CAR LICENSING TO GET EASIER; NEW LAW MEANS SHORTER LINES

Missouri's new driver's license and vehicle registration law should make life easier for motorists but likely won't affect the financial bottom line for local license bureaus.

"I really don't see it will make any difference," said Norma Wildman, who manages the Cape Girardeau and Jackson license bureaus.

The Southeast Missouri University Foundation runs the two license bureaus. The foundation and the other fee offices in the state make $2.50 off each transaction.

The foundation netted $71,576 after expenses in fiscal 1998 and projected a profit of $80,000 for the fiscal year that ended June 30.

Wildman said Missouri's new law should make for shorter lines at license bureaus. "It will be nicer for the customer."

Under legislation signed into law by the governor earlier this month, Missourians will get their vehicles inspected every two years rather than annually.

Beginning July 1, vehicle owners will only have to register their vehicles every two years and Missouri driver's licenses will be issued for six years rather than three years.

A graduated driver's licensing system will be set up for new motorists starting Jan. 1.

An intermediate license will be issued for young motorists 16 to 18 years of age. Motorists 18 to 21 will be issued three-year licenses. Those 70 or older will have to renew their license every three years.

The money license bureaus make from transactions will increase from $2.50 a transaction to $4 for biennial vehicle registrations and six-year driver's licenses.

Driver's license fees will double, and the fees for vehicle registrations and inspections will increase. A driver's license that currently costs $7.50 will increase to $15; a chauffeur license will double to $30; and a commercial driver's license will jump from $20 to $40.

Eliminating Missourians' annual visits to the license bureaus should result in some cost savings in the operation of those offices, said June Isenberg, legislative coordinator for the Missouri Department of Revenue in Jefferson City. The goal is to make the license bureaus more customer friendly, she said.

"We know they are waiting in line way too long," she said.

Wildman said fewer employees may be needed to operate license bureaus under the new law. But she said it is too early to tell about staffing at the local license bureaus. That is determined by Wildman and the foundation's oversight committee.

Wayne Davenport, the foundation's executive director and a member of the oversight committee, said staffing at the Cape Girardeau and Jackson license bureaus will be reviewed in light of the new law.

Davenport said the money raised from the license bureau operations primarily funds need-based scholarships and the Small Business Development Center.

Davenport said the foundation only spends the money it actually collects. "We don't expend it on hope."

Moving from annual to biennial inspections of vehicles won't make a big difference to Plaza Tire and other inspection stations.

"I don't see it impacting our sales any," said Mark Rhodes, president of Plaza Tire.

But motorists are certain to like it, he said. The annual inspections and vehicle registration process "seem to be a hassle," said Rhodes.

Inspection stations currently receive $6.25 of every $7 vehicle inspection. The remainder goes to the state.

Under the new system, Plaza Tire and the other businesses that inspect vehicles for the state will receive $10.50 of every $12 inspection fee. The remainder will go to the state.

Rhodes said it takes from 15 to 30 minutes to do a proper inspection. "It is not a moneymaker or profitable thing to do," he said.

But the inspections are well worth it in terms of vehicle safety, he said.

Requiring inspections to be done every two years amounts to a compromise between the public that would prefer no inspections and the state that wants to maintain them, said Rhodes.

"I think it is a very good compromise," he said.

CHANGES IN MISSOURI'S LICENSES

GRADUATED DRIVER'S LICENSES (Effective Jan. 1, 2001)

Instruction Permit

*Eligible at age 15.

*Must have written permission from parent or guardian.

*Pass vision, road sign and written tests.

*Permit holder must be accompanied by parent, grandparent or guardian.

Cost: $2.50

Valid: 12 months

Intermediate licenses

*Eligible from age 16 to 18.

*Have driven with instruction permit for at least 6 months.

*Parent must verify 20 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.

*Pass driving test. Pass vision, road sign and written tests if results are over 1 year old.

*No alcohol-related offenses in last 12 months and no traffic convictions in last 6 months.

*No driving alone between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. except to and from a job, school activity or an emergency.

Cost: $5

Valid: 2 years

Under-21 full licenes

*Eligible at age 18.

*Pass vision test

*Intermediate licenses cannot be suspended, revoked or denied when applying for full license.

*No alcohol-related offenses or traffic convictions in last 12 months.

Cost: $7.50

Valid: 3 years

Effective July 1, 2000, the license of all applicants between ages 21 and 60 will be valid for six years. Expiration will be the person's date of birth.

VEHICLE INSPECTION (Effectiove July 1, 2000)

*Inspection fees for motor vehicles raised from $7 to $12. Inspection fees for motorcycles and trailers raised from $6 to $10.

*Inspections of motor vehicles required every two years rather than annually. Vehicles manufactured in even-numbered years will be inspected in even-numbered calendar years. Vehicles manufactured in odd-numbered years will be inspected in odd-numbered years.