Driver Guide

87
OTHER INFORMATION
Selling a Vehicle
State law requires you to report the sale of your motor vehicle or all-terrain 
vehicle by completing a Notice of Sale (Form 5049) and submitting it to any 
license office or to the address on the form within 30 days.
Stolen License Plates and Tabs
State law allows you to replace stolen license plates/tabs up to two times 
per year at NO COST (a $3.50 processing fee is applicable) if you sign a 
notarized affidavit certifying the plates or tabs were stolen.
Lost or Destroyed Title, Plates, or Tabs
If your license plate(s), tab(s), or title is lost or destroyed, you must apply 
for a replacement.  The charge for a replacement title is $8.50; the charge 
for replacement plates is $8.50 per plate; and the charge for a set of 
replacement tabs is $8.50.  An additional processing fee of $3.50 will also 
apply.
 
The standard Missouri license plate bear the words “Missouri” and “SHOW 
ME STATE” at the top of the plate and the state bird and state flower at the 
bottom of the plate. A color-coded year tab is affixed to the license plate.  
Personalized and Specialty License Plates 
You have the option to obtain personalized or specialty license plates for 
your vehicle. In addition to the normal registration fee, there may be an 
additional personalized plate fee. Information regarding personalized and 
specialty license plates may be found online at: 
http://dor.mo.gov/motorv/plates/specialty.php.

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88
THE BASICS
State law requires all motor vehicle operators and owners to have a form of 
liability insurance.  Liability insurance covers the policyholder’s legal liability 
resulting from injuries to other persons or damage to their property.  This is 
called Financial Responsibility.
Motor vehicle owners are required to show proof of insurance when 
registering a vehicle or renewing their license plates.  There are several 
ways you can provide proof of insurance.  They are listed below:
•   A copy of your original, current insurance identification card given to you 
by your insurance company
•   A copy of your motor vehicle liability insurance policy or insurance binder 
(a temporary policy)
•  A paid insurance receipt showing the policy information
•  A certificate of self-insurance issued by the department
•   An ID card issued by the department when a surety bond, real estate 
bond, or security is filed with the department
•  Hand held electronic device
Most drivers obtain liability insurance through an insurance company or 
agent, but there are other forms of liability insurance:
•   Self-insurance:  To be self-insured, you must have more than 25 vehicles 
and be able to show you can and will pay for damage caused by your 
vehicles.  A certificate of self-insurance will be issued to you by the 
Department of Revenue.
•   Surety bond, Real Estate bond, Certificate of Deposit, Other Negotiable 
Securities:  To insure through a bond, deposit, or security, you must file 
the bond, certificate, or security in the amount of $60,000 (or $120,000 if 
a real estate bond) with the Department of Revenue.  The department will 
issue you a certificate of self-insurance as proof of insurance.
•   Cash:  A deposit of $60,000 cash may be deposited with the State 
Treasurer.  A certificate of self-insurance will be issued to you by the 
department.
Minimum Coverage Requirements
Liability insurance covers your legal liability when injuries or property 
damage happen to others as a result of your actions.  The minimum level 
of coverage required by state law is shown below:
•  $25,000 per person for bodily injury
•  $50,000 per crash for bodily injury
•  $10,000 per crash for property damage
The law also requires you to have uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 
for bodily injury per person and $50,000 for bodily injury per crash.
Maintaining Your Insurance
When you register a vehicle with the department, you must sign a form 
stating that you have insurance and will keep insurance on your vehicle. 
CHAPTER 13 — MANDATORY INSURANCE

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89
You must keep proof of insurance in your vehicle.  If a law enforcement 
officer asks you for proof and you cannot show it, you will receive a ticket.
At any time, the department may require you to show proof of insurance.  
If you are in a crash and did not show proof of insurance at the time, the 
department will require you to prove you have insurance.
Failure to Keep Insurance
Insurance is important.  There are a number of consequences if you fail to 
keep your insurance — not only can it cost you a lot of money if you are in 
a crash, but you may lose your driver license and license plates.
If the department learns you have not kept your insurance, you will receive 
a notice of suspension in the mail.  Your driver license and license plates 
may be taken away or suspended for not having insurance. In order to get 
your license and license plates back, there are certain requirements you 
must meet.
 
Number of 
What Happens to You
 Suspensions
 
1 suspension 
 Your driver license and/or license plates will be 
suspended until you: 
– Pay a $20 fee. 
– File proof of insurance.  You are required to do 
this for 3 years.
 
2 suspensions 
Your driver license and/or license plates will be 
 
(within 2 years 
suspended for 90 days.  You must also: 
 
of each other) 
– Pay a $200 fee. 
 
 
– File proof of insurance for 3 years.
 
3 (or more) 
 Your driver license and/or license plates will be
 
 suspensions 
 suspended for one year.  You must also: 
– Pay a $400 fee. 
– File proof of insurance for 3 years.
The most common way to file proof of insurance is through an SR-22 
insurance filing.  Contact your insurance company or agent to file the 
SR-22 form.  If you fail to keep insurance for three years, your driver 
license and/or vehicle license plates will be suspended again.
Failure to Pay for Damages Caused in a Traffic Accident
If you are at fault in an accident and do not pay for the damages you 
caused, your driver license and/or vehicle license plates will be suspended 
for one year. You may be reinstated during that one-year period if you do 
the following:
•  Pay a $20 fee.
•   Send proof to the Department of Revenue Driver License Bureau that you 
have settled the damages.

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