Having your driver's license revoked is already inconvenient enough. However, now the Missouri of House of Representatives is set to consider a bill that would further toughen the penalties for repeat drunk drivers. The bill has already gained approval from the Missouri Senate on a 29-5 vote.

Currently, Missouri drivers who have lost their license due to a drunk driving conviction are still allowed to drive a vehicle in certain situations, such as going to work or school, to a provider of ignition interlocks, to addiction treatment programs or for medical treatment. Additionally, courts can also deem other situations necessary, and therefore grant additional driving privileges.

However, some of these allowances are out of line with federal guidelines, which means that the state is not eligible to receive certain additional highway funds. If these changes are approved, Missouri will reportedly seek $16 million in highway construction funds.

The proposed bill would align Missouri's repeat drunk driver restrictions with the federal government's guidelines. This would mean that those with revoked licenses would only be able to drive to work, school, to ignition lock providers and for alcohol and drug treatment programs. No longer would judges be able to use their discretion for other circumstances, nor would medical treatment be included under driving circumstances.

The bill will also increase the number of "hard walk" days, which is the period of time a convicted drunk driver is prohibited from driving under any circumstances. This means that drivers would have to wait a minimum of 45 days before being able to even apply for certain driving privileges. Currently, drivers only have to wait 30 days in Missouri.

In the end, if these changes are approved, those convicted of driving while intoxicated could find themselves facing even more hardships when it comes to getting around, which could really add to the importance of not just pleading guilty to drunk driving charges.

Source: OzarksFirst.com, "Stiffer DWI Law Heads to Missouri House," Tim Sampson, Jan. 26, 2012