Traffic Schools

Enrolling in traffic school, sometimes referred to as defensive driving or driver improvement, is a great way to develop your driving skills while helping to protect your driving record. The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) allows drivers to erase points earned as the result of traffic tickets by completing a traffic school program once every three years.

However, this option is not available to CDL drivers since it is considered "masking" and thus prohibited under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act (MCSIA).

Enrolling in Traffic School

Generally, most online and in-person traffic schools can be used for the purpose of reducing points on your driving record as long as they are at least eight hours in length and meet the standards of the state of Missouri.

The DOR maintains no specific list of approved traffic schools, so speak with a representative from your local office to make sure you've selected an appropriate program.

If you're hoping to lower your auto insurance premiums, check with your insurance carrier before you enroll in a specific program.

Other Courses

You might be surprised to learn that traffic school is not the only type of educational program available for Missouri drivers.

SATOP

Although SATOP courses are sometimes confused with traffic school courses, these two programs are not interchangeable. SATOP, also known as the Substance Abuse Traffic Offenders Program, is a series of classes that you are legally required to take if you have had your driving privileges suspended as the result of any alcohol-related traffic offense or an offense involving the possession or use of alcohol and drugs.

The Missouri Department of Mental Health's Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse provides these courses. Contact them for additional information about registering.