Category: Missouri

Photo: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Missouri’s graduated driver license (GDL) rules are written for teens, so an adult getting a first license skips the 182-day permit hold, the 40-hour log and the intermediate license. What every first-time driver still does is pass the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) tests: vision, road sign recognition, written and driving. This guide explains the adult route, what to confirm with the MSHP, and how to prepare for the MSHP driving test.

Key facts

• Two agencies: the MSHP gives the tests at its driver examination stations; the Department of Revenue (DOR) issues the permit and license at license offices.
• GDL stages (182-day permit, 40 hours, intermediate license) are for first-time drivers under 18.
• Tests: vision, road sign recognition and a written test on the Missouri Driver Guide, then a driving test. Results more than a year old must be retaken.
• Written test: 25 questions, 20 correct to pass, according to the Driver Guide.
• Supervisor on a permit (16 or older): a licensed driver at least 21 years old with a valid license, in the front seat.

How the Missouri adult route compares with the teen route

Step	Teen (15 to 17)	Adult (18 or older)
Vision, sign and written tests	Yes	Yes
Instruction permit hold	At least 182 days	No GDL minimum; the DOR lists an instruction permit for applicants 18 and older
40 hours supervised (10 at night)	Yes	No
Driving test with the MSHP	Yes	Yes
Intermediate license with curfew and passenger limits	Yes, until 18	No
Under-21 alcohol limit (.02)	Yes	Yes, until 21

Step by step: a first Missouri license at 18 or older

1. Study the Missouri Driver Guide. The DOR publishes it free, and the written questions come from it. Try the Missouri permit practice test too.
2. Visit an MSHP driver examination station and pass the vision, road sign recognition and written tests. Details: Missouri written driver test and instruction permit.
3. Take your results to a DOR license office with proof of identity and Social Security number (check the DOR’s list for anything else, such as residency proof for a REAL ID), and get your instruction permit if you need time to practice. See the US documents checklist.
4. Practice with a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front seat.
5. Pass the MSHP driving test in a registered, insured, safe car.
6. Take your passing results to a license office and pay for your license.

Keep an eye on the one-year limit: if your test results are more than a year old when you apply, you have to retake the vision, sign and written tests.

What adults should confirm in Missouri

• Whether an adult must hold a permit first. The DOR fee chart lists an instruction permit with a minimum age of 18. Ask whether an adult must hold one, and for how long, before the driving test. Ask the MSHP station before you book.
• Fees. The Driver Guide (revised August 2026) lists $10.00 for an instruction permit and $16.50 (3 years) or $33.00 (6 years) for a Class F license. Check the DOR for any processing fees.
• Retest waits. The Driver Guide allows one driving test per day. After three fails you need extra behind-the-wheel training and DOR approval before testing again. No waiting period is set for the written test, so ask the MSHP station.

The MSHP driving test: what to expect

The examiner checks the car first (lights, signals, brake lights, horn and seat belts should all work), then rides with you and gives directions. Their job is to assess, not teach, so expect few comments. The Driver Guide lists the tasks: smooth starts and stops, parallel parking in a 25 by 7 foot space within two minutes, backing in a straight line, at least two left and two right turns, parking on a hill, intersections and obeying signs. Losing more than 30 points is a fail. Full detail is in the driver examination chapter of the Driver Guide.

Skill	What to show the examiner
Observation	Obvious head checks before pulling out, changing lanes and backing
Stops	A full stop behind the line, never rolling
Speed	At or below the limit, slower when conditions call for it
Signals	Early every time, cancelled after the turn
Lane position	Turn into the correct lane and stay in it
Right of way	Yield to pedestrians and at four-way stops

More: the Missouri State Highway Patrol driving test guide, the road test day checklist and common reasons people fail.

After you pass: rules for new adult drivers in Missouri

• Phones: Missouri’s hands-free law applies to drivers of every age. See the Missouri hands-free law.
• Points: 4 points in 12 months brings an advisory letter; 8 points in 18 months brings a suspension. See Missouri driver points.
• Under 21: a blood alcohol content of .02 or more can lead to suspension or revocation.

Common questions

Do adults have to hold a Missouri permit for 182 days?

No. The 182-day hold is part of the GDL rules for first-time drivers under 18.

Do I need driver’s ed in Missouri as an adult?

Ask the MSHP station if you are unsure. Lessons are optional, but a good idea if you have never driven.

Do I need the 40-hour log at 18?

No. The 40 hours (10 at night) are a requirement for the intermediate license, which is a teen stage.

Who can supervise me on a Missouri permit?

From 16, any licensed driver aged at least 21 with a valid license, sitting in the front seat.

Where do I take the tests?

At an MSHP driver examination station. Check hours and booking for your nearest station before you go.

I have a license from another country. Do I need all the tests?

Possibly. See foreign license reciprocity by state and check with the DOR.

Back to learning to drive in Missouri. Other states: learning to drive as an adult in the US.

Sources

• Missouri Department of Revenue, “Missouri Graduated Driver License Law” (dor.mo.gov)
• Missouri Department of Revenue, “FAQs: Graduated Driver License Law” (dor.mo.gov)
• Missouri Department of Revenue, “Missouri Driver Guide”, revised August 2026 (dor.mo.gov)
• Missouri Department of Revenue, “Permit/Driver License/Nondriver ID Fees” (dor.mo.gov)
• Missouri Department of Revenue, “FAQ: Tickets and Points” (dor.mo.gov)
• Missouri State Highway Patrol, “Driver Examination: Frequently Asked Questions” (mshp.dps.mo.gov)

Photo: Lasse Fuss, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Missouri’s hands-free law, the Siddens Bening Hands Free Law, bans drivers of every age from holding a phone or similar device while driving. It took effect on August 28, 2023, and law enforcement began writing citations on January 1, 2025. This guide explains what you can and cannot do, and what it means for learners and teens.

Key facts

• Law: Siddens Bening Hands Free Law, section 304.822 of the Missouri Revised Statutes.
• Effective: August 28, 2023.
• Citations: from January 1, 2025.
• Who: all drivers. It replaced Missouri’s older texting ban that applied only to drivers 21 and under.
• Enforcement: secondary. An officer must stop you for another offense first.

What you cannot do while driving in Missouri

• Hold or support a phone or other electronic communication device in your hand, lap or elsewhere on your body.
• Type, send or read texts by hand.
• Browse, scroll social media, or watch or record video.

What is allowed

• Calls and messages using voice, Bluetooth, speakerphone or the car’s built-in system.
• Navigation in hands-free mode, with the phone in a mount, and music or podcast apps.
• Voice-to-text messages, and hands-free talk through the car speaker, Bluetooth, an earbud or a headset.
• A single touch or swipe to start or end a hands-free function.
• Contacting emergency services to report a crash, crime or medical emergency.

Penalties

Fines increase for repeat offenses, and a driver who causes a crash while breaking the law can face criminal charges. Check the current fine amounts with the Missouri Department of Transportation’s highway safety pages before relying on any figure.

What it means for Missouri learners and teens

• The same rule applies on your instruction permit and intermediate license.
• Set navigation and music before you move off.
• Phone distraction is a common written test topic, so learn the rule as well as the habit.
• A citation is a traffic conviction, which can delay your move to the next GDL stage. See Missouri intermediate license rules.

Common questions

When did Missouri’s hands-free law start?

It took effect on August 28, 2023. Officers began issuing citations on January 1, 2025.

Can police pull me over just for holding my phone?

No. It is a secondary offense, so you must be stopped for something else first, such as speeding.

Can I use my phone at a red light?

The Missouri Driver Guide (revised August 2026) describes the bans as applying while the vehicle is in motion. A stop in traffic can turn into moving traffic at any second, and holding the phone then breaks the law, so the safe choice is to pick up your phone only once you are parked off the road.

Is there still a separate under-21 texting law?

The all-ages hands-free law replaced the older under-21 texting ban.

How do other states handle phones?

See hands-free and texting laws for US drivers.

Related Missouri guides

• Learning to drive in Missouri: complete guide
• Missouri written driver test and instruction permit

Sources

• Missouri Revisor of Statutes, “Section 304.822, RSMo” (revisor.mo.gov)
• Missouri Department of Transportation, “Hands-Free Law Takes Effect on Monday” (modot.org)
• Missouri Department of Transportation, “MoDOT and Safety Partners Promote Buckle Up Phone Down Day” (modot.org)
• Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, “Hands-Free Law” (savemolives.com)

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)

Photo: Matthew Chirinos, Pexels

Missouri’s intermediate license is the middle stage of the graduated driver license (GDL) system, for drivers aged 16 to 18. You can drive alone, but with a 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, passenger limits and a seat belt rule for everyone in the car. This guide sets out each restriction, its exceptions, and how to graduate to a full license.

Missouri intermediate license restrictions at a glance

Rule	What it means
Curfew	No driving 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Curfew exceptions	A licensed driver 21 or older is with you, or you are driving to or from a school activity, a job or an emergency
Passengers, first 6 months	No more than 1 passenger under 19 who is not a member of your immediate family
Passengers, after 6 months	No more than 3 passengers under 19 who are not members of your immediate family
Seat belts	Everyone in the vehicle must wear one
Phones	Missouri’s hands-free law applies, as it does to all drivers
Farm work	The passenger limits may not apply while you are doing agricultural work
Fee	$14.00, valid up to 2 years (Driver Guide, August 2026)

How to qualify for the intermediate license

• Age 16 or older.
• Instruction permit held at least 182 days.
• 40 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night, confirmed by a qualified person or grandparent at the license office.
• No alcohol-related offenses in the last 12 months and no traffic convictions in the last 6 months.
• Passed the Missouri State Highway Patrol driving test.

Scenario check: is this trip allowed?

Situation (licensed 3 months)	Allowed?
Driving two school friends (both 17) home at 4 p.m.	No. Only 1 non-family passenger under 19 in the first 6 months.
Driving your younger brother and one friend	Yes. Immediate family members do not count toward the limit.
Driving home alone from a late shift at 2 a.m.	Yes. Travel to or from work is an exception.
Driving home from a party at 1:30 a.m. alone	No. Not a listed exception.
Same party trip at 1:30 a.m. with your 45-year-old parent in the car	Yes. A licensed driver 21 or older is with you.

Moving to a full license at 18

At 18, or within the 30 days before your 18th birthday, you can apply for a full Missouri driver license if you have had no alcohol-related offenses and no traffic convictions in the previous 12 months. A conviction keeps you on the intermediate license for longer, and also adds points to your record.

Common questions

What is the Missouri intermediate license curfew?

1 a.m. to 5 a.m., unless a licensed driver 21 or older is with you or the trip is for a school activity, work or an emergency.

Do siblings count as passengers?

No. The limits apply to passengers under 19 who are not members of your immediate family. The Driver Guide defines immediate family as parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, stepbrothers, stepsisters, and adopted or foster children living in your household (including foster, step and adoptive parents and grandparents). Cousins and friends count toward the limit.

When does the passenger limit increase?

After your first six months on the intermediate license, from 1 to 3 non-family passengers under 19.

Should I carry proof of a work or school trip?

The rules do not list a required document. A note from your employer or school can help explain a late trip if you are stopped.

How do Missouri’s rules compare with other states?

See US graduated driver licensing compared.

Related Missouri guides

• Learning to drive in Missouri: complete guide
• Missouri State Highway Patrol driving test guide
• Missouri hands-free driving law explained
• Zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21

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)

Photo: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Missouri the driving test is given by the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) at its driver examination stations, and teens must pass it to move from an instruction permit to an intermediate license. This guide covers when you can book it, what you bring, how the test runs and how to avoid the common fails.

Key facts

• Who tests you: an MSHP driver examiner, not the Department of Revenue (DOR).
• Teen eligibility: age 16, permit held at least 182 days, 40 hours of supervised driving (10 at night) completed.
• Record: no alcohol-related offenses in the last 12 months and no traffic convictions in the last 6 months.
• Scoring: the examiner deducts points for errors; lose more than 30 and you fail.
• Retests: one driving test per day. After three fails, you need extra behind-the-wheel training and DOR approval before testing again.
• Official reference: Chapter 2 of the Missouri Driver Guide (revised August 2026).

Before you book the Missouri driving test: checklist

• You are 16 or older and have held your permit at least 182 days.
• Your 40 hours, including 10 at night, are done. A qualified person or grandparent will confirm them at the license office.
• Your permit and any earlier test results are still current (results over a year old mean retaking the vision, sign and written tests).
• You have a familiar vehicle with current plates and a valid inspection sticker, working seat belts, doors that work for you and the examiner, a clean safe seat for the examiner, a working parking brake and foot brake, a working horn, and proof of insurance.

What happens on the test

1. Vehicle check. The examiner checks the required equipment and that the car is safe. An unsafe or poorly equipped car means no test.
2. Controls. You are asked to find and use controls such as the wipers and turn signals, without searching.
3. The drive. The examiner sits beside you and gives directions. No one else may ride along. Their job is to assess, not to teach, so expect few comments.
4. Result. You get a form with your results. It is not a license: take it to a license office.

The Driver Guide lists the tasks:

• Starting and stopping smoothly, with good reaction time.
• Parallel parking in a space 25 feet long and 7 feet wide, within two minutes, ending no more than 18 inches from the curb and near the center of the space, then checking traffic and signaling to leave.
• Backing in a straight line while looking over your right shoulder through the rear window.
• At least two right and two left turns, from and into the correct lanes.
• Parking on a hill: within 18 inches of the curb, wheels turned the right way, parking brake set.
• Entering and leaving intersections, with full stops at the right place and correct yielding.
• Obeying signs and signals, keeping a safe following distance and watching traffic throughout.

Apart from losing more than 30 points, you fail at once for causing a crash, hitting a pedestrian, driving dangerously, breaking a traffic law or refusing to drive as directed.

What the examiner looks for

Skill	Show it like this
Observation	Obvious head checks before pulling out, changing lanes and backing
Full stops	Wheels stopped behind the stop line, not a rolling stop
Speed control	At or below the posted limit, slower when conditions need it
Signals	Early, every time, and cancelled after the turn
Lane position	Turning into the correct lane and staying in it
Right of way	Yielding to pedestrians and at four-way stops

The most common reasons people fail anywhere in the US are covered in common reasons people fail the driving test.

After you pass

Take your results to a DOR license office for your intermediate license. The restrictions start straight away; see Missouri intermediate license rules for teens.

Common questions

Where do I take the Missouri driving test?

At a Missouri State Highway Patrol driver examination station. Check hours and booking arrangements for your nearest station.

Can I use any car for the test?

Bring a car you know, with current plates, a valid inspection sticker, proof of insurance, working seat belts, horn, doors and both brakes, and a clean seat for the examiner. Ask the station if you are unsure whether your vehicle is acceptable.

What if I fail the Missouri driving test?

You can test again, but only one driving test per day. After a third fail, the DOR sends a letter requiring extra behind-the-wheel training from an eligible trainer, and you need DOR approval before your next test.

Can a driving school test replace the MSHP test?

The DOR GDL rules list passing the driving test as a step for the intermediate license. Check with the DOR before assuming any waiver applies.

How does Missouri’s test compare with other states?

See US road tests by state.

Back to the complete Missouri learner guide.

Sources

• Missouri Department of Revenue, “Missouri Graduated Driver License Law” (dor.mo.gov)
• Missouri Department of Revenue, “Missouri Driver Guide” (dor.mo.gov)
• Missouri State Highway Patrol, “Driver Examination: Frequently Asked Questions” (mshp.dps.mo.gov)

Photo: Riis2602, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Missouri permit test is three tests taken at a Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) driver examination station: vision, road sign recognition and a written test. The written test has 25 multiple-choice questions and you need 20 correct to pass. This guide covers who can take it, what to study, and what happens after you pass.

Key facts

• Minimum age: 15 for an instruction permit.
• Where: an MSHP driver examination station. The permit itself is issued at a Department of Revenue (DOR) license office.
• Written test: 25 multiple-choice questions, 20 correct to pass, all based on the Missouri Driver Guide.
• Also required: a vision test and a separate road sign recognition test.
• Results expire: if your test results are more than one year old, you retake all three tests.

How many questions are on the Missouri permit test?

The Missouri Driver Guide states the written test is 25 multiple-choice questions and you must answer 20 correctly. That means you can miss 5. The road sign test is scored separately, so you need to know signs by shape, color and symbol as well as the written rules.

How to get your Missouri instruction permit, step by step

1. Study the Missouri Driver Guide. Every written test question comes from it.
2. Go to an MSHP driver examination station and take the vision, road sign and written tests.
3. Take your passing results to a DOR license office with your proof of lawful status, identity, Social Security number and Missouri residency. A parent, stepparent, legal guardian or certified trainer must come with you to sign a permission statement. Check the current document list on the DOR site before you go.
4. Pay the permit fee. The Driver Guide (revised August 2026) lists $10.00 for an instruction permit. Check the DOR in case processing fees apply.
5. Start supervised driving. Your 182-day permit hold begins the day after the permit is issued.

What to study for the written and sign tests

Topic	What to know	Help
Road signs	Shapes, colors, warning and regulatory signs	US road signs by shape and color
Signals and markings	Flashing lights, arrows, yellow and white lines	Traffic signals, pavement markings
Right of way	Four-way stops, pedestrians, school buses, emergency vehicles	Four-way stops
Alcohol and points	Under-21 .02 limit, Abuse and Lose, Missouri point thresholds	Missouri pillar guide
GDL rules	Permit supervisors, curfew, passenger limits	Intermediate license rules

Missouri permit rules after you pass

• Under 16: drive only with one of these in the front seat: a parent, stepparent, grandparent, legal guardian or qualified driving instructor, or a person at least 25 who has been licensed for 3 years and has written permission from your parent or guardian. A physically disabled parent or guardian may name up to two people instead.
• 16 or older: drive with any licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front seat.
• The permit is valid for up to 12 months, and you can renew it as often as needed without retaking the written test.
• Seat belts: you and every passenger.
• Carry the permit itself. The MSHP test record is not valid for driving.

Log your practice using the 40-hour supervised driving checklist.

Common questions

Can I take the Missouri permit test online?

The DOR GDL page says the tests are taken at an MSHP driver examination station.

What happens if I fail the Missouri written test?

You can retake it. The Driver Guide does not set a waiting period for the written test, so ask the MSHP station how soon you can return. Almost half of test takers fail the first time, so study the guide before you go back.

What is the vision standard?

At least 20/40 with either or both eyes, and side vision of at least 55 degrees in each eye or 85 degrees in one eye. If you fail, you get a form for an eye specialist. Vision worse than 20/160, or a combined field under 70 degrees, rules out a license.

Do I need a doctor’s form?

Only in some cases. The DOR asks for a physician’s statement if you had seizures, convulsions or blackouts in the 6 months before you apply, or if an examiner, relative, doctor or other listed professional reports a condition that could make you unsafe (Driver Condition Report, Form 4319).

Do I need an appointment?

Arrangements vary by station. Check your local MSHP driver examination station before you travel.

Is the road sign test the same as the written test?

No. Road sign recognition is a separate test, taken at the same visit.

How do other states’ permit tests compare?

See US permit tests by state.

Sources

• Missouri Department of Revenue, “Missouri Driver Guide” (dor.mo.gov)
• 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)

Photo: Get Lost Mike, Pexels

This guide is for Missouri teens, their parents and first-time drivers. In Missouri you can get an instruction permit at 15, an intermediate license at 16 after holding the permit for at least 182 days, and a full driver license at 18. Every first-time driver aged 15 to 18 goes through these graduated driver license (GDL) stages.

Key facts

• Who runs it: the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) issues licenses through license offices. The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) gives the vision, road sign, written and driving tests at its driver examination stations.
• Handbook: the Missouri Driver Guide, free from the DOR. The written test questions come from it.
• Instruction permit: from age 15, after passing vision, road sign recognition and written tests.
• Intermediate license: from 16, after 182 days on the permit, 40 hours of supervised driving (10 at night) and a driving test.
• Full license: at 18, or in the 30 days before your 18th birthday, with a clean record for the previous 12 months.
• Phones: Missouri’s hands-free law covers drivers of all ages.

How to get a driver’s license in Missouri: the three stages

Stage	Age	What you need	Main rules
Instruction permit	15	Pass vision, road sign and written tests at an MSHP station	Drive only with an approved licensed driver in the front seat
Intermediate license	16 to 18	Permit held 182 days, 40 hours (10 at night), driving test, clean record	No driving 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. (with exceptions), passenger limits, seat belts for everyone
Full driver license	18	No alcohol-related offenses or traffic convictions in the last 12 months	GDL restrictions end

Each stage has its own guide:

• Missouri written driver test and instruction permit
• Missouri 40-hour supervised driving requirement
• Missouri State Highway Patrol driving test guide
• Missouri intermediate license rules for teens
• Missouri hands-free driving law explained

Step 1: the Missouri instruction permit at 15

Go to an MSHP driver examination station and pass three tests: vision, road sign recognition and a written test on the Missouri Driver Guide. Then take your results to a DOR license office to be issued the permit; the MSHP test record on its own is not a permit. A parent, stepparent, legal guardian or certified trainer with a federal residential job training program must go with you to sign a permission statement. The vision standard is at least 20/40 with either or both eyes and a side field of at least 55 degrees in each eye or 85 in one eye. If your test results are more than a year old, you must retake all three. The permit can be renewed as often as needed without retaking the written test, and everyone in the car must wear a seat belt.

Who can sit beside you

• Under 16: in the front seat, a parent, stepparent, grandparent, legal guardian or qualified driving instructor, or a person aged at least 25 who has been licensed for at least 3 years and has written permission from your parent or guardian. A physically disabled parent, stepparent, grandparent or guardian may name up to two people to ride with you instead.
• 16 or older: any licensed driver aged at least 21 with a valid license, in the front seat.

Step 2: the intermediate license at 16

To apply you must:

1. Be at least 16.
2. Have held your instruction permit for at least 182 days (counting from the day after it was issued).
3. Have completed 40 hours of supervised driving, including at least 10 hours between sunset and sunrise. A parent, stepparent, grandparent, legal guardian or certified trainer comes with you to the license office to confirm the hours.
4. Have no alcohol-related offenses in the last 12 months and no traffic convictions in the last 6 months.
5. Pass the MSHP driving test.

Intermediate drivers may not drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless a licensed driver aged 21 or older is with them, or the trip is to or from a school activity, a job or an emergency. Passenger limits also apply. Full details are in the intermediate license guide.

Step 3: the full Missouri driver license at 18

At 18, or within the 30 days before your 18th birthday, you can apply for a full license if you have had no alcohol-related offenses and no traffic convictions in the previous 12 months. If your record is not clean, you stay on the intermediate license until it is. You pass the vision and road sign tests again, but not the written or driving tests. Until 21 your license is marked as a minor’s license.

Fees

The fee chart in the Missouri Driver Guide (revised August 2026):

Document	Fee	Valid for
Instruction permit	$10.00	Up to 12 months
Intermediate license	$14.00	Up to 2 years
Full license (Class F)	$16.50 (3 years) or $33.00 (6 years)	Based on age and documents

License offices can add processing fees, so check the DOR before your visit.

Missouri road rules worth memorizing

From the Missouri Driver Guide (revised August 2026):

• Speed limits unless posted otherwise: 75 mph on rural interstates and freeways, 65 on rural expressways, 60 on urban interstates and on other roads outside urban areas, 55 on lettered roads and 25 in cities, towns and villages. On interstates you may not drive slower than 40 mph in normal conditions.
• Work zones: speeding or passing in a work zone on state roads brings a fine of at least $250 for a first offense and $300 after that.
• Seat belts: the law covers the driver and front seat passengers, but on a permit or intermediate license every passenger must be belted.
• Signals: signal at least 100 feet before you turn.
• Low beams: within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet when following.
• Move over: for a stationary emergency vehicle with red or red and blue lights, change to a lane not next to it if the road has at least two lanes your way and it is safe. Otherwise slow down to a safe speed.
• School buses: you do not stop when going the other way on a road divided into separate roadways, or on a highway with four or more lanes. A school bus conviction is 5 points with a court suspension (90 days for a first offense).
• Railroad crossings: when you must stop, stop 15 to 50 feet from the tracks.
• Funeral processions: an organized procession with flashing lights has the right of way at intersections, whatever the signals, except for emergency vehicles or police directions.

What the Missouri Driver Guide covers

The written test draws on the whole guide. Study these areas:

• Your driver license: license classes, documents, the GDL stages and the tests. Many Missourians also choose a REAL ID; see REAL ID and your first license.
• Signs, signals and markings: sign shapes and colors, traffic lights and lane lines. The road sign test is separate from the written test. See US road signs by shape and color, traffic signals and pavement markings.
• Rules of the road: right of way, turns, passing, speed and parking. See four-way stops, speed limits and the basic speed law and parking rules.
• Safe driving: following distance, freeways, night driving, bad weather and distractions. See freeway driving and driving in snow, fog and rain.
• Sharing the road: pedestrians, school buses, motorcycles, bicycles, trucks and emergency vehicles. See sharing the road, school bus laws and move over laws.

Alcohol, drugs and Missouri’s Abuse and Lose law

• Drivers under 21 face suspension or revocation at a blood alcohol content of .02 or above, under Missouri’s zero tolerance rules.
• Refusing a breath or blood test, or testing over the legal limit, brings a separate DOR suspension or revocation on top of any court case.
• Under Abuse and Lose, a driver under 21 can lose their license for 90 days for any alcohol-related traffic offense, possessing or using alcohol or drugs while driving, or altering or misusing a driver license. Separately, a court can suspend or revoke the license of anyone aged 15 to 20 for buying or trying to buy alcohol, possessing it (drinking counts), being visibly intoxicated or a BAC over .02. A third minor in possession offense means a one-year revocation.
• Any alcohol-related offense also stops you moving from intermediate to full license for 12 months.

More detail: zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21 and implied consent and DUI.

Missouri points, suspensions and revocations

Points on your record	What the DOR does
4 in 12 months	Advisory letter
8 in 18 months	Suspension: 30 days the first time, 60 days the second, 90 days after that
12 in 12 months, 18 in 24 months, or 24 in 36 months	One-year revocation

For a teen, any traffic conviction also delays the next GDL stage. You must also carry proof of insurance (financial responsibility) on any car you drive. The Driver Guide sets the minimum at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage, plus uninsured motorist cover of $25,000 and $50,000. If you buy a car, apply for the title within 30 days, and many vehicles need a safety inspection before they can be registered; see car insurance for new drivers and points systems across the US.

Common questions

How old do you have to be to get a permit in Missouri?

15. You pass vision, road sign and written tests at an MSHP driver examination station first.

How long do you have to hold a Missouri permit?

At least 182 days, starting the day after it is issued, before you can apply for an intermediate license at 16 or older.

Can I get a license at 16 without driver’s ed in Missouri?

Yes. The Driver Guide lists the permit time, the 40 hours and the tests, but not a driver education course. Driver’s ed becomes required only if you fail the driving test three times: the DOR then asks for proof of extra behind-the-wheel training before you can test again.

What if I am over 18 and have never had a license?

The Driver Guide says the GDL law covers first-time drivers under 18, so the 182-day hold, the 40 hours and the intermediate license do not apply to you. You still take the four-part exam (written, vision, road sign and driving tests). See getting a Missouri license as an adult.

Can a parent stop a teen getting a license?

Yes. Under 18, a parent or guardian can file Form 4811 asking the DOR to deny you a license, which also cancels one you already hold. The denial lasts until you turn 18 or the parent asks for it to be cleared.

I am moving to Missouri with a license from another state. What do I take?

If your license is valid or expired no more than 184 days, you surrender it and take only the vision and road sign tests, with proof of lawful status, identity, Social Security number and Missouri residency. If it expired more than 184 days ago, you take the full four-part exam. See moving to a new state.

Can I drive in another state on my Missouri permit?

Each state sets its own rules for out-of-state permits. See driving with a learner’s permit in another state.

How does Missouri compare with other states?

See US graduated driver licensing compared and learning to drive in the USA.

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)
• Missouri Department of Revenue, “Missouri Driver Guide” (dor.mo.gov)
• Missouri Department of Revenue, “Tickets and Points FAQs” (dor.mo.gov)
• Missouri Department of Revenue, “Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)” (dor.mo.gov)
• Missouri House of Representatives, bill summary on under-21 BAC suspensions (house.mo.gov)
• Missouri Department of Transportation, “Hands-Free Law Takes Effect on Monday” (modot.org)

Photo: Amicia Short, Pexels

Missouri adds points to your record for each moving violation conviction under RSMo 302.302. A speeding conviction under state law is 3 points and careless and imprudent driving is 4. Reaching 8 points in 18 months brings a suspension, and 12 points in 12 months (or 18 in 24, or 24 in 36) brings a revocation. Missouri uses the same point limits for teens, but for intermediate license holders any traffic conviction also delays the full license. This guide covers point values, thresholds, the teen rules and how points come off.

Key facts (Missouri, as of November 2026)

• Advisory letter: 4 points in 12 months.
• Suspension: 8 or more points in 18 months. 30 days for a first suspension, 60 for a second, 90 for a third or later.
• Revocation: 12 or more points in 12 months, 18 or more in 24 months, or 24 or more in 36 months. The Missouri Driver Guide gives the revocation length as one year.
• After a point suspension or revocation, the Department of Revenue cuts your total to 4 points when you are reinstated.
• Teens: no traffic convictions in the 6 months before the intermediate license, and none in the 12 months before a full license.

How many points is a ticket in Missouri?

RSMo 302.302 sets the schedule. Many values differ depending on whether you were charged under state law (usually by the Highway Patrol or a sheriff) or under a city or county ordinance.

Conviction	State law	City or county ordinance
Speeding	3 points	2 points
Careless and imprudent driving	4 points	2 points
Leaving the scene of a crash	12 points	Check with the Department of Revenue
Passing a stopped school bus loading or unloading students	5 points	Check with the Department of Revenue
Driving while your license is suspended or revoked	12 points	Check with the Department of Revenue

Alcohol offenses carry higher point values or lead to revocation. For any other charge, the full table is in RSMo 302.302. Ask the court or the Department of Revenue what a specific charge carries before you plead guilty or pay it, because paying a ticket is a conviction.

When does Missouri suspend or revoke a license for points?

Points	Result
4 in 12 months	Advisory letter
8 or more in 18 months	Suspension: 30 days (first), 60 days (second), 90 days (third or later)
12 or more in 12 months	Revocation
18 or more in 24 months	Revocation
24 or more in 36 months	Revocation

Worked example

A 17-year-old gets a state speeding ticket (3 points), then a city careless driving ticket (2 points), then a state careless and imprudent driving ticket (4 points), all within 18 months. That is 9 points, so the Department of Revenue suspends the license for 30 days as a first suspension. The three convictions also keep the driver on the intermediate license for longer (see below).

Extra rules for Missouri teen drivers

Missouri’s point limits are the same for every age. What changes for teens is that a conviction also blocks the next step of the graduated license:

• Getting the intermediate license (16+): no alcohol-related offenses in the last 12 months and no traffic convictions in the last 6 months.
• Getting the full license (from 30 days before 18): no alcohol-related offenses and no traffic convictions in the previous 12 months.

So one speeding conviction at 17 years and 6 months can mean waiting past your 18th birthday for the full license. The curfew, passenger and seat belt limits are in Missouri intermediate license rules for teens, and the phone rule is in Missouri hands-free driving law explained.

Under 21 and alcohol

Missouri, like every state, applies a lower alcohol limit to drivers under 21. For how the limit works, see zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21, and the Missouri pillar guide for Abuse and Lose. At .02 or more, an officer takes a minor’s license and gives a notice; the suspension starts 15 days later unless you request a hearing. Refusing a chemical test means a one-year revocation at any age.

Getting your license back after a point suspension

For a suspension or revocation not linked to alcohol, you file proof of insurance (SR-22) and pay a $20 reinstatement fee. Alcohol-related cases have extra steps, such as a substance awareness program. Driving while suspended can bring a one-year revocation.

How do points come off a Missouri record?

• Time without convictions: for each year with no new points, the Driver Guide says your remaining points are reduced: by one third after one year, by half after two years, and to zero after three years. Some convictions stay listed on your record permanently.
• Reinstatement: when your license is reinstated after a point suspension or revocation, your total is reduced to 4 points.
• Courses: ask the DOR whether any course removes points already on your record. If a court offers a class as part of a ticket, points depend on the outcome the court reports, so ask the court before you agree to anything.

What to do after a ticket: getting a traffic ticket as a new driver.

Common questions

How many points before your license is suspended in Missouri?

8 points in 18 months.

How many points is a speeding ticket in Missouri?

3 points if you are convicted under state law, 2 under a city or county ordinance.

Are the point limits lower for teens?

No, they are the same. But any traffic conviction delays the intermediate and full license.

How long is a first point suspension?

30 days.

What does a revocation mean?

Your license is withdrawn. The Missouri Driver Guide gives the point revocation as one year.

How do other states compare?

See points systems and license suspensions in the US.

Main guide: learning to drive in Missouri.

Sources

• Missouri Revisor of Statutes, RSMo 302.302, “Point system” (revisor.mo.gov)
• Missouri Department of Revenue, “Tickets and Points FAQs” (dor.mo.gov)
• Missouri Department of Revenue, “Missouri Driver Guide” (dor.mo.gov)
• Missouri Department of Revenue, “Missouri Graduated Driver License Law” (dor.mo.gov)

Photo: Anthony Stewart, Pexels

At a Missouri State Highway Patrol driver examination station, the permit tests are a vision test, a road sign recognition test and a written test. The written test has 25 multiple-choice questions and you need 20 correct. This practice test has a 10-question sign drill followed by a full 25-question written test. All questions are original and unofficial, based on the Missouri Driver Guide topics and Department of Revenue rules, and none are the Highway Patrol’s.

Missouri permit tests: key facts

• Three tests at an MSHP station: vision, road sign recognition and a written test.
• Written test: 25 multiple-choice questions, 20 correct to pass, so you can miss 5.
• Every written question comes from the Missouri Driver Guide.
• If your test results are more than one year old when you apply, you retake all three tests.

Where to test and what to bring: the Missouri written test and instruction permit guide. The full process: learning to drive in Missouri.

Part 1: road sign drill (questions 1 to 10)

1. You can recognize a STOP sign from behind, or when it is covered in snow, because it is the only sign that is:

• A. Triangular
• B. Round
• C. Eight-sided (an octagon)
• D. Shaped like a pennant

Answer: C. Only STOP signs use the octagon shape. Driver Guide topic: signs.

2. A red and white triangle pointing down tells you to:

• A. Stop every time, even when the road is clear
• B. Slow down and give the right of way, stopping if you need to
• C. Merge without checking traffic
• D. Watch for a railroad crossing

Answer: B. A YIELD sign means cross traffic and pedestrians go first. You stop only when you have to. Driver Guide topic: signs.

3. A yellow diamond-shaped sign usually warns you about:

• A. A hazard or change in the road ahead, such as a curve
• B. A law you must obey
• C. Gas, food and lodging
• D. A route number

Answer: A. Yellow diamonds are warning signs. Driver Guide topic: signs.

4. A round yellow sign with a black X and the letters RR means:

• A. A rest area is ahead
• B. Road repairs are ahead
• C. The right lane ends
• D. A railroad crossing is ahead

Answer: D. The round shape is used only for railroad advance warning signs. Driver Guide topic: signs.

5. A yellow pennant-shaped sign on the left side of the road means:

• A. You are entering a no-passing zone
• B. A narrow bridge is ahead
• C. The road is slippery when wet
• D. Two-way traffic ends

Answer: A. The pennant marks the start of a no-passing zone and is placed on the driver’s left. Driver Guide topic: signs.

6. A five-sided sign shaped like a house warns you that:

• A. A hospital is ahead
• B. A railroad crossing is ahead
• C. You are near a school zone or school crossing
• D. A divided highway begins

Answer: C. The pentagon shape is used for school zone and school crossing signs. Driver Guide topic: signs.

7. Orange signs with black letters or symbols tell you that:

• A. A school is nearby
• B. A hospital is nearby
• C. A scenic area is ahead
• D. You are coming to a work zone

Answer: D. Orange is the color for work zone signs. Slow down and watch for workers and equipment. Driver Guide topic: signs.

8. A fluorescent yellow-green sign showing a person walking means:

• A. Pedestrians are banned from the road
• B. Watch for pedestrians crossing
• C. A park entrance is ahead
• D. Hiking trails are nearby

Answer: B. Fluorescent yellow-green is used for pedestrian, bicycle and school warnings so they stand out. Driver Guide topic: signs.

9. A blue sign beside the highway usually tells you about:

• A. Speed limits
• B. Road hazards
• C. Motorist services such as gas, food and lodging
• D. No-passing zones

Answer: C. Blue is the color for services. Driver Guide topic: signs.

10. Brown signs point you to:

• A. Hospitals
• B. Work zones
• C. Detours
• D. Parks, recreation areas and cultural sites

Answer: D. Brown is for recreation and culture, blue is for motorist services and green is for directions. Driver Guide topic: signs.

Part 2, written test: signals, markings and right of way (questions 11 to 19)

11. A steady yellow traffic light means:

• A. The light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do so safely
• B. Speed up to beat the red light
• C. Stop even if you are already in the intersection
• D. Pedestrians have the right of way

Answer: A. Steady yellow warns that red is next. If you are too close to stop safely, go through with care. Driver Guide topic: signals.

12. A flashing red traffic light means:

• A. Slow down and go ahead with caution
• B. Come to a complete stop, then go when it is safe, as at a STOP sign
• C. The signal is broken, so you may ignore it
• D. Stop only if other cars are there

Answer: B. Treat a flashing red light exactly like a STOP sign. Driver Guide topic: signals.

13. A flashing yellow left-turn arrow means you may turn left:

• A. Without stopping, because oncoming traffic must stop
• B. Only after waiting three seconds
• C. After yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
• D. Only if a police officer waves you on

Answer: C. This is a permissive turn. Oncoming traffic may have a green light, so wait for a safe gap. Driver Guide topic: signals.

14. Two solid yellow lines down the center of a two-lane road mean:

• A. Passing is allowed in both directions
• B. No passing in either direction
• C. Passing is allowed only in daylight
• D. The road is one-way

Answer: B. Double solid yellow lines mark a no-passing area for traffic both ways. Driver Guide topic: pavement markings.

15. The center line has a broken yellow line on your side and a solid yellow line on the other side. This means:

• A. Neither direction may pass
• B. Only the other direction may pass
• C. You must stay 10 mph below the limit
• D. You may pass when it is safe, but traffic on the other side may not

Answer: D. You may pass when the broken line is on your side and the road ahead is clear. Driver Guide topic: pavement markings.

16. You and another car reach a four-way stop at the same time. The other car is on your right. Who goes first?

• A. The car on your right
• B. You do, because you are on the left
• C. Whoever is driving the larger vehicle
• D. Whoever signals first

Answer: A. When drivers arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Driver Guide topic: right of way.

17. You are turning left on a solid green light with no arrow. You must:

• A. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before you turn
• B. Go first, because you have a green light
• C. Turn quickly before oncoming cars reach you
• D. Wait for the light to turn yellow

Answer: A. A plain green light lets you turn left only when there is a safe gap. Driver Guide topic: right of way.

18. An ambulance with its siren and lights on is coming up behind you. You must:

• A. Speed up to stay ahead of it
• B. Stop at once, even in the middle of an intersection
• C. Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes
• D. Move to the left lane and keep going

Answer: C. Clear any intersection first, then pull to the right and stop. Driver Guide topic: emergency vehicles.

19. A pedestrian is crossing in a marked crosswalk ahead of you and there is no signal. You must:

• A. Sound your horn so the pedestrian hurries
• B. Yield and let the pedestrian cross
• C. Drive around the pedestrian
• D. Go first because cars have the right of way

Answer: B. Pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right of way. Driver Guide topic: pedestrians.

Part 2, written test: safe driving and alcohol (questions 20 to 27)

20. Your car starts to hydroplane on a wet road. You should:

• A. Brake hard
• B. Accelerate to push through the water
• C. Turn the wheel sharply
• D. Ease off the gas, keep the wheel straight and avoid hard braking

Answer: D. Your tires are riding on water. Let the car slow until they grip the road again. Driver Guide topic: emergencies.

21. When you join a freeway from an on-ramp, you should:

• A. Stop at the end of the ramp and wait
• B. Enter well below the speed of traffic
• C. Use the acceleration lane to reach the speed of traffic and merge into a gap
• D. Expect freeway traffic to move over for you

Answer: C. Freeway traffic has the right of way. Match its speed and find a safe gap. Driver Guide topic: freeways.

22. The car in the lane next to you has stopped at a crosswalk. You should:

• A. Pass it, since your lane is clear
• B. Change lanes and speed up
• C. Sound your horn to find out why it stopped
• D. Slow down and be ready to stop, because someone may be crossing

Answer: D. Never pass a vehicle that has stopped for pedestrians. Driver Guide topic: pedestrians.

23. You are beside a large truck and cannot see the driver in the truck’s side mirror. This means:

• A. You are at a safe distance
• B. The truck driver probably cannot see you either
• C. The truck is about to stop
• D. The driver has seen you and will wait

Answer: B. Trucks have large blind spots. Pass steadily or drop back until you can see the driver’s mirror. Driver Guide topic: sharing the road.

24. What is the only thing that lowers your blood alcohol level?

• A. Time
• B. Black coffee
• C. A cold shower
• D. Eating a large meal

Answer: A. Your body removes alcohol at a steady rate, and nothing speeds it up. Driver Guide topic: alcohol.

25. Missouri drivers under 21 face suspension or revocation at a blood alcohol content of:

• A. .02 or above
• B. .05 or above
• C. .08 or above
• D. .10 or above

Answer: A. This is Missouri’s zero tolerance rule. Refusing a test or testing over the limit also brings a separate DOR action. DOR rules: alcohol and drugs.

26. Missouri’s hands-free law, in force since August 28, 2023, applies to:

• A. Drivers under 21 only
• B. Commercial drivers only
• C. Drivers of all ages
• D. Drivers on interstates only

Answer: C. It replaced the old under-21 texting ban. See Missouri’s hands-free law explained. MoDOT: distracted driving.

27. How many points within 18 months lead the Missouri DOR to suspend a license?

• A. 4
• B. 6
• C. 8
• D. 12

Answer: C. 4 points in 12 months brings an advisory letter. A first suspension lasts 30 days. DOR rules: points.

Part 2, written test: Missouri permit and intermediate license rules (questions 28 to 35)

28. The minimum age for a Missouri instruction permit is:

• A. 14
• B. 15
• C. 15 1/2
• D. 16

Answer: B. You pass the vision, road sign and written tests at an MSHP station, then the permit is issued at a DOR license office. DOR rules: graduated driver license.

29. A permit holder under 16 may drive with which of these in the front seat?

• A. Any licensed friend aged 18
• B. Any licensed driver aged 21 or older
• C. A passenger with a permit
• D. A licensed grandparent

Answer: D. Under 16, the supervisor must be a parent, stepparent, grandparent, legal guardian or qualified driving instructor, or a person 25 or older, licensed for 3 years, with written parent permission. A licensed 21-year-old does not qualify until you turn 16. From 16, any licensed driver 21 or older may supervise. DOR rules: instruction permit.

30. How long must you hold your Missouri instruction permit before applying for an intermediate license?

• A. 30 days
• B. 90 days
• C. 182 days
• D. 1 year

Answer: C. The count starts the day after the permit is issued. DOR rules: graduated driver license.

31. How many supervised driving hours do you need for a Missouri intermediate license?

• A. 20 hours, including 5 at night
• B. 40 hours, including 10 at night
• C. 50 hours, including 15 at night
• D. 60 hours, including 10 at night

Answer: B. Night means between sunset and sunrise. See the Missouri 40-hour requirement. DOR rules: graduated driver license.

32. A Missouri intermediate license holder may not drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless:

• A. They are within 5 miles of home
• B. It is a Friday or Saturday
• C. A 16-year-old friend is with them
• D. A licensed driver 21 or older is with them, or the trip is for school, work or an emergency

Answer: D. See Missouri intermediate license rules. DOR rules: graduated driver license.

33. In the first 6 months of an intermediate license, how many passengers under 19 who are not immediate family may you carry?

• A. 0
• B. 1
• C. 2
• D. 3

Answer: B. After 6 months the limit rises to 3. DOR rules: graduated driver license.

34. Who must wear a seat belt when a Missouri intermediate license holder is driving?

• A. Everyone in the vehicle
• B. The driver only
• C. Front-seat riders only
• D. Passengers under 16 only

Answer: A. This is a condition of the intermediate license. DOR rules: graduated driver license.

35. To get a full Missouri license at 18, you need no alcohol-related offenses and no traffic convictions in the previous:

• A. 30 days
• B. 6 months
• C. 12 months
• D. 3 years

Answer: C. You can apply at 18 or within the 30 days before your 18th birthday. DOR rules: graduated driver license.

How to score yourself against the Missouri standard

Written test, correct out of 25 (questions 11 to 35)	What it means
23 to 25	Ready for the written test.
20 to 22	A pass at the Missouri standard of 20 correct.
Under 20	A fail on the real test. Reread the Driver Guide.

Score the sign drill (questions 1 to 10) separately. The real road sign test is scored on its own, so aim to get every sign right.

Common questions

Are these the real Missouri Highway Patrol questions?

No. They are original, unofficial practice questions written to the Missouri Driver Guide topics and DOR rules.

How many questions can I miss on the Missouri written test?

Five. You need 20 of 25 correct.

Is the road sign test separate?

Yes. Missouri gives a road sign recognition test as well as the written test, so you need to know signs by shape, color and symbol.

How long do my test results last?

If they are more than a year old when you apply, you retake the vision, sign and written tests.

What does the permit cost?

The Missouri Driver Guide (revised August 2026) lists $10.00 for an instruction permit. Check the DOR for any processing fees. See the written test guide.

Are there practice tests for other states?

Yes. See US permit practice tests by state.

Sources

• Missouri Department of Revenue, “Missouri Driver Guide” (dor.mo.gov)
• Missouri Department of Revenue, “Graduated Driver License” (dor.mo.gov)
• Missouri Department of Revenue, “Tickets and Points FAQ” (dor.mo.gov)
• Missouri Department of Transportation, “Hands-free law” (modot.org)