License and Registration, sir.
Although I moved here in July, I don't consider myself a Missourian (if that's even the correct term). If anything, I consider myself a St. Louisian (perhaps a real term, perhaps my own...) In the eyes of the federal government, I'm still a resident of the great ole state of Georgia and I've been kicking. and. dragging. my. feet to retain my status as a southerner. But since I'm driving down south later this week and I have expired plates, I figured I might as well not give the police a reason to pull me over.
So after 5 months of living in the midwest, I began the quest to make it official. I switched my car insurance back in September and even though my plates expired in August, figured I wasn't driving enough to make registering my car in the state of Missouri a priority. Until now. And I must stay, registering my car here has become the BIGGEST PAIN IN MY ARSE. Allow me to explain:
1. A trip down to City Hall. You see, Missouri charges a property tax and since my automobile is considered my property, I owe a tax to the city. But since I haven't lived here since January 2010, I could get a waiver on paying the tax this year with a trip to City Hall. CHECK.
2. A safety and emissions inspection ($36). (Plus some new front brake pads but hey, who's counting). CHECK.
3. Not one but two visits to the DMV (I forgot my title the first go round), to change my title over and get new plates (Yes, I said plates, not just plate). I dished out another ($58.50) for a two year registration. Luckily, my license doesn't expire until 2013 and therefore, I'll be hanging on to my Georgia peach for a little longer...CHECK.
One would think that'd be a wrap but nope. The state of MO is one of 30 states in the country that require motorists to have both a front and a back plate. Does LA? Nope. TN? Nope. GA? Nope. Those three fall in the 20 that don't. What does it all mean? It means my little Corolla doesn't have a front plate holder or screws in my bumper for a front plate because I never had one before. Ay de mi. Cars sold in the Midwest come standard with a front plate holder because they are required. But cars in the south? Heck no.
4. Trip to the Toyota dealership to have them create a front plate holder (hopefully not a permanent screw into the bumper but we'll see...Cost TBD). PENDING.
Who knew it would be such a ridiculous process!? Makes me miss the good ole days of a quick trip to the local Shell in Ole Metry, a $10 brake tag and calling it a day.
So after 5 months of living in the midwest, I began the quest to make it official. I switched my car insurance back in September and even though my plates expired in August, figured I wasn't driving enough to make registering my car in the state of Missouri a priority. Until now. And I must stay, registering my car here has become the BIGGEST PAIN IN MY ARSE. Allow me to explain:
1. A trip down to City Hall. You see, Missouri charges a property tax and since my automobile is considered my property, I owe a tax to the city. But since I haven't lived here since January 2010, I could get a waiver on paying the tax this year with a trip to City Hall. CHECK.
2. A safety and emissions inspection ($36). (Plus some new front brake pads but hey, who's counting). CHECK.
3. Not one but two visits to the DMV (I forgot my title the first go round), to change my title over and get new plates (Yes, I said plates, not just plate). I dished out another ($58.50) for a two year registration. Luckily, my license doesn't expire until 2013 and therefore, I'll be hanging on to my Georgia peach for a little longer...CHECK.
One would think that'd be a wrap but nope. The state of MO is one of 30 states in the country that require motorists to have both a front and a back plate. Does LA? Nope. TN? Nope. GA? Nope. Those three fall in the 20 that don't. What does it all mean? It means my little Corolla doesn't have a front plate holder or screws in my bumper for a front plate because I never had one before. Ay de mi. Cars sold in the Midwest come standard with a front plate holder because they are required. But cars in the south? Heck no.
4. Trip to the Toyota dealership to have them create a front plate holder (hopefully not a permanent screw into the bumper but we'll see...Cost TBD). PENDING.
Who knew it would be such a ridiculous process!? Makes me miss the good ole days of a quick trip to the local Shell in Ole Metry, a $10 brake tag and calling it a day.
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