Drinking While Driving
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 577.017 — drinking while driving a moving vehicle is an infraction kept off the driving record
The offense. A person commits the offense of consumption of an alcoholic beverage while driving by operating a moving motor vehicle on any public thoroughfare, including state roads, county roads and city streets, while consuming any alcoholic beverage.
An infraction. The offense is an infraction and is not reflected on any records maintained by the department of revenue.
What the section reaches. The section is written about the driver, consuming, while the vehicle is moving. It contains no separate rule about an open bottle or about passengers.
Impairment is separate. Driving while intoxicated is a different offense, under a different section.
City and county ordinances are not on this page. Whether a particular stop, charge or case was handled lawfully is a question for the court that hears it, or a licensed Missouri attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 577.017 — Consumption of alcoholic beverages while driving — penalty
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 577.010 — Driving while intoxicated
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Missouri attorney.