Temporary license plates in the works

A bill that`s working it`s way through the House could mean Arkansans would soon be able to get temporary license plates when buying a car. Right now, when someone drives off the dealer`s lot with a new car, they have 30 days to get their license plates. Until then, they have to drive without any plates at all. That causes a problem because police officers don`t know whether the car is still within that 30 day grace period. The only way for them to find out is to pull the driver over. Officials with the Department of Finance and Administration who are backing the bill say temporary tags would solve that problem. Dealers would put a cardboard license plate on the vehicle that clearly shows when the 30 day grace period is up. That would help police officers identify people who are late getting their cars registered. The second half of the bill would limit the number of dealer tags a car dealership could get each year. Right now, they can get as many as they want to pay for. If this bill passes, they would be able to get dealer plates for the sales staff only. Department of Finance and Administration officials say some dealers are abusing the plates by giving them out to people who don`t work at the dealership. The benefit of having a dealer plate is that the person driving the car doesn`t have to register it or pay sales tax. The bill made it out of a House committee this week, but will be sent back to committee with a few minor amendments. House committee members are expected to pass it on to the full House on Tuesday.