Missouri learner’s permit requirements

Everything here comes from Missouri Department of Revenue, Driver License Bureau pages, handbooks or state law, and each fact links to its source. Where Missouri doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess.

Last checked September 22, 2026.

At a glance

Minimum age
15 years
To pass the knowledge test
20 of 25 correct (80%)
Fees
$10 total
Supervised driving
40 hours (10 at night)

The knowledge test and your permit

Test format
25 questionsSources 123
Passing score
20 of 25 correct (80%)Sources 123
Time limit
None published
Permit and test fees
$10 totalThe Highway Patrol written test is free; the Class F instruction permit is $10 at a license office (license-office processing fees excluded).Sources 123
Minimum age for a permit
15 yearsInstruction permit at 15 with a parent/guardian signing a permission statement; motorcycle instruction permit at 15.5 (with approved rider course) or 16.Sources 154
Supervised driving
40 hours (10 at night)Sources 154
Hold your permit
6 months minimumSources 154
Test languages
20 languagesAmerican Sign Language, Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, Dari, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Kinyarwanda, Korean, Marshallese, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Ukrainian, VietnameseSources 123
Take it online
No, in personSources 123
If you fail
May take any written test up to two times per day until you pass (MSHP FAQ)Instruction permit may be renewed without additional written tests.Sources 123
Vision standard
Acuity at least 20/40 with either or both eyesperipheral at least 55 degrees each eye or 85 degrees in one eye. Cannot be licensed if corrected acuity is worse than 20/160 or combined peripheral is worse than 70 degrees.Sources 154

From permit to full license

  • Step 1: instruction permit at 15 after vision, road-sign and written tests; under 16 drive only with parent/guardian/qualified instructor or a 25+ driver with written permission.
  • Hold permit at least 182 days and log 40 hours (10 at night).
  • Step 2: intermediate license at 16-18 after driving test; first 6 months max one non-family passenger under 19, then max three; no driving alone 1-5 a.m. except school/work/emergency.
  • Step 3: full under-21 license at 18 (vision and road-sign tests only) with no alcohol offenses or traffic convictions in prior 12 months.

Before you go

Rules and fees change. Confirm appointments, documents and current fees on the official Missouri Department of Revenue, Driver License Bureau website: dor.mo.gov.

Sources

  1. dor.mo.gov: Driver Guide
  2. mshp.dps.missouri.gov: faqs
  3. mshp.dps.missouri.gov: Languages ClassF
  4. dor.mo.gov: license
  5. dor.mo.gov: details

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