Missouri to Eliminate Temporary License Plates Tags

Missouri is set to overhaul its vehicle registration process with a newly enacted law that eliminates temporary license plates for vehicles purchased through dealerships. The change aims to simplify the car-buying experience and ensure immediate payment of sales tax.

Senate Bill 28, which goes into effect on August 28, 2025, will require vehicle buyers at Missouri dealerships to pay sales tax directly to the dealership at the time of purchase. Until now, buyers have received a temporary paper tag and had a 30-day window to pay sales tax at a Department of Revenue office. This new system eliminates the need for temporary tags, reducing paperwork and potential confusion.

Instead of driving away with a temporary plate, buyers will now receive a paper copy of their license plate immediately after completing the purchase and paying the sales tax. This paper plate will display the same configuration as the permanent metal plate, which will be mailed to the buyer’s address once processed by the Missouri Department of Revenue.

The transition aims to deliver a seamless process where the physical metal plate arrives after the sale with no extra trips required by the buyer. The Department of Revenue ensures that the number configuration on the paper plate and the permanent plate match, providing consistency and peace of mind.

It’s important to note that this law only affects dealership sales. Private vehicle purchases will continue under the previous system: buyers must take their bill of sale to a Department of Revenue office, pay sales tax, and receive a temporary tag while awaiting their permanent plate.

While the law becomes effective in late August 2025, the actual changes to sales tax collection are dependent on the rollout of the Department of Revenue’s new FUSION system. Full implementation is estimated for late 2026 or early 2027, according to state officials.

Missouri drivers can expect a more streamlined process for dealership vehicle purchases under this new law—one designed for greater efficiency and simplicity in the coming years.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.