Driver Guide

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minimum peripheral reading is at least 55 degrees in each eye or 85 degrees 
in one eye.  If you are unable to meet the vision standards as required, you 
may be denied a license, or restrictions may be placed on your license.
If you fail the standard vision test, the examiner will give you a vision 
exam form that your eye specialist or physician must fill out.  If the 
physician prescribes glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision, you 
may have to wait for the glasses (or contact lenses) before the written and/
or driving tests may be given.  If both your natural and corrected acuity 
vision are worse than 20/160, or your peripheral combined is worse than 70 
degrees, you cannot take the driving test and cannot have a driver license.
Road Sign Test
The road sign test will check your ability to recognize and understand traffic 
signs.
Driving Test
After you pass the written, vision, and road sign tests, you may then take 
the driving test.  You will take the driving test with a driver license examiner 
of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. 
The examiner will check your vehicle for the required equipment.  The 
examiner will also check your vehicle for its safe operating condition.  You 
cannot take the test if the vehicle is not properly equipped, or the examiner 
believes that giving the test will be dangerous.
You should take the test in a vehicle that is familiar to you.  The vehicle 
must have:
•  Current license plate(s) and a valid inspection sticker.
•  Seat belts in proper working order.
•  Doors in proper working order for the driver and examiner.
•  A clean, safe seat for the examiner.
•  Two sets of brakes (parking and a foot brake) in good working order.
•  A horn in good working order.
You will drive, and the examiner will sit beside you.  No one else may ride 
in the vehicle during the test.  Avoid unnecessary conversation with the 
examiner, and focus on your driving.  Remember the examiner’s job is to 
test, not to teach.  You must obey all Missouri traffic laws at all times. 
THE EXAMINER WILL ASK YOU TO FIND AND USE THE VEHICLE’S 
CONTROLS, such as the accelerator, brakes, turn signals, windshield 
wipers, etc.  You will be tested for:
•  Finding the control without searching.
•  Using the control correctly.
THE EXAMINER WILL ASK YOU TO START DRIVING.  You will be 
tested for:
•  Starting the vehicle.
•  Releasing the parking brake.
•  Looking to see if the way is clear.
•  Giving the proper signal.
•  Driving smoothly and at the correct speed.

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THE EXAMINER WILL TELL YOU WHERE TO DRIVE, TURN, STOP, ETC. 
After the examiner tells you what to do, you will have enough time to look 
for traffic and to drive as asked.  You will be asked to do the following:
1.   Start and stop the vehicle.  You will be tested for:
 
•  The smoothness and safety of your starts and stops. 
 
•  Your reaction time. 
 
•  Your control of the vehicle when stopping.
2.   Park parallel to the curb, in a space 25 feet long and 7 feet wide.   
You will be tested for: 
•  The position of your vehicle before backing. 
•  Whether or not you bump into the space markers. 
•  Moving into the space smoothly and at the right speed. 
•  Parking no more than 18” from the curb. 
•  Parking near the center of the space.
 
•  Ability to park the vehicle within two minutes.
 
•  Turning the wheels in the correct direction for parking. 
 
•  Checking traffic and signaling before you leave the parking space.
3.   Backing.  You will be tested for:
 
•  Looking over your right shoulder to see through the rear glass. 
 
•  Whether your vehicle backs in a straight line or weaves. 
 
•  Staying in the proper lane of traffic. 
 
•  Backing at the right speed.
4.   Make at least two right and two left turns.  You will be tested for: 
•  Driving in the correct lane for turning. 
•  Giving the proper turn signal at the proper time. 
•  Turning into the proper lane. 
•  Making proper traffic checks. 
•  Turning at the right speed. 
•  Your control of the vehicle.
5.   Park on a hill.  You will be tested for: 
•  Your control of the vehicle. 
•  Parking no more than 18” from the curb. 
•  Leaving your vehicle in park or the correct gear. 
•  Turning the front wheels in the correct direction for parking. 
•  Setting the parking brake. 
•  Checking traffic and signaling.
6.   Enter and leave intersections.  You will be tested for:
 
•  Understanding and obeying the traffic signs and lights. 
 
•  Your speed when approaching an intersection. 
 
•  Your awareness of the traffic around you. 
 
•  Driving in the correct lane. 
 
•  Yielding the right-of-way without blocking traffic. 
 
•  Making a full stop at the proper place at stop signs.
7.   Understand and obey traffic signs and signals.  You will be tested for: 
•  Noticing and obeying traffic signs and signals.

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THE EXAMINER WILL WATCH FOR YOUR USE OF GOOD DRIVING 
RULES.  You will be tested for:
    •  The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
    •  Your speed while driving.
    •  Driving in the proper lane and obeying lane markings.
    •  Your awareness of the traffic around you.
    •  Yielding the right-of-way when necessary.
Your Grade
Throughout the driving test, the examiner will subtract points for any driving 
errors you make.  If you lose more than 30 points, you will fail the test.  You 
will also fail the test if you:
•  Are in a crash with another vehicle and it is your fault
•  Hit a pedestrian
•  Drive so dangerously you might have caused a traffic crash
•  Violate a traffic law
•  Refuse to drive as the examiner asks
When you pass the driving skills test, you will be given a form with your test 
results.  Before you drive, you must apply and obtain a license at a license 
office.  The test result form itself is not valid for driving.
Failing the Driving Test
If you fail the driving test, the examiner will suggest that you practice before 
retaking the test.  You may take only one driving test per day.
If you fail the driving test three times, no further tests will be allowed 
without written authorization from the Department of Revenue. The 
driver examiner will give you a form that you must send to the department.  
After you send the form to the department, you will receive a letter from the 
department requiring additional behind-the-wheel driver training.  
You must send proof of the additional driver training before you will be 
allowed to take the driving test again.
Fraud
It is a crime to commit fraud.  Anyone who makes a false unsworn statement 
or affidavit or who commits or assists another person in committing fraud or 
deception during any examination process for a Missouri license, permit, or 
nondriver license, is guilty of fraud.  Fraud is a Class “A” misdemeanor that 
may result in the loss of your driving privilege for up to one year.
Some examples of fraud could include cheating, or using or attempting to 
use any recording, photographic, or two-way communicating device during 
any testing process.

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