Ticket Fines and Penalties in Missouri

Missouri Traffic Ticket Fines and Costs

Fines vary across the state by county and municipality. For example, getting cited in St. Joseph for a prohibited turn won't cost the same as it would in Columbia. In addition, many counties and municipalities also may tack on additional fees.

Auto Insurance Rate Increase

In addition to the traffic ticket fine, you may also experience a jolt in your auto insurance rates. You, of course, always have the option to counter any rate increases in your car insurance coverage by shopping for a new provider. You can compare rates from a number of major auto insurance companies from a our Car Insurance Center page.

MO Traffic Ticket Penalties

Penalties carry long-term repercussions. Points on your driving record and the suspension or revocation of your Missouri driver's license can affect you for years.

Should you lose your driving privileges, it's good to know the repercussions:

Suspended License― The temporary loss of your MO driver's license. Reinstatement requirements are dependent on the reason behind the suspension.
Revoked License―The termination of your Missouri driver's license. Once the revocation period has ended, you must reapply for a new driver's license. This requires retaking the knowledge and skill tests.

Your driver's license may be revoked or suspended for:

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Refusing an alcohol or drug test
• Failing to file an accident report
• Providing false information when applying for a driver's license
• Fleeing the scene of an accident
• Failing to carry car insurance

Consult Missouri's Driver Guide for a complete list of infractions with loss of license penalties.

Missouri Points System

Missouri assigns points to every traffic violation. The number of points depends on the infraction. The more serious the offense, the higher the number of points.

If you accumulate eight or more points in 18 months your license will be suspended for:

• 30 days (first suspension)
• 60 days (second suspension)
• 90 days (third or subsequent suspension)

Your MO driver's license will be revoked for one year if:

• You accumulate 12 or more points in 12 months
• You accumulate 18 or more points in 18 months
• You accumulate 24 or more points in 24 months

Check Your MO Driving Record

Always check your driving record after a ticket violation. Verify that all points are accurate so you have a clear assessment of where you stand. If, for example, you notice you're within one or two points of a suspension, you may inquire about enrolling into a Driver Improvement Program (DIP) with the intent of trimming your point total.

Drivers Younger Than 18

In addition to the infractions described above, you may lose your driving privileges for violating any of the restrictions associated with an instruction permit or intermediate license.

Penalties for Missouri CDL Drivers

You must notify your employer within 30 days of receiving a traffic violation. This applies to all scenarios, regardless of vehicle or state. So if, for example, you were ticketed for speeding in Vermont while driving your own car, you'd still need to alert your employer.

Penalties for CDL drivers are steep. Not only can they affect your wallet, but also affect your career. For your convenience, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) offers a detailed list of traffic violations and penalties.