Driver Guide

20
6 months (182 days) beginning the day after issuance.  This includes 
having no alcohol-related convictions in the last 12 months and no 
traffic convictions in the last 6 months.
•   A parent, grandparent, stepparent, legal guardian, or certified trainer 
(with a federal residential job training program) must accompany you 
to the license office to verify you have received 40 hours of driving 
instruction with your instruction permit.
•   Pass the vision, road sign, and written tests if previous results are more 
than one year old.
•  Pass the driving test.
License Notes:
•   Your test paper alone is not legal for driving.  Be sure to carry your 
intermediate license with you.
•   Seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers.
•   Passenger restrictions outlined below may not be applicable to an 
intermediate license holder who is operating in agricultural work-related 
activities.
Driving Restrictions:
•   During the first 6 months, you may not operate a motor vehicle with 
more than one passenger who is under the age of 19 and who is not a 
member of your immediate family*.
•   After the first 6 months, you may not operate a motor vehicle with more 
than three passengers who are under 19 years of age and who are not 
members of your immediate family*.
•   You may not drive alone between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. except to 
and from a school activity, job, or an emergency, unless accompanied 
by a licensed driver 21 years of age or older.
*  Immediate  family shall include parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, 
stepbrothers, stepsisters, and adopted or foster children residing in the 
driver’s household.  Parent shall include a foster parent, stepparent or 
adoptive parent.  Grandparent shall include a foster grandparent, step-
grandparent or adoptive grandparent.
To Graduate to a Full Under-21 Driver License:
–   Your driving privilege cannot be suspended, revoked, or denied at the 
time of application.
–   You may not have any alcohol-related offenses or traffic convictions 
within the last 12 months.
STEP THREE: Full Driver License (Under 21)  
Eligible Age: 18      Cost: $10.00
Valid: 0-3 years, based on document verification status
To Obtain the Under-21 Full Driver License:
•   You must satisfy the requirements for an intermediate license.  This 
includes having no alcohol-related convictions or traffic convictions in 
the last 12 months.
•   Have  a  valid intermediate license.  Your driving privilege cannot be 
suspended, revoked, or denied when you apply for a full driver license.
•   Pass the vision and road sign recognition tests.  (You are not required 
to pass the written and driving tests if already completed.)

---

21
A CHECKLIST FOR YOU  
You must have the following documents with you when you apply for a Missouri 
driver license, instruction permit, or nondriver license.  Take all the documents with 
you to a contract office when you apply for your license or permit.
NEW MISSOURI RESIDENT TRANSFERRING AN OUT-OF-STATE DRIVER 
LICENSE (valid or expired no more than 184 days)
 
   Out-of-State driver license (valid or expired no more than 184 days)
 
  Verification of name, date of birth, place of birth, social security  
   
number, and Missouri residential address*
    
NOTE:  If you are upgrading your driver license, take the above documents 
with you to a Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) examination location 
when you take the written, vision, and road sign tests and/or driving test.
FIRST-TIME APPLICANT
 
   Verification of name, date of birth, place of birth, social security 
number, and Missouri residential address*
 
  Driver Examination Record (Form 100) indicating successful completion  
   
of tests (not required for nondriver license)
RENEWAL LICENSE
 
  All drivers renewing will have to show verification of name, date of  
 
   
birth, place of birth, social security number, and Missouri residential  
   address*
   
 Exemption:  If you are renewing a non-commercial permit/driver license 
or nondriver license and are age 65 or older you are exempt from 
presenting documents for place of birth. 
*Please refer to the list of acceptable documents in this chapter.
Note:  Additional documents and verification of SSN may be required 
if the documentation submitted is questionable, or if the contract 
office clerk or MSHP examiner has reason to question the validity or 
authenticity of the documents, or needs further verification.
4
If you are under 21 years of age, the Department of Revenue will issue you 
a license identifying you as a minor.  When you become 21 years old, you 
may apply and pay for another driver license (without the minor indication) 
or wait until your under-21 driver license expires.
You are encouraged to study this Driver Guide before you attempt the written 
exam.  Almost 50 percent of all test-takers fail the first time.  You will have a 
much better chance of passing your test if you take time to review this Guide.

---

22
THE DRIVER EXAMINATION
The driver examination consists of a four-part test:
•  A written test on traffic laws and rules for safe driving
•  A vision test
•  A road sign test
•  A driving test (skills)
You should be prepared to take the driver exam if:
•    You are applying for a new Missouri driver license. 
Note:  If you have a driver license from another state that is valid or has 
been expired for less than 184 days, and you are applying for the same type 
of license in Missouri, you only have to take the vision and road sign tests.
•    Your Missouri driver license is expired for more than 6 months (184 days).
•    The Director of Revenue asks you to take the exam, even if you have a 
current driver license.
•   Your license was revoked:
     –because you have too many points on your driving record.
     –because of an Administrative Alcohol action (see Chapter 10).
Where to Take the Exam
The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) administers the driver examination. 
To find the testing center nearest you, contact the MSHP or the Department 
of Revenue.  The phone numbers for the Department of Revenue and MSHP 
are at the back of this guide.  You can also find these locations on the MSHP 
web site: http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/Root/index.html.
Verification of Your Name and Age
Before you can take the driver exam, you must prove your legal name and 
age.  This identification must also be shown to the Department of Revenue 
when applying for a driver license or permit and any time you take the written 
or driving tests.  (Refer to Chapter 1 for a list of acceptable documents for 
verification of name, date of birth, place of birth, social security number, and 
Missouri residential address.)
Written Test
Driver License (Class F) 
If you are applying for a Class F (operator) license, you must take a 25 
question multiple-choice written test.  The questions will be on the laws and 
methods of driving covered in this Guide.  The test is NOT an open book 
test.  You will not be tested on the information on commercial vehicles in 
Chapter 15.
For-Hire License (Class E)
If you are applying for a Class E (for-hire) license, you must take a special 
written test.  The questions will be on the laws and methods of driving 
covered in this Guide but will also include the information on commercial 
vehicles found in Chapter 15.  The test is NOT an open book test.
Vision Test
You must take an acuity vision test and a peripheral (side) vision test when 
you apply for any new or renewal driver license or permit.  The standard 
minimum acuity is at least 20/40 with either or both eyes.  If you wear glasses 
or contact lenses, you may need them for the vision test.  The standard 
CHAPTER 2 — THE DRIVER EXAM

---