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
- Vehicle check. The examiner checks the required equipment and that the car is safe. An unsafe or poorly equipped car means no test.
- Controls. You are asked to find and use controls such as the wipers and turn signals, without searching.
- 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.
- 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?
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)