Missouri · Handbook chapter 8 · 4 min read
Chapter 8: Alcohol, drugs and the point system
Missouri BAC limits, administrative and court actions for DWI, refusal, the Abuse and Lose law, minor in possession, SR-22 insurance, ignition interlocks, the effects of alcohol and drugs, and how points lead to suspension and revocation.
Why this chapter matters
Missouri's alcohol and point laws are packed with numbers: .08, .02, 15 days, 90 days, 8 points in 18 months. Expect several written test questions here.
Legal limits
| Driver | Illegal BAC |
|---|---|
| Adults | .08% or more |
| Commercial vehicle drivers | .04% or more |
| Under 21 | .02% or more |
You can be charged with DWI for being impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription or over-the-counter medicine, or any mix. Penalties are the same for drugs and alcohol. Even one drink can affect you; two can put you over the limit.
Effects of alcohol and drugs
Alcohol slows reflexes and reaction time, impairs vision (including night vision), and reduces concentration, coordination and judgment. Cold and allergy medicines can cause drowsiness; "uppers" and diet pills give brief alertness, then nervousness, dizziness and poor concentration. Marijuana is the second most cited drug in crashes, after alcohol, and causes lane weaving and slow reactions; it is never legal to drive under its influence. Never mix medicines with alcohol or take someone else's prescription.
When you are stopped
An officer may give field sobriety tests (walking heel to toe, standing on one leg) and then a chemical test of breath, blood or urine.
Administrative action
If your BAC is .08% or more (.02% for minors), the officer takes your license and gives you a notice. Your license is suspended or revoked after 15 days; the notice may include a 15-day driving permit. You can request a hearing or, if eligible, an immediate 90-day restricted driving privilege. A first offense brings a suspension; a second within five years, a one-year revocation.
Court conviction for DWI or BAC
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| First | Up to 6 months in jail, up to $500 fine; 90-day suspension |
| Second | Up to 1 year in jail, up to $1,000 fine; one-year revocation (five-year denial if within 5 years) |
| Third | Up to 4 years in jail, up to $5,000 fine; ten-year denial |
Injuring or killing someone while impaired can bring two to seven years in jail, a $5,000 fine and a five-year license loss.
Refusing a chemical test
Your license is taken away for one year.
Getting your license back
Pay a $45 fee, complete the Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP), file proof of insurance (SR-22) for two years, and in some cases install an ignition interlock device for at least six months (for example, after a BAC of .15% or higher, more than one intoxication-related contact, or a crash causing damage or injury).
Young drivers
Abuse and Lose
Under 21, your license can be taken for 90 days for any alcohol-related traffic offense, possessing or using alcohol or drugs while driving, or altering a license. Adults 21 or older who possess or use drugs while driving can lose their license for one year.
Minor in possession
| Offense | Result |
|---|---|
| First | 30-day suspension |
| Second | 90-day suspension |
| Third | One-year revocation |
The point system
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding | 3 (2 or 3 depending on the court) |
| Careless and imprudent driving | 4 |
| Letting an unlicensed driver drive | 4 |
| Failing to stop for a school bus | 5 |
| Felony involving a motor vehicle | 12 |
| Obtaining a license by misrepresentation | 12 |
| Driving while suspended or revoked | 12 |
| Leaving the scene of a crash | 12 (and revocation) |
| Points | Result |
|---|---|
| 4 in 12 months | Warning letter (advisory) |
| 8 in 18 months | Suspension: 30 days first, 60 second, 90 third |
| 12 in 12 months, 18 in 24, or 24 in 36 | One-year revocation |
After reinstatement your points drop to four, then fall by one-third after a year without new points, by half after two years, and to zero after three. Some convictions stay on your record permanently.
Failing to appear in court or pay a ticket within 30 days of the court's notice leads to an immediate suspension until you pay and pay a $20 fee.
Frequently asked questions
What is the BAC limit for drivers under 21 in Missouri?
.02 percent.
What happens if I refuse a breath test?
Your license is taken away for one year.
How many points cause a suspension?
Eight points in 18 months.
How long is a first minor in possession suspension?
Thirty days.
Based on the Missouri Driver Guide (Missouri Department of Revenue).