DRIVERS are blasting their city over a new law that allows them to tow a car if it doesn’t meet one requirement.
Residents are arguing that they don’t have enough money to pay the mounting fees from the new law.
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In late March, a new law took effect that allows police to tow cars with expired tags.
Since the ordinance went into effect, police said only a few cars have been towed, but hundreds of citations have been issued, local CBS affiliate KOLR reported.
In total, 852 citations have been written enforcing the registration violation.
Only three cars have been towed so far for violating the ordinance since it went into effect.
The new rule is considered a moving violation, which means a parked car cannot be towed just for an expired registration, but vehicles can be pulled over.
“Enforcing vehicle registration and expired license plate laws is important for public safety, legal compliance and accountability, financial fairness, and revenue for public services,” Councilman Craig Hosmer said in a press release.
Residents of Springfield, Missouri, where the new law took effect, are not happy about the latest changes.
The city initially offered residents a 30-day grace period to update their tags, but that ended on March 26.
“I have not mixed feelings, I don’t like it,” Springfield resident Tony Mitchell told KOLR.
Cris Swaters of the Springfield Police Department said that officers will pull over cars with expired tags and issue a citation or have a towing company take the car.
“I feel kind of violated in a way,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell has lived in Springfield for seven years after moving from Arizona.
“[In Arizona] we go into the DMV with cash, we come out with plates. Here? It was confusing.”
The Springfield resident said his truck was one of the three cars towed.
“I can’t say that it made me homeless, but it definitely made it a lot harder for me to make a living,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said his truck is essential to his job, since he mows lawns in the spring and summer.
Springfield Police Department news release
On March 26, 2025, the Springfield Police Department will begin enforcement of city ordinance 6913, passed by Springfield City Council on Feb. 24, 2025, allowing officers to tow vehicles displaying missing, invalid, or expired plates and registration tabs. This does not include parked vehicles.
“Enforcing vehicle registration and expired license plate laws is important for public safety, legal compliance and accountability, financial fairness, and revenue for public services,” said Councilman Craig Hosmer.
Although the ordinance is currently in effect, the City of Springfield is offering a 30-day public education period to raise awareness about the new requirements. During this time, residents are encouraged to ensure their vehicle registrations are up to date.
Since Feb. 1, 2025, the Springfield Police Department has been conducting targeted patrols aimed at addressing expired temporary tags and registrations. In the first three weeks of February, officers issued 266 citations for vehicle registration violations. While towing will not occur during the education period, drivers may still receive a citation for non-compliance.
Once the public education period has ended, vehicles will be subject to towing if their license plates or registration tabs are expired for more than 30 days. During the grace period, drivers could still receive a citation for the violation.
If a vehicle is towed, a release form must first be obtained from the Springfield Police Department before retrieving a vehicle from impound. The following information is required to get vehicle release form: proof of registration, a government-issued photo ID, and proof of vehicle ownership. Once the driver has gathered all the necessary information, they should bring it to police headquarters (321 E. Chestnut Expwy.) during regular lobby hours to get the release form. More information about the vehicle release process is available online.
“Sure, yeah, I’ll get it done,” Mitchell said.
“As soon as I have the money.
“I mean, you can’t walk into the office today and say ‘I need plates,’ you know? They’re going to want money.”
Swaters said residents should comply with the new regulations to avoid any future fees.
“We would encourage the citizens of Springfield and those in the surrounding communities to take the necessary steps to ensure that your vehicle can legally be on the road,” he said.