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- Missouri Driving Record Point System
- Four Violations That Can Lead to a Loss of License
- Talk With a Criminal Defense Attorney Today
Facing a suspension or revocation of your license can bring immense fear, uncertainty and frustration. Your Missouri driver’s license is the only way you can go to work and school, see your loved ones and perform essential tasks. Many parts of the mid-Missouri area are difficult to traverse without the ability to drive yourself.
You’re not just unable to drive; you feel stuck.
If your license is on the line after a DWI, moving violation or other driving-related offense, finding a criminal defense attorney with experience in dealing with traffic-related charges is critical. The team at Eng & Woods is ready to defend you.
While we want to help you in any way we can, avoiding these charges is the best course of action. If you’re wondering what circumstances lead to the loss of a license, keep reading to learn more about common offenses that can lead to an instant suspension or revocation of your driver’s license.
Your Driving Record and the Point System
Although you read a bit about the point system while studying for your Missouri driver’s exam, you may not remember the minutia for every offense and how many points it takes to suspend a license in Missouri. The point system is not universal across the country; it is used in 41 states (each a bit differently) to track and identify driving infractions and punish individuals who accumulate too many points.
The Missouri Department of Revenue addresses a list of frequently asked questions about tickets, points and how the system is structured for Missouri. You can view it here. Let’s quickly go over three punitive milestones set up by Missouri to set the table for how quickly a driver can lose their license when accumulating points.
- Accumulating four points in 12 months – You will receive a point accumulation advisory letter. This letter warns that further point accumulation could result in punishment and loss of license.
- Accumulating eight or more points in 18 months – If you accumulate eight or more points in an 18-month span, your license will be suspended for 30 days upon the next violation. The suspension then goes up to 60 and 90 days on subsequent offenses.
- Accumulating 12 or more points in 12 months – Reaching 12 points within a year can result in losing your license for a year or longer.
These points can quickly add up and cause issues if you are not careful. If you’re not sure whether you’re already facing a license suspended status, you can check directly through Missouri’s MyDMV online portal or the Department of Revenue’s automated phone line, both of which show your current driving privilege status in minutes. Let’s walk through a few circumstances that can lead to the loss of a license.
Circumstances That Lead to the Loss of a License: Four Violations to Avoid
When looking at severe penalties that could lead to the loss of a license, we’ll refer to the point system table laid out in §302.302 of the Revisor of Missouri. In the table, you will see that many violations are assigned point values that match the milestones we mentioned earlier.
If you have questions about the points placed on your record, don’t hesitate to reach out to the legal team at Eng & Woods today. We can take a closer look at your situation and help you determine the best course of action moving forward.
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
You know how serious driving while intoxicated charges are. Eng & Woods has worked with many clients facing DWI charges, as they automatically add enough points to your record to suspend your license on the first offense. Additional arrests and charges will lead to more points, longer suspensions and the complete revocation of your license.
If you’ve been charged with a DWI, time is of the essence. You need to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Endangerment of a Highway Worker or Emergency Responder
While you would never intentionally try to hurt someone working on the highway or responding to an emergency, state law takes any dangerous driving around these individuals seriously.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transportation events accounted for 73% of road construction workers’ deaths between 2011 and 2020. Emergency responders, such as firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), are also at a higher risk of death or injury when responding to a car accident.
This exposure to danger is why traffic violations in work zones and other work-zone infractions are severe. What does it look like to endanger a highway worker? Here are a few examples outlined by the Revisor of Missouri:
- Exceeding the posted speed limit by fifteen miles per hour or more
- Failing to stop for a work zone flag holder or failure to obey traffic control devices, such as signs or signal lights, placed in construction zones
- Driving through a work zone in any lane not designated for vehicles to use
It’s critical to always approach work zones with caution to protect those working and avoid heavy penalties.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
It’s easy to fall into the belief that speeding is a harmless driving violation. Almost nine out of 10 respondents in this survey admitted to speeding at least a few times a year. However, a 2024 study by the National Safety Council found that speeding was a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities that year, killing more than 11,000 people nationwide. Speeding is dangerous.
While it doesn’t result in a large number of points like other infractions, excessive speeding and multiple tickets can quickly accumulate points. At a minimum, a speeding ticket will add two points to your driving record. If you receive four tickets in an 18-month span, your license will be suspended.
Even if you receive just one speeding ticket, it’s a good idea to consult an attorney from a law firm that deals with speeding infractions. A legal expert may be able to reduce the ticket’s impact on your record, helping you avoid insurance spikes and move toward safer driving.
Driving with a Suspended or Revoked License
If you do receive a license suspension, it can feel frustrating or unfair. However, trying to sneak around a suspension can lead to a revocation of your license, extending your inability to drive and making future infractions more difficult to overcome.
Why You Need to Talk With an Attorney Today.
With DWIs and other serious driving violations, you only have a short window to request a hearing for a board to review your case. An experienced lawyer will understand this process and help you navigate it.
Don’t feel stuck. You may have options when working with an excellent criminal defense attorney from Eng & Woods Attorneys at Law. Visit our contact page today to see how we can help with your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points does it take to suspend a license in Missouri?
Accumulating eight or more points within 18 months triggers a 30-day suspension on your Missouri driver’s license. A second violation in that window climbs to 60 days, and a third or later climbs to 90 days. Reaching 12 or more points in just 12 months can cost you your license for a year or longer.
How do I check if my license is suspended?
You can check your license suspended status through Missouri’s MyDMV online portal or by calling the Department of Revenue’s automated phone line, which is available 24 hours a day. Both options show your current driving privilege status within minutes.
Does a DWI automatically suspend your Missouri driver’s license?
Yes. A first-offense DWI conviction adds enough points on its own to trigger an automatic suspension. Additional DWI arrests or charges add more points, extend suspension lengths and can eventually lead to a full license revocation.
What’s the difference between a suspended and a revoked license in Missouri?
A suspension is temporary and tied to a specific point threshold or violation, with a set timeframe before your driving privileges return. A revocation is more serious, often stemming from repeat or severe offenses like DWI, and generally requires a longer path to reinstatement.
Do I need an attorney if I’m facing a license suspension?
It’s worth talking to one, especially with a DWI or other serious violation, since you often only have a short window to request a hearing before a board reviews your case. An experienced attorney can help you navigate that process and explore options to protect your driving privileges.