Missouri Driver's Permit Requirements
Everything you need to get your Missouri learner's permit — age, fees, documents for the written test, supervised-hours rules, and what the road test itself checks — summarized from the official DOR pages and linked to the source.
MissouriDORMissouri Department of Revenue — Parent/Guardian Role in MO GDL LawChecked 2026-07-13Official source
MissouriDORMissouri Department of Revenue — Permit and Driver License FeesChecked 2026-08-12Official source
MissouriDORMissouri Department of Revenue — Parent/Guardian Role in MO GDL LawChecked 2026-07-13Official source
MissouriDORMissouri Department of Revenue — Parent/Guardian Role in MO GDL LawChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Last verified 2026-07-13 · Source: Missouri Department of Revenue — Parent/Guardian Role in MO GDL Law ↗
Fees and rules change — always confirm current requirements on the official page above before you go.
The Missouri licensing timeline
Each stage below carries what DOR itself publishes, the people it applies to, the page it came from, and the date we last checked it. Where DOR publishes no figure, the card says so instead of guessing one.
1Eligibility
Minimum permit age15MissouriDORMissouri Department of Revenue — Parent/Guardian Role in MO GDL LawChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Instruction Permit minimum age under Missouri's Graduated Driver License law
2Documents
Documents for the knowledge testDOR does not publish a document checklist we could verifyMissouriDORMissouri Department of Revenue — Parent/Guardian Role in MO GDL LawChecked 2026-07-13Official source
3Required education
Required driver educationWe have not verified a driver-education requirement on DOR's own pagesMissouriDORMissouri Department of Revenue — Parent/Guardian Role in MO GDL LawChecked 2026-07-13Official source
4Application
Permit fee$3.50MissouriDORMissouri Department of Revenue — Permit and Driver License FeesChecked 2026-08-12Official source
Class F instruction permit, valid up to one year; application test fees are separate.
What the permit itself takes, once you pass:
- Written driver examination record (test paper) issued by the MSHP examiner
- Parent or guardian signature on the permit application, made in person at the license office
- Documents required for a Missouri driver license, nondriver license, or instruction permit
5Knowledge test
Wait before a retakeDOR does not publish a verified retake waitMissouriDORMO official knowledge-test sourceChecked 2026-08-12Official source
Missouri's official Driver Guide states the test has 25 multiple-choice questions and requires 20 correct answers. No official time limit was substantiated.
6Permit restrictions
Permit validityDOR does not publish a verified validity periodMissouriDORMissouri Department of Revenue — Parent/Guardian Role in MO GDL LawChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Restrictions Missouri puts on a new driver:
- Permit supervision: If under 16, the permit holder must drive with a parent, guardian, grandparent, qualified instructor, or an approved licensed driver at least 25 with 3 years of licensed experience; at 16+, a licensed driver age 21+ must sit in the front seat
- Seat belts: Seat belts are required for the driver and all passengers
MissouriDORMissouri Department of Revenue — Parent/Guardian Role in MO GDL LawChecked 2026-07-13Official source
7Supervised driving
Supervised driving for applicants under 1840 hours (10 at night)MissouriDORMissouri Department of Revenue — Parent/Guardian Role in MO GDL LawChecked 2026-07-13Official source
That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 18 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
8Road test
Minimum permit hold6 monthsMissouriDORMissouri Department of Revenue — Parent/Guardian Role in MO GDL LawChecked 2026-07-13Official source
9Full licence
Unrestricted driving age16MissouriDORMissouri Department of Revenue — Parent/Guardian Role in MO GDL LawChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Intermediate License at 16+ after holding the instruction permit at least 6 months
How to get your permit in Missouri
- At 15+, pass the written driver examination and apply for the Missouri Instruction Permit
- Drive only with an allowed supervising driver
- Complete at least 40 behind-the-wheel hours, including 10 at night
- Hold the permit at least 6 months
- At 16+, pass the driving skills examination and apply for the Intermediate License
What is different about Missouri
Rules that are set by Missouri rather than nationally, and where they depart from what most states do. Compared against DMV Prep's verified rules for all 51 jurisdictions — unverified figures are left out of both sides of every comparison.
- Supervised-driving requirement: 40 hours here. The most common supervised-driving requirement is 50 hours (29 of 49 states we have verified).
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to get a permit in Missouri?
You can get a learner's permit in Missouri at 15. Instruction Permit minimum age under Missouri's Graduated Driver License law.
How much does a Missouri permit cost?
The Missouri permit fee is $3.5. Class F instruction permit, valid up to one year; application test fees are separate..
How long do you have to hold your permit in Missouri?
You must hold your Missouri permit for at least 6 months before the driving test.
How many practice driving hours does Missouri require?
Missouri requires 40 hours of supervised practice driving for applicants under 18, including 10 at night. That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 18 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
Where can I practice for the Missouri permit test?
Right here — take a free Missouri practice test, review every answer, and build readiness in your browser. The free DMV Prep app adds offline study and native reminders.
