There are numerous consequences on the table if the police pull a driver over on suspicion of DWI. You need to fight the charges to the best of your ability because you could go to jail and pay a massive fine. 

You will also lose your driver’s license. Even with a first conviction, you will not be able to legally drive around Missouri, which could significantly impact your ability to keep work and spend time with friends. 

Loss of license

For a first conviction, you will lose your license for 90 days. In the event you receive a second DWI conviction within a five-year period, you will lose your license for five years. Once you receive three DWI convictions, the state will take away your driver’s license for 10 years. Additional time will go onto the suspension if you accumulate enough points on your driving record. 

Restricted driving privilege

In some cases, you may be able to apply for restricted driving privileges. This allows you to drive in a limited number of circumstances, such as to and from work. You will not be eligible for this privilege if you have more than one DWI conviction on your record. To qualify for this privilege, you will need to install an ignition interlock device into your car. This prevents your vehicle from starting if you have any alcohol in your system. 

Loss of commercial license

A different set of standards apply when the police pull over an individual driving a commercial vehicle. In this case, the driver’s blood alcohol content only needs to be 0.04 percent to qualify for DWI. For a first offense, you will lose this commercial license for one year. This means you will be unable to work in the same profession for one year, and it may be difficult to get into the same line of work once the year is over.