§ 15-14. State license plate to be displayed; tab and inspection certificate; transfer.

(a)

No motor vehicle or trailer shall be operated or parked on any of the streets of the city unless it shall have displayed thereon the license plate or set of license plates issued by the director of revenue of the state or his equivalent of another state. Each such plate shall be securely fastened to the motor vehicle in a manner so that all parts thereof shall be plainly visible and reasonably clean and so that the reflective qualities thereof are not impaired. License plates shall be fastened to all motor vehicles except trucks, tractors, truck tractors or truck-tractors licensed in excess of 12,000 pounds on the front and rear of such vehicles not less than eight nor more than 48 inches above the ground, with the letters and numbers thereon right side up. The license plates on trailers, motorcycles, motortricycles and motorscooters shall be displayed on the rear of such vehicles, with the letters and numbers thereon right side up. The license plate on trucks, tractors, truck tractors or truck-tractors licensed in excess of 12,000 pounds shall be displayed on the front of such vehicles not less than eight nor more than 48 inches above the ground, with the letters and numbers thereon right side up.

(b)

The vehicle owner to whom a tab or set of tabs is issued by the state director of revenue shall affix and display such tab or tabs on the license plate as designated by the state department of revenue, no more than one per plate.

(c)

The certificate of inspection and approval as required by RSMo 307.350 shall be displayed upon every motor vehicle or trailer as prescribed by the regulations issued by the superintendent of the state highway patrol.

(d)

Upon the transfer of ownership of any motor vehicle or trailer, the certificate of registration and the right to use the numbered/personalized plates shall expire and the numbered/personalized plates shall be removed by the owner at the time of the transfer of possession. It shall be unlawful for any person other than the person to whom such numbered/personalized plates were originally issued to have the same in his possession whether in use or not. 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 15 days after taking possession thereof, if during such period the motor vehicle or trailer shall have attached thereto, in the manner required by RSMo 302.130, 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 $10.50 to be returned to the buyer upon return of the number plates as a guarantee that the buyer will return to the dealer such number plates within 15 days. The state director of revenue may issue a temporary permit authorizing the operation of a motor vehicle or trailer by a buyer on a continuous trip from the place of purchase to the buyer's residence. Upon the issuance of such permit, an appropriate placard evidencing the issuance thereof shall be displayed on the vehicle.

(Code 1973, § 14-12)

State law reference

Similar provisions, RSMo 301.130(7), (8), 301.140.