may be encased in a transparent cover so long as the plate is plainly visible and its reflective qualities are not impaired. License plates shall be securely fastened to the front and rear of all motor vehicles except trucks, tractors, truck tractors or truck-tractors licensed in excess of twelve thousand (12,000) pounds on the front and rear of such vehicles not less than eight (8) nor more than forty-eight (48) inches above the ground with the letters and numbers thereon right side up. The license plates on trailers, motorcycles, motortricycles and motor scooters shall be displayed on the rear of such vehicles with the letters and numbers thereon right side up. The license plates on trucks, tractors, truck tractors or truck-tractors licensed in excess of twelve thousand pounds (12,000) shall be displayed on the front of such vehicles not less than eight (8) nor more than forty-eight (48) inches above the ground with the letters and numbers thereon right side up. The license plate or plates authorized by Section 301.140, RSMo., when properly attached, shall be prima facie evidence that the required fees have been paid.
B. 
The Director of Revenue, upon receipt of a proper application for registration, required fees and any other information which may be required by law, shall issue to the applicant a certificate of registration in such manner and form as the Director of Revenue may prescribe and a set of license plates, or other evidence of registration, as provided by this Section. Each set of license plates shall bear the name or abbreviated name of this State, the words "SHOW-ME STATE", the month and year in which the registration shall expire, and an arrangement of numbers or letters, or both, as shall be assigned from year to year by the Director of Revenue. The plates shall also contain fully reflective material with a common color scheme and design for each type of license plate issued pursuant to this Chapter. The plates shall be clearly visible at night and shall be aesthetically attractive. Special plates for qualified disabled veterans will have the "DISABLED VETERAN" wording on the license plates in preference to the words "SHOW-ME STATE" and special plates for members of the National Guard will have the "NATIONAL GUARD" wording in preference to the words "SHOW-ME STATE".
C. 
The arrangement of letters and numbers of license plates shall be uniform throughout each classification of registration. The Director may provide for the arrangement of the numbers in groups or otherwise and for other distinguishing marks on the plates.
D. 
All property-carrying commercial motor vehicles to be registered at a gross weight in excess of twelve thousand (12,000) pounds, all passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicles, local transit buses, school buses, trailers, semitrailers, motorcycles, motortricycles, motor scooters and driveaway vehicles shall be registered with the Director of Revenue as provided for in Subsection (3) of Section 301.030, RSMo., or with the State Highways and Transportation Commission as otherwise provided in this Chapter, but only one (1) license plate shall be issued for each such vehicle except as provided in this Subsection. The applicant for registration of any property-carrying commercial motor vehicle may request and be issued two (2) license plates for such vehicle, and if such plates are issued, the Director of Revenue may assess and collect an additional charge from the applicant in an amount not to exceed the fee prescribed for personalized license plates in Subsection (1) of Section 301.144, RSMo.
E. 
The plates issued to manufacturers and dealers shall bear the letters and numbers as prescribed by Section 301.560, RSMo., and the Director may place upon the plates other letters or marks to distinguish commercial motor vehicles and trailers and other types of motor vehicles.
F. 
Annual Or Biennial Tabs.
1. 
The Director of Revenue shall issue annually or biennially a tab or set of tabs as provided by law as evidence of the annual payment of registration fees and the current registration of a vehicle in lieu of the set of plates. Beginning January 1, 2010, the Director may prescribe any additional information recorded on the tab or tabs to ensure that the tab or tabs positively correlate with the license plate or plates issued by the Department of Revenue for such vehicle. Such tabs shall be produced in each license bureau office.
2. 
The vehicle owner to whom a tab or set of tabs is issued shall affix and display such tab or tabs in the designated area of the license plate, no more than one (1) per plate.
3. 
A tab or set of tabs issued by the Director of Revenue when attached to a vehicle in the prescribed manner shall be prima facie evidence that the registration fee for such vehicle has been paid.
4. 
Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the Director of Revenue shall issue plates for a period of at least six (6) years.
5. 
For those commercial motor vehicles and trailers registered pursuant to Section 301.041, RSMo., the plate issued by the Highways and Transportation Commission shall be a permanent non-expiring license plate for which no tabs shall be issued. Nothing in this Section shall relieve the owner of any vehicle permanently registered pursuant to this Section from the obligation to pay the annual registration fee due for the vehicle. The permanent non-expiring license plate shall be returned to the Highways and Transportation Commission upon the sale or disposal of the vehicle by the owner to whom the permanent non-expiring license plate is issued, or the plate may be transferred to a replacement commercial motor vehicle when the owner files a supplemental application with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the registration of such replacement commercial motor vehicle. Upon payment of the annual registration fee, the Highways and Transportation Commission shall issue a certificate of registration or other suitable evidence of payment of the annual fee, and such evidence of payment shall be carried at all times in the vehicle for which it is issued.
6. 
Upon the sale or disposal of any vehicle permanently registered under this Section or upon the termination of a lease of any such vehicle, the permanent non-expiring plate issued for such vehicle shall be returned to the Highways and Transportation Commission and shall not be valid for operation of such vehicle, or the plate may be transferred to a replacement vehicle when the owner files a supplemental application with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the registration of such replacement vehicle. If a vehicle which is permanently registered under this Section is sold, wrecked or otherwise disposed of, or the lease terminated, the registrant shall be given credit for any unused portion of the annual registration fee when the vehicle is replaced by the purchase or lease of another vehicle during the registration year.
G. 
The Director of Revenue and the Highways and Transportation Commission may prescribe rules and regulations for the effective administration of this Section. No rule or portion of a rule promulgated under the authority of this Section shall become effective unless it has been promulgated pursuant to the provisions of Section 536.024, RSMo.
H. 
Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, owners of motor vehicles other than apportioned motor vehicles or commercial motor vehicles licensed in excess of eighteen thousand (18,000) pounds gross weight may apply for special personalized license plates. Vehicles licensed for eighteen thousand (18,000) pounds that display special personalized license plates shall be subject to the provisions of Subsections (1) and (2) of Section 301.030, RSMo.
I. 
No later than January 1, 2009, the Director of Revenue shall commence the reissuance of new license plates of such design as directed by the Director consistent with the terms, conditions and provisions of this Section and this Chapter. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, in addition to all other fees required by law, applicants for registration of vehicles with license plates that expire during the period of reissuance, applicants for registration of trailers or semitrailers with license plates that expire during the period of reissuance and applicants for registration of vehicles that are to be issued new license plates during the period of reissuance shall pay the cost of the plates required by this Subsection. The additional cost prescribed in this Subsection shall not be charged to persons receiving special license plates issued under Sections 301.073 or 301.443, RSMo. Historic motor vehicle license plates registered pursuant to Section 301.131, RSMo., and specialized license plates are exempt from the provisions of this Subsection.
No person shall operate or park any motor vehicle or trailer on any street or highway of this City on which there is displayed a plate, tag, sticker, sign or placard bearing the words "license lost," "license applied for" or words of similar import, as a substitute for a valid license plate or temporary permit.
No person shall show, exhibit, display or have in possession for the purpose of sale any motor vehicle bearing or displaying thereon any number or license plates, except those of the dealer or owner so displaying said motor vehicle; provided however, that where the motor vehicle is placed on consignment with a dealer by the owner thereof, there may be displayed a number or license plate issued to the owner thereof.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate in this City a motor vehicle or trailer registered as provided by law, unless a certificate of ownership shall have been issued.
It shall be unlawful for any person to buy or sell in this City any motor vehicle or trailer registered under the laws of this State unless at the time of delivery thereof there shall pass between the parties a certificate of ownership with assignment thereof as provided in Section 301.210, RSMo., as amended, and the sale of any motor vehicle or trailer registered under the laws of this State, without the assignment of such certificate of ownership, shall be fraudulent and void.
[Ord. No. 901 §2, 8-18-2010]
A. 
Upon the transfer of ownership of any motor vehicle or trailer, the certificate of registration and the right to use the number plates shall expire and the number plates shall be removed by the owner at the time of the transfer of possession, and it shall be unlawful for any person other than the person to whom such number plates were originally issued to have the same in his or her possession whether in use or not, unless such possession is solely for charitable purposes; except that the buyer of a motor vehicle or trailer who trades in a motor vehicle or trailer may attach the license plates from the traded-in motor vehicle or trailer to the newly purchased motor vehicle or trailer. The operation of a motor vehicle with such transferred plates shall be lawful for no more than thirty (30) days. As used in this Subsection, the term "trade-in motor vehicle or trailer" shall include any single motor vehicle or trailer sold by the buyer of the newly purchased vehicle or trailer, as long as the license plates for the trade-in motor vehicle or trailer are still valid.
B. 
In the case of a transfer of ownership the original owner may register another motor vehicle under the same number, upon the payment of a fee of two dollars ($2.00), if the motor vehicle is of horsepower, gross weight or (in the case of a passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle) seating capacity, not in excess of that originally registered. When such motor vehicle is of greater horsepower, gross weight or (in the case of a passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle) seating capacity, for which a greater fee is prescribed, applicant shall pay a transfer fee of two dollars ($2.00) and a pro rata portion for the difference in fees. When such vehicle is of less horsepower, gross weight or (in case of a passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle) seating capacity, for which a lesser fee is prescribed, applicant shall not be entitled to a refund.
C. 
License plates may be transferred from a motor vehicle which will no longer be operated to a newly purchased motor vehicle by the owner of such vehicles. The owner shall pay a transfer fee of two dollars ($2.00) if the newly purchased vehicle is of horsepower, gross weight or (in the case of a passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle) seating capacity, not in excess of that of the vehicle which will no longer be operated. When the newly purchased motor vehicle is of greater horsepower, gross weight or (in the case of a passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle) seating capacity, for which a greater fee is prescribed, the applicant shall pay a transfer fee of two dollars ($2.00) and a pro rata portion of the difference in fees. When the newly purchased vehicle is of less horsepower, gross weight or (in the case of a passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle) seating capacity, for which a lesser fee is prescribed, the applicant shall not be entitled to a refund.
D. 
Upon the sale of a motor vehicle or trailer by a dealer, a buyer who has made application for registration, by mail or otherwise, may operate the same for a period of thirty (30) days after taking possession thereof, if during such period the motor vehicle or trailer shall have attached thereto, in the manner required by Section 301.130, RSMo., number plates issued to the dealer. Upon application and presentation of proof of financial responsibility as required under Subsection (E) of this Section and satisfactory evidence that the buyer has applied for registration, a dealer may furnish such number plates to the buyer for such temporary use. In such event, the dealer shall require the buyer to deposit the sum of ten dollars fifty cents ($10.50) to be returned to the buyer upon return of the number plates as a guarantee that said buyer will return to the dealer such number plates within thirty (30) days. The director shall issue a temporary permit authorizing the operation of a motor vehicle or trailer by a buyer for not more than thirty (30) days of the date of purchase.
E. 
The temporary permit shall be made available by the Director of Revenue and may be purchased from the Department of Revenue upon proof of purchase of a motor vehicle or trailer for which the buyer has no registration plate available for transfer and upon proof of financial responsibility, or from a dealer upon purchase of a motor vehicle or trailer for which the buyer has no registration plate available for transfer. The Director shall make temporary permits available to registered dealers in this State or authorized agents of the Department of Revenue in sets of ten (10) permits. The fee for the temporary permit shall be seven dollars fifty cents ($7.50) for each permit or plate issued. No dealer or authorized agent shall charge more than seven dollars fifty cents ($7.50) for each permit issued. The permit shall be valid for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of purchase of a motor vehicle or trailer, or from the date of sale of the motor vehicle or trailer by a dealer for which the purchaser obtains a permit as set out above. No permit shall be issued for a vehicle under this Section unless the buyer shows proof of financial responsibility.
F. 
The permit shall be issued on a form prescribed by the Director and issued only for the applicant's use in the operation of the motor vehicle or trailer purchased to enable the applicant to legally operate the vehicle while proper title and registration plate are being obtained, and shall be displayed on no other vehicle. Temporary permits issued pursuant to this Section shall not be transferable or renewable and shall not be valid upon issuance of proper registration plates for the motor vehicle or trailer. The Director shall determine the size and numbering configuration, construction and color of the permit.
G. 
The dealer or authorized agent shall insert the date of issuance and expiration date, year, make and manufacturer's number of vehicle on the permit when issued to the buyer. The dealer shall also insert such dealer's number on the permit. Every dealer that issues a temporary permit shall keep, for inspection of proper officers, a correct record of each permit issued by recording the permit or plate number, buyer's name and address, year, make, manufacturer's vehicle identification number on which the permit is to be used, and the date of issuance.
H. 
Upon the transfer of ownership of any currently registered motor vehicle wherein the owner cannot transfer the license plates due to a change of vehicle category, the owner may surrender the license plates issued to the motor vehicle and receive credit for any unused portion of the original registration fee against the registration fee of another motor vehicle. Such credit shall be granted based upon the date the license plates are surrendered. No refunds shall be made on the unused portion of any license plates surrendered for such credit.
Upon the sale of a motor vehicle or trailer by a dealer, a buyer who has made application for registration, by mail or otherwise, may operate the same for a period of fifteen (15) days after taking possession thereof, if during such period the motor vehicle or trailer shall have attached thereto, in the manner required in Section 301.130, RSMo., number plates issued to the dealer. Upon application and presentation of satisfactory evidence that the buyer has applied for registration, a dealer may furnish such number plates to the buyer for such temporary use. In such event, the dealer shall require the buyer to deposit the sum of ten dollars fifty cents ($10.50), to be returned to the buyer upon return to the dealer of such number plates within fifteen (15) days.
No dealer shall advise any purchaser of a motor vehicle or trailer that such purchaser may drive such a motor vehicle or trailer without compliance with the foregoing license requirements.
[Ord. No. 899 §7, 8-18-2010]
A. 
No owner of a motor vehicle registered in this State shall operate the vehicle, or authorize any other person to operate the vehicle, upon the streets or the alleys of this City, unless the owner maintains the financial responsibility as required in this Section. Furthermore, no person shall operate a motor vehicle owned by another with the knowledge that the owner has not maintained financial responsibility unless such person has financial responsibility which covers operation of vehicles owned by another person.
For purposes of this Section, the term "financial responsibility" shall mean the ability to respond in damages for liability on account of accidents occurring after the effective date of proof of said financial responsibility, arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of a motor vehicle, in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) because of bodily injury to or death of one (1) person in any one (1) accident, and, subject to said limit for one (1) person, in the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) because of bodily injury to or death of two (2) or more persons in any one (1) accident, and in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one (1) accident.
B. 
Proof of financial responsibility may be shown by any of the following:
1. 
An insurance identification card issued by a motor vehicle insurer or by the Director of Revenue of the State of Missouri for self-insurance. A motor vehicle insurance policy, a motor vehicle liability insurance binder, or receipt which contains the name and address of the insurer, the name and address of the name insured, the policy number, the effective dates of the policy and a description by year and make of the vehicle, or at least five (5) digits of the vehicle identification number or the word "Fleet" if the insurance policy covers five (5) or more motor vehicles, shall be satisfactory evidence of insurance in lieu of an insurance identification card.
2. 
A certificate of the State Treasurer of a cash deposit according to Section 303.240, RSMo.
3. 
A surety bond according to Section 303.230, RSMo.
C. 
Proof of financial responsibility shall be carried at all times in the insured motor vehicle or by the operator of the motor vehicle if the proof of financial responsibility is effective as to the operator rather than to the vehicle. The operator of the motor vehicle shall exhibit the proof of financial responsibility on the demand of any Peace Officer who lawfully stops such operator while that Officer is engaged in the performance of the duties of his/her office.
D. 
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this Section shall be subject to the general penalty provisions contained in Section 100.040 of this Code.
[Ord. No. 21 Art. XXVII §7, 3-11-1963]
A. 
In addition to having the proper registration displayed as required by law, no person shall operate a commercial motor vehicle in this City without displaying in a conspicuous place on both sides thereof in letters at least three (3) inches in height and in a contrasting color to the background.
1. 
The name of the owner.
2. 
The address from which such motor vehicle is operated.
3. 
The gross weight for which said vehicle is licensed.
4. 
Local commercial vehicles, in addition, shall display in a conspicuous place the word "local".