It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle in Missouri without automobile liability insurance. The vehicle driver must show proof of insurance to any law enforcement official, upon request, or a traffic ticket will be issued to the driver. If convicted of “failing to show proof of insurance,” one of three things will happen to the driver:
- The court will send the conviction to the Driver and Vehicle Services Bureau and the conviction will be entered on the driver’s driving record. Four points will be assessed against the driver’s driving record. In Mo it only takes a total of eight points within an 18-month period to lose your driving privileges.
- The court may enter an order of supervision. This order is sent to the Driver and Vehicle Services Bureau so that the driver can be monitored to ensure automobile liability insurance is being maintained.
- The court may enter an order suspending the driver’s driver license for failing to show proof of insurance. This order is sent to the Driver and Vehicle Services Bureau at which time the driver is notified of the suspension of his or her driver license.
After the driver serves the required period of suspension, his or her driver license can be reinstated if the Driver and Vehicle Services Bureau receives the following, for a first suspension:
- Proof of insurance
- $20 reinstatement fee
The Missouri Department of Revenue notes that any vehicle driver whose driver license is suspended for failing to show proof of insurance must maintain liability insurance on his or her vehicle for a period of three years following the end of the suspension. The driver must file this proof of insurance with the DOR during this three-year period.
If the driver fails to provide this proof, the Driver and Vehicle Services Bureau will again suspend his or her driver license. The suspension will remain in effect for the remainder of the three years unless the driver refiles the proof of insurance.
The DOR did not state the fine amount that goes with a driving without insurance citation so it may differ according to the jurisdiction you were ticketed in. If you were ticketed for being an uninsured motorist and causing an accident then you should contact the court listed on the citation to find out what penalties, including a fine amount, which you will be facing.
For more information on penalties that are associated with causing an accident while being uninsured read Chapter 303 of the Missouri Revised Code (RSMO). It also gives information on what is required of you to keep your license, such as payment of damages you caused to others.
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