Missouri Passes New Law to Eliminate Temporary Tags, But Change Won’t Take Effect Until 2026
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri — Missouri lawmakers have approved a new law aimed at eliminating temporary license tags, but drivers won’t see the change until at least late 2026, state officials confirmed.
What the New Law Does
Under the new law, known as Senate Bill 28, car buyers will be required to pay sales taxes directly at the dealership when purchasing a vehicle. Dealers would collect those taxes and transmit them to the Missouri Department of Revenue, streamlining the process and preventing drivers from leaving lots with temporary paper tags.
Private sales will remain exempt from this process, meaning individuals buying cars from non-dealers must still go to license offices to pay taxes and register their vehicles.
Why the Change Is Delayed
Trish Vincent, director of the Missouri Department of Revenue, said the law is tied to the rollout of a modernized motor vehicle system.
“Temporary tags will be eliminated with this particular new system and our new process, which is very exciting, because I know you drive out there and you see temporary tags out there, and some of them are expired,” Vincent said.
But she added that the titling and tax system upgrade will not be ready until late 2026 or early 2027. Until then, drivers will continue using temporary tags when purchasing vehicles.
Ongoing Efforts to Address Temporary Tags
Missouri has been working for years to address issues with temporary tags, which are often misused or allowed to expire. Lawmakers in 2023 passed legislation requiring licensed dealers to collect sales taxes, but it could not be enforced without the new system in place.
Funding for the technology upgrades began in 2021, when dealers were authorized to collect registration fees — a portion of which went to a fund supporting the Department of Revenue’s system overhaul.
How the New System Will Work
Once launched, the system will allow dealerships to:
- Collect both sales taxes and registration fees at the point of sale.
- Issue customers a paper copy of their new license plate on the spot.
- Mail a permanent metal plate with the same number and letter configuration directly to the buyer later.
Buyers of both new and used cars from dealerships will use this system, while private sales will continue to require in-person registration at license offices.
Public Awareness Campaign Planned
Vincent said the Department of Revenue will run an awareness campaign ahead of the system’s launch to make sure Missouri drivers understand the new requirements before visiting dealerships.
“We’ll be talking about when we’re rolling that system out way in advance,” Vincent said, “so people do understand what’s going to happen when they go in to buy a car from an automobile dealer, whether it’s new or used.”
Missouri’s effort to end the widespread use of temporary tags will not reach drivers for at least another year, but officials say the upcoming changes will bring much-needed accountability and convenience to the state’s vehicle registration process.
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