HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR POINTS TO DROP OFF YOUR MISSOURI DRIVING RECORD?

DRIVING RECORD

If you’ve received a traffic ticket in Missouri, you’re probably wondering how long those points will stay on your driving record, and what you can do to keep your license clean. Missouri’s point system is designed to track and penalize unsafe driving behavior, but the rules around how long points stay on your record can be confusing.

At Speeding Ticket KC, our experienced Kansas City traffic defense lawyers, we help drivers across Missouri navigate traffic charges, reduce or eliminate points, and protect their driving privileges. If you’ve recently been cited for speeding, careless driving, or another traffic offense, understanding how Missouri’s point system works is crucial to keeping your record clean—and keeping your insurance rates down.

UNDERSTANDING THE MISSOURI POINT SYSTEM

In Missouri, traffic violations add “points” to your driving record. The number of points depends on the severity of the offense.

For example:

If you accumulate too many points within a certain timeframe, the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) can suspend or revoke your license:

  • 8 or more points in 18 months: License suspension
  • 12 points in 12 months: License revocation
  • 18 points in 24 months
  • 24 points in 36 months

But how long do those points actually stay on your record?

WHEN TO POINTS DROP OFF YOUR DRIVING RECORD IN MISSOURI?

In Missouri, points from traffic violations don’t stay on your record forever.

Here’s how it works:

  • After 1 year: If you have no new violations, the Missouri DOR will reduce the total number of points on your driving record by one-third.
  • After 2 years: If you still have no new violations, the DOR will reduce your remaining points by an additional one-third.
  • After 3 years: If your driving record remains clean, all remaining points are removed.

This means that if you avoid new violations for three consecutive years, the points from past traffic tickets will completely drop off your record. However, this only applies to the points. The actual record of the violation may remain visible for longer, depending on the nature of the offense.

SERIOUS VIOLATIONS STAY ON YOUR RECORD LONGER

While minor offenses may eventually disappear from your public record, serious violations like DUIs, leaving the scene of an accident, or driving with a suspended license can remain on your driving record for up to 10 years or more, even after the points have dropped off. Insurance companies, employers, and law enforcement may still be able to see these past violations.

This is one of the reasons it’s so important to fight serious traffic charges with the help of a knowledgeable Kansas City traffic defense lawyer. Preventing points from being added in the first place can help protect your record for years to come.

CAN YOU GET POINTS REMOVED SOONER?

Yes—there are a few options to reduce or prevent points on your Missouri driving record:

Hire a traffic defense attorney: A lawyer may be able to get your ticket amended to a non-moving violation, which carries no points.

Attend a Driver Improvement Program (DIP): In some cases, you can attend a state-approved driving course to remove up to four points, but this option is usually only available once every three years.

Fight the ticket in court: If your attorney can get the charge dismissed, you won’t receive any points at all.

HIRE THE RIGHT KANSAS CITY TRAFFIC DEFENSE LAWYER FOR YOU

Points on your driving record can mean more than just fines, they can lead to license suspensions, increased insurance rates, and long-term consequences. If you’ve received a traffic ticket in Missouri, don’t wait for the points to disappear on their own. The best approach is to prevent them from being added in the first place.

At Speeding Ticket KC, our affordable and experienced Kansas City traffic lawyers fight to keep your record clean. We handle everything from speeding tickets to license suspensions and we offer free case evaluations to review your case and explain your options.

Call us today to find out how we can help you reduce or eliminate points and protect your driving privileges.

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