🚗 Missouri Traffic Tickets: Points, Fines & Consequences Explained
👉 Submit Your Ticket Online Now!
🛑 Got a Missouri Traffic Ticket? Here's What You Need to Know
If you've received a traffic ticket in Missouri, don't just pay it and move on. Many citations add points to your license, raise your insurance premiums, or even result in a driver's license suspension. This guide covers:
-
Common ticket fines
-
License suspension rules
-
Options for keeping points off your record
📋 Missouri's Point System: What Each Ticket Is Worth
The Missouri Department of Revenue assigns points to your driving record for most traffic violations. The more serious the offense, the more points you'll receive:
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
|
Speeding (state citation) |
3 |
|
Running a red light |
2–3 |
|
Driving without insurance |
4 |
|
DWI – First Offense |
8 |
|
Leaving the scene of an accident |
12 |
🔗 Full list of point values – Missouri DOR - Last updated February 2022
🚫 License Suspension Rules in Missouri
Accumulate enough points, and your driving privileges could be suspended or revoked. Here's how it breaks down:
-
8+ points in 18 months: 30-day suspension (first offense)
-
12 points in 12 months: 1-year revocation
-
18 points in 36 months: Extended suspensions apply
Once your license is suspended, you'll have to meet reinstatement requirements, which may include:
-
Paying a reinstatement fee
-
Filing SR-22 insurance
-
Completing a driver improvement program
💵 Typical Fines and Court Costs for Missouri Traffic Tickets
Fines vary slightly by city or county, but here are some common ranges:
-
Speeding 1–10 mph over: $150
-
Speeding 11–15 mph over: $150
-
Red light violation: ~$100
-
Driving without insurance: $400–$500
-
Seatbelt ticket: $10
🛑 Fines increase in construction zones and school zones, and court costs often add $30–$75. Use Missouri's Case.net to check your court's fine schedule. We charge $225 for speeding tickets. The price may increase if it is in warrant status or an accident was involved.
🧾 How to Avoid Points on Your Driving Record
You may have legal options depending on your violation and court:
-
Driver Improvement Program (DIP):
-
Completion may remove points for eligible drivers
- List of businesses offering Online Driver Improvement Programs (DIPs)
-
-
No-Point Amendment:
-
Many courts allow attorneys to negotiate a plea deal that keeps the ticket off your record
-
-
Time-Based Point Reduction System:
-
1/3 of points removed after 1 year with no violations
-
1/2 removed after 2 years
-
All removed after 3 years with a clean record
-
⚖️ Should You Hire a Missouri Traffic Ticket Lawyer?
If you want to:
-
Avoid license suspension
-
Prevent insurance rate hikes
-
Resolve your ticket without going to court
A local traffic attorney can help. At Higher Level Legal, we help drivers in Raymore, Lee’s Summit, Harrisonville, and throughout Cass County and Jackson County handle traffic tickets online and efficiently.