PURPOSE: This rule establishes procedures for the issuance of license plates to honorary consuls.

Editor’s Note: The secretary of state has determined that the publication of this rule in its entirety would be unduly cumbersome or expensive. The entire text of the material referenced has been filed with the secretary of state. This material may be found at the Office of the Secretary of State or at the headquarters of the agency and is available to any interested person at a cost established by state law.

1. (1) Under the authority of the Foreign Missions Act, 22 U.S.C. Section 4301, the Office of Foreign Missions of the United States Department of State has begun issuing a new series of motor vehicle license plates for vehicles owned by foreign missions and their authorized representatives. These new federal license plates replace and supersede the special diplomatic and consular plates formerly issued by the various states including Missouri. The new law also provides for federal titling of vehicles owned by foreign missions and their authorized representatives.

2. (2) The new federal license plates are issued to the following categories of personnel:

   1. (A) Representatives of foreign missions (nationwide) having diplomatic status;
   2. (B) Representatives of foreign missions (nationwide) having consular status;
   3. (C) Representatives of foreign missions (nationwide) having official status;
   4. (D) Official representatives of foreign missions (United Nations) whose member states maintain permanent missions at the United Nations headquarters;
   5. (E) Official representatives of foreign missions (United Nations) assigned to the United Nations and family members;
   6. (F) Officials of the Secretariat of the United Nations; and
   7. (G) Official representatives to the Organization of American States.
3. (3) The new federal license plates are easily recognizable, being painted red, white and blue, are the standard six inches by twelve inches (6" × 12") in size and bear the words Issued by the United States Department of State at the bottom.
4. (4) In accordance with the Foreign Missions Act, 22 U.S.C. Section 4301, the United States Department of State has directed that license plates issued by any state, including Missouri, to honorary consuls must contain words, symbols and colors that are clearly distinguishable from the federal plates. Furthermore, each state has been requested to refrain from embossing the words, CON- SULAR OFFICER on the license plates issued by the states. This procedure should assist law enforcement agencies in determining if the license plate displayed on a motor vehicle is a federalor state-issued plate. Missouri may not issue license plates to any motor vehicle which is required to be registered with the federal government.
5. (5) Honorary consuls are defined as United States nationals or permanent residents who are appointed as honorary consular officers of foreign missions. The United States Department of State has notified Missouri that honorary consuls will not be permitted to register their vehicles under the federal program. However, honorary consuls are authorized under section 26.140, RSMo to use Missouri motor vehicle license plates which identify them as honorary consular officers. Accordingly, the director of revenue has established a category of specialized personalized license plates for issuance to honorary consuls patterned after the provisions of section 301.144.2., RSMo.
6. (6) Honorary consular license plates shall consist of white letters and numerals on a royal blue field. The configuration of these plates shall consist of the letter C followed by a dash and the numerals one through and including sixty-six (1–66). At the bottom of the royal blue field shall appear the words HON. CONSUL in the place of Show Me State.
7. (7) No more than one (1) set of two (2) honorary consular license plates shall be issued to a qualified applicant.

8. (8) A qualified applicant is an honorary consular officer who—

   1. (A) Appears on the United States Department of State, Office of Foreign Missions, Foreign Consular Duty Officer List;
   2. (B) Has registered as an honorary consular officer with the United States Department of State and has been duly issued an exequatur or a diplomatic note by that department which remains valid;
   3. (C) Has presented his/her credentials to the governor of Missouri;
   4. (D) Has obtained from the Missouri secretary of state an identification card identifying him/her as an honorary consular officer; and
   5. (E) Is a resident of Missouri.
9. (9) Honorary consular license plates shall only be issued to passenger motor vehicles subject to the registration fees provided in section 301.055, RSMo.
10. (10) Applicants for honorary consular license plates shall be required to comply with all Missouri laws and rules relating to the taxing, titling, registration and safety inspection of motor vehicles.
11. (11) Any person desiring to obtain a set of two (2) honorary consular license plates must make application and shall pay an annual personalized plate fee of fifteen dollars ($15) in addition to the regular registration fees for passenger vehicles as detailed in section 301.055, RSMo. Initial application for honorary consular license plates shall be submitted to the Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Bureau, P.O. Box 100, Jefferson City, MO 65105 and shall be accompanied by the personalized plate fee, a paid personal property tax receipt of the previous calendar year or a statement of nonassessment for the same period, a vehicle safety/emissions inspection not more than sixty (60) days old, a statement certifying proof of insurance and a copy of the honorary consular officer identification card issued by the Missouri secretary of state. Upon approval, honorary consular license plates will be issued by the Motor Vehicle Bureau. Subsequent annual renewals may be accomplished at any branch or fee agent office statewide where the renewing applicant will be issued universal registration renewal tabs.
12. (12) Prior to the receipt of honorary consular license plates, the applicant must surrender all previously issued license plates which bear the words Consular Officer and pay any additional fees due. If no consular officer plates were issued, the applicant must surrender the regular license plates which the honorary consular license plates will replace. If the honorary consular license plates are to be issued for a period of less than one (1) full year, the department shall assess registration fees on a prorated basis. No refunds shall be made for any unused portion of registration fees for any license plates surrendered in exchange for honorary consular license plates.
13. (13) Applications for renewal of honorary consular license plates shall be filed with the Department of Revenue prior to the last regular work day of January each year. All plates annually expire on January 31.
14. (14) According to the United States Department of State, honorary consular officers who have been issued license plates identifying them as honorary consuls are not entitled to diplomatic immunity from any state, county or municipal parking or traffic laws or from arrest or detention for violation of those laws.
15. (15) According to the United States Department of State, honorary consuls are not exempt from any taxes whatsoever, including county or City of St. Louis personal property tax, state sales or use taxes, or local sales taxes. No tax exemption shall be granted in connection with any application for honorary consular license plates unless exempt status is certified to the department by the United States Department of State for each proposed transaction.
16. (16) On January 1, 1987, all consular officer license plates previously issued by the Missouri Department of Revenue which bear the words Consular Officer and which have white lettering on a red field shall become invalid.

AUTHORITY: sections 26.140 and 301.135, RSMo 1986 and 301.144, RSMo Supp. 1989.* Original rule filed Oct. 3, 1986, effective Dec. 26, 1986. Emergency amendment filed Oct. 30, 1989, effective Nov. 9, 1989, expired March 8, 1990. Amended: Filed Oct. 30, 1989, effective Feb. 25, 1990.

*Original authority: 26.140, RSMo 1955, amended 1985; 301.135, RSMo 1981; and 301.144, RSMo 1977, amended 1979, 1983, 1984, 1989.