What you need to do to get a Missouri driver's license
To get a driver's license in Missouri, you will visit a Missouri Department of Revenue office in person, pass a written test about traffic laws, pass a driving test, and provide documents that prove your identity and residency. The whole process takes a few weeks from start to finish, though you can get a temporary permit to drive while you wait for your permanent license to arrive by mail.
Missouri issues licenses to people age 16 and older. If you are under 18, you will start with a learner's permit, practice with a licensed driver in the car, and then take the driving test. If you are 18 or older, you can go straight to the written and driving tests without the permit step.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Missouri Department of Revenue office in person with original documents proving your identity, Social Security number, and Missouri residency.
- You will take a written test on traffic laws and road signs, then a practical driving test in your own vehicle with an examiner.
- Drivers under 18 must hold a learner's permit for at least three months and log supervised driving hours before taking the road test.
- After you pass both tests, you receive a temporary paper license on the spot and your permanent card arrives by mail within two to three weeks.
- The total cost is $11.50 for a learner's permit and $24.50 for a driver's license, or $31 if you get both in one visit.
Documents you must bring to the Department of Revenue office
Bring your original Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, such as a W-2 form or tax return. You cannot use a copy. If you do not have a Social Security card, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration showing your number.
Bring one document that proves your identity. A passport, military ID, or state ID from another state all work. If you do not have any of those, you can bring a birth certificate plus one additional document with your name on it, such as a school ID, employee badge, or utility bill.
Bring two documents that prove you live in Missouri. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address works. The documents must show your current address and be dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency also counts.
If you are explore for a learner's permit and you are under 18, bring a parent or guardian with you. They will need to sign the process in person.
The written test: what to study and how it works
The written test has 25 questions about Missouri traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 18 questions correctly to pass. The test covers things like speed limits, right-of-way rules, what different road signs mean, and what to do at a traffic light or stop sign.
Missouri provides a free study guide called the "Missouri Driver Guide" on the Department of Revenue website. You can read it online or read it as a PDF. The guide covers everything on the test. Many people study it for a few days before their test appointment and find that enough.
You take the test on a computer at the Department of Revenue office. The examiner will show you how to use it. You get your score right away. If you do not pass, you can take the test again the same day at no extra cost, though you may have to wait a few hours.
The driving test: what the examiner looks for
The driving test lasts about 20 to 30 minutes. You drive your own vehicle with a Department of Revenue examiner in the passenger seat. The examiner watches how you handle basic driving tasks: starting the car, turning, stopping, parking, and following traffic laws. They are looking for safe driving habits, not perfect driving.
Common reasons people do not pass include rolling through a stop sign, failing to signal before turning, speeding, hitting a curb while parking, or not checking mirrors and blind spots. If you do not pass, you can take the test again. There is no waiting period between attempts, but you will pay the test fee again.
Before your test appointment, practice driving in different conditions — residential streets, busier roads, and parking situations. If you are under 18, you must have logged the required supervised driving hours (see the section below on learner's permits).
If you are under 18: the learner's permit and supervised driving requirement
If you are under 18, you must get a learner's permit first. You take the written test to get the permit, then practice driving with a licensed adult in the car for at least three months before you can take the road test. The adult must be at least 21 years old and hold a valid driver's license.
During those three months, you must log at least 60 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 of those hours at night. You keep a log yourself — Missouri does not require you to turn it in, but you should keep it in case there are questions. The log should show the date, time of day, and how many hours you drove.
While you hold a learner's permit, you cannot drive alone. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. You must follow all traffic laws and speed limits. If you get a traffic ticket or are in an accident, it does not automatically disqualify you from taking the road test, but it may delay it.
What happens after you pass both tests
When you pass the driving test, the examiner will give you a temporary paper license on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 45 days and lets you drive right away while you wait for your permanent card. You can use it to drive to work, school, or anywhere else.
Your permanent driver's license card will arrive by mail within two to three weeks. It comes to the address you provided at the Department of Revenue office. Once it arrives, the temporary paper license is no longer valid, but you do not need to do anything — just start using the permanent card.
Your Missouri driver's license is valid for six years if you are 18 or older, or until age 21 if you got it before you turned 18. After that, you will need to renew it.
Where to find a Department of Revenue office and how to schedule an appointment
Missouri has Department of Revenue offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you on the Missouri Department of Revenue website. The site has a list of all locations, their hours, and their phone numbers.
You can schedule an appointment online through the Department of Revenue website, or you can call the office directly. Scheduling ahead usually means a shorter wait, though walk-ins are also accepted. Wait times vary by location and time of day — offices are usually busier on Saturdays and during lunch hours.
Bring all your documents with you. If you are missing any required document, the office will not be able to process your process that day, so double-check the list before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the written test before I have all my documents?
No. You must have all required documents with you before you can take any test. The examiner will check them before you start. If you are missing anything, reschedule your appointment and come back when you have everything.
What if I fail the driving test?
You can take it again. There is no waiting period, but you will pay the test fee again ($11.50). Most people pass on their second or third attempt. Ask the examiner what you need to work on, then practice those specific skills before you try again.
Do I need to bring my own car for the driving test?
Yes. You must use your own vehicle. The car must be in safe working condition, with working brakes, lights, wipers, and mirrors. If the examiner thinks the car is unsafe, they will not conduct the test.
What if I move to Missouri from another state?
You can transfer your out-of-state license to a Missouri license without taking the tests if your license is still valid. Bring your current license and the required identity and residency documents to a Department of Revenue office. The fee is $24.50.
How much does a Missouri driver's license cost?
A learner's permit costs $11.50. A driver's license costs $24.50. If you get both in one visit, the total is $31. These are the only fees — there is no charge to take the written or driving tests.