Updated for 2026

Missouri DOR (Department of Revenue) / MSHP (Missouri State Highway Patrol)

Comprehensive study guide for the 2026 driver's knowledge exam. Everything you need to know about laws, fees, and requirements.

Total Questions

25

Passing Score

20

Standard Fee

$7.00 (Instruction Permit) / $13.50 (Intermediate License)

Testing System

computerized touchscreen

Critical Failure Factors

A leading cause of failure in Missouri is the 'Rolling Stop' at stop signs (failure to cease all motion behind the white line) and striking the curb during parallel parking. Additionally, many applicants fail due to confusion navigating unique intersections like the 'Diverging Diamond' or 'J-Turns'.

Legal Statutes & Driving Codes

Missouri traffic laws are enforced under the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo) and contain several unique provisions regarding highway safety and teen driving. A critical statute for school bus safety is 'Jessica's Law' (RSMo 304.050). This law gives school bus drivers the authority to report vehicles that illegally pass them while the stop arm is extended. Based on the bus driver's report alone, the vehicle owner can be cited. Drivers must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended arm from either direction, unless they are on a highway divided by a physical barrier (grass median or concrete wall); a turn lane is NOT a barrier. Missouri also enforces the 'Move Over Law' (RSMo 304.022), which was expanded to protect ALL stationary vehicles displaying flashing lights—including amber, white, or red lights. This means you must move over or slow down not just for police and ambulances, but also for MoDOT trucks, utility vehicles, and even civilian cars with hazard lights on. For teen drivers, the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program is strictly enforced. The Intermediate License (ages 16-17) imposes a curfew: driving is prohibited between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM, unless accompanied by a licensed person over 21. Passenger restrictions are also tight: during the first 6 months, only one passenger under age 19 is allowed (unless immediate family). After 6 months, up to three passengers under 19 are permitted. Regarding seat belts, Missouri has a 'Secondary Enforcement' law for adults, meaning police cannot pull you over solely for not wearing a belt. However, for drivers with a GDL (teens), seat belt usage is a 'Primary' offense, and the driver is legally responsible for ensuring all passengers are buckled. Finally, the 'Steer It, Clear It' law mandates that if you are involved in a minor non-injury accident, you must move your vehicle to the shoulder to avoid blocking traffic.

Statistical Realities

Driving in Missouri involves navigating some of the most innovative and specific intersection designs in the United States, which often confuse new drivers. Missouri was the first state in the nation to install a 'Diverging Diamond Interchange' (DDI) in Springfield in 2009. In a DDI, traffic temporarily crosses to the left side of the road to allow for free-flowing left turns onto the highway without stopping traffic. Understanding how to follow the lane markings in a DDI is crucial for the test and real-world driving. Another unique design is the 'J-Turn' (or RCUT). On high-speed divided highways, direct left turns are prohibited because they are dangerous. Instead, drivers must turn right, merge into traffic, and then perform a U-turn at a designated median opening to head in the desired direction. This significantly reduces 'T-bone' collisions. Statistically, Missouri has a high rate of deer collisions, especially in the fall months (October-November). The state manual explicitly warns drivers to scan for 'eyeshine' and advises that if a collision is unavoidable, you should brake firmly but stay in your lane; swerving often leads to fatal rollovers or head-on crashes. Regarding the test itself, the written exam consists of 25 questions, and you must answer 20 correctly (80%) to pass. The questions are randomly selected from a pool, but they heavily favor road signs (Shape and Color recognition) and specific GDL restrictions. Unlike some states, Missouri allows you to take the written test twice in one day if you fail the first time (depending on the examiner's workload), but you are limited to three attempts total before needing special permission. Another interesting fact is the 'Show-Me State' approach to speed limits: on rural interstates, the limit can be 70 mph, but minimum speed limits (usually 40 mph) are also enforced to prevent dangerous impediments to traffic flow. Finally, drivers should be aware that Missouri utilizes 'Variable Speed Limit' signs in cities like St. Louis, where digital signs change the speed limit based on congestion or weather conditions—obeying the digital number is mandatory, not optional.