If You Get a Ticket in Missouri

Please note that your state and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regularly update these CDL requirements. Please visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website and the FMCSA website for the most authoritative and up-to-date information regarding CDL requirements and processes.

Note: There are new Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse requirements effective November 2024. According to the FMCSA website, the Clearinghouse is a secure online database that gives employers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs), and State law enforcement personnel real-time information about commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders’ drug and alcohol program violations. Visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website for more information.

Commercial driving laws in Missouri are governed by both the FMCSA and state-specific laws. CDL holders should be aware that the fees for violations in a commercial vehicle are much higher and penalties hold more severe consequences than violations that occur in a regular passenger vehicle. Even if the violation is dismissed in court, you may still have points added to your driving record. That’s why it’s important to talk to a legal professional with experience in commercial driving law immediately if you receive a ticket of any kind. Tickets received while driving your personal vehicle can affect your driving record, too, and possibly have detrimental effects on your career.

As a commercial vehicle driver, you are required to adhere to Missouri laws in the following categories, which are unique to commercial drivers:

• Hours of Service (HOS): Federal regulations limit the number of hours a commercial driver may operate a vehicle without rest. Drivers must take mandatory breaks and off-duty periods to improve road safety.
• Vehicle Inspections: Commercial drivers are required to perform thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections to ensure the vehicle is safe to operate before and after each shift.
• Weight Limits: Missouri enforces strict weight limits for commercial vehicles. Overloaded vehicles pose safety risks and can damage infrastructure, so drivers must comply with state guidelines.
• Hazardous Materials: Drivers transporting hazardous materials must be properly trained, follow all labeling and placarding requirements, and adhere to state and federal safety regulations.
• Alcohol and Drug Testing: Missouri CDL holders are subject to drug and alcohol testing at various times, including pre-employment, random screenings, post-accident, and upon reasonable suspicion.
• Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): To ensure compliance with Hours of Service rules, commercial drivers must use federally approved ELDs to automatically track drive time and rest periods.
• Record Keeping: Drivers must maintain accurate logs and documentation—including hours of service, inspection reports, and any relevant compliance forms—as required by FMCSA and Missouri law.

In addition to these regulations, commercial drivers must be aware of the violations considered serious in the state of Missouri. A serious violation can result in more severe consequences than regular traffic violations and possibly the suspension or revocation of your CDL. That’s why it’s important to speak with an experienced legal professional who understands commercial driving laws. It could make the difference in keeping your license and your job.

The following laws apply to commercial vehicle drivers in Missouri. However, please note that regulations may change, so always check with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for the most current.

The following are considered serious CDL violations in Missouri:

• Excessive Speeding: Driving significantly over the posted speed limit or too fast for road or weather conditions is considered a serious offense for CDL holders.
• Reckless Driving: Operating a commercial vehicle in a manner that endangers people or property—such as aggressive or careless behavior—is classified as reckless driving.
• Following Too Closely: Also known as tailgating, failing to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead can lead to rear-end collisions and serious penalties.
• Improper Lane Changes: Making abrupt or unsafe lane changes without proper signaling or consideration for other drivers is a serious moving violation.
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI): CDL holders are held to a stricter BAC limit (.04%) and can face immediate suspension for operating any vehicle—commercial or personal—under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Leaving the Scene of an Accident: Commercial drivers are legally required to stop, exchange information, and report any accidents to their employer. Failing to do so can result in criminal charges and license disqualification.
• Failure to Secure Cargo: Cargo that is improperly loaded or unsecured can create a dangerous road hazard. Drivers may be fined or charged if their cargo endangers other motorists.
• Driving Without a Valid CDL: Operating a commercial vehicle while your CDL is suspended, revoked, or expired is strictly prohibited and may result in fines and legal consequences.
• Driving Without Proper Endorsements: Certain commercial vehicles—such as tankers, school buses, or hazmat carriers—require specific endorsements. Driving without the appropriate endorsements is a violation of federal and state law.
• Failure to Stop for School Buses: Commercial drivers must stop for school buses displaying stop signs and flashing lights. Passing a stopped school bus is a serious offense, particularly when children are present.

In the state of Missouri, serious violations are subject to a 60-day disqualification from driving. Be sure to contact a legal professional who can work to help you avoid losing days on the job and valuable income.

Although not classified as serious violations, there are many common violations for which a Missouri commercial driver may receive a ticket. These violations may also affect your driving record, so it’s important to speak with a legal professional experienced in trucking laws before you simply pay a ticket.

These common violations include:

Hours of Service violations

• Logbook Errors: Inaccurate or incomplete driver logs can result in fines, audits, or disqualification. All entries must be truthful and up-to-date to meet FMCSA regulations.
• Distracted Driving: Using a hand-held mobile device or engaging in other distractions while driving is a violation of federal law for commercial drivers and can lead to serious consequences.
• Failure to Complete Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Inspections: Skipping mandated vehicle checks increases the risk of mechanical failure and is a violation of safety regulations.
• Operating an Inadequately Maintained Vehicle: Driving a vehicle with known defects or overdue maintenance compromises safety and can result in out-of-service orders or penalties.
• Failure to Complete Required Vehicle Inspections on Time: Routine inspections are required by law to ensure vehicle safety. Missed inspection deadlines can affect compliance records and fleet safety scores.
• Illegal Parking: Parking in restricted zones or in a way that obstructs traffic or creates hazards can result in tickets, towing, and additional liability for accidents.

Commercial drivers in Missouri receive points on their driving records, with the number of points determined by the severity of the violation. Drivers who accumulate 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 24 months, or 24 points in 36 months will have their license revoked for 1 year. Those who acquire 8 points within an 18-month period will have their license suspended for 30 days the first time, 60 days the second time, and 90 days for any following suspensions.

Some examples of violations in the state of Missouri that will result in 2 points (the lowest possible number) being added to your driving record are as follows:

• Driving While Disqualified: Operating a commercial vehicle after your CDL has been suspended or revoked is a serious offense and can result in extended disqualification and legal penalties.
• Excessive Speeding: Driving 15 mph or more over the posted speed limit is considered a major violation for CDL holders and can lead to disqualification or higher insurance rates.
• Failure to Keep Right: CDL drivers must follow lane discipline and stay in the appropriate lane unless passing. Violations can increase crash risk and impact CSA scores.
• Failure or Improper Use of Turn Signals: Not signaling turns or lane changes properly can endanger other drivers and lead to citations or license points.
• Following Too Closely: Tailgating reduces reaction time and increases the likelihood of rear-end collisions, especially dangerous with large commercial vehicles.

Points on your record can be detrimental to your career. That’s why it’s important to speak with a legal expert who is experienced in trucker law and can help you fight for your driving record and your job.

Your driving history as a commercial driver follows you if you move away from the state of Missouri. Likewise, any prior violations that occurred before you moved to Missouri will show on your record in Missouri. If additional offenses are committed while you are licensed in Missouri, all the information in your record will be used to determine how long your license is suspended or revoked. An experienced, knowledgeable attorney who understands commercial driving law can help protect you from suspension or possibly termination of your job if they are able to work on your behalf before you pay a ticket or admit guilt.

If you are a CDL holder in Missouri and receive a conviction for any traffic violations in the state, in either your personal or commercial vehicle, you must notify your employer within 30 days. If you are convicted of a violation in any other jurisdiction, you must notify your licensing agency within 30 days. If your CDL is suspended, revoked, or canceled, or you are disqualified from driving, you must notify your employer within two business days.

Keeping your driving record in good standing is the most important thing you can do for your career. Make sure you have a legal professional on your side who understands the laws and how they affect commercial drivers specifically.

The Missouri Department of Revenue takes very seriously any violations committed by commercial vehicle drivers. In addition to the possible 60-day disqualification for serious violations, drivers are also subject to a 90-day disqualification for a first-time violation of an out-of-service order, a 120-day disqualification for three or more serious convictions within three years, a 180-day disqualification for transporting hazardous materials while under an out-of-service order or transporting 15 or more passengers while under an out-of-service order.

The following are considered major offenses and will result in a one-year disqualification in Missouri:

• Driving a CMV with a BAC of 0.04% or higher: This is the legal limit for commercial drivers, and a violation can result in immediate disqualification.
• Driving a commercial or personal vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs: DUI convictions impact your CDL even if they occur in a personal vehicle.
• Refusing a blood and/or breath test: Refusal to comply with testing under implied consent laws results in automatic disqualification.
• Using a CMV in the commission of a felony: Commercial vehicles used in illegal activities will result in permanent CDL disqualification.
• Failure to stop at the scene of an accident that causes injury or death: Leaving the scene is a felony and leads to immediate license disqualification and possible criminal charges.
• Driving a CMV with a revoked, suspended, canceled, or disqualified privilege: Continuing to operate a CMV under these conditions is a serious offense and can lead to extended disqualification and fines.
• Causing a fatality through negligence or the criminal operation of a CMV: This includes vehicular manslaughter or homicide by vehicle and results in severe penalties and permanent disqualification.
• Making a false statement on a CDL application: Falsifying any information can result in disqualification or a permanent bar from holding a CDL.
• Three or more railroad crossing violations within three years: Repeated violations indicate dangerous driving behavior and result in a minimum one-year disqualification.

Any commercial driver who uses a motor vehicle in the manufacture or illegal distribution of drugs, or in the commission of a felony involving an act or practice of severe forms of trafficking, will receive a lifetime disqualification, which is not eligible for a 10-year reinstatement.

Remember, the most important thing to remember when you receive a ticket is that you should never just pay the ticket or the court fees without first talking to a legal representative who understands trucking laws. While you want to maintain a clean driving record, unforeseen violations can happen. When they do, you need expert legal protection. Drivers Legal Plan, the Nation's Leading CDL Defense Law Firm, is ready to defend your rights and your career.