Accessing Missouri DWI Records

The roads of US are not safe, as have been proved by statistics time and again. Of all fatal accidents that had occurred on the US highways in 2008, 37% involved drunken drivers. Thousands have been killed, many were crippled for their lives, and property worth millions has been damaged in these accidents. The state of Missouri too presents a similar picture. For these reasons, drunken driving laws have been made stringent all over the US.

A DWI Charge

A DWI or a “driving while intoxicated” charge carries similar implications like a DUI or “driving under the influence” (of alcohol and/or drugs) conviction. A DWI conviction can be brought against a person if s/he is found operating a vehicle while intoxicated or impaired after consuming alcohol, banned drugs, or certain types of prescription or non-prescription medications.

Missouri DWI Laws and Penalties

The State of Missouri conforms to the general body of DWI laws that have been adopted by the 50 US states and the District of Columbia from August 2005. As per these rules, a person may be convicted of committing a DWI crime if found driving a vehicle when his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level is 0.08% or more. This level is the standard that is followed in most US states and this is considered an instance of driving while intoxicated. For someone holding a Commercial Driver’s License and driving a commercial vehicle, a BAC level of 0.04% or more when driving is considered illegal in Missouri.

Missouri adheres to the Zero Tolerance Law for persons aged less than 21 years. It is illegal for these persons to drive a vehicle with any amount of measurable amount in their body, which means having a BAC level of 0.0% or more.

The Missouri DWI laws also encompass the Implied Consent rule. As per the guidelines laid down by this law, a Missouri driver has to consent to undergo a blood, breath, or urine test to determine the level of alcohol in his/her body, if requested by a police officer while carrying out a DWI investigation. Refusing to take the test may result in his/her driving license being suspended.

A Missouri DWI conviction carries with it heavy fines and penalties: serving a prison sentence, suspension of driving privileges, imposition of fines, mandatory attendance at a Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program, and installation of an ignition interlock device in the vehicle. The driver may also have to serve a probation period and perform some hours of community service if the courts so orders.

Reasons for Conducting a Missouri DWI Records Search

The increasing number of DWI offenses and particularly repeat offenses, in spite of these strict DWI laws and harsh penalties are causes of concern for the authorities. It is increasingly being felt that the common man too has to pitch in to prevent the occurrence and recurrence of DWI crimes.

The reasons for DWI crimes being repeated are many: drivers charged with committing a DWI crime continue to operate a vehicle with suspended or restricted licenses and offenders often do not take part in or withdraw mid-way from the mandatory alcohol and substance abuse education programs. These people can be identified if their driving records are searched for the status of their licenses.

If you suspect a Missouri driver on the roads of being a prior DWI convict, check Missouri DWI records for his current driving license status. Inform the law enforcement authorities immediately if you identify someone driving on a suspended license. If you operate a logistics company or a vehicle hire service, it is your duty to check the license records of all drivers who will be working under you. You should be immediately on your guard if you find someone with a past DWI conviction. A Missouri DWI records search is an absolute must if you have hired a new chauffeur to ensure that you and your family are driven around safely. You may also need to check Missouri DWI records to determine the present status of your driving license or the driving privileges you are entitled to.

Missouri DWI Records Search

A Missouri DWI charge features on the driving record for ten years for a first time offense and all through the lifetime of the convict for multiple offenses.

As per law, all driving records in Missouri are accessible to the common man, except those that have been sealed or otherwise declared confidential by the court. These records are held in the National Driver Register (NDR) database.

The NDR database lists all US drivers whose licenses have been canceled, revoked, denied or suspended and those who have been convicted of DWI offenses and other traffic rule violations. To request driving license information from the NDR, you will have to complete the FAA Form 8060-13 available here: http://forms.faa.gov/forms/faa8060-13.pdf. Submit the form, via US mail only, to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, ATTN: Bureau of Records, Neil Kirkman Building, PO Box 5775, Tallahassee Florida 32314.

A NDR driving record contains the full name of the convicted driver, his/her identification data like past and present addresses and details of physical appearance, the current state of the driving license, information on whether the license had ever been canceled or suspended, and information on all DWI offenses by him within the past five years and related information on the offense(s).

Throughout the years, Missouri DWI records have been made more accessible so that both a law enforcement officer and the common man find it easy to search for one.