In some cases, getting your Missouri driver’s license reinstated is as simple as filling out a few forms and paying a reinstatement fee of $25 to $40. However, for serious offenses, you might have to wait for up to a year, file an SR-22, complete a safety program, and pay a steeper fine.
If you’re trying to get your license back, the rules, forms, and fees can feel like a never-ending maze. Whether you’ve simply racked up a few too many speeding tickets or your license was suspended because you were driving without insurance, don’t sweat it—we’re here to help.
Car insurance
shopping super app Jerry
has looked into Missouri’s laws, and we’re ready to walk you through the license reinstatement process. We’ll go over how to get your license back, the fees you can expect to pay, and how to get a hardship license so that you can drive in the meantime. If you're also looking for the best car insurance rates in Missouri
, we've got you covered. RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Why you might need a license reinstatement in Missouri
The Missouri Department of Revenue
has put together a detailed guide of reasons for suspension, but we’ll hit the highlights here: Accumulating too many driver's license points
(30-day suspension for the first offense) Driving with a BAC higher than 0.08 (or 0.02 for drivers under 21)
Not keeping proper insurance
Failing to pay for child support
Serious driving violations, like reckless driving or vehicular manslaughter
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to simply wait out your suspension then get behind the wheel immediately. You’ll have to file a few forms and pay some fees before you can legally drive again.
If you’re not sure whether your license is suspended, you can buy a copy of your driving record at a Missouri license office or by calling 573-526-2407. Don’t worry, it’s cheap—only $2.82 per record!
How to get a license reinstatement in Missouri
Now it’s time to get down to business—depending on the reason your license is suspended, you can get it back by filing forms, paying a fee, and potentially completing driving courses or a substance awareness program
. Suspensions
First, you need to understand why your license was suspended. Though you might already have a good idea of the reason why, you can confirm it by looking through the letter you received from the Driver License Bureau or by purchasing a copy of your driving record.
Next, you can use this chart from the Department of Revenue
to see what forms you have to file, what fees you need to pay, and what courses, if any, you must take. For example, if your license was suspended because you refused to take an alcohol or drug test, you’ll need to: Pay a $45 reinstatement fee
File an SR-22
form and maintain it for two years File proof that you completed a substance awareness program
File proof that you installed an ignition interlock device
Of course, this is just one example—but most reinstatements follow a similar process. In fact, the Missouri Department of Revenue does a great job of simplifying the process, so be sure to check out their chart
! Once you’ve collected all the necessary forms and you’re prepared to pay the fee, bring them in person to:
Truman State Office Building
301 West High Street, Room 470
Jefferson City, Missouri 65105-0200
If in-person payments aren’t your thing and snail-mail makes your skin crawl, you can also pay your fee online
using an approved credit or debit card. Revocations
A revocation is more severe than a suspension, but the process is similar. If you’ve had your license revoked (usually, for more than a year), you’ll have to meet all the requirements of reinstating a suspended license and pass the complete driver exam again.
Key Takeaway Though it depends on the violation, you’ll be able to get your license reinstated by paying a fee, filing the right forms, and potentially completing a driving safety or substance awareness course.
RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
How to get a hardship license in Missouri
Let’s say your license is suspended, but you really need to be able to drive for work. In this case, the Missouri Department of Revenue might give you a hardship license (also called a Limited Driving Privilege
, or LDP). Here’s a walkthrough of how you can get a hardship license:
Have your insurance company provide proof of insurance or submit an SR-22
. If your offense is alcohol-related, you may have to provide proof of an approved ignition interlock device
. Wait for the Department of Revenue to review your application. This shouldn’t take too long—only about five days!
The second way to apply for a hardship license is to petition the circuit court
. This process follows similar steps, just through a different starting point. Who isn’t eligible for a hardship license in Missouri?
Sometimes, you might not be able to get a hardship license in Missouri, no matter what. The Missouri Department of Revenue has a complete list of reasons
that you couldn’t get a one, but we’ll touch on some of the most common: If you’ve been convicted of a motor vehicle felony in the last five years
If you failed a medical or driving exam
If you were driving with an excessive BAC (0.16 or higher)
If you are not currently a Missouri resident
What is an SR-22 certificate?
For most license suspensions, you’ll need to fill out an SR-22 certificate
, sometimes referred to as SR-22 insurance. It isn’t actually insurance, though—it’s just legal proof that you’ve met Missouri's auto insurance laws and minimum requirements
. In Missouri, you’ll need to keep the SR-22 for two years (and drive safely during those two years). Once two years are up, you’re good to drop the SR-22 and keep driving like normal.
Though filing an SR-22 only costs about $25, it’ll cause a massive jump in your insurance payments, which is bad news for your bank account.
How to save money on car insurance in Missouri
No doubt, if you’ve fought your way through the hedge maze of paperwork that comes with license reinstatement, the last thing you want is more forms. Jerry
, our top-rated insurance shopping app, takes the paperwork off your hands and gets you some hefty savings too. It’s this easy: download the trustworthy super app
, sign up in less than a minute, and let Jerry show you the best rates from over 50 top insurers. Then, just tap your favorite, and let Jerry’s team of expert insurance agents help you switch—no forms, unwanted phone calls, or pesky salesmen. Best of all, Jerry will fight to keep your rates down, even after a suspension! The average Jerry driver saves $887 on car insurance
. “I have a really bad record, so all of my previous insurance quotes were pretty high. I started using Jerry
and the fantastic app saved me $130 a month on my insurance.” —Jett A.
RECOMMENDEDThis app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
4.7
