Missouri DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE Driver Guide In memory of those who have given their lives in the line of duty on Missouri roads. Revised August 2011 Table of Contents Chapter 1 — The Missouri Driver License and the Graduated Driver License Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 • Types of Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 • Types of Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 • Requirements to Obtain Your License or Permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 • Required Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 • Social Security Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 • Fees for Permits/Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 • Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 • Endorsements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 • Renewing a License or Permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 • Other Information About Your Driver License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 • Suspension/Revocation of Your License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 • The Graduated Driver License (GDL) Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 • Step One: Instruction Permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 • Step Two: Intermediate License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 • Step Three: Full (Under 21) License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 • A Checklist for You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Chapter 2 — The Driver Examination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 23 • The Driver Examination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 • Where to Take the Exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 • Proof of Name and Age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 • Written Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 • Vision Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 • Road Sign Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 • Driving Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 • Your Grade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 • Failing the Driving Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 • Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Chapter 3 — Pavement Markings, Traffic Signs, Lights, and Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 28 • Pavement Markings on the Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 • Meanings of Pavement Markings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 • Direction of Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 • No Passing Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 • Left-Turn Lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 • Crosswalks and Stop Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 • Dual Use Lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 • Reversible Express Lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 • Shared Center Lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 1 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • No Lane Markings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Traffic Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Traffic Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Flashing Light Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Traffic Control Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Lane Use Control Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Traffic Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Sign Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Warning Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Regulatory Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Stop Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Yield Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Wrong Way Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Do Not Enter Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Lane Control Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Speed Limit Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Railroad Crossing Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Work Zone Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Guide Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Service Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Route Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Emergency Reference Markers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Roundabout Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Chapter 4 — Rules of the Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 43 • Right-Of-Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 • Passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 • Intersections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 • Emergency Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 • School Buses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 • Hand and Vehicle Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 • Turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 • U-Turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 • Right Turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 • Left Turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 • One-Way Street Onto a Two-Way Street . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 • Two-Way Street Onto a One-Way Street . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 • Two-Way Street Onto a Two-Way Street . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 • Multiple Left Turn Lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 • Two-Way Left Turn Lanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 • Roundabout Intersections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 • City/County Ordinances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Chapter 5 — Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 49 • No-Parking Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 2 • • • • When Can You Park in Handicapped Parking Spaces? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 International Symbol of Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Parking on Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Parallel Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Chapter 6 — Highway Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 52 • Drive in the Proper Lane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 • Controlling Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 • Passing on Highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 • Being Passed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 • Adjusting to Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 • Be Aware of the Traffic Around You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 • Slow Moving Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 • Stopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 • Controlled Access Highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 • Entering the Highway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 • Leaving the Highway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 • Interchanges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 • Watch out for “ Highway Hypnosis” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 • Stop Driving When You Feel Sleepy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 • Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Chapter 7 — Sharing The Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 57 • Sharing the Road with Motorcycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 • Sharing the Road with Trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 • Sharing the Road with Pedestrians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 • Sharing the Road with Mopeds and Bicycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 • Funeral Processions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 • Road Rage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 • Drunk Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 • About Littering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Chapter 8 — Safe Driving Tips For Everyday Driving . . . . . . . . Page 65 • Use Seat Belts and Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 • Seat Belts — It’s the Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 • Child Passenger Restraint Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 • Age/Weight/Height Classifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 • Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 • Proper Posture While Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 • Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 • Following Other Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 • Three Second Rule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 • Space Behind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 • Space to the Side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 • Stopping Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 3 • • • • • •
Average Stopping Distance of Cars on Dry Level Pavement . . . . . . . . . 68 Letting Others Know What You are Doing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Signal When You Change Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Using Your Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Slow Poke Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Carbon Monoxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Chapter 9 — Safe Driving Tips For Special Driving Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 71 • Night Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 • Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 • Wet Pavement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 • Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 • Skidding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 • Fog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 • Handling Vehicle Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Chapter 10 — Be in Shape to Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 76 • Alcohol, Drugs, and Driving • Administrative Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 • Court Convicted Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 • Missouri’s Abuse and Lose Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 • Minor in Possession (MIP) and Other Alcohol Offenses . . . . . . . . . . 79 • Proof of Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 • Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 • Ignition Interlock and Reinstatement Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Chapter 11 — The Point System and How It Affects You . . . . . . Page 81 • Racking Up Points: The Consequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 • How Points Come Off Your Driving Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 • Other Consequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 • Driving While Suspended or Revoked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 • Failure to Appear in Court (FACT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Chapter 12 — Vehicle Titling and Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 84 • Titling Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 • What You Need to Get a Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 • Vehicles Bought in Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 • Vehicles Bought Out-of-State (not in Missouri) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 • Properly Assigned Titles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 • Salvage Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 • Odometer Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 • Registering Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 • What You Need to Register Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 • Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 • Selling a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 • Stolen License Plates and Tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 • Lost or Destroyed Title, Plates, or Tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 4 • Missouri License Plate Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 • Personalized Plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Chapter 13 — Mandatory Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 88 • The Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 • Minimum Coverage Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 • Maintaining Your Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 • Failure to Keep Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 • Failure to Pay for Damages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 • Accidents and Crashes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 • Filing an Accident Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Chapter 14 — Safety and Emissions Inspections and Required Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 92 • Safety Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 • Exceptions to the Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 • Equipment Needed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 • Other Equipment Required by Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 • Emissions Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 • Exceptions to the Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Chapter 15 — Commercial Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 96 • Size Limitations (Without Special Permit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 • Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 • Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 • Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 • Exemptions From Size Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 • Weight Limitations (Without Special Permit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 • Maximum Weight on Any Single Axle……. Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 • Maximum Weight on Any Tandem Axle. …. Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 • Maximum Gross Weight……………………. Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 • Overdimension and Overweight Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 • Vehicle Route Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 • Transporting Hazardous Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 • Emergency Equipment and Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 • Information on Commercial Motor Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 • Following Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 • Railroad Crossing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 • Load Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 • Off-Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 • Weigh Stations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 • Tailgaters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 • Space Overhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 5 • Soft Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 • Space to Cross or Enter Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Sample Test Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 102 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 109 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 112 Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 115 NOTE: The state motor vehicle laws described in this manual are not reproduced in their entirety and the wording is not identical. Due to possible federal and state law changes and Department of Revenue (department) policy, the information in this manual may not always be current. The department will make every effort to incorporate any changes as soon as possible.
The Missouri Driver Guide is published by the Missouri Department of Revenue. Revised August 2011 6 Carefully studying the Missouri Driver Guide will increase your driving confidence and broaden your knowledge of Missouri traffic laws. The more knowledge you have, the safer you are! To test your knowledge of traffic laws, you will need to take a written test of 25 multiple-choice questions. Studying this guide will prepare you for that test. You must correctly answer 20 questions to pass the test. All of the test questions come directly from information found in this guide. There are no “ trick” questions.
To test your ability to drive a vehicle, you must take a driving skills test. Your examiner realizes a driving test will probably be an unusual experience for you, and you might even become nervous or uneasy. If you do become nervous or fearful, please remember your examiner has accompanied many other people exactly like you, and the examiner rides with you only to make sure you can control your vehicle and observe the rules of safety. Your examiner will not try to trick you in any way. Remember that thousands of people pass this test every year and become licensed drivers. If they can do it, so can you! Just relax and do the best you can.
We would like to hear your comments and questions about the material included in this manual: Address: Driver License Bureau P. O. Box 200 Jefferson City, MO 65105-0200 Telephone: (573) 751-2730 Fax: (573) 522-8174 E-Mail: [email protected] mo. gov; or Send a written notice with your new address to the Driver License Bureau, P. O. Box 200, Jefferson City, MO 65105-0200. Your reminder will state the fee required to renew your license. You can renew your license up to 6 months before it expires. Each time you renew, you will be required to take the vision and road sign test.
It is your responsibility to renew your driver license, even if you do not receive your reminder. Failure to renew promptly may cause you to have to retake the written and driving tests. You can be ticketed for driving without a valid license. Exception: If you will be leaving the state/country for an extended time you may request an early renewal of your driver license at your local license office. A driver license may be valid for up to 6 years. If you allow it to expire, you must not drive. If you would like to continue driving uninterrupted, you must renew your license before it expires.
If you do not renew your license within 6 months (or 184 days) after its expiration date, you will have to take the written and driving tests (see Chapter 2), in addition to the vision and road sign tests. License offices are usually busiest at the end of each month. Since you may renew your license up to 6 months (184 days) before it expires, you are encouraged to select a time to avoid the longer lines. If the renewal dates for your driver license and motor vehicle registration renewal are within 6 months, you may be able to complete both renewals at the same time and save yourself a trip later to the license office.
Renewal by Mail for Active Duty Members of the Armed Forces Missouri allows renewal by mail for members of the armed forces and their dependents. Applicants should submit renewal form 4317 (available on-line at http://dor. mo. gov/forms/index. php, or faxed upon request), along with required documents and fees. Missouri allows a renewal without re-examination for members of the armed forces whose license has expired while out of state, for up to six months from honorable discharge or within ninety days of reestablishing residency in Missouri, whichever occurs first.
The expired Missouri license and discharge papers must be submitted at the time of application in addition to other applicable renewal documents. The expired license is not valid for driving. These provisions only waive re-examination and do not extend the actual driving privileges beyond the expiration date. Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed License If your license expires or is lost or stolen while you are out of state, you may request a Mail-In License Application by phone at (573) 751-4600 or download the form (DOR-4317) at our web site at www. dor. mo. gov. If your license is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you must apply for a duplicate license.
If your current license expires within the next 6 months, you may renew your license early rather than obtain a duplicate license. This saves you time and money. 16 16 Renewing When Your License is Suspended or Revoked You may take the vision and road sign tests and renew your license even while your driving privilege is suspended. However, if your driving privilege has been revoked, you may only renew your license during the revocation if it resulted from your refusal to take a chemical test, from an “ abuse and lose” court order, or a minor in possession action.
You will not receive your license back until you have completed your reinstatement requirements and your driving privilege has been reinstated. OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRIVER LICENSE • Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor Information When you apply for a new, renewal, or duplicate instruction permit, driver or nondriver license, the contract office will provide information regarding the first person consent organ, eye and tissue donor registry. You will be asked two very important questions at the time you make your application. . “ Do you authorize a symbol to be placed on your license indicating your consent to be listed as an organ, eye and tissue donor in the donor registry? ” If you say “ yes”, a red heart with a green banner will appear on the front of your instruction permit, driver, or nondriver license. Your name will automatically be added to the Missouri Organ and Tissue Donor Registry managed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services or their agent. The registry is on a secure, confidential database.
Joining the registry means you have legally documented your decision to save lives by becoming an organ and tissue donor at the time of your death – no further consent is needed – relieving your family of making that decision on your behalf. There is no fee to place the symbol on your instruction permit, driver or nondriver license, or place your name in the registry. You may obtain more information regarding the donor registry or register your decision and enroll on-line at www. missouriorgandonor. com 2. “ Would you like to contribute a dollar to the Missouri Organ Donor Fund? ”
Another way to support organ and tissue donation is to make a voluntary contribution to the Missouri Organ Donor Fund. Your contribution to the fund directly supports registry operation and public education so that people are empowered to make an informed decision about donation. The registry and educational efforts are supported by contributions only. On the back of your instruction permit, driver or nondriver license, space is provided to designate any organs you want to donate at the time of your death, in other words, an anatomical gift. Write the organ(s) you want to donate and sign and date in front of two witnesses.
They too must sign. There is also a place on the back of the license to indicate your Attorney in Fact for health care decisions, including organ donation. An Attorney in Fact is someone to whom you give permission to act on your behalf. Use a permanent marker when completing the back of your driver and nondriver license. 17 You are strongly encouraged to inform your family of your decision to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor and your decision related to Attorney in Fact. Although Missouri law does not require it, keeping everyone informed will help avoid confusion or delays. The back of your license also includes areas for you to write your blood type and allergic reactions to medicines. If you are in an accident, this information could help medical personnel save your life. • Blind Awareness Fund State law requires the clerk to ask you if you would like to donate $1 to the blind awareness fund when you apply for a license, permit, or non-driver license. • “ J88” Notation for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Applicants When you apply for or renew your driver license, nondriver license, or instruction permit, you may ask that a “ J88” notation be placed on your driver license, nondriver license, or instruction permit.
In the event of an emergency, this notation will allow law enforcement or emergency and medical personnel to readily determine if you are deaf or hard of hearing. This will assist in ensuring effective communications with someone who is injured and nonresponsive. In order to obtain the “ J88” notation, you must request the notation when applying for a license or instruction permit. You must have one of the following documents if you wish to have the “ J88” notation placed on your license or permit: • A medical statement from a licensed medical professional, which verifies your level of hearing loss. A certified affidavit — The affidavit form (DOR-4942) can be obtained from any license office. • A statement from an approved or authorized agency listed below, which verifies your level of hearing loss. Agencies or programs authorized to provide documentation that a license or instruction permit applicant is deaf or hearing impaired shall include but not be limited to the following: • The Missouri Commission for the Deaf • Social Security Administration • A vocational rehabilitation program • A federal, state, or county department of health • An Independent Living Center
The Director of Revenue shall have authorization to review and determine acceptability of any documentation from an agency or program not listed. • Boater Safety Indicator If you are a resident of Missouri who has complied with the provisions of section 306. 127, RSMo and possess a current Boating Safety Education Card issued by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, you may request to obtain a boater identification indicator on your driver license or nondriver license. The Missouri State Highway Patrol will accept the indicator on a valid driver license or nondriver license in lieu of carrying the separate Boating Safety Education Card.
You must request the new indicator and present your valid Boating Safety Education Card at the time of application for a new, renewal or duplicate transaction. There will be an additional cost of $1. 00 added to standard processing fees when the boater identification indicator is initially added to a driver license or nondriver license document. 18 • Permanent Disability Indicator If you are a resident of Missouri who is permanently disabled you may request to have a permanent disability indicator placed on the back of your driver license or nondriver license at the time of application for a new, renewal or duplicate transaction.
To be eligible for the indicator you must submit a Form 5294 Physicians Statement – Permanent Disability Indicator completed and signed by your physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist licensed under Chapter 334, RSMo, or other authorized healthcare practitioner. There will be no additional cost to add the indicator. The standard new, renewal, or duplicate transaction and processing fees will apply. You are not required by law to obtain a permanent disability indicator on your driver license or non-driver license. The indicator is not a determination of eligibility or public benefits. Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) The Federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act requires all states to close the personal information contained on all motor vehicle, driver and nondriver license records, unless otherwise directed by state law. Under Missouri law, a person or entity may access the personal information if exempt under the DPPA (and have submitted Form 4678 — Request for Security Access Code) or have obtained express consent from the record holder (Form 4681 Request from Record Holder). • Voter Registration When you apply for or renew your driver license, nondriver license, or nstruction permit, the clerk will ask you if you are registered to vote. If you indicate that you are registered to vote, your transaction will be completed. If you are not registered, and are interested in becoming registered, or need to update your name or address on your voter registration card, you may complete an application and it will be forwarded to your local election authority. • Selective Service Registration Male applicants, age 18 to 26, may register with the Selective Service at the time of their license or permit application.
SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF YOUR LICENSE There are a number of reasons your license may be revoked or suspended or denied. Your best bet is to be responsible and be a good driver. You can lose your license for any of the following reasons: • Parent or Guardian Request to Deny a Driver License — If you are under the age 18, your parent or guardian may request that the Director of Revenue deny you a license. If you already have a driver license, the request (Form 4811) will cancel your license. When the department receives the request, a denial will be placed on your driving record.
The denial expires when you turn 18 or when your parent or guardian requests your driving status be cleared. Form 4811 may be found on the department’s web site at www. dor. mo. gov or at any license office. • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (see Chapter 10) • Refusing to let a police officer test you for alcohol or drugs • Leaving the scene of an accident • Failing to file an accident report (see Chapter 13) • Giving false information when you apply for a license • Failing to settle a court judgment made against you for damages resulting from a motor vehicle accident 9 • Failing to keep insurance (financial responsibility) (see Chapter 13) • Changing the information on your license or using someone else’s license when you attempt to buy alcohol • Failing to appear for an exam when requested by the Driver License Bureau • Using a motor vehicle to commit a felony or causing the death of someone in a motor vehicle accident • Having too many points on your driving record (see Chapter 11) • Letting someone else use your driver license • Failing to appear in court or pay traffic tickets in Missouri or other states • Failing to pay child support Failing to use an ignition interlock device when required • Stealing fuel from a gas station • Possessing any intoxicating liquor if you are a minor • Submitting false proof of insurance • Failing to yield the right-of-way and causing injury or death THE GRADUATED DRIVER LICENSE (GDL) LAW Missouri’s Graduated Driver License Law requires all first-time drivers to obtain an instruction permit and complete a period of driving with a licensed driver followed by a period of restricted driving (intermediate license) before getting a full license.
Studies from across the country show that deaths and serious injuries from traffic crashes involving young drivers decline by as much as 58 percent after a Graduated Driver License Law is implemented. Consider the instruction permit as step one, the intermediate license as step two, and the full (Under 21) driver license as step three. The following are descriptions of each step to help you understand the GDL program. STEP ONE: Instruction Permit Eligible Age: 15 Cost: $3. 50 Valid: 0-12 months, based on document verification status To Obtain an Instruction Permit: Pass the vision, road sign, and written tests. • A parent, stepparent, legal guardian, or certified trainer (with a federal residential job training program) must accompany you to the license office to sign a permission statement. Permit Notes: • Under age 16, you may drive only when accompanied in the front seat by a parent, stepparent, grandparent, legal guardian, or qualified driving instructor. If your parent, stepparent, grandparent, or legal guardian is physically disabled, he or she may designate up to two persons to accompany you in the vehicle to provide behind-the-wheel instruction. At age 16 or older, you may drive when accompanied in the front seat by a person who is at least 21 years old and has a valid driver license. • Seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers. • Your test paper alone is not legal for driving. Be sure to carry your permit with you. • You may renew your instruction permit as many times as needed without taking additional written tests. • Free “ PERMIT DRIVER” window signs are available at all license offices. 20 To Graduate to an Intermediate License: • You must have an instruction permit for a minimum of 6 months (182 days) beginning the day after issuance. You must have received 40 hours of driving instruction with a parent, stepparent, legal guardian, or certified trainer (with a federal residential job training program). The required 40 hours must include at least 10 hours of nighttime driving. STEP TWO: Intermediate License Eligible Age: 16 to 18 Cost: $7. 50 Valid: 0-2 years, based on document verification status To Obtain an Intermediate License: • You must satisfy the requirements (listed in Step One) to graduate from the instruction permit, and hold the instruction permit for at least 6 months (182 days) beginning the day after issuance.
This includes having no alcohol-related convictions in the last 12 months and no traffic convictions in the last 6 months. • A parent, stepparent, legal guardian, or certified trainer (with a federal residential job training program) must accompany you to the license office to verify you have received 40 hours of driving instruction with your instruction permit. • Pass the vision, road sign, and written tests if previous results are more than one year old. • Pass the driving test. License Notes: • Your test paper alone is not legal for driving. Be sure to carry your intermediate license with you. Seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers. • Passenger restrictions outlined below may not be applicable to an intermediate license holder who is operating in agricultural work-related activities. Driving Restrictions: • During the first 6 months, you may not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger who is under the age of 19 and who is not a member of your immediate family*. • After the first 6 months, you may not operate a motor vehicle with more than three passengers who are under 19 years of age and who are not members of your immediate family*. • You may not drive alone between 1: 00 a. . and 5: 00 a. m. except to and from a school activity, job, or an emergency, unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years of age or older. * Immediate family shall include parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, stepbrothers, stepsisters, and adopted or foster children residing in the driver’s household. Parent shall include a foster parent, stepparent or adoptive parent. Grandparent shall include a foster grandparent, stepgrandparent or adoptive grandparent. To Graduate to a Full Under-21 Driver License: – Your driving privilege cannot be suspended, revoked, or denied at the time of application. You may not have any alcohol-related offenses or traffic convictions within the last 12 months. 21 Full Driver License (Under 21) Eligible Age: 18 Cost: $10. 00 Valid: 0-3 years, based on document verification status To Obtain the Under-21 Full Driver License: • You must satisfy the requirements for an intermediate license. This includes having no alcohol-related convictions or traffic convictions in the last 12 months. • Have a valid intermediate license. Your driving privilege cannot be suspended, revoked, or denied when you apply for a full driver license. Pass the vision and road sign recognition tests. (You are not required to pass the written and driving tests if already completed. ) If you are under 21 years of age, the Department of Revenue will issue you a license identifying you as a minor. When you become 21 years old, you may apply and pay for another driver license (without the minor indication) or wait until your under-21 driver license expires. A CHECKLIST FOR YOU You must have the following documents with you when you apply for a Missouri driver license, instruction permit, or nondriver license.
Take all the documents with you to a contract office when you apply for your licen
