No franchisor shall engage in business in this state without a license therefor as provided in sections 301.550 to 301.573. No motor vehicle, foreign or domestic, may be sold, leased, or offered for sale or lease in this state unless the franchisor, which issues a franchise to a franchisee in this state, is licensed under sections 301.550 to 301.573. No franchisor shall modify the area of responsibility to avoid the requirements of section 407.817 or 407.833, or any other section of the MVFP act. Each franchisor shall renew its license annually by the date specified by the department of revenue.
§ 407.818, RSMo