Limited Driving Privilege (LDP)

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If your Missouri driving privilege is suspended, revoked, or denied and is not currently eligible for reinstatement—but you need to drive for employment or other important matters—you may be eligible for a Limited Driving Privilege (LDP). Some people refer to this as a “hardship license”.

The LDP, if granted, will allow you to drive a motor vehicle in certain pre-approved situations. However, if you have specific types of convictions or administrative actions on your driver record, you may not be eligible to receive an LDP.

NOTE: Effective July 5, 2013, changes to Missouri law (302.309, RSMo), may make the LDP available to drivers who were previously not eligible. The following FAQs will help you in determining if you are eligible to apply for an LDP and, if so, how to submit your application.

NOTE: A person cannot obtain an LDP to drive a commercial motor vehicle.

What would make me ineligible to receive a Limited Driving Privilege (LDP)?

NOTE: If you have an active 5- or 10-year Denial on your driver record, you cannot submit an application to the Department of Revenue. Instead, you must petition the circuit court for an LDP.

Under Missouri law, the reasons you cannot get an LDP include, but are not limited to:

  1. Your Missouri driving privilege is eligible for reinstatement but not all of the reinstatement requirements have been met.
  2. You have been convicted, during the last five years, of a felony involving a motor vehicle.
  3. You have a suspension, revocation, cancellation, or disqualification of commercial driving privileges (NOTE: Only a non-commercial LDP may be issued in this case).
  4. You have a revocation for failure to pass a driving or medical examination as required by the Director of Revenue.
  5. You have a suspension for an unsatisfied motor vehicle accident judgment (until payment has been made and compliance has been met).
  6. You have a suspension for failure to pay a ticket in Missouri or another state (until payment has been made and compliance has been met).
  7. You have a suspension that resulted from a conviction for driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving with an excessive blood alcohol concentration (BAC). You may be eligible for a Restricted Driving Privilege (RDP).
  8. You have an Administrative Alcohol Suspension (for driving a motor vehicle with a BAC over the legal limit). You may be eligible for a Restricted Driving Privilege (RDP).
  9. You are not currently a Missouri resident, or (if a resident of another state) you do not work or attend school in Missouri.

How do I apply for a Limited Driving Privilege (LDP)?

There are two ways to apply for an LDP.

NOTE: If you have an active 5- or 10-year Denial on your driver record, you cannot submit an application to the Department of Revenue. Instead, you must petition the circuit court for an LDP.

  • Submit an application to the Department of Revenue:
    • You must submit a completed Application for Limited Driving Privilege (Form 4595) (instructions on form);
    • If you do not already have an SR-22 form on file with the Department, you will need to have your insurance company provide such proof, or you may submit a copy of the form with your application; and
    • If you have more than one alcohol offense or you have an active Chemical Revocation on your driver record, you must also submit proof of installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID). The installer of the device will notify the Department after the installation has been completed. This device must be certified by the Missouri Department of Transportation and installed on any vehicle you operate. You must maintain the device for at least the duration of the LDP. A court may require you to install an IID even if you have only one alcohol offense. Click here for a list of approved ignition interlock devices and installers, or contact the Missouri Department of Transportation at 800-801-3588 during normal business hours.
    • Your application will be reviewed within approximately five working days and an order granting or denying an LDP will be sent to you by mail. If you have questions about the LDP application process, please call 573-526-2407, or email dlbmail@dor.mo.gov.
  • File a petition with the circuit court in the county where you live or work:
    • A filing fee and court costs will be required if you file a petition with the court.
    • You may need to seek legal advice when filing your petition.
    • If the court grants the LDP and you do not currently have an SR-22 form on file with the Department, you will need to have your insurance company provide such proof, or you may submit a copy of the form to the Department
    • If you have more than one alcohol offense or you have an active Chemical Revocation on your driver record, you must submit proof of installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID). The installer of the device will notify the Department of Revenue after the installation has been completed. This device must be certified by the Missouri Department of Transportation and installed on any vehicle you operate. If you are seeking an LDP because you have a 5- or 10-year Denial on your record, your IID must be equipped with a camera. The court may also require that your IID be equipped with GPS. You must maintain the device for at least the duration of the LDP. A court may require you to install an IID even if you have only one alcohol offense. Click here for a list of approved ignition interlock devices and installers, or contact the Missouri Department of Transportation at 800-801-3588 during normal business hours.
    • If the court grants the LDP, you will be given an Order Granting Limited Driving Privilege. This will be your “driving document”. A copy of the order must be on file with the Department of Revenue.

Am I required to have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed in order to obtain a Limited Driving Privilege (LDP)?

If you have more than one alcohol offense or you have an active Chemical Revocation on your driver record, proof of installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) is required prior to an LDP being issued. The IID must be maintained for at least the duration of the LDP.

If you are seeking an LDP because you have an active 5- or 10-year Denial on your record, your IID must be equipped with a camera. The court may also require that your IID be equipped with GPS.

A court may require you to install an IID even if you only have only one alcohol offense.

Am I required to carry SR-22 insurance coverage in order to obtain a Limited Driving Privilege (LDP)?

If you do not already have an SR-22 form on file with the Department, you will need to have your insurance company provide such proof, or you may submit a copy of the form with your application.

If you drop your SR-22 insurance coverage before the LDP expiration date, the LDP will be cancelled.