Motor Vehicle Owner Responsibilities and Penalties

Missouri law requires that all motor vehicle drivers and owners maintain some type of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage. Motor vehicle owners are required to show proof of insurance when registering a motor vehicle or renewing his or her license plates. Owners must also keep proof of insurance in his or her vehicle(s). If a law enforcement officer asks for proof of insurance and the driver cannot show it, the officer may issue both the driver and the owner a ticket.

Click here for acceptable types of insurance.

At any time during the period of vehicle registration, the Department of Revenue can request that a vehicle owner show proof of insurance. If the vehicle owner cannot provide proof of insurance, a driving privilege suspension is imposed. The suspension period increases for each offense for failure to provide proof of insurance.

1st suspension ................................0 days
2nd suspension in two years ...........90 days
3rd and subsequent suspension .........1 year

After the owner serves the period of suspension, his or her driving privilege can be reinstated if the Department of Revenue receives the following:

1st suspension

2nd suspension

3rd and subsequent suspension

Any vehicle owner whose driving privilege is suspended for failing to show proof of insurance must maintain liability insurance on his or her vehicle for a period of three years following the end of the suspension. The owner must file this proof of insurance with the Department of Revenue during this three-year period. If the owner fails to provide this proof, the Department of Revenue will again suspend his or her driving privilege. The suspension will remain in effect for the remainder of the three years unless the owner refiles the proof of insurance.