CAPE GIRARDEAU LICENSE BUREAU ISSUES ADVICE

The Cape Girardeau license bureau has some advice for those motorists who will renew their vehicle license plates in January.

Effective Jan. 1, motorists must present their insurance card or other proof of financial responsibility, said license bureau manager Norma Wildman.

The proof of financial responsibility must list the year and make of the vehicle, and at least the last five digits of the vehicle identification number.

As of the first of the year, vehicle owners must submit the paid tax receipt for 1997.

Individuals with January renewals may want to pay their taxes early so they will have the receipt when they are ready to renew their license plates, Wildman said.

As is currently the case, vehicle owners must show proof of a safety inspection.

New license plates were released in November 1996. Owners with plates expiring in November and December were given the opportunity to renew their old plates or move their expiration to January 1998 and receive the new plates, she said.

The Cape Girardeau and Jackson license bureaus will be closed Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Monday, Dec. 1, vehicle owners can renew their November license plates without penalty, Wildman said.

The license bureaus will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas and Jan. 1 for the New Year's holiday.