Missouri Driving Law

Information on Missouri driving law and Missouri traffic laws...

Driving is a privilege, not a right. You can lose your driving privilege if you disobey Missouri traffic laws.

The Point System

The Department of Revenue adds points to your record when it receives notice that you were convicted of a violation of Missouri driving law while your vehicle was in motion.

The number of points you receive depends on the conviction. For example, you may receive 2 points if you are convicted of speeding (3 points for a state violation). But you may receive 12 points and lose your driver license if you are convicted of leaving the scene of an accident.

The following are some examples of some Missouri driving law violations and their point values:

Violation - Point Value

Speeding - 3 points
Careless & Imprudent Driving - 4 points
Knowingly Allowing an Unlicensed Driver to Operate a Vehicle - 4 points
A Felony Involving a Motor Vehicle - 12 points
Obtaining a Driver License by Misrepresentation - 12 points
Operating a Vehicle With a Suspended or Revoked Driver License - 12 points

When You Have Four or More Points

If you accumulate a total of 4 points in 12 months, the Department of Revenue will send you a point accumulation advisory.

If you accumulate a total of 8 or more points in 18 months, the Department of Revenue will suspend your driving privilege.

1st suspension - 30 days
2nd suspension - 60 days
3rd or more suspensions - 90 days

In accordance with Missouri driving law, the Department of Revenue will revoke your driving privilege for one year if you accumulate:

12 or more points in 12 months
18 or more points in 24 months
24 or more points in 36 months

To reinstate your driving privilege for a point suspension or revocation you must provide the following:

Non-alcohol related:

Proof of insurance (SR-22)
$20 reinstatement fee

Alcohol related:

Proof of insurance (SR-22)
$45 reinstatement fee
Completion of a substance abuse traffic offender program (SATOP) or SATOP-comparable program.

Driving While Your License is Suspended or Revoked

Missouri driving law stipulates that if you drive while your license is suspended, your driving privilege may be revoked for one year after conviction. If you continue to drive while your license is revoked, you may be convicted of a felony and have your license revoked again for one year.

Point Reduction

When your driving privilege is reinstated, the Department of Revenue reduces your total points to 4. Every year you drive without getting new points on your record for violations of Missouri traffic laws, the points will be reduced.

1 year - total remaining points reduced by one-third
2 years - remaining points reduced by one-half
3 years - points reduced to zero

Failure to Appear in Court for Traffic Violations (FACT)

When you fail to appear in court for a moving violation of Missouri driving law, the court will notify you within 10 days of your failure to comply and you will have 30 days to pay the fines before the court notifies the Driver and Vehicle Services Bureau. When notified, the Driver and Vehicle Services Bureau will immediately suspend your driving privilege.

If you fail to comply, your driving privilege will be suspended until the Bureau receives:

Proof that the ticket is paid and A $20 reinstatement fee.

Reinstatement of Driving Privilege (FACT)

In accordance with Missouri driving law, your driving privilege may be reinstated for FACT in one of three ways.

1. Take the reinstatement requirements to a branch or fee office. The information will be faxed to the Driver and Vehicle Services Bureau for review. A reinstatement letter will be prepared and faxed to the local license office to be given to you.

If your driver license was previously surrendered upon conviction for a violation of any Missouri traffic laws, a temporary driving receipt will also be faxed. Your driver license will be mailed to you from the Central Office in Jefferson City.

2. Mail the reinstatement requirements to the Driver and Vehicle Services Bureau, PO Box 3950, Jefferson City, Missouri 65105-3950.

3. Bring the reinstatement requirements to the Driver and Vehicle Services Bureau, Harry S Truman State Office Building, Room 470, 301 West High Street, Jefferson City, Missouri. Office hours: 7:45 a.m. until 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays).

For More Information

Click here to learn more about Missouri driving law and Missouri traffic laws.