Mo. lawmakers balk at driver's license records fee increase

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A House Republican will try to reverse a Department of Revenue decision to increase the fees charged to access driver's license records.

Starting this month, the department started charging $7 per driver's license and motor vehicle record. It had charged $1.25, and even less for bulk requests.

Insurance companies and database operators say the price hike could drive them out of business or increase costs for car insurance.

Clinton House member Shannon Cooper says he will try to block the fee increase before the legislative session ends next week.

Revenue Director Omar Davis says the fee is needed for a new record system. He says it also means fewer people will buy all the state's license records, making the information more secure.