Is Driving a Constitutional Right?

Long ago, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that driving is a privilege, not a constitutional right. As a result, the federal government and the states can regulate driving – heavily. This is the reason there are so many rules concerning the “upkeep” of your driver’s license, the types of drivers licenses, and so many rules regarding the registration of vehicles.

Moving Violations/Points & Suspended or Revoked License

There are many reasons why a person’s driving privilege could be revoked or suspended (i.e., too many points, failing to appear in court, DWI, etc.). One of the most common reasons for a license suspension/revocation is an excessive accumulation of points from moving violations. For every moving violation, such as speeding or failure to signal, points are added to a person’s driving record. When a certain number of points have accrued within in a certain time period, a person’s driving privilege could be suspended or revoked.

In the State of Missouri, point accumulation levels are listed below:

• 8 or more points in 18 months: license suspended for 30 days
• 12 or more points in 12 months: license revoked for one year
• 18 or more points in 24 months: license revoked for one year
• 24 or more points in 36 months: license revoked for one year

If your privilege to drive is suspended or revoked, or you’ve been charged with a traffic ticket, or a DWI, the first thing you should do is contact an experienced traffic law attorney. The rules and regulations concerning the area of traffic law are complex. The smart strategy is to consult with a professional.  Don’t fight the legal system alone!