House shows support for bill extending vehicle registration to five years

By Jordan Davis and Hailey Sanford, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — The House gave initial approval Wednesday to a bill that would provide car owners the option to register their vehicles for up to five years.
House Bill 2189 would give Missouri residents the option to register their vehicles annually, biannually or every five years. Only cars 6 years old or newer would be eligible for five-year registration.
Rep. Bob Bromley, R-Carl Junction, sponsors the bill. He said that having the option would make people’s lives easier.
“I’m looking at the greater good, and I believe this bill does that,” Bromley said.
Currently, cars with odd-numbered model years are required to have their registration renewed every odd-numbered year. Every car with an even-numbered model year must be renewed every even-numbered year. Car owners may also choose to register their vehicles annually. Bromley’s bill would add the option for five-year registration renewal for newer vehicles.
In order to obtain vehicle registration, owners must have a personal property tax receipt or an official authorization that no taxes were due, proof of insurance and proof of a vehicle safety inspection. Safety inspections are required for registration every two years after a vehicle has driven 150,000 miles or 10 years, whichever is first.
If residents choose to purchase a two- or five-year registration, there will not be a discount. Residents will pay the annual fee for all five years of registration up front.
Registration would cost $9 for a one-year renewal, $18 for a two-year renewal and $45 for a five-year renewal. The annual cost for registration renewal changed from $6 to $9 last year.
The bill now awaits a final vote in the House.