Driver Improvement Program (DIP)

The Missouri Driver Improvement Program (DIP) can help you avoid points on your license after being cited for a moving violation. The county where your citation was received must approve your attendance at the DIP through the Fine Collection Center (FCC). Not all counties allow the FCC to approve attendance of the DIP, though the following counties do:

Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Audrain, Barton, Bollinger, Boone, Buchanan, Butler, Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Dade, Franklin, Greene, Grundy, Harrison, Hickory, Holt, Howell, Lewis, Lincoln, Livingston, Macon, Madison, McDonald, Miller, Nodaway, Oregon, Osage, Pemiscot, Perry, Pike, Platte, Putnam, Reynolds, Ripley, Saline, Scott, Shannon, Shelby, St. Clair, Ste. Genevieve, Sullivan, Vernon, Wayne, Wright.

In addition, if your driver's license is in a state other than Missouri, the DIP in Missouri cannot guarantee your home state will not assess points against you. Check with your home state for details.

To attend the DIP, you must plead guilty to your citation and pay your fine and costs to the FCC.  You will then be automatically authorized to attend the 8 hour DIP course. The DIP course must be completed within 60 days of your guilty plea, should you choose to attend. The course can only be completed once in a 36 month period. The DIP is not available if your violation was committed in a commercial vehicle or for drivers with a Missouri CDL. If your violation was committed while driving a motorcycle, you must attend an approved motorcycle-rider training course.

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Insurance and Violations

Your driving record contributes to whether an insurer accepts or refuses you coverage. Although non-moving violations have little impact on your driving record, moving violations, such as speeding or DUI offenses, have a bigger impact and insurers may raise your premiums. The more tickets on your driving record, or the more you were speeding may further increase your premiums. Insurance companies typically raise your premiums for 3 years following a serious moving violation.

A DUI or DWI conviction may cause your insurance company to refuse to renew your coverage. If your insurance carrier happens to renew your policy, your premiums will drastically increase as you will be considered a higher risk driver. Accidents can also effect your insurance premiums, even if the accident is not your fault.

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Missouri Point System

If your vehicle is in motion when you are convicted of a traffic violation, points are added to your license. The number of points added to your license depends on your conviction. For a list of point values assigned to violations, visit Missouri Department of Revenue.

Consequences are in place for the accumulation of points. If you accumulate 8 or more points in an 18 month period, your driving privilege will be suspended. Your driving privilege will be revoked for accumulating 12 or more points in 12 months, 18 or more points in 24 months, or 24 or more points in 36 months.

Points can be removed from your license for every year you drive without obtaining new points. When your license is reinstated, your points will be reduced to a total of 4 points. After 1 year with no new points, your remaining points will be reduced by one-third. After 2 years, your remaining points will be reduced by one-half, and after 3 years, you will no longer have any points.

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Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program (SATOP)

The Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) is a statewide, community-based education and treatment option for consumers arrested in Missouri for drug and alcohol related driving offenses. SATOP is required under law by the Department of Revenue (DOR) for reinstatement of your license.

A Qualified Substance Abuse Professional (QSAP) evaluates offenders and recommends an appropriate level of treatment, such as education, intervention or treatment. For a list of SATOP programs and fees, visit Missouri Department of Mental Health.

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