New rules coming for driver's licenses

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- People getting or renewing their driver's license will face more scrutiny under a federal law kicking in this week.

Under the law, the Department of Revenue said it must check the National Driver Register and the Commercial Driver License Information System to learn about a driver's status in other states. That search must happen before the agency issues a new, renewed, or duplicate license or permit.

If there are problems with the driver's record, Missouri can't issue a license.

The federal law takes effect Friday.

For those wanting to obtain or renew commercial licenses, the state must get driver records from any other state that issued a license to the person in the last 10 years. Traffic convictions in any state can affect the ability to have a commercial license, the agency said.