Missouri Graduated Driver License Law: A Look At Each Step

If you are in Missouri and wanting to start your driver's license journey, then it is time to familiarize yourself with the Missouri Graduated Driver License Law. In this article we will break down this law and the different steps you need to take in order to become a fully licensed driver in Missouri!

Missouri Graduated Driver License Law

For first-time drivers between the ages of 15 and 18, you must complete a period of driving with a licensed driver (instruction permit) and restricted driving (intermediate license) before the Missouri Department of Revenue will issue you a full driver license.

To help with some of the wording as this article moves on, here is a list of some words and their definitions:

• Immediate family - This includes parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, stepbrothers, stepsisters and adopted or foster children living in the driver's household.
• Parent - This includes a foster parent, stepparent or adoptive parent.
• Grandparent - This includes a foster grandparent, step-grandparent or adoptive grandparent.
• Qualified driving instructor - Any instructor who has a valid driver education endorsement on a teaching certificate issued by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. It also includes a driver training instructor employed by a private driver education program, like Coastline Academy.
• Qualified person - A parent, legal guardian or a certified trainer with a federal residential job training program with a valid driver license.

Step One: Instruction Permit

The first step in the Missouri Graduated Driver License Law would be to obtain an Instruction Permit, which 15 years old is the eligible age and it is valid for 12 months. To obtain this permit, you must pass the vision, road sign recognition and written tests at a Missouri State Highway Patrol driver examination station. When going to the license office, a qualified person must go with you to sign a permission statement.

Some items to remember when it comes to the Instruction Permit:

• If you are under 16 years old, you may drive only when accompanied in the front seat by a licensed driver who is a qualified person, a grandparent, a qualified driving instructor, a qualified driver at least 25 years of age who has been licensed for a minimum of three years and has received written permission from the parent or legal guardian or a qualified driver designated by the disabled parent or guardian of the permit holder.
• If you are 16 years or older, you are allowed to drive when accompanied in the front seat by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has a valid driver license.
• The driver and passengers must all wear seat belts.
• You must carry your permit with you, as your test paper alone is not legal for driving.
• You may renew your instruction permit.

Step Two: Intermediate License

The next step in the Missouri Graduated Driver License Law is to obtain an Intermediate License, which the eligible age is between 16 and 18 years old and it is valid for two years. To obtain this license, you must:

• Have your instruction permit for a minimum of 182 days, which begins on the day after issuance.
• You are not allowed to have any alcohol-related convictions in the last 12 months and no traffic convictions within the last six months.
• Have completed 40 hours of driving instruction, including a minimum of 10 hours of nighttime driving instruction between sunset and sunrise with a qualified person, grandparent or qualified driving instructor.
• Pass the vision, road sign recognition and written tests at a Missouri State Highway Patrol driver examination station if your previous results are more than one year old.
• Pass the driving test at a Missouri State Highway Patrol driver examination station.

Some items to remember when it comes to the Intermediate License:

• You must carry your intermediate license with you, as your test paper alone is not legal for driving.
• The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts.
• The passenger restrictions outlined below may not be applicable to an intermediate license holder who is operating in agricultural work-related activities.

Driving Restrictions with an Intermediate License

• During the first six months, you may not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger who is under 19 years old and who is not a member of your immediate family.
• After the first six months, you may not operate a motor vehicle with more than three passengers who are under 19 years old and who are not members of your immediate family.
• You may not drive alone from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. except to and from a school activity, job, or for an emergency, unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years old or older.

Step Three: Under 21 Full Driver License

The third step in the Missouri Graduated Driver License Law would be to obtain an Under 21 Full Driver License, which 18 years old is the eligible age and it is valid for three years. Applicants may be eligible to graduate to a full license is date of application is within 30 days prior to their 18th birthday and all other eligibility requirements have been met.

To obtain this license, you must:

• Satisfy the requirements for an Intermediate License, including having no alcohol-related offenses or traffic convictions in the last 12 months.
• Have a valid intermediate license and your driving privilege cannot be suspended, revoked, or denied when you apply for a full license.
• Pass the vision and road sign recognition tests. You are not required to pass the written and driving tests if already completed.

As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to our friendly support staff and make sure to book your driving lesson today and learn to drive from one of our Coastline driving instructors!