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 Missouri Traffic 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 or 3 points if you are convicted of speeding ((depending on if the court was municipal, county, or state level). In contrast, if you are convicted of leaving the scene of an accident you may receive 12 points.

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

Violation - Point Value

  • Speeding - 3 points
  • Careless and imprudent driving - 4 points
  • Knowingly allowing an unlicensed driver to operate a vehicle - 4 points
  • Committing 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

Accumulation of Four or More Traffic Points

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

If you accumulate a total of eight (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

You must provide the following to reinstate your driving privilege for a point suspension or revocation:

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.



Reduction of Points

The Department of Revenue reduces your total points to 4 when your driving privilege is reinstated. The points will be reduced, as shown below, every year you drive without getting new points on your record for violations of Missouri traffic laws.

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

Note: Certain types of convictions must remain listed permanently on your Missouri driver record even though your points may have been reduced to zero.

Failure to Appear in Court for Traffic Violations

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

If you fail to comply, your driving privilege will be suspended until the Driver License Bureau receives proof that the ticket is paid and a $20 reinstatement fee.

Reinstatement of Your Driving Privilege

In accordance with Missouri driving law, your driving privilege may be reinstated for failure to appear in court for traffic violations in one of three ways.

  1. You can take the reinstatement requirements to a contract office. The information will be faxed to the Driver License Bureau in Jefferson City for review. A reinstatement letter will be prepared and faxed to the contract office to be given to you. If your driver license was previously surrendered, a temporary driving receipt will also be faxed. Your driver license will be mailed to you from the Driver License Bureau central office in Jefferson City.


  2. You an mail the reinstatement requirements to the Driver License Bureau, P.O. Box 3950, Jefferson City, Missouri 65105-3950.


  3. You can bring the reinstatement requirements to the Driver License Bureau, Harry S Truman State Office Building, Room 470, 301 West High Street, Jefferson City, Missouri. Office hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays).

For more information on Missouri driving law, please visit the Missouri Department of Revenue Customer Services Division.

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