Missouri bill to stop service on vehicles with expired tags

Jenna Wilson, St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.
·2 min read

Mar. 3—Missouri lawmakers are aiming to reduce the number of vehicles driving on the roads with temporary and expired tags.

If passed, Missouri House Bill 1507 would prohibit mechanic shops from performing maintenance or repairs on vehicles with expired temporary tags.

Before repairing or performing maintenance on a vehicle, the person or business doing the work must verify that the vehicle's registration is up to date. Businesses that fail to comply would be subject to a penalty of up to $300.

The bill is being sponsored by Rep. Gretchen Bangert, D-Florissant, who said many mechanics are frustrated with having to work on vehicles from people not paying sales tax and other important fees.

"I've had people tell me they have no problem with the idea of repairing them and bringing them up to safety inspections," Bangert said. "But it's also not right they have to work on these cars for people who aren't paying for our roads, they're not paying for people's salaries, all of that. They're driving around in illegally licensed vehicles that are continuing to be serviced."

One exception would be if a vehicle is already in for a safety inspection and mechanics must make repairs to meet safety standards.

Jeff Schomburg, co-owner of Kruse's Auto Center in St. Joseph, said he understands some of the reasoning behind increased enforcement but believes it isn't an issue that should be decided by mechanics.

"This should be something that is handled the moment a person buys a vehicle," Schomburg said. "I think the best way to handle this concern is for it to be a rule that's enforced by the Missouri Department of Revenue or the person who is selling the car directly. We're not the government and shouldn't have to assist them with stopping that."

Rep. Bangert also hopes the proposed bill will keep some lawbreakers off the road as many unregistered vehicles are involved in criminal activity since they are difficult to trace.

"It'll be great once our computer system here in the state is up and running and the collection of the sales tax at the point of sale is simple and easy and streamlined," she said. "At that point, I think then we'll see this whole problem probably be resolved but until then, anything that we can do to try to encourage folks to get their vehicle license up to par and pay their taxes and insurance would be a good deal."

Jenna Wilson can be reached at jenna.wilson@newspressnow.com.