Missouri DMV Guide: Permit, License, and Road Test
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Getting your instruction permit in Missouri is a clear, step-by-step process once you know what the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) expects. This guide covers eligibility, the documents to bring, the knowledge test, and what happens after you pass, so you can arrive prepared and avoid a wasted trip to the testing office.
Requirements, fees, and accepted documents can change over time, so use this as a general roadmap and confirm the current details with the DOR or your local license office before you go. Arriving with the right documents the first time is the easiest way to keep the process quick and stress-free.
15
Permit age
25
Test questions
20 (80%)
To pass
$10
Permit fee
Step by step: getting your Missouri permit
Step 1: Confirm you meet the age requirement
In Missouri you can generally apply for an instruction permit at age 15. The permit is the first stage of the state's graduated driver license program and comes with supervised-driving conditions rather than full privileges. Review the program so you understand what each stage requires before you begin.
Step 2: Gather your required documents
Bring documents that prove your identity, your Social Security number, and Missouri residency. Applicants under 18 generally need a parent or guardian to sign and consent to the application.
- Proof of identity, such as a birth certificate or passport
- Proof of your Social Security number
- Proof of Missouri residency
- Parent or guardian consent if you are under 18
Step 3: Prepare for the road-sign and knowledge sections
Missouri's written exam typically includes a road-sign identification section alongside the general knowledge questions. Study signs by shape, color, and symbol so this part feels easy, and review the broader rules of the road from the Missouri Driver Guide so nothing catches you off guard.
Step 4: Pass the knowledge test
Take the 25-question written knowledge test and score at least 80 percent, which means 20 correct answers. Practicing in advance so the wording and format feel familiar is the most reliable way to pass on your first attempt and avoid a retest.
Step 5: Pass the vision screening and pay the fee
You will complete a vision screening and pay the permit fee. Once you meet the requirements, the DOR issues your instruction permit, which lets you begin supervised practice driving toward your intermediate license.
After you pass the knowledge test
With a Missouri instruction permit you may drive only while supervised by a qualified licensed adult. The graduated program generally includes a holding period and a set number of supervised practice hours, including some night driving, before you can move to an intermediate license and take the road test. Track those hours and practice in varied settings so you are genuinely ready for the skills exam.
Tips for Missouri new drivers
Build experience gradually: start in quiet areas, then add busier roads and eventually highway driving around St. Louis, Kansas City, and on rural routes. Practice merging, following distance, and safe passing with your supervising adult. Always carry your permit while driving and follow any passenger and nighttime limits that apply to permit holders, since those rules are part of staying on track toward full licensure.
Missouri permit and test fees
$10
Class F operator's instruction permit (minimum age 15). The official fee chart notes that applicable written and road test fees are not included in the listed amounts; the written test is administered by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Verified on the DOR fee chart (revised 08-2025): Class F instruction permit $10, duplicate $10. Class E instruction permit (age 18 and older) is also $10; a Class A, B, or C instruction permit is $19. Class M permits are $12.75 (age 15 and a half) or $10 (age 16).
Missouri permit restrictions and supervised driving
While you hold the permit
Supervised practice: 40 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction including a minimum of 10 hours at night, with a qualified person, grandparent, or qualified driving instructor
Hold period: Instruction permit held at least 182 days before the intermediate license
- Under age 16, must be accompanied in the front seat by a qualified person, grandparent, qualified instructor, or an approved licensed driver age 25 or older
- At age 16 or older, must be accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older in the front seat
- All driver and passengers must wear seat belts and the permit must be carried while driving
After you upgrade (provisional/intermediate)
- Intermediate holders may not drive alone from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. except to or from school activity, job, or an emergency, unless accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older
- First 6 months: no more than one passenger under 19 who is not immediate family
- After the first 6 months: no more than three passengers under 19 who are not immediate family
Restriction details change. Confirm current rules with the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Missouri road test requirements
Applicants must pass the vision, road sign recognition, written, and driving tests at a Missouri State Highway Patrol examination station.
What to bring
- Instruction permit held at least 182 days
- Verification by a qualified person or grandparent of the 40 hours of driving instruction (10 at night)
- Proof of identity and required documents
Vehicle requirements
- Not specified
Missouri driver handbook summary
Missouri's Graduated Driver License law sends first-time drivers aged 15 to 18 through an instruction permit and an intermediate license before full licensure. The permit must be held at least 182 days while the teen logs 40 hours of practice, including 10 at night. The intermediate license carries a 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew and passenger limits that ease after six months.
Practice for the Missouri test
The fastest way to pass is to rehearse real test format. Our Missouri questions are balanced across the categories the DOR tests.
Find a DOR office in Missouri
Most permits are issued in person. Find your nearest DOR location before you go, and check whether you need an appointment.
Map results come from Google and may include third-party services. Always confirm the office location, hours, and whether an appointment is required on the official DOR website before visiting.
Official Missouri sources
Missouri licensing FAQ
How much does the Missouri permit cost?
$10. Class F operator's instruction permit (minimum age 15). The official fee chart notes that applicable written and road test fees are not included in the listed amounts; the written test is administered by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Verified on the DOR fee chart (revised 08-2025): Class F instruction permit $10, duplicate $10. Class E instruction permit (age 18 and older) is also $10; a Class A, B, or C instruction permit is $19. Class M permits are $12.75 (age 15 and a half) or $10 (age 16). See the full Missouri fee breakdown and official source on our permit cost page.
What score do I need to pass the Missouri written test?
The Missouri knowledge test has 25 questions and you must answer 20 correctly (80%) to pass.
How many supervised driving hours does Missouri require?
40 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction including a minimum of 10 hours at night, with a qualified person, grandparent, or qualified driving instructor. Confirm the current requirement and any logging rules with the Missouri Department of Revenue.
How old do I have to be for a Missouri instruction permit?
Generally 15. Confirm the current age and program requirements with the Missouri Department of Revenue.
What documents do I need to apply?
Proof of identity, your Social Security number, proof of Missouri residency, and parental consent if you are under 18.
Do I have to take a test for the permit?
Yes. You take a written knowledge test, often including a road-sign section, plus a vision screening.
Is there a fee for the Missouri permit?
Yes, a permit fee applies. Check the current amount with the DOR or your local license office before your visit.