Traffic Offenses
DON’T JUST PAY THAT TICKET!
Effects on Your Insurance Rates 
& Driving Privileges
Although jail time is seldom imposed in traffic cases, traffic convictions have very real consequences regarding your ability to obtain affordable automobile insurance and maintain your driving privileges.
Most insurance companies keep records of traffic violations and will increase your rates, or cancel your policy, if there are numerous convictions. If you receive an alcohol related traffic conviction, most insurance carriers will cancel your coverage.
Your driving privileges are also affected by your traffic convictions. Many states have a point system, or other methodology, which assigns a “point” value, and provides for suspension or revocation of your driver’s license upon accumulation of a prescribed number of points.
WE HAVE RATES FOR ROUTINE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS STARTING AS LOW AS $75.00
For the convenience of our Missouri clients, the Missouri point system is set forth at the end of this section. The content is effective as of the date of preparation of this article. The reader should consult the official Missouri Revised Statutes for accuracy on of the date of reading.
Suspension of Driving Privileges
Missouri Law provides for a suspension of driving privileges upon accumulation of 8 or more points within a period of eighteen months. In the case of an initial suspension, the driver’s license will be suspended for thirty (30) days; the second such suspension will be for sixty (60) days; the third, and any such subsequent, suspension shall be ninety (90) days. The license will only be reinstated after completion of the suspension period, payment of a reinstatement fee, and filing proof of financial responsibility (SR-22 costly High Risk Insurance).
Revocation of Driver’s License
Missouri law further provides for revocation (complete loss of driver’s license) upon accumulation of 12 points within 12 months, or 18 points within 24 months, or 24 points within 36 months. A person whose license has been revoked must reapply for a new license after expiration of the revocation period. Again, the application must be accompanied by proof of financial responsibility – SR-22 High Risk Insurance.
Helpful Links
Missouri Department of Revenue
http://dor.mo.gov/faq/drivers/points.php
Missouri Point System
The point system in Missouri is as follows :
- 8 Points accumulated in 18 months / 1st time – 30 days, 2nd time – 60 days, 3rd time – 90 days/SR22 filing required or 2 years
- 1 year without a moving violation, points reduced by a third, 2 years without a moving violation, remaining points reduced by half, 3 years without a moving violation, points erased.
- License revokation required for 12 pts/1 year, 18 pts/2 years, 24 pts/3 years
- Additional 2 points assessed for violations if related to an accident
- Tickets are reported to non-resident’s drivers home state under the Drivers License Compact.
- Point file opened on non-resident drivers
Point Scale :
Speeding
3 Points for violation of state law
12 Point Violations
8 Point Violations
6 Point Violations
4 Point Violations
3 Point Violations
2 Point Violations
Avoid points wherever possible. If you receive a traffic violation, contact our office. We have affordable rates. We can help you keep your driving record clean and avoid high insurance rates.
Helpful Information
Missouri Dept. of Revenue: FAQs about Driver’s Licenses
http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/drivers/faq/
Failure to Appear in Court or Pay a Traffic Violation
http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/drivers/faq/fact.htm
Explanation of the Point System
http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/drivers/faq/points.htm
DWI Information
http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/drivers/dwiinfo.htm
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Information
http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/drivers/forms/cdl.pdf
Red Light Camera Tickets – St. Louis City Court
http://www.stlcitycourt.org/frmCameraViolations.aspx
SATOP (Substance Abuse Traffic Offenders Program)
http://dmh.mo.gov/ada/satop/procfees.htm
How to Report an Unsafe Driver in Missouri
http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/drivers/faq/unsafe.htm
