MO HB1658

Motor vehicle owners in Missouri must maintain financial responsibility (insurance) while operating, registering, or maintaining registration of a vehicle, with exemptions for inoperable or stored vehicles.

First violation of failing to maintain financial responsibility is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $300; second or subsequent violations are punishable by up to 15 days in county jail and/or a fine of $500.

A person cannot be found guilty if they demonstrate to the court that they met financial responsibility requirements at the time the citation was issued.

Courts must notify the Director of Revenue upon conviction and either suspend driving privileges, assess four points, issue a supervision order (limited to once per 36 months), or for nonresidents, suspend their driving privileges in the state.

Suspension orders may be appealed directly under chapter 512, and the provisions of section 302.311 do not apply.