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Course Benefits
The Department of Revenue has created a point system for the purpose of suspending and revoking Missouri driver licenses. The points will not be assessed until you are convicted of a moving violation. The number of points assessed depends on the type of violation for which you are convicted. The following is a list of some violations and the points that will be assessed:
SPEEDING
- Violation of State Law - 3 points
- County Municipal Ordinance - 2 points
Leaving the scene of an accident
- Violation of State Law - 12 points
- County Municipal Ordinance - 6 points
Operating without a valid license
- 1st Offense - 2 points
- 2nd Offense - 4 points
- 3rd Offense - 6 points
Operating with a suspended or revoked license prior to restoration of privileges -12 points
Obtaining a license by misrepresentation - 12 points
Any felony involving the use of a motor vehicle - 12 points
The Department of Revenue may assess two additional points when personal injury or property damage results from any moving vehicle.
What happens when you have too many points?
If you accumulate four points in a 12 month period, the Department of Revenue will send you a warning letter or a point accumulation advisory. If you accumulate eight or more points in an 18 month period, the Department of Revenue will suspend your license as follows:
- 1st suspension is for 30 days.
- 2nd suspension is for 60 days.
- 3rd or subsequent suspension will result in a 90 day suspension.
You will have your driving privileges revoked by the Department of Revenue if you accumulate:
- 12 or more points in a 12 month period.
- 18 or more points in an 18 month period.
- 24 or more points in a 36 month period.
To have your driving privileges reinstated after being suspended or revoked for too many points, you will need to:
- pay a $20 reinstatement fee
- show proof of insurance (SR-22)
If the suspension or revocation was alcohol-related, you will need to:
- pay a $45 reinstatement fee
- show proof of insurance (SR-22)
- complete a substance abuse traffic offender program (SATOP)
When a violation occurs which breaks both a state law and a county or municipal ordinance, points can be assessed for either violation but not for both.
Reducing /Staying Your Points
After having your driving privileges reinstated, the Department of Revenue will reduce your total number of points to four. Each year you drive safely without getting new points on your record, the Department will reduce your points.
- After the 1st year, your points will be reduced by one-third.
- After the 2nd year, your points will be reduced by one-half.
- After the 3rd year, your points will be reduced to zero.
Although your record may be cleared of all points, certain traffic convictions may remain permanently. Another way to keep points from appearing on your record is to complete a driver improvement program like this one, or in the case of violations committed while operating a motorcycle, a motorcycle rider training course approved by the Director of the Department of Public Safety. The completion of a driver improvement course or a motorcycle rider training course shall only be accepted in lieu of points once every 36 months. The course should be completed within 60 days of being convicted of a moving violation.
The driver improvement program option is not available to you if you received points for any offenses committed in a commercial motor vehicle. Effective September 30, 2005, if you are a CDL holder, you will not be able to attend a driver improvement program to clear your record of any traffic offenses, even if you were driving a noncommercial motor vehicle.
Remember, points on your record will result in automobile insurance increases in most cases. Preventing these points from appearing can save you thousands of dollars.
Attendance of Missouri Driver can save you money and help you keep your driving privilege!
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