What the Missouri Petition for Reinstatement Form Does
The Petition for Reinstatement of Driver's License is the official form you file with a Missouri circuit court when your license has been suspended or revoked and you want it back. This is not a form you mail to the Department of Revenue — it goes to the court in the county where you live, and a judge decides whether to grant your request based on the reason your license was taken away and the steps you have already taken to address that reason.
The form itself is relatively short, but what matters is what you attach to it and what you say in it. The court needs to see that you have done something to fix the underlying problem — whether that was a DWI conviction, unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or a medical suspension. Without evidence of that effort, the petition will be denied.
Key Takeaways
- The Petition for Reinstatement form is filed with your local circuit court, not the Missouri Department of Revenue, and requires a judge's approval.
- You must include documentation showing you have addressed the reason your license was suspended or revoked — such as proof of DWI education completion, paid fines, or child support payments.
- The form costs a filing fee that varies by county, typically between $100 and $300, and you may need to pay it when you file or the court will not process your petition.
- You can file the petition yourself or have an attorney file it for you, but the court will schedule a hearing where you may need to appear in person to answer questions about your efforts to comply.
- The timeline from filing to a judge's decision usually takes four to eight weeks, depending on the court's schedule and how complete your supporting documents are.
Where to Get the Form and What It Looks Like
Missouri does not publish a single statewide petition form. Instead, each circuit court has its own version, and some courts have no printed form at all — they expect you to file a written petition that follows basic court document rules. The safest approach is to call the clerk's office in the circuit court for your county and ask for the "Petition for Reinstatement of Driver's License" form, or ask whether they have a local template.
If your court does not have a form, you can write a straightforward one-page letter to the judge that includes your name, driver's license number, the reason your license was suspended or revoked, the date of suspension, and a statement that you have taken steps to address the problem. The letter must be typed or clearly handwritten, dated, and signed. Some courts post their forms on their websites under "Forms" or "Self-Help Resources" — check your county circuit court's website first.
The form itself asks for basic information: your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, the county where you live, the date your license was suspended or revoked, and the reason (DWI, unpaid fines, child support, medical, etc.). It also has a section where you describe what you have done to fix the problem and why you believe you should get your license back.
Documents You Must Attach to Your Petition
The court will not grant your petition on your word alone. You must provide evidence that you have taken concrete steps to address the reason your license was suspended. What you need depends on why your license was taken away:
- DWI suspension: Certificate of completion from an approved DWI education program (usually 8 or 16 hours), proof of any required substance abuse treatment, and proof that you have paid any fines or court costs.
- Unpaid traffic fines or court costs: Receipt showing you have paid the full amount owed, or a payment plan agreement signed by the court.
- Child support arrears: Letter from the child support enforcement office showing you are current on payments or have entered a payment plan, dated within the last 30 days.
- Medical suspension: Letter from your doctor stating you are medically fit to drive, or clearance from the Department of Revenue's medical review unit.
- Habitual traffic offender status: Proof that you have completed any required substance abuse or traffic safety programs, and proof of payment of any reinstatement fees.
Make two copies of each document — one for the court file and one for yourself. Staple or clip them to the back of your petition in the order listed above. Do not use a folder or binder; courts prefer straightforward stapled packets.
Filing Your Petition With the Circuit Court
You file your petition in person at the circuit court clerk's office in the county where you live. Bring the original petition plus two copies, all supporting documents in duplicate, and a check or money order for the filing fee. Some courts accept credit cards or allow you to pay by card over the phone, but most require cash or check at the time of filing.
The clerk will stamp your petition with the date received and give you a case number. Write this number down — you will need it to check the status of your petition or to appear at any hearing. Ask the clerk how long it usually takes for a judge to review petitions and whether you will be notified by mail or phone about a hearing date.
If you cannot file in person, some courts allow you to mail your petition, but call first to confirm. Include a cover letter with your name, phone number, and address, and ask the clerk to call you when your petition is received. Mailing takes longer and gives you less control over whether documents arrive in the right order, so filing in person is safer if you can do it.
Filing Fees and What Happens If You Cannot Pay
Circuit court filing fees for a petition for reinstatement vary by county. Most Missouri counties charge between $100 and $300. Some courts have a reduced fee for people with low income, but you must ask and may need to fill out a form stating your income. A few courts will allow you to file without paying the fee upfront if you sign an agreement to pay it later, but this is not may provide.
If the fee is a barrier, call the clerk's office and ask whether the court has a fee waiver or reduction program. Bring proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax return, or a letter from a benefits program) if you explore. Do not skip the fee and hope the court will overlook it — your petition will not be processed until it is paid.
What Happens After You File
After you file, the court clerk sends your petition to a judge. The judge reviews your documents and decides whether to grant the petition without a hearing or to schedule a hearing where you can answer questions. If the judge grants it without a hearing, you will receive a written order in the mail within two to four weeks. If the judge wants to hear from you, the clerk will mail you a hearing notice with a date and time.
At the hearing, you will stand before the judge and explain why your license should be reinstated. Bring all your original documents and be prepared to answer questions about what you have done to address the reason for suspension. For example, if you completed a DWI program, the judge may ask when you completed it, what you learned, and how you have changed your behavior. Keep your answers honest and direct.
If the judge grants your petition, you will receive a written order. Take this order to the Missouri Department of Revenue's Driver Services Bureau to have your license reinstated. You may also need to pay a reinstatement fee, which varies depending on the reason for suspension. If the judge denies your petition, you can file another one after six months, but only if you have taken additional steps to address the underlying problem.
Common Mistakes That Get Petitions Denied
The most common reason a petition is denied is incomplete or missing supporting documents. A judge cannot reinstate your license based on a promise that you will do something — you must show proof that you have already done it. If your DWI education certificate is dated after your suspension, or if you have not yet paid your fines, the petition will be denied.
Another frequent mistake is filing too soon. If your suspension is very recent and you have not had time to complete required programs or pay fines, wait until you have finished those steps before filing. Filing early and being denied makes it harder to file again later.
A third mistake is not showing up for your hearing. If the judge schedules a hearing and you do not appear, the petition will be denied automatically. If you cannot make the scheduled date, call the clerk when ready and ask to reschedule. Do not ignore the notice.
Finally, some people file a petition when they are still under suspension for a different reason. For example, if your license was suspended for unpaid child support and you also have an unpaid traffic fine, you must address both issues before filing. Check your suspension notice to see all the reasons listed, and make sure you have resolved every one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a petition if my license was suspended for more than one reason?
Yes, but you must address all of them. If your suspension notice lists unpaid fines and child support arrears, you need to show proof that you have paid the fines and are current on child support before the court will reinstate your license. Check your suspension letter to see every reason listed.
Do I need a lawyer to file this petition?
No. You can file the petition yourself, and many people do. A lawyer can help if the reason for suspension is complex or if you have been denied before, but for straightforward cases like unpaid fines or completed DWI education, you can handle it on your own. If you cannot afford a lawyer, ask the court clerk whether your county has a legal aid office that helps with driver's license cases.
What if the judge denies my petition?
You can file another petition after six months, but only if you have taken additional steps to address the problem. For example, if your petition was denied because you had not yet paid all your fines, you must pay them and then wait six months before filing again. If you file too soon, it will be denied again.
How long does it take to get my license back after the judge approves my petition?
Once you receive the judge's written order, you can take it to the Department of Revenue and have your license reinstated the same day, as long as you pay any required reinstatement fee. The fee varies by reason for suspension — it is usually between $50 and $200. Your license will be reissued on the spot or mailed to you within a few days.
Can I drive while my petition is pending?
No. Your license remains suspended until a judge signs an order reinstating it. Driving on a suspended license is a crime and will result in additional charges and fines. Wait for the judge's decision before you drive.