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Driving Without Insurance Can Cause Your Driver’s License To Be Suspended

Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Driving without insurance can cause your driver’s license to be suspended if you get into an accident and don’t pay for the damages that you caused.

This applies even if you were driving someone else’s car and didn’t know the car was not insured.

What To Do If You Get Into An Accident While Driving Without Insurance

Here’s what to do if you get into an accident in Missouri while driving a car that is not insured:

  • Move your car to the side of the road to avoid being hit by oncoming cars
  • Call an ambulance if you think anyone has been injured
  • Call the police to report the accident
  • Turn on your car’s hazard lights, or use flares or a flashlight to warn oncoming traffic
  • Exchange information with the other driver, including your name, address, and vehicle identification
  • Don’t leave the scene of the accident until a police officer gives permission, or else you risk getting a ticket for “Leaving The Scene Of An Accident“
  • File a Missouri Motor Vehicle Accident Report
  • Contact the victim’s insurance company to make arrangements to pay for the damages that you caused

The Missouri Department of Revenue website has more detailed information about what to do if you are involved in an accident.

How Long Will Your Driver’s License Be Suspended If You Don’t Pay For Damage To The Car That You Hit?

If you don’t pay for the property damage that you caused when you got into an accident, the state of Missouri will suspend your driver’s license. This is not a temporary suspension. Your license will remain suspended until you pay for the damages.

You can pay for the damages in one lump sum, or you can sign a settlement agreement with the victim’s insurance company and pay off the total amount in monthly installment payments.

Some people choose to deal with the victim personally, without involving the insurance company. Click here to see the Installment Agreement form provided on the Missouri Department of Revenue (Driver License Bureau) website.

How To Get Your Driver’s License Reinstated If It Is Suspended After An Accident

To get your license reinstated after a suspension caused by your failure to pay for damages resulting from an accident, you must do the following:

  • Provide the state of Missouri with Form SR-22 to prove that you purchased liability insurance (You will get the Form SR-22 from your insurance agent after you purchase the insurance policy.)
  • Pay a reinstatement fee to the Missouri Department of Revenue
  • Provide proof that you paid for the damages to the vehicle that you hit (Proof of payment can be a receipt signed by the victim, or a copy of the installment agreement between you and the victim’s insurance company)

For more information, go to the Missouri Department of Revenue website to find out how to get your license reinstated after a suspension caused by failure to pay for damages. Scroll down and you will see the information listed next to “Motor Vehicle Accident Judgment – Missouri.” Or you can call the Missouri Department of Revenue at (573) 751-4475.

How Many Points Will Be Added To Your Driving Record For Traffic Tickets Involving A Car Accident?

If you are involved in a car accident and your vehicle is not insured, the police officer could issue any of the following tickets:

  • Failure to Yield – 2 to 3 points
  • Following Too Close – 2 to 3 points
  • Careless & Imprudent Driving – 2 to 4 points
  • Reckless Driving – 2 to 4 points
  • Leaving the Scene of an Accident or “Hit & Run” – 6 to 12 points
  • Speeding – 2 to 3 points
  • Driving Without Insurance, No Insurance, or Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility – 4 points

The number of points assessed for each ticket depends on whether your case is prosecuted in municipal court or circuit court. In general, if the accident occurs on a highway and a state trooper issues the ticket, your case will be prosecuted in circuit court. If the accident happened on a city street and a city police officer issues the ticket, your case will be prosecuted in municipal court.

If you accumulate 8 points within 18 months, your Missouri driver’s license will be suspended for 30 days, if it’s your first suspension. Your license will be revoked for 1 year if you accumulate 12 points within 12 months.

Click here to see the Missouri Department of Revenue list of traffic tickets and points assessed for all traffic violations.

To find out how many points you currently have on your driving record, call the Missouri Department of Revenue (Driver License Bureau) in Jefferson City at (573) 751-4475.

How Can An Attorney Help If You Get Into A Car Accident While Driving Without Insurance?

You can hire a traffic ticket lawyer to get your car accident ticket reduced to a non-moving violation like “Illegal Parking” or “Littering” so points won’t be added to your driving record.

If you have an experienced traffic law attorney representing you, it is very likely you won’t have to appear in court.

Your attorney can also help you obtain a copy of the accident report. The accident report will give you the name of the victim and their insurance company. You will have to contact the victim’s insurance company to make arrangements to pay for the damages that you caused.

What If You Don’t Pay For The Damages You Caused In A Car Accident?

As discussed previously in this post, if you get into an accident and you (or your insurance company) fails to pay for the property damage you caused, the state of Missouri will suspend your driver’s license until you pay.

If you don’t contact the victim’s insurance company to pay for the damages you caused, eventually they will contact you. However, it may take a while, which will delay the resolution of your case. That’s why many drivers prefer to contact the victim’s insurance company immediately following the accident.

“Driving Without Insurance” or “Failure To Maintain Financial Responsibility” Tickets Can Be Reduced To A No-Point Ticket

When you get into an accident and your car is not insured, the police officer will issue a 4-point “No Insurance” ticket. The wording on the ticket will be either “Driving Without Insurance,” “No Proof of Insurance,” or “Failure To Maintain Financial Responsibility.”

An attorney can get your 4-point “No Insurance” ticket reduced to a non-moving, no-point infraction such as “Illegal Parking” or “Littering” that won’t cause points to be added to your driving record. To obtain this result, you will have to provide your attorney with proof that you purchased car insurance.

What To Do If You Get A Ticket For “Driving Without Insurance” And You Don’t Own A Car?

If you receive a “No Insurance” ticket but you don’t currently own a car, you will have to buy “Non-Owner’s” or “Non-Driver’s” insurance before your attorney can get your “No Insurance” ticket reduced. You can call any car insurance company to get a price quote for this type of insurance.

What Happens If You Leave The Scene Of An Accident?

It is very common for someone driving without insurance to leave the scene of an accident because they panic or fear the consequences if they stay around.

After leaving the scene of an accident, the police will usually track you down fairly quickly at your home. If you refuse to come to the door to speak to them, they can tow your vehicle if they positively identify it as having been involved in the accident.

Or the officer may call and ask you to come to the police station to write out a statement about what happened. In most cases, after you make your statement, the police officer will issue a ticket for “Leaving the Scene of an Accident” (also called “Hit & Run”).

If police haven’t contacted you yet, you can call the police station in the city or county where the accident occurred and tell them what happened. After you make your written statement and receive the ticket, the victim’s insurance company will eventually contact you to negotiate a settlement agreement to pay for the damages that you caused.

Points and Penalties For Pleading Guilty To “Leaving The Scene Of An Accident” In Missouri

If you get a ticket for “Leaving the Scene of an Accident” or “Hit & Run” and you plead guilty as charged, 6 to 12 points will be added to your driving record. The number of points varies depending on whether your case is prosecuted in municipal court or state circuit court.

A conviction for “Leaving the Scene of an Accident” will stay on your driving record forever if it was a state violation (it occurred on a state highway and was prosecuted in circuit court).

If you accumulate 12 points within 12 months, the state of Missouri will revoke your license for 1 year.

The maximum penalty for a misdemeanor “Leaving the Scene of an Accident” ticket is 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

How To Get A Ticket For “Leaving the Scene of an Accident” or “Hit & Run” Reduced To A Non-Moving Violation

An experienced traffic law attorney can get your ticket for “Leaving the Scene of an Accident” reduced to a no-point ticket, such as “Illegal Parking” or “Littering.”

The outcome of your case will depend on the following:

  • How bad is your driving record?
  • What is the amount of property damage?
  • Were personal injuries involved?
  • Which court is your case being prosecuted in?

Your attorney can evaluate your case and give you a price quote for legal representation. They can also give you an estimate of the fine and court costs that you will have to pay.

If you are required to attend traffic school or do community service, your attorney will tell you how to register for the class, and give you suggestions for where to do the community service.

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For a free consultation about your Missouri traffic ticket, call St. Louis traffic law attorney Andrea Storey Rogers at (314) 724-5059 or email her at [email protected]

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Car Accident With No Insurance – How To Avoid A Suspended License

car accident no insurance

Your Missouri driver’s license will be suspended if you get into an accident while driving a car with no insurance and you fail to pay for the damages.

How To Avoid A Suspension Of Your Driver’s License If You Get Into An Accident And You Don’t Have Car Insurance

If you get into an accident while driving an uninsured vehicle, you will have to make arrangements with the other driver’s insurance company (or negotiate with the driver personally without involving the insurance company) to pay for the damage to their vehicle.

You can pay for the damages in one lump sum, or you can sign an installment agreement to make payments.

If your license is already suspended, usually the suspension will be lifted after you make a few installment payments. You can negotiate the details of the agreement with the insurance company that is providing coverage for the vehicle that you hit.

Click here to see the Missouri Department of Revenue Installment Agreement.

What To Do If You Get Into A Car Accident In Missouri

If you are involved in a car accident in Missouri, you are legally required to do the following:

  • Move your car to the side of the road to avoid being hit by oncoming cars
  • Call an ambulance if you think anyone has been injured
  • Call the police to report the accident
  • Turn on your car’s hazard lights, or use flares or a flashlight to warn oncoming traffic
  • Exchange information with the other driver, including your name, address, vehicle identification, and car insurance information
  • Don’t leave the scene of the accident until a police officer tells you it’s o.k. to leave, or else you could get a ticket for “Leaving The Scene Of An Accident”
  • File a Missouri Motor Vehicle Accident Report

The Missouri Department of Revenue website has more detailed information about what to do if you are involved in an accident.

What To Do If You Get Into A Car Accident And You Receive A Traffic Ticket

If you are involved in a car accident, stop and call the police, and don’t leave until the officer gives you permission to go.

Then hire an experienced traffic ticket lawyer to get your car accident ticket reduced to a non-moving violation that won’t affect your driving record.

If you have an experienced traffic law attorney representing you, it is very likely you won’t have to appear in court.

How Many Points Will Be Added To Your Driving Record For A Ticket Involving A Car Accident

Here are the most common traffic tickets issued when an accident is involved, and the number of points added to your driving record for each one:

  • Failure to Yield – 2 to 3 points
  • Following Too Close – 2 to 3 points
  • C&I (Careless & Imprudent) Driving – 2 to 4 points
  • Reckless Driving – 2 to 4 points
  • Leaving the Scene of an Accident (“Hit & Run”) – 6 to 12 points

FYI – If your case goes before a judge, they can assess even more points than those listed above because an accident was involved. That’s why it’s best to have an attorney negotiate a plea bargain deal with the Prosecutor instead of taking your case directly to the judge.

How To Get A “Leaving the Scene of an Accident” Ticket Reduced To A Less Serious Offense

A ticket for “Leaving the Scene of an Accident” or “Hit & Run” is a serious traffic violation. If you plead guilty to “Leaving the Scene,” 6 to 12 points will be added to your driving record (depending on which court your case is being prosecuted in), and the state can revoke your driver’s license for 1 year.

The maximum penalty for a misdemeanor “Leaving the Scene of an Accident” ticket is 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Before you plead guilty to “Leaving The Scene Of An Accident,” consult an experienced traffic ticket lawyer to discuss your options. Your attorney may be able to get your ticket reduced to a non-moving, no-point violation with no jail time or court appearance required.
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For a free consultation about your Missouri traffic ticket, call St. Louis traffic law attorney Andrea Storey Rogers at (314) 724-5059 or email her at [email protected]

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How To Clean Up Your Driving Record in Missouri

Call St. Louis traffic law attorney Andrea Storey Rogers today at (314) 724-5059 to clean up your Missouri driving record.

Withdraw Your Guilty Plea To Get a Clean Driving Record

When you plead guilty to a speeding ticket, three things happen:

  1. A conviction shows up on your driving record.
  2. Points are added to your driving record.
  3. Your insurance rates will probably increase.

If you accumulate too many points on your driving record, your license will be suspended or revoked.

Many defendants have hired me to withdraw their plea because their license has been suspended for having too many points on their driving record and they need to get those points removed from their record. Often, people don’t realize how many points they have on their driving record until they receive a warning from the state that their license is about to be suspended or revoked.

Some people hire me to withdraw their guilty plea and get their ticket reduced to a no-point violation because they have been offered a job that requires that they have a clean driving record.

Regardless of the reason, if you want to clean up your driving record and remove points, you will need to hire an experienced traffic law attorney to withdraw your guilty plea.

How to Withdraw Your Guilty Plea For a Speeding Ticket 

First, your attorney will file a motion with the court to withdraw your guilty plea.

Next, if the judge approves the motion to withdraw your guilty plea, your attorney will then work out a deal with the Prosecutor to reduce your speeding ticket to a non-moving no-point violation that won’t affect your driving record or insurance rates.

In many cases, the attorney can take care of everything without the defendant having to appear in court.

Please Note:  It is much more difficult, if not impossible, to withdraw your guilty plea if you were represented by an attorney when you originally pleaded guilty, or if too much time has passed since your guilty plea.

Withdrawing Your Plea Removes Points From Your Driving Record

After your attorney withdraws your guilty plea and reduces your speeding ticket to a non-moving, no-point violation, the court will require you to pay the difference between the original fine you already paid and the new fine assessed by the Prosecutor.

Then the points for the original speeding ticket will be removed from your driving record and there will be no conviction on your driving record.

Withdrawing Your Guilty Plea Can Lift Your Driver’s License Suspension

If your driver’s license was suspended because you accumulated too many points on your driving record, withdrawing your guilty plea and getting your ticket reduced to a no-point violation will clean up your record and lift your suspension. 

You Can Also Withdraw Your Guilty Plea For a Criminal Offense

If you pleaded guilty in the past to a criminal offense and you have now changed your mind about your plea, you can withdraw your guilty plea and hire an attorney to negotiate a plea bargain with the Prosecutor to get your criminal charge dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense.

Click here to read my previous blog post about how to withdraw your guilty plea for a criminal offense, such as marijuana possession, drug paraphernalia, or shoplifting.

To withdraw your guilty plea and clean up your driving record, call St. Louis attorney Andrea Storey Rogers at (314) 724-5059 for a flat-fee price quote for legal representation. Or email Andrea at [email protected]

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You Can Be Arrested And Your License Suspended If You Fail to Pay a Traffic Ticket

You can be arrested and your driver’s license can be suspended if you fail to pay a traffic ticket fine or if you fail to appear at your court date in Missouri or any other state.

Missouri Courts Can Issue An Arrest Warrant If You Fail to Pay a Speeding Ticket Fine

If you don’t go to court on your court date or if you fail to pay a traffic ticket fine by the due date, the court can file a charge of “Failure to Appear” (FTA) against you. If you miss two court dates, the court will issue a warrant for your arrest. To add insult to injury, you may also have to pay an additional FTA fee and a warrant fee, each of which can range from $10 to $100, depending on the court.

Most Courts Don’t Issue Arrest Warrants For Failure to Pay a Traffic Ticket Fine Until After Two Missed Court Dates

Instead of immediately filing an FTA charge, some courts will give you an extension (it’s called a “continuance”), postponing your court date to the next month’s court docket, and some courts will even send a letter reminding you that you missed your court date, but don’t count on this happening.

Here are examples of how some St. Louis area courts treat your failure to appear in court and failure to pay traffic ticket fines:

The St. Louis County Municipal Court (South Division) on Lemay Ferry Drive in St. Louis is one court that does not issue an arrest warrant until after a defendant has missed more than one court date. After you miss your first court date, the court automatically grants a continuance and puts your case on the docket for the following month. If you miss your second court date, an arrest warrant is issued.

Town and Country Municipal Court in Town and Country, Missouri and Creve Coeur Municipal Court in Creve Coeur, Missouri do not immediately issue arrest warrants. After you miss your first court date, both of these courts continue your case to the next month’s docket and send you a letter reminding you of the new court date.

In St. Louis City Municipal Court, some judges will issue an arrest warrant as soon as you miss your first court date; other judges will continue your case to the next month’s docket and add an additional $100.50 FTA fee for Failure to Appear.

Kirkwood Municipal Court in Kirkwood, MO will issue a Failure to Appear charge and charge a $5 FTA fee after you miss your first court date. If you fail to appear at your second court date, Kirkwood will issue an arrest warrant and charge you a $50 warrant fee.

Missouri Courts Can Suspend Your Driver’s License If You Fail to Appear in Court For a Traffic Ticket

After a court reports your Failure to Appear charge or arrest warrant to the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR), the DOR will suspend your driver’s license. This type of suspension is called a “FACT” suspension (Failure to Appear in Court for Traffic Violation suspension) or FTA Suspension.

A FACT suspension causes your driver’s license to be suspended until you pay the fine and go through the process of having your license reinstated. In order to get your license reinstated, you will have to pay the court for the speeding ticket fine, court costs, warrant fee, and FTA fee. You will also have to pay a $20 reinstatement fee to the DOR and provide the DOR with a compliance letter or release from the court, proving that you paid the fines and fees. After you have complied with the requirements and your license is reinstated, the FACT Suspension will be removed from your driving record.

Out-of-State FACT Suspensions Stay on Your Missouri Driving Record For 5 Years

Out-of-state FACT suspensions or FTA Suspensions will remain on your Missouri driving record for 5 years from the date that your license is reinstated. So, if you receive a traffic ticket in another state and you fail to appear at your court date or you fail to pay the fine for that ticket, then that state can issue a Failure to Appear charge against you and Missouri will suspend your license until you pay the fine and comply with the other requirements for reinstatement of your license.

The record of the out-of-state FACT suspension will remain on your Missouri driving record for 5 years from the reinstatement date. After those 5 years have passed, you can contact the Missouri Department of Revenue and request that the FACT suspension be removed from your driving record.

Instead of a FACT Suspension, a Court Can Issue a “Lieu of Bail” Hold On Your Driver’s License

Instead of a FACT suspension or FTA Suspension, a court can put a “Lieu of Bail” hold on your driver’s license if you fail to appear in court or pay a traffic ticket fine. A “Lieu of Bail” hold is not a suspension of your driver’s license but it does place a hold on your driving record, preventing you from applying for a new or duplicate driver’s license while the hold is in place.

In order for the Lieu of Bail hold to be removed, you must get a release order or compliance letter from the court, proving that you paid the fine, and submit that proof to the Missouri Department of Revenue.

If You Can’t Afford to Pay the Fine, Ask The Judge About a Payment Plan or Community Service

If you don’t have the money to hire an attorney to get the charges reduced, and if you can’t afford to pay the speeding ticket fine by the due date, then you must go to court on your court date and ask the judge to give you an extension of time (a “continuance”) until the next month’s docket. That will give you approximately one month to raise the money to pay the fine.

Or, you can go to court on the court date and ask the judge to allow you to perform community service to pay off your fine, or ask the judge to put you on a payment plan to pay off your fine over several months. There is no guarantee that the judge will agree to either of these options, but it may be worth a try. If the judge agrees to put you on a payment plan to pay off your fine, you must make each payment by the due date, or else the court will issue a warrant for your arrest.

An Attorney May Be Able To Get Your Speeding Ticket “Fixed” And Cancel Your Arrest Warrant 

A traffic law attorney can negotiate a plea bargain with the court and, in most situations, can get your speeding ticket charge reduced to a lesser offense (sometimes referred to as getting a ticket “fixed”). In many cases, an attorney can also get your arrest warrant cancelled (sometimes this is called getting a warrant “lifted” or “recalled”). Some courts do not cancel warrants unless the defendant pays the bond, but many other courts will cancel a warrant if an attorney files a request with the court. If your warrant is very old, it may be impossible to lift the warrant until you pay the bond.

Contact St. Louis traffic law attorney Andrea Storey Rogers at (314) 724-5059 if you have received an arrest warrant, Failure to Appear charge, or a FACT Suspension. You can also email Andrea by clicking on the email icon at the top of this page, or by filling out the email contact form on the Home page of this website.