JEFFERSON CITY — The cost of purchasing a car in Missouri could rise by as much as $300 per vehicle under legislation signed Tuesday by Republican Gov. Mike Parson.
As part of a package of technology-related bills approved by the GOP-controlled Legislature this spring, the measure would allow automobile dealers to charge administrative fees of up to $500, an increase from the current cap of $200.
Beginning in August, 10% of the administrative fee will go to the state Department of Revenue to pay for updating its aging vehicle database.
The modernized vehicle database, estimated to cost $105 million, would streamline the state’s cumbersome process for titling vehicles and issuing and renewing registrations and driver’s licenses.
People are also reading…
Currently, motorists may have to make multiple stops to collect the various documents needed to get licensing and title work approved.
A fiscal analysis suggests that the added fee could generate about $13 million per year at the current rate of about 1.3 million car sales per year.
Higher vehicle prices come as Parson also is expected to sign legislation phasing in a long-sought increase in the state’s motor fuel tax.
Proceeds of the 12.5-cent per gallon increase will go to fix roads and bridges.
The added fees were part of a larger package of laws including one allowing cities to regulate the use of delivery robots. The new law bars personal delivery devices from blocking public right-of-ways or unreasonably obstructing traffic. They would also be prohibited from going faster than 10 mph and required to maintain a $100,000 general liability insurance policy.
Also in the legislation were provisions requiring food delivery platforms like DoorDash and GrubHub to register with the Secretary of State’s office. They also would be restricted from delivering for a restaurant without an agreement in place. Restaurants will be able to take legal action against services that violate the act after the law goes into effect Aug. 28.
The measure was sponsored by Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield.
The legislation is Senate Bill 176.