[Ord. No. 1849 §1, 2-1-2000]
A.
No person
shall operate a motor vehicle registered in this State, whether owned
by such operator or by another, upon the streets, alleys or highways
of this City, unless such operator, or the owner of the vehicle, maintains
financial responsibility which covers the operation of that vehicle
by such operator.
B.
No person
shall operate a motor vehicle registered in this State, whether owned
by such operator or by another, upon the streets, alleys or highways
of this City, unless such operator exhibits proof of financial responsibility
upon demand of a Police Officer, which proof covers the operator of
that vehicle by such operator.
C.
For the
purposes of this Section, the term "financial responsibility" shall mean the ability to respond in damages for liability occurring
after the effective date of proof of such financial responsibility,
arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of a motor vehicle,
in amounts as set forth in the Revised Statutes of the State of Missouri,
as amended from time to time.
D.
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, as provided
by Section 303.024 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. 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 named 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 Missouri of a cash deposit as provided by
Section 303.240 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri.
3.
A surety
bond filed with the Director of Revenue of the State of Missouri as
provided by Section 303.230 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri.
E.
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 Police
Officer who lawfully stops such operator while that officer is engaged
in the performance of the duties of his/her office.
F.
Failure of any person who operates a motor vehicle on the streets, alleys or highways of this City to exhibit proof of financial responsibility on the demand of any Police Officer who lawfully stops such person shall be prima facie evidence that such person, or that the owner of the vehicle, does not maintain financial responsibility as required by this Section. It shall be an absolute affirmative defense to a violation charged under Subsection (A) of this Section that the operator of a motor vehicle, or the owner of the vehicle, did maintain financial responsibility which covered operation of the vehicle by such operator on the date of the violation.
