Photo: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Before a Missouri teen can get an intermediate license, they must complete 40 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 of those hours at night between sunset and sunrise. This checklist covers who can supervise, how the hours are confirmed and how to spread them across the 182-day permit period.
Key facts
- Total: 40 hours behind the wheel.
- Night: at least 10 of the 40, between sunset and sunrise.
- With: a parent, stepparent, legal guardian or certified trainer, according to the Driver Guide. DOR GDL pages also list grandparents and qualified driving instructors.
- Confirmed by: a parent, grandparent, stepparent, legal guardian or certified trainer who goes with you to the license office.
- Minimum time: the permit must be held at least 182 days, however fast you finish the hours.
Who counts as a qualified person in Missouri?
The DOR defines a qualified person as a parent, a legal guardian or a certified trainer with a federal residential job training program. Grandparents and qualified driving instructors can also provide the 40 hours.
Separately, the permit rules say who may sit in the front seat. Under 16, that is a parent, stepparent, grandparent, legal guardian, qualified driving instructor, or a person at least 25, licensed for 3 years, with written permission from your parent or guardian. A physically disabled parent or guardian may name up to two people. At 16 or older, any licensed driver aged 21 or older may supervise. The Driver Guide words the 40-hour rule as instruction with a parent, stepparent, legal guardian or certified trainer. Check with the DOR whether hours driven with someone outside the qualified-person, grandparent or instructor list count toward the 40.
40-hour plan over 182 days
| Months on permit | Hours to aim for | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | 10 (day) | Parking lots, quiet streets, steering, braking, mirrors |
| 3 to 4 | 15 (including 5 at night) | Busier roads, four-way stops, turns, lane changes |
| 5 to 6 | 15 (including 5 at night) | Highways, rain, parking and backing, mock driving test |
That is about 1.5 hours a week. The split is a suggestion, not a legal rule.
Hours log checklist
- Date, start and finish time of each drive.
- Day or night (sunset to sunrise).
- Supervisor’s name and relationship to you.
- Roads and skills covered.
- Running totals for all hours and night hours.
Keep the log up to date so the adult confirming your hours at the license office can do so accurately.
Night driving tips for the 10 hours
- Start on roads you already know well by day.
- Dip high beams for oncoming traffic and when following another car.
- Increase following distance; judging speed and distance is harder at night.
More: driving at night as a learner or new driver.
Common questions
Does Missouri require 10 night hours?
Yes. At least 10 of the 40 hours must be between sunset and sunrise.
Does the parent need to come to the license office?
Yes. A parent, grandparent, stepparent, legal guardian or certified trainer goes with you to confirm the hours.
Can I finish the hours faster and test early?
You can finish the hours early, but you still need to hold the permit at least 182 days and be 16 before getting an intermediate license.
Do driving school lessons count?
The DOR includes qualified driving instructors among the people who can provide the instruction.
How do other states compare?
See supervised driving hours by state.
Related Missouri guides
- Learning to drive in Missouri: complete guide
- Missouri written driver test and instruction permit
- Missouri State Highway Patrol driving test guide
Sources
- Missouri Department of Revenue, “Missouri Graduated Driver License Law” (dor.mo.gov)
- Missouri Department of Revenue, “Graduated Driver License (GDL) Law FAQs” (dor.mo.gov)