Missouri State Highway Patrol

Frequently Asked Questions

DRIVER EXAMINATION FAQS

Q: Who administers driving tests in the State of Missouri? A: While licenses and permits are issued by the DOR (via local contract fee offices), driver testing is conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, via it's Driver and Vehicle Safety Division. Testing is offered in all 114 Missouri counties. Testing is conducted for the following classes of licenses: F-operator, E-for hire, non-CDL School Bus E, Motorcycle, CDL Class A, B and C and CDL endorsements.

Q: How do I find the address, testing days, hours of operation and/or a phone number for a testing site? A: Visit our mapping site directly at https://apps.mshp.dps.mo.gov/HP32DES/DESMap.jsp or link to it at https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP32DES/DESTable.jsp.

Q: Is it necessary to have an appointment to take a written or driving skills test? A: You do not need an appointment to take a written or driving skills test (Except for CDL skills tests). Some sites offer appointments for non-cdl skills testing, these sites are listed on our mapping system and at https://apps.mshp.dps.mo.gov/MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/DVSD/DE/index.html. If a site offers appointment slots for skills testing it is highly recommended that applicants take advantage of this option.

Q: Who must accompany my child (under 18 year old) to the Driver Examination Office when he/she takes the written test? A: Anyone may accompany your child to take their written test as long as the child has proper identification, either a certified birth certificate, valid passport (not expired), or a Missouri non-driver ID (not expired more than 6 months). When the test is passed, they must have a parent or legal guardian to accompany them to a license fee office (DOR) to purchase the permit.

Q: Who must accompany my child (under 18 years old) to the Driver Examination Office when he/she takes the skills test? A: Anyone may accompany your child to take their skills test. If the child with a permit is driving to the office, the accompanying licensed driver must be at least 21 years of age. If the child with a permit is NOT driving to the office, then anyone licensed can accompany them. When the skills test is passed, a parent, legal guardian, or grandparent must accompany them to the license fee office (DOR) and be able to verify the applicant has received at least 40 hours of behind-the-wheel driver training. If they have, the applicant can purchase an intermediate license.

Q: Is there a cost for non-CDL driver testing? A: There is no cost for either written or non-cdl driver skills tests. If you pass, permits and licenses are issued at a license fee office (DOR). Test scores alone are not valid for driving until a license or permit is purchased from the DOR.

Q: Is there a cost for CDL driver testing? A: While there is no cost for written or skills testing at the Driver Examination Station, there is a fee of $25.00 charged, in addition to the licensing fee, when the CDL license is purchased at the license fee office (DOR).

Q: What form of identification is needed for my teen to take the written test? A: We will require either a certified birth certificate, valid passport (not expired), or Missouri ID card that is not expired more than six months. We do not take school ID cards, social security cards or birth certificates that have been laminated.

Q: I have lost or misplaced my teen's birth certificate, where may I obtain another copy? A: If your teen was born in Missouri, you may visit your local public health agency or Vital Records Office. You can usually obtain a replacement while you wait for a nominal fee. Teens born in another state should lookup contact information for a Vital Records Office online and contact that state.

Q: What form of identification is needed for my teen to take the skills (driving test)? A: You may present a valid Missouri permit, or a permit that is expired for no more than six months. Note: although a permit that is expired less than six months can be used as identification at the testing office, it is not valid for driving (except for taking the skills tests with a Driver Examiner).

Q: What forms of identification are required for adults to take written and/or skills tests? A: There are several acceptable documents that can be used depending on your situation. Most adults present either a certified birth certificate, valid passport, or state ID (not expired more than six months). You can also use a valid Missouri license or permit, or those that are not expired more than six months. If you have had a name change you will be required to provide proof of that change, i.e., court order, marriage license and/or divorce decree for each name change.

Q: What forms of identification are required for non-citizens to take written and/or skills tests? A: If your immigration status allows you to apply for a license or permit there are several identity and lawful status documents allowed for testing. Non-citizens having either a valid permanent resident card or valid work authorization card will need no other documents. Other non-citizens with a valid status will most often test using a valid unexpired passport with a valid unexpired visa accompanied by an I-94.

Q: Is proof of residency or social security card required for testing? A: You do not need proof of residency or a social security card for written and/or skills tests. These documents, however, will be required to buy a license, or permit at the license fee office (DOR).

Q: What is the Missouri Graduated License Law? A: This refers to the progressive steps used for persons under the age of 18 to acquire a driver license: Step 1) you may obtain a driver permit as early as age 15; Step 2) You may obtain your intermediate driver’s license as early as age 16; Step 3) you may obtain your full license at age 18. This is provided you follow the rules for each step and have no traffic or alcohol related offenses-please see the Missouri Drivers Manual for detailed information at https://dor.mo.gov/driver-license/guide/.

Q: How long must I have a permit before I can get an intermediate license? A: You can get your intermediate license if you are at least 16 years old, pass the skills test, and have held a permit for a minimum of 6 months. Once you are 18 years old, these rules no longer apply, you only need to pass the skills test.

Q: How many times may I take the written test in one day? A: You may take any written test up to two times per day if necessary until you pass.

Q: How many times may I take the skills test in one day? A: Skills tests are limited to one test per day with of maximum of 3 tests in the last 12 months without special permission from the DOR.

Q: What formats are written tests offered in? A: You normally have the choice of taking the written test on a touch screen pc/tablet, a printed paper test or you can request an oral test by computer, or request it read to you by an examiner.

Q: What score is required to pass the Class E/F/Motorcycle written test? A: There are 25 questions on these tests, you must score 80% to pass. You can miss up to 5 questions and still pass.

Q: How many times may I renew a Class F permit? A: You may renew your Class F permit as many times as you need without taking the written test again, as long as it is not expired more than 6 months.

Q: What score is required to pass the skills (driving test)? A: You are required to score a minimum of 70% on the skills test to pass.

Q: I have heard that if I am unable to successfully parallel park during the skills test, I automatically fail the test, is this true? A: No. The parallel parking maneuver counts for only a few points on the entire test.

Q: What are my options for obtaining a motorcycle permit or endorsement? A: If you are between the age of 15-1/2 years and 16 years old, you must complete an approved MSF rider training course with a private instructor. If you are at least 16 years old and want just a permit, you will have to have passed both the Class F and Class M written tests. If you are at least 16 years old and want a motorcycle endorsement on your license you have two choices: 1) Pass the written and skills test at a MSHP testing facility or, 2) take an approved MSF rider training course with a private instructor.

Q: What is the difference between a motorcycle permit and an endorsement? A: If you are between the ages of 15-1/2 and 16 there are several motorcycle restrictions imposed on your permit-please refer to the Missouri Drivers Guide for more information: https://dor.mo.gov/driver-license/guide/. If you are over the age of 16 and have a permit there are no restrictions except that your permit must be renewed every 6 months. If you obtain a motorcycle endorsement on your license you will only have to renew it when you renew you driver license.

Q: How do I study for a written and/or skills test? A: All questions and skills testing procedures for the Class E/F tests come from the Missouri Drivers Guide. Questions for the motorcycle permit test come from the Missouri Motorcycle Manual. Questions for the CDL permit and CDL skills testing procedures come from the Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual. Links to these study guides can be found at dor.mo.gov/driver-license/guide/ You will also find more detailed information in these study guides for obtaining licenses and permits in the State of Missouri.

Q: Do I need to supply my own vehicle for the driving skills or motorcycle skills test? A: Yes. The vehicle does not have to belong to you but must be properly registered and insured.

Q: Once I have passed my written and/or skills tests how do I purchase a license or permit? A: When you pass your written and/or skills tests you will be issued a document which indicates which tests you have passed and which license or permit you are eligible to purchase. You will take this document to your local license fee office (DOR), or any license fee office and purchase your license/permit there. The license fee office will ask to see your birth certificate or passport, they will most likely ask you for proof of residency (like a utility bill or bank statement) and most likely for your social security card. Your test score document is not legal for any type of driving until you purchase a license or permit. https://dor.mo.gov/driver-license/issuance/id-requirements.html.

Q: How do I obtain a license following a suspension or revocation? A: The first step of this process is to contact the DOR or a local Contract Fee Office. They will confirm with you what steps are needed to clear your driving record. Once you have met these requirements and have paid any reinstatement fees, you will need to obtain either a letter of reinstatement or a copy of your driving history (showing you are cleared to test). You will present this documentation, along with proper identification, to your local MSHP driver examination site. You will be required to take the written, vision, road sign and skills tests before you can be issued a new license. https://dor.mo.gov/driver-license/issuance/id-requirements.html.

Q: How do I apply for a job as a Driver Examiner or other position at the Missouri State Highway Patrol? A: Please visit our website at https://statepatrol.dps.mo.gov/pages/careers.