Driving while suspended or revoked is a criminal charge, not a simple ticket.
A conviction adds 12 points to your record, enough for another revocation by itself, and repeat offenses carry jail time. It is also one of the most common charges we see, often from people who didn’t know their license had been suspended.
Penalties under Missouri law
| Situation | Possible penalty |
|---|---|
| First offense | Class D misdemeanor (fine only, up to $500) |
| Second or third offense | Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail and a $2,000 fine) |
| Repeat offenses with prior convictions | Can be charged as a class E felony |
| Points on your driving record | 12 |
City and county ordinance versions of this charge are also common in St. Louis-area municipal courts.
Why people get charged
- A missed court date on an old ticket led to a suspension they never heard about
- Too many points in too short a time
- No proof of insurance after a stop or accident
- A DWI arrest or a breath-test refusal
- Unpaid fines or failure to file an SR-22
How we defend these charges
Often the best defense is fixing the underlying problem. If we can get your license reinstated before your court date, prosecutors are much more willing to reduce or dismiss the charge. We check your driving record, find out exactly why the license was suspended, and work on both the charge and the license at the same time.
We also look at whether the state can prove you knew about the suspension, and whether the notice was ever properly sent.
If your license is suspended now, see our guides to license reinstatement and the limited driving privilege.
Driving while suspended FAQ
I didn’t know my license was suspended. Does that matter?
It can. The charge generally requires that you acted with at least criminal negligence about the suspension, so a missing or misdirected notice can be part of the defense.
Can I get the charge reduced?
Often, yes, especially once your license is valid again. We frequently resolve these as non-moving or lower-point violations.
Will I go to jail?
Jail is unlikely on a first offense, which is a fine-only misdemeanor. Repeat charges are more serious, and that is when early legal help matters most.
Talk to a St. Louis traffic lawyer
Send us a photo of your ticket and we’ll tell you what we can do, free. Call or text (314) 526-3779 or contact us online. See all the tickets we handle on our St. Louis traffic ticket lawyer page.
