Missouri Driver Licensing Law
Obtaining a Missouri Instruction Permit
At 15, if vision, road sign, and written tests are passed, teens in Missouri are eligible to apply for an Instruction Permit. This permit requires a parent or legal guardian to accompany the minor to the license office to sign a permission statement.
While holding the Instruction Permit and under 16 years old, the driver must be accompanied in the front seat by a licensed parent or guardian, grandparent, other qualified driving instructor, or other qualified driver over 25-years-old with at least three years of driving experience. After 16, the driver may be accompanied in the front seat by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.
Seat belts must be worn by all occupants of the vehicle while the permit holder is driving.
After 182 days of holding the Instruction Permit, holders may apply for an Intermediate License. By this time, permit holders must have driven 40 hours, ten at night, supervised by a qualified driver.
Obtaining an Intermediate License
Drivers between the age of 16 and 18 who have completed 40 hours of practice driving, 10 being at night, and have not had any alcohol or traffic offenses in 12 months may obtain an Intermediate License. A parent, guardian, or grandparent must accompany the applicant to verify the supervised driving hours.
The Intermediate License requires applicants to pass vision, road sign and written tests, as well as passing a driving test.
The Intermediate License carries the following driving restrictions:
- In the first six months after obtaining the license, the driver may not operate a vehicle with more than one passenger under 19 years old outside of immediate family members.
- Once the first six-month period is over, the driver may not operate a vehicle with more than three passengers under 19 years old other than immediate family members.
- Driving alone between the hours of 1AM and 5AM is prohibited unless traveling between work or school and home, or in case of an emergency. Licensees may drive within the restricted hours if accompanied by a licensed driver, 21 years or older.
Obtaining a Regular Operator License
Once the Intermediate License holder turns 18, they will be eligible for an Under-21 Full Driver License as long as they have met the established requirements and they pass the vision and road sign recognition tests.
Penalties
If ordered by the court, anyone under 21 years of age may have his or her driving privilege suspended for 90 days for a first offense or revoked for one year for a subsequent offense for any one of the following reasons:
- Any alcohol related traffic offense
- Any offense involving the possession or use of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle
- Any offense involving the possession or use of drugs
- Any offense involving the alteration, modification or misrepresentation of a driver license
- A second offense involving the possession or use of alcohol by someone under 18 years of age
If ordered by the court, anyone 21 years of age or older may have his or her driving privilege revoked for one year for possession or use of drugs while driving.
The reinstatement requirements are:
- Pay a $45 reinstatement fee
- Provide proof of successful completion of a Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) or a comparable program. The Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse will send this form directly to the department after the program has been completed.
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