A Class E license is Missouri's standard driver's license for operating passenger vehicles on public roads
A Class E license is what most people in Missouri get when they pass their driving test. It lets you drive a passenger car, pickup truck, or van that weighs less than 26,001 pounds and carries no more than 15 passengers. You cannot use a Class E to drive a commercial vehicle, operate a school bus, or haul hazardous materials — those require different license classes.
The license is valid for six years from the date Missouri issues it. You renew it by visiting a Missouri Department of Revenue office, passing a vision test, and paying the renewal fee. If you let it expire, you must retake the written and driving tests to get a new one.
Key Takeaways
- A Class E license covers standard passenger vehicles up to 26,000 pounds and is the most common license type in Missouri.
- You must be at least 16 years old and pass a written test, vision test, and road test to receive one.
- The license is valid for six years and requires renewal at a Missouri Department of Revenue office.
- If you need to drive commercial vehicles, school buses, or transport hazardous materials, you will need a different license class.
- Missouri recognizes out-of-state Class E licenses, but you must transfer to a Missouri license within 30 days of becoming a resident.
Age requirements and the graduated licensing system
Missouri requires you to be at least 16 years old to get a Class E license. However, the state uses a graduated licensing system that phases in driving privileges over time. If you are under 18, you start with a Learner's Permit, which restricts when and where you can drive.
With a Learner's Permit, you must have a licensed adult at least 21 years old in the front seat with you. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. After holding the permit for at least 182 days and staying violation-free, you can take the road test and move to an Intermediate License. The Intermediate License removes the adult supervision requirement but keeps the midnight-to-5 a.m. restriction until you turn 18.
Once you turn 18, you can convert your Intermediate License to a full Class E license without retesting. If you are 18 or older when you first get your license, you skip the graduated steps and go straight to a Class E after passing the tests.
What you need to bring to get a Class E license
When you visit a Missouri Department of Revenue office to get your first Class E license, bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. Acceptable identity documents include a birth certificate, passport, or state ID. For residency, bring a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. For your Social Security number, bring your Social Security card or a tax return.
You will also need to pass a vision screening at the office. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. The staff will check that your vision meets Missouri's standard of 20/40 in each eye, with or without correction. If you fail the vision test, you cannot take the written or road test that day.
Bring payment for the license fee. As of 2024, a six-year Class E license costs $85. Fees can change, so check the Missouri Department of Revenue website or call your local office before you go.
The written test and road test
The written test covers Missouri traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You can study using the Missouri Driver Guide, which is free and available on the Department of Revenue website. The test has 25 questions, and you must answer at least 20 correctly to pass. You get one attempt per visit, though you can return on another day if you fail.
After you pass the written test, you schedule a road test with a Department of Revenue examiner. The examiner will ask you to perform basic driving tasks like parking, turning, and stopping. They will also check that you follow traffic laws and handle the vehicle safely. The road test typically lasts 15 to 20 minutes. You must bring a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in safe working condition.
If you fail the road test, you can retake it, but you must wait at least one day before scheduling another attempt. Many people pass on their second or third try, so a failure does not mean you cannot get your license.
Restrictions and endorsements on a Class E license
A standard Class E license has no restrictions unless the examiner or your eye doctor notes one during testing. Common restrictions include "corrective lenses required" if you need glasses to drive safely, or "daylight only" if you have a vision condition that affects night driving. These restrictions appear on your license and are legally binding — driving without following them can result in a ticket.
You can also add endorsements to your Class E license, which expand what you are permitted to drive. A Motorcycle Endorsement (M) lets you operate motorcycles and mopeds. To get it, you must pass a written test and a motorcycle road test, or complete an approved motorcycle safety course. A Hazmat Endorsement (H) lets you transport hazardous materials, but it requires a federal background check and is not commonly added to a Class E license.
Renewing your Class E license before it expires
Your Class E license expires six years from the date it was issued. Missouri sends a renewal notice to your mailing address about 60 days before expiration. You can renew in person at any Missouri Department of Revenue office or online through the state website if you meet certain conditions — your license must not be expired, suspended, or revoked, and you must not have any medical conditions that would disqualify you.
For an in-person renewal, bring your current license, proof of residency, and payment. You will pass a vision test but not a written or road test unless the examiner has reason to believe you are unsafe. The renewal fee for a six-year license is $85. If you renew online, the fee is the same, and your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
If your license expires, you must retake both the written and road tests to get a new one. Do not let it lapse — renewing before expiration is much faster and cheaper than reapplying from scratch.
Transferring from an out-of-state license to Missouri Class E
If you move to Missouri with a valid driver's license from another state, you do not have to retake the written and road tests. Instead, you can transfer your license to a Missouri Class E by visiting a Department of Revenue office with your out-of-state license, proof of residency, and payment. The examiner will check your vision and run a background check to confirm you have no suspensions or revocations in other states.
Missouri law requires you to transfer your license within 30 days of becoming a resident. Driving with an out-of-state license after that period can result in a ticket. The transfer fee is the same as a new license — $85 for six years. Your new Missouri license will be issued on the spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Class E license if I have an out-of-state suspension or revocation?
No. Missouri will not issue a Class E license if you have an active suspension or revocation in any state. You must resolve the issue in that state first — usually by paying fines, completing a suspension period, or taking a defensive driving course — and then explore for a Missouri license.
What happens if I fail the road test?
You can retake it after waiting at least one day. There is no limit to how many times you can test, but you must pay the test fee each time. Many people pass on their second or third attempt, so do not give up.
Do I need a Class E license to drive a rental car?
Yes. A valid Class E license is required to rent and drive any passenger vehicle in Missouri. Rental companies will check your license and may refuse to rent to you if your license is suspended, revoked, or expired.
Can I renew my Class E license by mail?
No, Missouri does not offer mail renewal. You can renew online through the Department of Revenue website, or you can renew in person at any office. Online renewal is faster and requires no trip to an office.
What is the difference between a Class E and a Class F license in Missouri?
A Class F is a chauffeur's license for people who drive passengers for hire, such as taxi or rideshare drivers. A Class E is for personal use. If you drive for Uber or Lyft, you need a Class F, not a Class E.