Missouri

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Missouri. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

  • Alcohol Impaired Driving

    Penalties

    Increased Penalty for High BAC Administrative License Suspension on First Offense Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension
    .15 90 days

    After 0 days with interlock use (restricted)

    After 30 days (restricted)

    Ignition Interlocks

    Mandatory for repeat convictions

    Other

    Open Container Laws Repeat Offender Laws
    No Yes

     

  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Restraint Required

    Under 4 yrs or under 40 lbs in child safety seat
    4-7 yrs and 40-80 lbs and 4'9" or shorter in child safety seat or booster seat
    At least 80 lbs or taller than 4'9" in booster seat or safety belt

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    At least 8 yrs and 80 lbs or taller than 4'9" 

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    Yes. Secondary Law. (Effective 8/29/2023; citations begin 1/1/2025)

    All Cell Phone Ban?

    School Bus Drivers

    Yes. Secondary Law. (Effective 8/29/2023; citations begin 1/1/2025)

    Novice Drivers

    No

    Text Messaging Ban?

    For drivers 21 and under. Primary law.
    All drivers. Secondary Law. (Effective 8/29/2023; citations begin 1/1/2025)

  • Drug Impaired Driving

    DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

    • None

    Marijuana-Specific Laws

    • Possession and Use: Decriminalized and legal for medical use
    • Impaired Driving: None
  • Mature Drivers

    Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

    6 years

    Provisions for Mature Drivers

    70 and over: renewal every 3 years

  • Motorcyclists

    Motorcyclists may ride without helmets if they are 26 yrs or older and have medical insurance.

  • Seat Belts

    Type of Law

    Secondary; Primary for riders ages 8 through 15

    Who Is Covered?

    8 and over

    In What Seat?

    8-15 yrs: All (primary enforcement)

    16 and over: Front

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    No state law, but permitted by city ordinance.

    Red Light Cameras

    No state law, but permitted by city ordinance.

  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving

    Rural Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    70 70

    Urban Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    60 60

    Other Limited Access Roads

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    70 70
  • Teen and Novice Drivers

    Full Privilege Minimum Age

    18 years

    Learner Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    Minimum Duration (Months)

    Required Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours)
    15 6 40 (10)

    Intermediate Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    		 Nighttime Driving Restriction

    Passenger Restriction (except family, unless noted)
    16 1 a.m. - 5 a.m.

    First 6 months: no more than 1 under 19

    Thereafter: no more than 3 under 19