Firefighters, special licenses for certain vehicles — fee

1. Owners or a joint owner of motor vehicles who are residents of the state of Missouri, and who are directors of a fire protection district or who are compensated, partially compensated, or volunteer members of any fire department, fire protection district, or voluntary fire protection association in this state, upon application accompanied by affidavit as prescribed in this section, complying with the state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, and upon payment of a fee as prescribed in this section, shall be issued a set of license plates for any motor vehicle such person owns, either solely or jointly, other than an apportioned motor vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle licensed in excess of twenty-four thousand pounds gross weight. The license plates shall be inscribed with a variation of the Maltese cross that signifies the universally recognized symbol for firefighters. In addition, upon such set of license plates shall be inscribed, in lieu of the words "SHOW-ME STATE", the word "FIREFIGHTER". Such license plates shall be made with fully reflective material, shall be clearly visible at night, and shall be aesthetically attractive, as prescribed by section 301.130. 2. Applications for license plates issued under this section shall be made to the director of revenue and shall be accompanied by an affidavit stating that the applicant is a person described in subsection 1 of this section. Any person who is lawfully in possession of such plates who resigns, is removed, or otherwise terminates or is terminated from his association with such fire department, fire protection district, or voluntary fire protection association shall return such special plates to the director within fifteen days. 3. An additional annual fee equal to that charged for personalized license plates in section 301.144 shall be paid to the director of revenue for the issuance of the license plates provided for in this section.