Missouri-Driver Guide.
Missouri-Driver Guide.
Missouri-Driver Guide.
In memory of
those who have given their lives
in the line of duty on Missouri roads.
Missouri
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Driver
Guide
Chapter 1 The Missouri Driver License and the Graduated
Driver License Law......................................................Page 8
TypesofPermits....................................................................................... 8
TypesofLicenses..................................................................................... 9
RequirementstoObtainYourLicenseorPermit.................................... 10
RequiredDocuments......................................................................... 11
SocialSecurityNumber..................................................................... 12
FeesforPermits/Licenses....................................................................... 13
Restrictions.............................................................................................. 14
Endorsements......................................................................................... 14
RenewingaLicenseorPermit................................................................ 15
OtherInformationAboutYourDriverLicense......................................... 17
Suspension/RevocationofYourLicense................................................ 20
TheGraduatedDriverLicense(GDL)Law............................................. 20
StepOne:InstructionPermit........................................................... 20
StepTwo:IntermediateLicense....................................................... 21
StepThree:Full(Under21)License................................................ 22
AChecklistforYou.................................................................................. 23
Chapter 2 The Driver Examination............................................Page 24
TheDriverExamination........................................................................... 24
WheretoTaketheExam................................................................... 24
VerificationofNameandAge............................................................ 24
WrittenTest........................................................................................ 24
VisionTest......................................................................................... 24
RoadSignTest.................................................................................. 25
DrivingTest........................................................................................ 25
YourGrade........................................................................................ 27
FailingtheDrivingTest...................................................................... 27
Fraud.................................................................................................. 27
Chapter 3 Pavement Markings, Traffic Signs,
Lights, and Signals..................................................Page 28
PavementMarkingsontheRoad............................................................ 28
MeaningsofPavementMarkings............................................................ 28
DirectionofTraffic................................................................................... 28
NoPassingZones................................................................................... 28
Left-TurnLanes....................................................................................... 29
CrosswalksandStopLines..................................................................... 29
DualUseLanes....................................................................................... 29
ReversibleExpressLanes...................................................................... 30
SharedCenterLanes.............................................................................. 30
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Table of Contents
NoLaneMarkings................................................................................... 30
TrafficOfficers......................................................................................... 30
TrafficSignals.......................................................................................... 30
FlashingLightSignal............................................................................... 31
TrafficControlSignals............................................................................. 31
LaneUseControlSignals....................................................................... 32
TrafficSigns............................................................................................ 32
SignShapes............................................................................................ 33
WarningSigns......................................................................................... 33
RegulatorySigns..................................................................................... 37
StopSign................................................................................................. 38
YieldSign................................................................................................ 39
WrongWaySign..................................................................................... 39
DoNotEnterSign................................................................................... 39
LaneControlSigns.................................................................................. 39
SpeedLimitSigns................................................................................... 39
RailroadCrossingSign........................................................................... 40
WorkZoneSigns..................................................................................... 41
GuideSigns............................................................................................. 42
ServiceSigns.......................................................................................... 42
RouteSigns............................................................................................. 42
EmergencyReferenceMarkers.............................................................. 42
RoundaboutSigns................................................................................... 42
Chapter 4 Rules of the Road..................................................... Page 43
Right-Of-Way........................................................................................... 43
Passing.................................................................................................... 43
Intersections............................................................................................ 44
EmergencyVehicles................................................................................ 44
SchoolBuses.......................................................................................... 44
HandandVehicleSignals....................................................................... 45
Turns....................................................................................................... 45
U-Turns................................................................................................... 46
RightTurns.............................................................................................. 46
LeftTurns................................................................................................ 46
One-WayStreetOntoaTwo-WayStreet................................................ 46
Two-WayStreetOntoaOne-WayStreet................................................ 46
Two-WayStreetOntoaTwo-WayStreet................................................ 47
MultipleLeftTurnLanes.......................................................................... 47
Two-WayLeftTurnLanes....................................................................... 47
RoundaboutIntersections....................................................................... 48
City/CountyOrdinances.......................................................................... 48
Chapter 5 Parking....................................................................... Page 49
No-ParkingZones................................................................................... 49
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WhenCanYouParkinHandicappedParkingSpaces?......................... 49
InternationalSymbolofAccess............................................................... 50
ParkingonHills....................................................................................... 50
ParallelParking....................................................................................... 51
Chapter 6 Highway Driving........................................................ Page 52
DriveintheProperLane......................................................................... 52
ControllingSpeed.................................................................................... 52
PassingonHighways.............................................................................. 52
BeingPassed.......................................................................................... 53
AdjustingtoTraffic.................................................................................. 53
BeAwareoftheTrafficAroundYou....................................................... 53
SlowMovingTraffic................................................................................. 53
Stopping.................................................................................................. 54
ControlledAccessHighways................................................................... 54
EnteringtheHighway.............................................................................. 54
LeavingtheHighway............................................................................... 55
Interchanges............................................................................................ 55
WatchoutforHighwayHypnosis.......................................................... 55
StopDrivingWhenYouFeelSleepy....................................................... 56
Emergencies........................................................................................... 56
Chapter 7 Sharing The Road..................................................... Page 57
SharingtheRoadwithMotorcycles........................................................ 57
SharingtheRoadwithTrucks................................................................. 58
SharingtheRoadwithPedestrians......................................................... 59
SharingtheRoadwithMopedsandBicycles......................................... 60
FuneralProcessions................................................................................ 63
RoadRage.............................................................................................. 63
DrunkDrivers.......................................................................................... 64
AboutLittering......................................................................................... 64
Chapter 8 Safe Driving Tips For Everyday Driving................. Page 65
UseSeatBeltsandChildRestraints....................................................... 65
SeatBeltsItstheLaw........................................................................ 65
ChildPassengerRestraintLaw............................................................... 65
Age/Weight/HeightClassifications.......................................................... 65
DefensiveDriving.................................................................................... 66
ProperPostureWhileDriving.................................................................. 66
Steering................................................................................................... 66
FollowingOtherVehicles........................................................................ 67
ThreeSecondRule................................................................................. 67
SpaceBehind.......................................................................................... 67
SpacetotheSide.................................................................................... 67
StoppingDistance................................................................................... 68
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AverageStoppingDistanceofCarsonDryLevelPavement................. 68
LettingOthersKnowWhatYouareDoing.............................................. 69
SignalWhenYouChangeDirection....................................................... 69
UsingYourHorn...................................................................................... 69
SlowPokeDriving................................................................................... 69
CarbonMonoxide.................................................................................... 69
Chapter 9 Safe Driving Tips For Special
Driving Conditions.................................................... Page 71
NightDriving............................................................................................ 71
WinterDriving.......................................................................................... 71
WetPavement......................................................................................... 72
Anti-LockBrakes(ABS).......................................................................... 73
Skidding................................................................................................... 73
Fog.......................................................................................................... 73
HandlingVehicleEmergencies............................................................... 73
Chapter 10 Be in Shape to Drive...............................................Page 76
Alcohol,Drugs,andDriving
AdministrativeActions........................................................................ 76
CourtConvictedActions.................................................................... 77
MissourisAbuseandLoseLaw........................................................ 79
MinorinPossession(MIP)andOtherAlcoholOffenses................... 79
ProofofInsurance............................................................................. 79
RefusaltoSubmittoaChemicalTest............................................... 80
IgnitionInterlockandReinstatementRequirements.......................... 80
Chapter 11 The Point System and How It Affects You........... Page 81
RackingUpPoints:TheConsequences................................................. 81
HowPointsComeOffYourDrivingRecord............................................ 82
OtherConsequences.............................................................................. 82
DrivingWhileSuspendedorRevoked............................................... 82
FailuretoAppearinCourt(FACT)..................................................... 82
Chapter 12 Vehicle Titling and Registration............................ Page 84
TitlingYourVehicle................................................................................. 84
WhatYouNeedtoGetaTitle........................................................... 84
VehiclesBoughtinMissouri............................................................... 84
VehiclesBoughtOut-of-State(notinMissouri)................................. 84
ProperlyAssignedTitles.................................................................... 85
SalvageVehicles............................................................................... 85
OdometerReadings........................................................................... 85
RegisteringYourVehicle......................................................................... 85
WhatYouNeedtoRegisterYourVehicle......................................... 86
OtherInformation.................................................................................... 87
SellingaVehicle................................................................................ 87
StolenLicensePlatesandTabs........................................................ 87
LostorDestroyedTitle,Plates,orTabs............................................ 87
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MissouriLicensePlateInformation.................................................... 87
PersonalizedPlates........................................................................... 87
Chapter 13 Mandatory Insurance.............................................. Page 88
TheBasics............................................................................................... 88
MinimumCoverageRequirements.................................................... 88
MaintainingYourInsurance............................................................... 88
FailuretoKeepInsurance.................................................................. 89
FailuretoPayforDamages............................................................... 89
AccidentsandCrashes........................................................................... 90
FilinganAccidentReport................................................................... 90
Chapter 14 Safety and Emissions Inspections
and Required Equipment....................................... Page 92
SafetyInspections................................................................................... 92
ExceptionstotheRequirement.......................................................... 92
EquipmentNeeded............................................................................ 93
OtherEquipmentRequiredbyLaw................................................... 94
EmissionsInspections............................................................................. 95
ExceptionstotheRequirement.......................................................... 95
Chapter 15 Commercial Vehicles..............................................Page 96
SizeLimitations(WithoutSpecialPermit)............................................... 96
Height.................................................................................................. 96
Width................................................................................................... 96
Length................................................................................................. 96
ExemptionsFromSizeLimits................................................................... 97
WeightLimitations(WithoutSpecialPermit)............................................ 97
MaximumWeightonAnySingleAxle.Pounds.................................. 97
MaximumWeightonAnyTandemAxle..Pounds................................. 97
MaximumGrossWeight.Pounds................................. 98
OverdimensionandOverweightPermits.................................................. 98
VehicleRouteMap................................................................................... 98
FederalMotorCarrierSafetyRegulations............................................... 98
TransportingHazardousMaterial............................................................. 99
EmergencyEquipmentandSignals......................................................... 99
InformationonCommercialMotorVehicles............................................. 99
FollowingDistance................................................................................... 99
RailroadCrossing................................................................................... 100
LoadSecurity......................................................................................... 100
Off-Tracking............................................................................................ 100
WeighStations....................................................................................... 100
Tailgaters................................................................................................ 100
SpaceOverhead.................................................................................... 100
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SoftSurfaces.......................................................................................... 101
SpacetoCrossorEnterTraffic.............................................................. 101
Sample Test Questions................................................................. Page 102
Index............................................................................................... Page 109
Glossary......................................................................................... Page 112
Contact Information...................................................................... Page 115
NOTE:Thestatemotorvehiclelawsdescribedinthismanualarenot
reproducedintheirentiretyandthewordingisnotidentical.Dueto
possiblefederalandstatelawchangesandDepartmentofRevenue
(department)policy,theinformationinthismanualmaynotalwaysbe
current.Thedepartmentwillmakeeveryefforttoincorporateanychanges
assoonaspossible.
The Missouri Driver Guideispublishedby
theMissouriDepartmentofRevenue.
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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 knowledgeoftrafficlaws,youwillneedtotakeawrittentest
of25multiple-choicequestions.Studyingthisguidewillprepareyoufor
thattest.Youmustcorrectlyanswer20questionstopassthetest.Allof
thetestquestionscomedirectlyfrominformationfoundinthisguide.There
arenotrickquestions.
To test your ability to drive a vehicle,youmusttakeadrivingskills
test.Yourexaminerrealizesadrivingtestwillprobablybeanunusual
experienceforyou,andyoumightevenbecomenervousoruneasy.If
youdobecomenervousorfearful,pleaserememberyourexaminerhas
accompaniedmanyotherpeopleexactlylikeyou,andtheexaminerrides
withyouonlytomakesureyoucancontrolyourvehicleandobserve
therulesofsafety.Yourexaminerwillnottrytotrickyouinanyway.
Rememberthatthousandsofpeoplepassthistesteveryyearandbecome
licenseddrivers.Iftheycandoit,socanyou!Justrelaxanddothebest
youcan.
Wewouldliketohearyourcommentsandquestionsaboutthe
materialincludedinthismanual:
Address: DriverLicenseBureau
P.O.Box200
JeffersonCity,MO65105-0200
Telephone: (573)751-2730
Fax: (573)522-8174
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web Site: www.dor.mo.gov
Thenamesandtelephonenumbersofotherrelatedagencies
andofficesarelocatedinsidethebackcoverofthisguide.
IfyouneedaMissouri Commercial Driver License ManualorMotorcycle
Operator Manual,youmayrequestonefromtheMissouriStateHighway
Patrol,oranyMotorVehicleandDriverLicensingContractOffice(contract
office).TheMissouri Commercial Driver License Manualandthe
Motorcycle Operator Manual arealsopostedonourwebsite:
www.dor.mo.gov.
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8
Anyonewhooperatesamotorvehicleormotor-drivencycleonpublic
roadwaysinMissouriisrequiredtohaveavaliddriverlicense.Youmay
obtainaMissouridriverlicenseatanyoneofMissouris183licenseoffices.
YoumusthaveaMissouridriverlicenseif:
YouliveinMissouri,are16yearsofageorolder,andplantodrive.
YouareanewresidentofMissouriandwanttodrive,evenifyouhavea
driverlicensefromanotherstate.
Youareanout-of-statecommercialdriverwhohasmovedtoMissouri
withinthelast30days.(PleaserefertotheMissouri Commercial Driver
License Manual.)
CertainpersonsarenotrequiredtoobtainaMissouridriverlicense.Youdo
notneedaMissouridriverlicenseif:
Youareamemberofthearmedforcesandyouhaveavaliddriver
licensefromyourhomestate.
Youareafull-timestudentandyouhaveavaliddriverlicensefromyour
homestate.
Youoperateortemporarilyoperate/moveanyfarmtractororimplement
onahighwayforagri-relatedpurposes.
Youarerequiredtocarryyourdriverlicenseorpermitwhenyoudrive.If
anylawenforcementofficeraskstoseeyourdriverlicenseorpermit,you
mustpresentit.Itisagainstthelawforyoutoallowanyoneelsetouse
yourlicenseorpermit.
TIP! Anyoneobtaininganewlicenseorpermitorrenewingalicenseor
permitisrequiredtoshowverificationofname,dateofbirth,placeofbirth,
socialsecuritynumber,andMissouriresidentialaddress.Theserequire-
mentsareexplainedindetaillaterinthischapter.
TYPES OF PERMITS
Ifyouareunder21yearsofage,youwillbeissuedapermitidentifyingyou
asaminor.
Instruction Permit Eligible Age: 15
ThisisthefirststepinMissourisGraduatedDriverLicenseProgramfor
youngdrivers.Generally,thispermitallowsayoungpersontolearntodrive
withthesupervisionofalicensedadult.Seelaterinthischapterfordetailed
information.
Motorcycle Instruction Permit Eligible Age: 15 or 16
Youmayapplyforamotorcycleinstructionpermittolearntooperatea
motorcycleormotortricycle.Theageyouareeligibletoapplymaybe15
or16years,asdescribedbelow.
15yearsofage(15yearsand182days)
TheMotorcycleInstructionPermitwillonlybeissuedifyouhave
successfullycompletedanapprovedmotorcycleridertrainingcourse.
CHAPTER 1 THE MISSOURI DRIVER LICENSE
9
YoumustpasstheClassFandClassMwritten,vision,androadsign
tests.Youmustalsohavethewrittenconsentofyourparentorlegal
guardian.Thispermitallowsdaylightdrivingonly,withina50-mileradius
ofhome,amotorcycleofnolargerthan250cc,andnopassengers.
16yearsofageorolder
Ifyouare16yearsoldorolderyoumayapplyforamotorcycle
instructionpermit,butthemotorcycleridertrainingcourseisnotrequired.
Ifyoudonothaveavaliddriverlicense,youmusttaketheClassFand
ClassMwrittenteststoreceiveamotorcycleinstructionpermit.
Whenyouareready,youmaytakethemotorcycledrivingtestandpaythe
appropriatefeetobecomemotorcyclequalified.
FormoreinformationonMissourislawsonmotorcycles,pleaseobtaina
copyoftheMotorcycleOperatorManualattheMissouriHighwayPatrol
testingstationoratoneofourlicenseoffices.
TYPES OF LICENSES
Ifyouareunder21yearsofage,youwillbeissuedalicenseidentifyingyou
asaminor.Whenyoureachage21,youmayapplyandpayforanother
driverlicense(withouttheminorindication)orwaituntilyourunder-21
licenseexpires.
Intermediate License (Class F) Eligible Age: 16
ThisisthesecondstepinMissourisGraduatedDriverLicenseprogram
foryoungdrivers.Generally,thislicenseallowsayoungpersoncertain
restricteddrivingprivileges.Seelaterinthischapterfordetailedinformation.
Full Driver License (Class F) Eligible Age: 18
Thisisthebasicdriverlicense,alsocalledanoperatorlicense.Youmust
haveaClassFlicensetooperateanymotorvehicle(otherthanonerequiring
youtohaveaClassA,B,C,orElicense.)TheClassFlicensedoesnot
allowyoutodriveamotorcycleunlessthelicenseshowstheMotorcycle(M)
endorsement.Endorsementswillbediscussedlaterinthischapter.You
mustpasstheClassFwritten,vision,roadsign,anddrivingtests.
For-Hire License (Class E) Eligible Age: 18
WhenyoutestforaClassElicense,thewrittenexamwillincludequestions
basedonthecompletedriverguide,butmainlyChapter15(Commercial
DriverLicenses).Youmustalsopassthevisionandroadsigntests.Ifyou
alreadyhaveaClassFlicense,adrivingtestisnotrequired.However,you
muststillmeettheunder21requirements(seepage21)forafulllicenseif
youapplyforaClassElicenseatage18.Thereareanumberofreasons
youmaywishtoobtainaClassElicense,suchas:
Ifyoureceivepayfordrivingamotorvehicletransporting14orfewer
passengers(suchasadriverforadaycarecenter).
Ifyouwilltransportpropertyforpayoraspartofyourjob(suchasa
pizzaorfloristdeliverydriver).
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Ifyouregularlyoperateamotorvehicleforyouremploymentwhich
belongstoanotherpersonandisdesignedtocarryfreightand
merchandise.Thevehiclemustbe26,000poundsorlessgross
vehicleweightrating(GVWR)andnotrequiredtobeplacardedfor
hazardousmaterials.
Motorcycle License (Class M) Eligible Age: 16
YoumusthaveaClassMlicenseorpermit(oradriverlicensewiththeM
endorsement)ifyouoperateamotorcycleormotortricycleonpublic
roadways.YouwillneedtopasstheClassFandClassMwritten,vision,
roadsign,andmotorcycleskillstests.Graduateddriverlicenserequirements
willapplytoClassMlicenseapplicantsbetweentheagesof16and18.
SeetheGraduatedDriverLicenserequirementslaterinthischapter.
FormoreinformationaboutMissourismotorcyclelaws,pleaseobtainacopy
oftheMotorcycle Operator Manual attheMissouriHighwayPatroltesting
stationoratoneofourlicenseoffices.
Commercial Driver License (Class A, B, or C)
Youmusthaveacommercialdriverlicensebasedonthetypeofcommercial
motorvehicleyoudrive.Youmustbeatleast18yearsoldtoapplyfora
CDL,andatleast21yearsoldtoobtainaCDLwithaHazmatorschoolbus
endorsement.Youmuststillmeettheunder21requirementsifyouapply
foraCDLatage18.PleaserefertotheMissouri Commercial Driver
License (CDL) ManualfordetailedinformationabouttheCDLprogram.
Nondriver License/Identification Card (Class ND)
Youmayobtainaphotonondriverlicenseforidentificationpurposes.Your
nondriverlicenseexpiresonyourdateofbirthinthesixthyearafteryou
apply.Ifyouareage70orolder,yournondriverlicensewillneverexpire.
IfyouareapplyingforanondriverlicensetoaddorretainaConcealed
CarryWeapon(CCW)endorsement,thenondriverlicensewillexpireonthe
samedateastheCCWendorsement.Thisdateisdeterminedbycalculating
threeyearsfromtheissuedateoftheConcealedCarryCertificateof
Qualificationissuedbythesherifforsheriffsdesignee.Refertothe
EndorsementssectionofthismanualforCCWeligibilityrequirements.
REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A LICENSE OR PERMIT
Dependingonyourage,whetheryouareobtaininganewlicenseorpermit,
ifyouarerenewingone,orifyouhavejustmovedtoMissouri,the
requirementstoobtainalicenseareslightlydifferent.
Ifyouareadriverage15to21,theGraduatedDriverLicense(GDL)
programappliestoyou.PleaseseetheGDLsectioninthischapterfor
moreinformation.Youwillneedtoshowverificationofname,dateof
birth,placeofbirth,socialsecuritynumber,andMissouriresidential
address(detailedinthischapter)toqualify.
IfyouareaMissouridriverrenewingalicense,youmustshowverification
ofname,dateofbirth,placeofbirth,socialsecuritynumberandMissouri
residentialaddress.Youwillalsosurrenderyourpreviouslicenseand
takethevisionandroadsigntests.
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IfyouareobtaininganewMissourilicense,youmustshowverification
ofname,dateofbirth,placeofbirth,socialsecuritynumberandMissouri
residentialaddress.Youwillberequiredtotakethefour-partdriver
examination.Thefour-partexamconsistsofawrittentest,visiontest,road
signtest,andadrivingskillstest.(SeeChapter2formoreinformation.)
IfyouarenewtoMissouriandaretransferringyourout-of-statedriver
license,youwillneedtoshowverificationofname,dateofbirth,placeof
birth,socialsecuritynumberandMissouriresidentialaddress.Youwill
alsosurrenderthelicensefromyourpreviousstateofresidence,andtake
thevisionandroadsigntests.
Youmusttakethefour-partdriverexamination(detailedinChapter2)if
anyofthefollowingapplytoyou:
YouareapplyingforanewMissouridriverlicense.
YourMissouridriverlicensehasbeenexpiredformorethan6months
(184days).
Yourout-of-statelicensehasbeenexpiredformorethan184days.
Yourlicensewasrevokedbecauseyouhavetoomanypoints(see
Chapter11)onyourdrivingrecordorbecauseofanAdministrative
Alcoholaction(seeChapter10).
TheDirectorofRevenueasksyoutotaketheexam,evenifyouhave
acurrentdriverlicense.
Required Documents
Whenyouobtainorrenewanylicense,permit,ornondriverlicense,youwill
be required to show verification of name, date of birth, place of birth, social
security number and Missouri residential address, as required by Missouri
law. If renewing, you will also be required to present and surrender your
current license, permit, or nondriver license. Details of these requirements
arelistedbelow.Formoreinformation,visitwww.dor.mo.gov.
Name, Date of Birth, Place of Birth:AU.S.citizenmayshowabirthcertificate
issuedbyastateorlocalgovernment(withanembossed,stampedorraised
seal),avalidorexpiredU.S.passport,aCertificateofCitizenship,Certificate
of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Birth Abroad. A hospital-issued birth
certificateisnotacceptable.U.S.MilitaryIndentificationCardorDischarge
PapersaccompaniedbyacopyofU.S.BirthCertificateissuedbyastateor
localGovernment.Non-U.S.citizensmustpresenttheappropriateimmigration
documentsindicatingtheapplicantsstatus.Examinethefulllistofacceptable
requireddocumentsatwww.dor.mo.gov/mvdl/drivers/idrequirements.pdf.
Age 65 and Older Exemption If you are renewing a non-commercial
permit/driver license or nondriver license and are age 65 or older you are
exemptfrompresentingdocumentsforplaceofbirth.
Social Security Number: ASocialSecuritycardorMedicarecardwithyour
currentnamecanbepresented.IfyournameontheSocialSecuritycard
orMedicarecarddoesnotmatchyourcurrentname,additionaldocuments
mustbepresentedtosupplyverificationofyournamechange.
Missouri Residential Address: You have a variety of options to prove
yourcurrentaddress.Examplesincludearecentutilitybill(includingphone,
electric,gas,water,sewer,andcable),propertytaxreceipt,mostrecentbank
12
statement,voterIDcard,oranyofficialletterissuedwithinthelast30days
byanotherstateorlocalgovernmentalagencyonitsletterhead.AMissouri
residentialaddresswillberequiredeachtimeyouapplytorenewadriver
license, nondriver license, or instruction permit. If you are under the age
of 21 and cannot provide verification of a Missouri residential address, a
parentorlegalguardianmayprovidesuchadocumentonyourbehalf.
Residentaddressisthelocationatwhichapersonhasbeenphysically
present,andthatthepersonregardsashome.Aresidentialaddressisa
personstrue,fixed,principal,andpermanenthome,towhichaperson
intendstoreturnandremain,eventhoughcurrentlyresidingelsewhere.
Social Security Number
StatelawrequiresyoutoincludeyourSocialSecurityNumber(SSN)onyour
applicationtoobtainalicenseorpermit.Alicenseofficeemployeemayask
forproofofyourSSN.Anyoneofthedocumentsbelowareacceptableas
proofofSSN:
Social Security card-Ametalcardis not acceptable.
Recent payroll stubcontainingtheSSN.
Military Identification CardcontainingtheSSN.
IRS/state tax forms-AFormW-2is not acceptable.
Financial statement, on company form/letterhead,containingtheSSN.
If you do not have a social security number, you must sign an affidavit
stating that you do not have a social security number. If a social security
number has not been assigned, you must present a letter from the Social
Security Administration (SSA) regarding the status of your social security
number.Yourapplicationandsupportingdocumentswillbesenttothecentral
officeforverification.Yourpermitorlicensewillbeissuedifapproved.
Name Changes
Ifthenameonyourrequireddocumentsdoesnotmatchyourcurrentname,
presentoneofthedocumentsbelowshowingyourcorrect/currentname.
Last Name Change-certifiedmarriagecertificate,certifieddivorce
decree, certified court order, certified adoption papers, or amended
birthcertificate,U.S.passport,orsocialsecuritycardormedicarecard.
First Name Change-courtorderoradoptionpapers
Middle Name Change-courtorder.
TIP!Makesureyouhaveallthenecessarydocumentswithyoubeforeyougo
toyourlicenseoffice.Itwillsaveyoutimeandthetimeofyourfellowcustomers!
FEES FOR PERMITS
Feesforanddurationofapermitarebasedontheapplicantsageatthe
timeofthetransaction.Applicationtestfeesarenotincluded.
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FEES FOR LICENSES
Feesanddurationoflicensearebasedontheapplicantsageatthetimeof
thetransaction.Applicationtestfeesarenotincluded.
NEW / RENEWAL LICENSE
MINIMUM
TYPE AGE COST VALID FOR...
*Basedontheapplicantsageordocumentverificationstatusatthetimeofthetransaction.
IntermediateLicense 16 $7.50 02years
FullLicense $10.00 03years*
(ClassF) 18 or or
$20.00 06years*
For-HireLicense $17.50 03years*
(ClassE) 18 or or
$35.00 06years*
01year
Commercial $22.50 03years*
DriverLicense 18 or or
(ClassA,B,orC) $45.00 06years*
01year
Motorcycle $10.00 03years*
OnlyLicense 16 or or
(ClassM) $20.00 06years
NondriverLicense anyage $11.00 06years*
(IDcard) orNon-Expiring*
NondriverLicense(IDcard) 21 $5.50 03years
withConcealedCarry andover Expiringonsamedate
WeaponEndorsement(CCW) asCCW
Age70withschool
busendorsement
New:$7.50
Renewal:$2.50
Age70withschool
busendorsement
New:$10.00
Renewal:$2.50
NEW / RENEWAL PERMIT
MINIMUM
TYPE AGE COST VALID FOR...
StudentPermit 15 $1.00 LengthofApprovedCourse
InstructionPermit 15 $3.50 012months
MotorcyclePermit 151/2or16 $6.25or$3.50 06months
Commercial
DriverLicense 18 $7.50 06months
(CDL)Permit
14
RESTRICTIONS
Ifyouhavelimiteddrivingexperienceoramedicalconditionthatimpairsyour
ability to drive safely, you may receive a restricted license permitting you to
driveonlyunderspecificconditions.Ifyouhavearestrictedlicense,itwillhave
oneormoreoftherestrictioncodesshownbelow.Youmayberequiredtotake
adrivingtestinordertohavearestrictionremovedfromyourlicense.Ifyou
disobey the restriction(s), you can be charged with driving without a license,
and if convicted, points will be placed on your driving record. If you receive
toomanypoints(seeChapter11),yourlicensemaybesuspendedorrevoked.
RESTRICTION CODES
A CorrectiveLenses L Non-airbrakeCDL
B OutsideRearviewMirror M ExtensiononFootDevice
C DaylightDrivingOnly N LegBrace(s)
D AutoTrans/PowerSteering O FootOperatedEmergencyBrake
E SeatCushion P AcceleratoronSteeringColumn
F Restrictedto45MPH R BackCushion
G 25MileRadius T RightOutsideMirror
H SpecialHandDevices U UncodedRestriction*
I IntermediateLicense W 3-WheelMotorcycleOnly
J ElectricalTurnSignals Y LeftOutsideMirror
K IntrastateCDLOnly Z Morethan5Restrictions
*Anuncodedrestrictionisanyrestrictionnotlistedhere.Anylaw
enforcementofficer,judge,orphysiciancanasktheDepartmentof
Revenuetoplacerestrictionsonyourlicense.
Medical Referral
Therearetworeasonsyoumayneedaphysiciansstatementwhenyou
reneworapplyforalicense:
Youhavehadepilepticseizures,convulsions,orblackoutswithinthe6
monthspriortoyourapplicationforalicense.
Adriverexaminer,licenseclerk,familymember,lawenforcementofficer,
orphysicianbelievesyoumayhavesomeothermedicalconditionthat
wouldmakeyouanunsafedriver.ThispersonmustcompletetheDriver
ConditionReport(Form4319)andsubmitittotheDepartmentofRevenue.
ENDORSEMENTS
Endorsementsarejusttheoppositeofrestrictionsbecausetheyqualifyyou
todothingsyoucouldntdowithouttheendorsement,suchasdriveaschool
busorcarryaconcealedweapon.Theendorsementsavailableforyour
non-commercial(classF,E,orM)Missouridriverlicensearelistedbelow.
SchoolBus(S)endorsementAschoolbusendorsementisrequiredfor
anyonetransportingstudentsfromschooltohome,hometoschool,and
toandfromschool-sponsoredevents.Aschoolbusendorsementmaybe
issuedtodriversage21orolderwhoholdaClassE(For-Hire)licenseor
acommerciallicensewithaPassenger(P)endorsement.Aschoolbus
endorsementcanbesuspendedforoneyearifapersonfailstopassany
drug,alcohol,orchemicaltestadministeredinaccordancewithanyfederal
orstatelaw,rule,orregulationregardingtheoperationofaschoolbus.
15
Missourilawhasspecialoperatingregulationsforschoolbuses.Ifyou
needmoreinformationonschoolbuses,contact:MissouriDepartment
ofElementaryandSecondaryEducation,DivisionofAdministrativeand
FinancialServicesSchoolTransportation,e-mail:webreply@dmpt.
dese.mo.gov;phone:(573)751-0357;fax:(573)526-6898.
ConcealedCarryWeapon(CCW)EndorsementToobtainaCCW
endorsementonadriverornondriverlicense,youmustbeatleast21
yearsofage,oratleast18yearsofageandamemberoftheUnited
StatesArmedForcesorhonorablydischargedfromtheUnitedStates
ArmedForces.CCWapplicantsmustbeacitizenoftheUnitedStates.
Themilitaryapplicantmusthaveassumedresidencyinthisstateorbe
amemberofthearmedforcesstationedinMissouri.Ifthespouseofthe
militaryapplicantis21yearsofageorolder,heorshemayreceive
aCCWendorsement,ifallotherrequirementshavebeensatisfied.
YoumustpresenttothelicenseclerkaConcealedCarryCertificate
ofQualificationissuedbythesherifforsheriffsdesigneeinyourMissouri
countyofresidencewithinsevendaysofissuance.
AdriverlicensewithaCCWendorsementwillhaveanexpirationdatethat
isdifferentfromtheexpirationdateoftheCCW.TheCCWexpirationdate
willbeindicatedseparatelyonthefaceofthedriverlicense.Youmust
remembertorenewyourCCWendorsementandapplyforanupdated
driverlicensetoreflecttherenewedqualification.
AnondriverlicensewithaCCWendorsementwillbeissuedwithan
expirationdatethatwillbethesameastheexpirationdateoftheCCW
endorsement.Thedateisdefinedasthreeyearsfromtheissuedateof
theCCWCertificateofQualificationaspostedbythesherifforsheriffs
designee.Thedateswillbereflectedseparatelyonthefaceofthe
nondriverlicense.
IfyourdriverornondriverlicensewithaCCWendorsementislost,
destroyed,orstolen,youmustpresenttothelicenseclerkare-issued
ConcealedCarryCertificateofQualificationfromthesherifforsheriffs
designeeinthecountyyouresideincontainingtheoriginalissuedate,
unlessyouaredueforrenewal,andanewcontrolnumber.
Ifyouholdadriverand/ornondriverlicensewithaCCWendorsement,
youmustnotifythesherifforsheriffsdesigneeandtheDepartmentof
Revenueofanychangeinaddress.Ifyourcountyhaschanged,you
mustnotifythesherifforsheriffsdesigneeinbothyourpreviouscounty
andyournewcounty.
AdditionalendorsementsareavailableifyouhaveaCommercialDriver
License.Formoreinformation,pleaseseetheCommercialDriver
LicenseManual,availablefromtheMissouriStateHighwayPatrol,
licenseoffices,orourwebsiteatwww.dor.mo.gov.
RENEWING A LICENSE OR PERMIT
Renewal Reminders
Thedepartmentwillmailyouaremindertorenewbeforeyourlicenseexpires.
Thereminderwillbesenttothemailingaddressonyourdriverrecord.When
youmove,youmayupdateyouraddressinoneofthefollowingways:
16 16
Completeanaddresschangeatyourlocallicenseoffice;
On-lineat www.dor.mo.gov;
[email protected];or
Sendawrittennoticewithyournewaddresstothe
DriverLicenseBureau,P.O.Box200,JeffersonCity,MO65105-0200.
Yourreminderwillstatethefeerequiredtorenewyourlicense.Youcan
renewyourlicenseupto6monthsbeforeitexpires.Eachtimeyourenew,
youwillberequiredtotakethevisionandroadsigntest.
Itisyourresponsibilitytorenewyourdriverlicense,evenifyoudonot
receiveyourreminder.Failuretorenewpromptlymaycauseyoutohaveto
retakethewrittenanddrivingtests.Youcanbeticketedfordrivingwithout
avalidlicense.Exception:Ifyouwillbeleavingthestate/countryforan
extendedtimeyoumayrequestanearlyrenewalofyourdriverlicenseat
yourlocallicenseoffice.
Adriverlicensemaybevalidforupto6years.Ifyouallowittoexpire,you
mustnotdrive.Ifyouwouldliketocontinuedrivinguninterrupted,youmust
renewyourlicensebeforeitexpires.Ifyoudonotrenewyourlicensewithin6
months(or184days)afteritsexpirationdate,youwillhavetotakethewritten
anddrivingtests(seeChapter2),inadditiontothevisionandroadsigntests.
Licenseofficesareusuallybusiestattheendofeachmonth.Sinceyou
mayrenewyourlicenseupto6months(184days)beforeitexpires,you
areencouragedtoselectatimetoavoidthelongerlines.Iftherenewal
datesforyourdriverlicenseandmotorvehicleregistrationrenewalare
within6months,youmaybeabletocompletebothrenewalsatthesame
timeandsaveyourselfatriplatertothelicenseoffice.
Renewal by Mail for Active Duty Members of the Armed Forces
Missouriallowsrenewalbymailformembersofthearmedforcesandtheir
dependents.Applicantsshouldsubmitrenewalform4317(availableon-line
athttp://dor.mo.gov/forms/index.php,orfaxeduponrequest),alongwith
requireddocumentsandfees.
Missouriallowsarenewalwithoutre-examinationformembersofthearmed
forceswhoselicensehasexpiredwhileoutofstate,foruptosixmonths
fromhonorabledischargeorwithinninetydaysofreestablishingresidency
inMissouri,whicheveroccursfirst.TheexpiredMissourilicenseand
dischargepapersmustbesubmittedatthetimeofapplicationinadditionto
otherapplicablerenewaldocuments.Theexpiredlicenseisnotvalidfor
driving.Theseprovisionsonlywaivere-examinationanddonotextendthe
actualdrivingprivilegesbeyondtheexpirationdate.
Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed License
Ifyourlicenseexpiresorislostorstolenwhileyouareoutofstate,you
mayrequestaMail-InLicenseApplicationbyphoneat(573)751-4600or
downloadtheform(DOR-4317)atourwebsiteatwww.dor.mo.gov.
Ifyourlicenseislost,stolen,ordestroyed,youmustapplyforaduplicate
license.Ifyourcurrentlicenseexpireswithinthenext6months,youmay
renewyourlicenseearlyratherthanobtainaduplicatelicense.Thissaves
youtimeandmoney.
17
Renewing When Your License is Suspended or Revoked
Youmaytakethevisionandroadsigntestsandrenewyourlicenseeven
whileyourdrivingprivilegeissuspended.However,ifyourdrivingprivilege
hasbeenrevoked,youmayonlyrenewyourlicenseduringtherevocationif
itresultedfromyourrefusaltotakeachemicaltest,fromanabuseandlose
courtorder,oraminorinpossessionaction.
Youwillnotreceiveyourlicensebackuntilyouhavecompletedyour
reinstatementrequirementsandyourdrivingprivilegehasbeenreinstated.
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRIVER LICENSE
Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor Information
Whenyouapplyforanew,renewal,orduplicateinstructionpermit,driver
ornondriverlicense,thecontractofficewillprovideinformationregarding
thefirstpersonconsentorgan,eyeandtissuedonorregistry.Youwillbe
askedtwoveryimportantquestionsatthetimeyoumakeyourapplication.
1. 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?
Ifyousayyes,aredheartwithagreenbannerwillappearonthefront
ofyourinstructionpermit,driver,ornondriverlicense.Yournamewill
automaticallybeaddedtotheMissouriOrganandTissueDonorRegistry
managedbytheMissouriDepartmentofHealthandSeniorServicesor
theiragent.Theregistryisonasecure,confidentialdatabase.Joiningthe
registrymeansyouhavelegallydocumentedyourdecisiontosavelives
bybecominganorganandtissuedonoratthetimeofyourdeath-no
furtherconsentisneeded-relievingyourfamilyofmakingthatdecision
onyourbehalf.Thereisnofeetoplacethesymbolonyourinstruction
permit,driverornondriverlicense,orplaceyournameintheregistry.
Youmayobtainmoreinformationregardingthedonorregistryorregister
yourdecisionandenrollon-lineatwww.missouriorgandonor.com.
2. Would you like to contribute a dollar to the Missouri Organ Donor Fund?
Anotherwaytosupportorganandtissuedonationistomakeavoluntary
contributiontotheMissouriOrganDonorFund.Yourcontributiontothe
funddirectlysupportsregistryoperationandpubliceducationsothat
peopleareempoweredtomakeaninformeddecisionaboutdonation.
Theregistryandeducationaleffortsaresupportedbycontributionsonly.
Onthebackofyourinstructionpermit,driverornondriverlicense,space
isprovidedtodesignateanyorgansyouwanttodonateatthetimeof
yourdeath,inotherwords,ananatomicalgift.Writetheorgan(s)you
wanttodonateandsignanddateinfrontoftwowitnesses.Theytoo
mustsign.Thereisalsoaplaceonthebackofthelicensetoindicate
yourAttorneyinFactforhealthcaredecisions,includingorgandonation.
AnAttorneyinFactissomeonetowhomyougivepermissiontoacton
yourbehalf.Useapermanentmarkerwhencompletingthebackof
yourdriverandnondriverlicense.
18
Youarestronglyencouragedtoinformyourfamilyofyourdecisiontobe
anorgan,eye,andtissuedonorandyourdecisionrelatedtoAttorneyin
Fact.AlthoughMissourilawdoesnotrequireit,keepingeveryone
informedwillhelpavoidconfusionordelays.
Thebackofyourlicensealsoincludesareasforyoutowriteyourblood
type and allergic reactionstomedicines.Ifyouareinanaccident,this
informationcouldhelpmedicalpersonnelsaveyourlife.
Blind Awareness Fund
Statelawrequirestheclerktoaskyouifyouwouldliketodonate$1to
theblindawarenessfundwhenyouapplyforalicense,permit,or
non-driverlicense.
J88 Notation for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Applicants
Whenyouapplyfororrenewyourdriverlicense,nondriverlicense,or
instructionpermit,youmayaskthataJ88notationbeplacedonyour
driverlicense,nondriverlicense,orinstructionpermit.Intheeventofan
emergency,thisnotationwillallowlawenforcementoremergencyand
medicalpersonneltoreadilydetermineifyouaredeaforhardofhearing.
Thiswillassistinensuringeffectivecommunicationswithsomeonewhois
injuredandnonresponsive.InordertoobtaintheJ88notation,youmust
requestthenotationwhenapplyingforalicenseorinstructionpermit.
Youmusthaveoneofthefollowingdocumentsifyouwishtohavethe
J88notationplacedonyourlicenseorpermit:
Amedicalstatementfromalicensedmedicalprofessional,which
verifiesyourlevelofhearingloss.
AcertifiedaffidavitTheaffidavitform(DOR-4942)canbeobtained
fromanylicenseoffice.
Astatementfromanapprovedorauthorizedagencylistedbelow,
whichverifiesyourlevelofhearingloss.
Agenciesorprogramsauthorizedtoprovidedocumentationthatalicense
orinstructionpermitapplicantisdeaforhearingimpairedshallincludebut
notbelimitedtothefollowing:
TheMissouriCommissionfortheDeaf
SocialSecurityAdministration
Avocationalrehabilitationprogram
Afederal,state,orcountydepartmentofhealth
AnIndependentLivingCenter
TheDirectorofRevenueshallhaveauthorizationtoreviewanddetermine
acceptabilityofanydocumentationfromanagencyorprogramnotlisted.
Boater Safety Indicator
IfyouarearesidentofMissouriwhohascompliedwiththeprovisionsof
section306.127,RSMoandpossessacurrentBoatingSafetyEducation
CardissuedbytheMissouriStateHighwayPatrol,youmayrequestto
obtainaboateridentificationindicatoronyourdriverlicenseornondriver
license.TheMissouriStateHighwayPatrolwillaccepttheindicatoron
avaliddriverlicenseornondriverlicenseinlieuofcarryingtheseparate
19
BoatingSafetyEducationCard.Youmustrequestthenewindicatorand
presentyourvalidBoatingSafetyEducationCardatthetimeofapplication
foranew,renewalorduplicatetransaction.Therewillbeanadditionalcost
of$1.00addedtostandardprocessingfeeswhentheboateridentification
indicatorisinitiallyaddedtoadriverlicenseornondriverlicensedocument.
Permanent Disability Indicator
IfyouarearesidentofMissouriwhoispermanentlydisabledyoumayrequest
tohaveapermanentdisabilityindicatorplacedonthebackofyourdriver
licenseornondriverlicenseatthetimeofapplicationforanew,renewalor
duplicatetransaction.TobeeligiblefortheindicatoryoumustsubmitaForm
5294PhysiciansStatement-PermanentDisabilityIndicatorcompletedand
signedbyyourphysician,physicaltherapist,occupationaltherapistlicensed
underChapter334,RSMo,orotherauthorizedhealthcarepractitioner.There
willbenoadditionalcosttoaddtheindicator.Thestandardnew,renewal,or
duplicatetransactionandprocessingfeeswillapply.Youarenotrequiredby
lawtoobtainapermanentdisabilityindicatoronyourdriverlicenseornon-
driverlicense.Theindicatorisnotdeterminationofeligibilityorpublicbenefits.
Veteran Designation
IfyouareaveteranoftheUnitedStatesArmedForcesyoumayopttohavea
VETERANdesignationplacedonthebackofyourdriverornondriverlicense
atthetimeofapplicationforanew,renewalorduplicatetransaction.Tobe
eligibleforthedesignation,youmustsubmitaUnitedStatesDepartmentof
Defensedischargedocument,otherwiseknownasaDD214thatindicatesa
dischargestatusofhonorable,general,underhonorableconditionsor
generalunderhonorableconditions.Therewillbenoadditionalcosttoadd
theindicator.Thestandardnew,renewalorduplicatetransactionand
processingfeeswillapply.Youarenotrequiredbylawtoobtaintheveteran
designation.
Drivers Privacy Protection Act (DPPA)
TheFederalDriversPrivacyProtectionActrequiresallstatestoclosethe
personalinformationcontainedonallmotorvehicle,driverandnondriver
licenserecords,unlessotherwisedirectedbystatelaw.UnderMissourilaw,
apersonorentitymayaccessthepersonalinformationifexemptunder
theDPPA(andhavesubmittedForm4678RequestforSecurityAccess
Code)orhaveobtainedexpressconsentfromtherecordholder(Form4681
-RequestfromRecordHolder).
Voter Registration
Whenyouapplyfororrenewyourdriverlicense,nondriverlicense,or
instructionpermit,theclerkwillaskyouifyouareregisteredtovote.If
youindicatethatyouareregisteredtovote,yourtransactionwillbe
completed.Ifyouarenotregistered,andareinterestedinbecoming
registered,orneedtoupdateyournameoraddressonyourvoter
registrationcard,youmaycompleteanapplicationanditwillbeforwarded
toyourlocalelectionauthority.
Selective Service Registration
Maleapplicants,age18to26,mayregisterwiththeSelectiveServiceat
thetimeoftheirlicenseorpermitapplication.
20
SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF YOUR LICENSE
Thereareanumberofreasonsyourlicensemayberevokedorsuspended
ordenied.Yourbestbetistoberesponsibleandbeagooddriver.Youcan
loseyourlicenseforanyofthefollowingreasons:
ParentorGuardianRequesttoDenyaDriverLicenseIfyouare
undertheage18,yourparentorguardianmayrequestthattheDirector
ofRevenuedenyyoualicense.Ifyoualreadyhaveadriverlicense,
therequest(Form4811)willcancelyourlicense.Whenthedepartment
receivestherequest,adenialwillbeplacedonyourdrivingrecord.
Thedenialexpireswhenyouturn18orwhenyourparentorguardian
requestsyourdrivingstatusbecleared.Form4811maybefoundonthe
departmentswebsiteatwww.dor.mo.govoratanylicenseoffice.
Drivingundertheinfluenceofalcoholordrugs(seeChapter10)
Refusingtoletapoliceofficertestyouforalcoholordrugs
Leavingthesceneofanaccident
Failingtofileanaccidentreport(seeChapter13)
Givingfalseinformationwhenyouapplyforalicense
Failingtosettleacourtjudgmentmadeagainstyoufordamagesresulting
fromamotorvehicleaccident
Failingtokeepinsurance(financialresponsibility)(seeChapter13)
Changingtheinformationonyourlicenseorusingsomeoneelseslicense
whenyouattempttobuyalcohol
FailingtoappearforanexamwhenrequestedbytheDriverLicenseBureau
Usingamotorvehicletocommitafelonyorcausingthedeathof
someoneinamotorvehicleaccident
Havingtoomanypointsonyourdrivingrecord(seeChapter11)
Lettingsomeoneelseuseyourdriverlicense
FailingtoappearincourtorpaytrafficticketsinMissouriorotherstates
Failingtopaychildsupport
Failingtouseanignitioninterlockdevicewhenrequired
Stealingfuelfromagasstation
Possessinganyintoxicatingliquorifyouareaminor
Submittingfalseproofofinsurance
Failingtoyieldtheright-of-wayandcausinginjuryordeath
THE GRADUATED DRIVER LICENSE (GDL) LAW
MissourisGraduatedDriverLicenseLawrequiresallfirst-timedriverstoobtainan
instructionpermitandcompleteaperiodofdrivingwithalicenseddriverfollowed
byaperiodofrestricteddriving(intermediatelicense)beforegettingafulllicense.
Studiesfromacrossthecountryshowthatdeathsandseriousinjuriesfrom
trafficcrashesinvolvingyoungdriversdeclinebyasmuchas58percent
afteraGraduatedDriverLicenseLawisimplemented.Considerthe
instructionpermitasstepone,theintermediatelicenseassteptwo,andthe
full(Under21)driverlicenseasstepthree.Thefollowingaredescriptionsof
eachsteptohelpyouunderstandtheGDLprogram.
STEP ONE: Instruction PermitEligibleAge:15Cost:$3.50
Valid:0-12months,basedondocumentverificationstatus
To Obtain an Instruction Permit:
Passthevision,roadsign,andwrittentests.
Aparent,stepparent,legalguardian,orcertifiedtrainer(withafederal
residentialjobtrainingprogram)mustaccompanyyoutothelicense
officetosignapermissionstatement.
Permit Notes:
Underage16,youmaydriveonlywhenaccompaniedinthefrontseat
byaparent,stepparent,grandparent,legalguardian,qualifieddriving
instructor,orapersonwhoisatleast25yearsofagewhohasbeen
licensedforaminimumof3yearsandhasreceivedwrittenpermission
fromtheparentorlegalguardian.Ifyourparent,stepparent,
grandparent,orlegalguardianisphysicallydisabled,heorshemay
designateuptotwopersonstoaccompanyyouinthevehicletoprovide
behind-the-wheelinstruction.
Atage16orolder,youmaydrivewhenaccompaniedinthefrontseat
byapersonwhoisatleast21yearsoldandhasavaliddriverlicense.
Seatbeltsmustbewornbythedriverandallpassengers.
Yourtestpaperaloneisnotlegalfordriving.Besuretocarryyour
permitwithyou.
Youmayrenewyourinstructionpermitasmanytimesasneeded
withouttakingadditionalwrittentests.
FreePERMITDRIVERwindowsignsareavailableatalllicenseoffices.
To Graduate to an Intermediate License:
Youmusthaveaninstructionpermitforaminimumof6months(182days)
beginningthedayafterissuance.
Youmusthavereceived40hoursofdrivinginstructionwithaparent,
stepparent,legalguardian,orcertifiedtrainer(withafederalresidential
jobtrainingprogram).Therequired40hoursmustincludeatleast10
hoursofnighttimedriving.
STEP TWO: Intermediate LicenseEligibleAge:16to18Cost:$7.50
Valid:0-2years,basedondocumentverificationstatus
To Obtain an Intermediate License:
Youmustsatisfytherequirements(listedinStepOne)tograduate
fromtheinstructionpermit,andholdtheinstructionpermitforatleast
6months(182days)beginningthedayafterissuance.Thisincludes
havingnoalcohol-relatedconvictionsinthelast12monthsandno
trafficconvictionsinthelast6months.
Aparent,grandparent,stepparent,legalguardian,orcertifiedtrainer
(withafederalresidentialjobtrainingprogram)mustaccompanyyou
tothelicenseofficetoverifyyouhavereceived40hoursofdriving
instructionwithyourinstructionpermit.
Passthevision,roadsign,andwrittentestsifpreviousresultsaremore
thanoneyearold.
Passthedrivingtest.
License Notes:
Yourtestpaperaloneisnotlegalfordriving.Besuretocarryyour
intermediatelicensewithyou.
Seatbeltsmustbewornbythedriverandallpassengers.
Passengerrestrictionsoutlinedbelowmaynotbeapplicabletoan
intermediatelicenseholderwhoisoperatinginagriculturalwork-related
activities.
21
22
Driving Restrictions:
Duringthefirst6months,youmaynotoperateamotorvehiclewith
morethanonepassengerwhoisundertheageof19andwhoisnota
memberofyourimmediatefamily*.
Afterthefirst6months,youmaynotoperateamotorvehiclewithmore
thanthreepassengerswhoareunder19yearsofageandwhoarenot
membersofyourimmediatefamily*.
Youmaynotdrivealonebetween1:00a.m.and5:00a.m.exceptto
andfromaschoolactivity,job,oranemergency,unlessaccompanied
byalicenseddriver21yearsofageorolder.
* Immediate familyshallincludeparents,grandparents,brothers,sisters,
stepbrothers,stepsisters,andadoptedorfosterchildrenresidinginthe
drivershousehold.Parent shallincludeafosterparent,stepparentor
adoptiveparent.Grandparentshallincludeafostergrandparent,step-
grandparentoradoptivegrandparent.
To Graduate to a Full Under-21 Driver License:
Yourdrivingprivilegecannotbesuspended,revoked,ordeniedatthe
timeofapplication.
Youmaynothaveanyalcohol-relatedoffensesortrafficconvictions
withinthelast12months.
STEP THREE: Full Driver License (Under 21)
EligibleAge:18Cost:$10.00
Valid:0-3years,basedondocumentverificationstatus
To Obtain the Under-21 Full Driver License:
Youmustsatisfytherequirementsforanintermediatelicense.This
includeshavingnoalcohol-relatedconvictionsortrafficconvictionsin
thelast12months.
Haveavalidintermediatelicense.Yourdrivingprivilegecannotbe
suspended,revoked,ordeniedwhenyouapplyforafulldriverlicense.
Passthevisionandroadsignrecognitiontests.(Youarenotrequired
topassthewrittenanddrivingtestsifalreadycompleted.)
Ifyouareunder21yearsofage,theDepartmentofRevenuewillissueyou
alicenseidentifyingyouasaminor.Whenyoubecome21yearsold,you
mayapplyandpayforanotherdriverlicense(withouttheminorindication)
orwaituntilyourunder-21driverlicenseexpires.
YouareencouragedtostudythisDriverGuidebeforeyouattemptthewritten
exam.Almost50percentofalltest-takersfailthefirsttime.Youwillhavea
muchbetterchanceofpassingyourtestifyoutaketimetoreviewthisGuide.
23
A CHECKLIST FOR YOU
YoumusthavethefollowingdocumentswithyouwhenyouapplyforaMissouri
driverlicense,instructionpermit,ornondriverlicense.Takeallthedocumentswith
youtoacontractofficewhenyouapplyforyourlicenseorpermit.
NEW MISSOURI RESIDENT TRANSFERRING AN OUT-OF-STATE DRIVER
LICENSE (valid or expired no more than 184 days)
Out-of-State driver license (valid or expired no more than 184 days)
Verification of name, date of birth, place of birth, social security
number, and Missouri residential address*
NOTE:Ifyouareupgradingyourdriverlicense,taketheabovedocuments
withyoutoaMissouriStateHighwayPatrol(MSHP)examinationlocation
whenyoutakethewritten,vision,androadsigntestsand/ordrivingtest.
FIRST-TIME APPLICANT
Verification of name, date of birth, place of birth, social security
number, and Missouri residential address*
Driver Examination Record (DOR-100) indicating successful completion
of tests (not required for nondriver license)
RENEWAL LICENSE
All drivers renewing will have to show verification of name, date of
birth, place of birth, social security number, and Missouri residential
address*
Exemption: If you are renewing a non-commercial permit/driver license
or nondriver license and are age 65 or older you are exempt from
presenting documents for place of birth.
*Pleaserefertothelistofacceptabledocumentsinthischapter.
Note: AdditionaldocumentsandverificationofSSNmayberequired
ifthedocumentationsubmittedisquestionable,orifthecontract
officeclerkorMSHPexaminerhasreasontoquestionthevalidityor
authenticityofthedocuments,orneedsfurtherverification.
4
24
THE DRIVER EXAMINATION
Thedriverexaminationconsistsofafour-parttest:
Awrittentestontrafficlawsandrulesforsafedriving
Avisiontest
Aroadsigntest
Adrivingtest(skills)
Youshouldbepreparedtotakethedriverexamif:
YouareapplyingforanewMissouridriverlicense.
Note:Ifyouhaveadriverlicensefromanotherstatethatisvalidorhas
beenexpiredforlessthan184days,andyouareapplyingforthesametype
oflicenseinMissouri,youonlyhavetotakethevisionandroadsigntests.
YourMissouridriverlicenseisexpiredformorethan6months(184days).
TheDirectorofRevenueasksyoutotaketheexam,evenifyouhavea
currentdriverlicense.
Yourlicensewasrevoked:
becauseyouhavetoomanypointsonyourdrivingrecord.
becauseofanAdministrativeAlcoholaction(seeChapter10).
Where to Take the Exam
TheMissouriStateHighwayPatrol(MSHP)administersthedriverexamination.
Tofindthetestingcenternearestyou,contacttheMSHPortheDepartment
ofRevenue.ThephonenumbersfortheDepartmentofRevenueandMSHP
areatthebackofthisguide.YoucanalsofindtheselocationsontheMSHP
website:www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov.
Verification of Your Name and Age
Beforeyoucantakethedriverexam,youmustproveyourlegalnameand
age.ThisidentificationmustalsobeshowntotheDepartmentofRevenue
whenapplyingforadriverlicenseorpermitandanytimeyoutakethewritten
ordrivingtests.(RefertoChapter1foralistofacceptabledocumentsfor
verificationofname,dateofbirth,placeofbirth,socialsecuritynumber,and
Missouriresidentialaddress.)
Written Test
DriverLicense(ClassF)
IfyouareapplyingforaClassF(operator)license,youmusttakea25
questionmultiple-choicewrittentest.Thequestionswillbeonthelawsand
methodsofdrivingcoveredinthisGuide.ThetestisNOTanopenbook
test.Youwillnotbetestedontheinformationoncommercialvehiclesin
Chapter15.
For-HireLicense(ClassE)
IfyouareapplyingforaClassE(for-hire)license,youmusttakeaspecial
writtentest.Thequestionswillbeonthelawsandmethodsofdriving
coveredinthisGuidebutwillalsoincludetheinformationoncommercial
vehiclesfoundinChapter15.ThetestisNOTanopenbooktest.
Vision Test
Youmusttakeanacuityvisiontestandaperipheral(side)visiontestwhen
youapplyforanyneworrenewaldriverlicenseorpermit.Thestandard
minimumacuityisatleast20/40witheitherorbotheyes.Ifyouwearglasses
CHAPTER 2 THE DRIVER EXAM
25
orcontactlenses,youmayneedthemforthevisiontest.Thestandard
minimumperipheralreadingisatleast55degreesineacheyeor85degrees
inoneeye.Ifyouareunabletomeetthevisionstandardsasrequired,you
maybedeniedalicense,orrestrictionsmaybeplacedonyourlicense.
If you fail the standard vision test,theexaminerwillgiveyouavision
examformthatyoureyespecialistorphysicianmustfillout.Ifthe
physicianprescribesglassesorcontactlensestocorrectyourvision,you
mayhavetowaitfortheglasses(orcontactlenses)beforethewrittenand/
ordrivingtestsmaybegiven.Ifbothyournaturalandcorrectedacuity
visionareworsethan20/160,oryourperipheralcombinedisworsethan70
degrees,youcannottakethedrivingtestandcannothaveadriverlicense.
Road Sign Test
Theroadsigntestwillcheckyourabilitytorecognizeandunderstandtraffic
signs.
Driving Test
Afteryoupassthewritten,vision,androadsigntests,youmaythentake
thedrivingtest.Youwilltakethedrivingtestwithadriverlicenseexaminer
oftheMissouriStateHighwayPatrol.
Theexaminerwillcheckyourvehiclefortherequiredequipment.The
examinerwillalsocheckyourvehicleforitssafeoperatingcondition.You
cannottakethetestifthevehicleisnotproperlyequipped,ortheexaminer
believesthatgivingthetestwillbedangerous.
Youshouldtakethetestinavehiclethatisfamiliartoyou.Thevehicle
musthave:
Currentlicenseplate(s)andavalidinspectionsticker.
Seatbeltsinproperworkingorder.
Doorsinproperworkingorderforthedriverandexaminer.
Aclean,safeseatfortheexaminer.
Twosetsofbrakes(parkingandafootbrake)ingoodworkingorder.
Ahorningoodworkingorder.
Youwilldrive,andtheexaminerwillsitbesideyou.Nooneelsemayride
inthevehicleduringthetest.Avoidunnecessaryconversationwiththe
examiner,andfocusonyourdriving.Remembertheexaminersjobisto
test,nottoteach.YoumustobeyallMissouritrafficlawsatalltimes.
THE EXAMINER WILL ASK YOU TO FIND AND USE THE VEHICLES
CONTROLS,suchastheaccelerator,brakes,turnsignals,windshield
wipers,etc.Youwillbetestedfor:
Findingthecontrolwithoutsearching.
Usingthecontrolcorrectly.
THE EXAMINER WILL ASK YOU TO START DRIVING.Youwillbe
testedfor:
Startingthevehicle.
Releasingtheparkingbrake.
Lookingtoseeifthewayisclear.
Givingthepropersignal.
Drivingsmoothlyandatthecorrectspeed.
26
THE EXAMINER WILL TELL YOU WHERE TO DRIVE, TURN, STOP, ETC.
Aftertheexaminertellsyouwhattodo,youwillhaveenoughtimetolook
fortrafficandtodriveasasked.Youwillbeaskedtodothefollowing:
1. Start and stop the vehicle.Youwillbetestedfor:
Thesmoothnessandsafetyofyourstartsandstops.
Yourreactiontime.
Yourcontrolofthevehiclewhenstopping.
2. Park parallel to the curb,inaspace25feetlongand7feetwide.
Youwillbetestedfor:
Thepositionofyourvehiclebeforebacking.
Whetherornotyoubumpintothespacemarkers.
Movingintothespacesmoothlyandattherightspeed.
Parkingnomorethan18fromthecurb.
Parkingnearthecenterofthespace.
Abilitytoparkthevehiclewithintwominutes.
Turningthewheelsinthecorrectdirectionforparking.
Checkingtrafficandsignalingbeforeyouleavetheparkingspace.
3. Backing.Youwillbetestedfor:
Lookingoveryourrightshouldertoseethroughtherearglass.
Whetheryourvehiclebacksinastraightlineorweaves.
Stayingintheproperlaneoftraffic.
Backingattherightspeed.
4. Make at least two right and two left turns.Youwillbetestedfor:
Drivinginthecorrectlaneforturning.
Givingtheproperturnsignalatthepropertime.
Turningintotheproperlane.
Makingpropertrafficchecks.
Turningattherightspeed.
Yourcontrolofthevehicle.
5. Park on a hill.Youwillbetestedfor:
Yourcontrolofthevehicle.
Parkingnomorethan18fromthecurb.
Leavingyourvehicleinparkorthecorrectgear.
Turningthefrontwheelsinthecorrectdirectionforparking.
Settingtheparkingbrake.
Checkingtrafficandsignaling.
6. Enter and leave intersections.Youwillbetestedfor:
Understandingandobeyingthetrafficsignsandlights.
Yourspeedwhenapproachinganintersection.
Yourawarenessofthetrafficaroundyou.
Drivinginthecorrectlane.
Yieldingtheright-of-waywithoutblockingtraffic.
Makingafullstopattheproperplaceatstopsigns.
7. Understand and obey traffic signs and signals.Youwillbetestedfor:
Noticingandobeyingtrafficsignsandsignals.
27
THE EXAMINER WILL WATCH FOR YOUR USE OF GOOD DRIVING
RULES.Youwillbetestedfor:
Thedistancebetweenyourvehicleandthevehicleinfrontofyou.
Yourspeedwhiledriving.
Drivingintheproperlaneandobeyinglanemarkings.
Yourawarenessofthetrafficaroundyou.
Yieldingtheright-of-waywhennecessary.
Your Grade
Throughoutthedrivingtest,theexaminerwillsubtractpointsforanydriving
errorsyoumake.Ifyoulosemorethan30points,youwillfailthetest.You
willalsofailthetestifyou:
Areinatrafficaccidentwithanothervehicleanditisyourfault
Hitapedestrian
Drivesodangerouslyyoumighthavecausedanaccident
Violateatrafficlaw
Refusetodriveastheexaminerasks
Whenyoupassthedrivingskillstest,youwillbegivenaformwithyourtest
results.Beforeyoudrive,youmustapplyandobtainalicenseatalicense
office.Thetestresultformitselfisnotvalidfordriving.
Failing the Driving Test
Ifyoufailthedrivingtest,theexaminerwillsuggestthatyoupracticebefore
retakingthetest.Youmaytakeonlyonedrivingtestperday.
If you fail the driving test three times, no further tests will be allowed
without written authorization from the Department of Revenue.The
driverexaminerwillgiveyouaformthatyoumustsendtothedepartment.
Afteryousendtheformtothedepartment,youwillreceivealetterfromthe
departmentrequiringadditionalbehind-the-wheeldrivertraining.
Youmustsendproofoftheadditionaldrivertrainingbeforeyouwillbe
allowedtotakethedrivingtestagain.
Fraud
Itisacrimetocommitfraud.Anyonewhomakesafalseunswornstatement
oraffidavitorwhocommitsorassistsanotherpersonincommittingfraudor
deceptionduringanyexaminationprocessforaMissourilicense,permit,or
nondriverlicense,isguiltyoffraud.FraudisaClassAmisdemeanorthat
mayresultinthelossofyourdrivingprivilegeforuptooneyear.
Someexamplesoffraudcouldincludecheating,orusingorattemptingto
useanyrecording,photographic,ortwo-waycommunicatingdeviceduring
anytestingprocess.
28
CHAPTER 3 PAVEMENT MARKINGS, TRAFFIC
SIGNS, LIGHTS, AND SIGNALS
NOPASSINGZONE
NOPASSINGZONE
NO PASSING ZONES
Two-laneroadsmayhavenopassingzonesmarkedwithaSOLID
YELLOW LINE.Nopassingzonesareonhillsorcurveswhereyoucannot
seefarenoughaheadtopasssafely.Youmustcompletepassingbefore
youenterthenopassingzone.
PAVEMENT MARKINGS ON THE ROAD
Linesandsymbolsontheroadwayindicateanumberofthingstodrivers:
wherelanesaredivided,whereyoumaypassothervehicles,orchange
lanes,whichlanestouseforturns,wherepedestrianwalkwaysarelocated,
andwhereyoumuststopforsignsandtrafficsignals.
MEANINGS OF PAVEMENT MARKINGS
LINES BROKENLINESmaybecrossedinapassingmaneuver.
SOLIDLINESshouldnotbecrossedinapassingmaneuver.
COLORS YELLOWdividesoncomingtraffic.
WHITEdividessame-directiontraffic.
DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC
IfthelineontheleftofyouisYELLOW,thetrafficontheothersideofthe
lineismovingintheOPPOSITEdirection.
WhenthelineontheleftofyouisWHITE,thetrafficismovingintheSAME
direction.Asolidwhitelinemarkstherightedgeofmanyroads.
ThecentermarkingforroadswithfourlanesconsistsofTWO SOLID
YELLOW LINES.Theyellowlinestellyouthetrafficontheothersideof
thelinesismovingintheoppositedirection.Youshouldnevercrossthe
twosolidyellowlinestopass.
CROSSWALKS AND STOP LINES
Whenrequiredtostopbecauseofasignorsignal,youmuststopbefore
yourvehiclereachesthestoplineor,ifthereisone,thecrosswalk.
Crosswalksdefinetheareawherepedestriansaretocrosstheroadway.
Youmustyieldtopedestriansinorabouttoenteracrosswalk.Not
allcrosswalksaremarked.Bealertforpedestrianswhencrossing
intersectionsthatdonothavedefinedcrosswalks.
DUAL USE LANES
Dualuselaneshavebothaturnarrowandastraightarrow.Whenboth
arrowsappearontheelectrictrafficsignal,youmayeitherturnorgo
straight.Butifyouwanttoturn,andonlythestraightarrowisshowing,you
mustwaitfortheturnarrow.
29
Whenyouseeasolidyellowlineonyoursideofthecenterline,donottry
topass.Onanytwo-laneroad,neverpassifyoucannotseetheroadis
clearforthedistanceyouneedtomakeapass,evenifthereisnomarking
ontheroadway.
LEFT-TURN LANES
Someroadshavemarkedleft-turnlanes.Noticethesolidyellowlinesand
thethickyellowstripesintheillustrationbelow.
30
REVERSIBLE EXPRESS LANES
Sometravellanesaredesignedtocarrytrafficinonedirectionatcertain
timesandintheoppositedirectionatothertimes.Theselanesareusually
markedbydouble-dashedyellowlines.Beforeyoustartdrivinginthem,
checktoseewhichlanesyoucanuseatthattime.Theremaybesigns
postedbythesideoftheroadoroverhead.Sometimesspeciallightsare
used.Agreenarrowmeansyoucanusethelanebeneathit;aredX
meansyoumaynot.
SHARED CENTER LANES
Vehiclesmovinginbothdirectionsmayusethesecenterlanesformaking
leftturns(orU-turnswhentheyarepermitted).Onthepavement,left-turn
arrowsfortrafficinonedirectionalternatewithleft-turnarrowsfortraffic
comingfromtheotherdirection.Theselanesaremarkedoneachsideby
asolidyellowanddashedyellowlines.Turnfromthislaneassoonasyour
pathisclear.
NO LANE MARKINGS
Whentherearenosignsormarkingstocontroltheuseoflanes,thereare
rulesthatindicatewhichlaneistobeused.Theserulescovergeneral
driving,passing,andturning.
General DrivingIngeneral,neverbackavehicleinanytravellane.
Driversdonotexpectavehicletobebackingtowardsthemandmaynot
realizeituntilitistoolate.Ifyoumissyourturnorexit,donotbackup.
Goontowhereyoucansafelyturnaround.Donotstopintravellanes
foranyreason(confusion,breakdown,orlettingoutapassenger).Keep
movinguntilyoucansafelypullofftheroad.
Onaroadwiththreeormorelanestravelinginthesamedirection,stayin
therightlaneexcepttopass.Ifthereisaconsiderableamountoftraffic
enteringtherighttravellane,thenusethecentertravellane.
PassingOnmulti-laneroads,theleft-mostlaneisintendedtobeused
topassslowervehicles.Ifyoupassontheright,theotherdrivermay
havedifficultyseeingyouandmightsuddenlychangelanesinfrontofyou.
Neverpassontheshoulder.Otherdriverswillnotexpectyoutobethere
andmaypullofftheroadwithoutlooking.
TRAFFIC OFFICERS
Youmustobeytrafficofficersatalltimes.Ifyouseeatrafficofficergiving
directions,dowhatheorshesaysandignoreanytrafficsignsorsignals.
Forexample,iftheofficersignalsforyoutostopatagreenlight,youmust
stop.
TRAFFIC SIGNALS
Trafficsignalsarelightsthattellyouwhenorwheretostopandgo.
FLASHING SIGNAL - ALL DIRECTIONS
Flashingtrafficsignalsmayoccurduringemergencies,night
time/lowtrafficvolumeperiodsandspecialevents.Flashing
trafficsignalshavethefollowingmeanings:
Aflashingredlightmeansthesamethingasastopsign.
Aflashingyellowlighttellsyoutoslowdownandproceed
withcaution.
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS
Trafficcontrolsincludetrafficsignals,trafficsignsandpavementmarkings.
Trafficcontrolalsocanbeprovidedbylawenforcement,highwaypersonnel
orschoolcrossingguards.Youmustobeydirectionsfromthesepersons.
ARED LIGHTtellsyoutostopatthestopline,crosswalkorbefore
theintersection.Unlessyouaremakingarightturn,youmust
waitforthesignaltoturngreenbeforeyouproceed.Aftermaking
acompletestop,youmayturnrightonaredlightifthewayisclearof
pedestriansandtraffic.However,youmustnotturnrightonaredlight
whenthereisaNORIGHTTURNONREDsignposted.
ASTEADY YELLOW LIGHTtellsyouthetrafficsignalischanging
fromgreentored.Stopforasteadyyellowlightunlessyouare
withintheintersectionoraresoclosethatyoucannotsafelystop
beforeenteringtheintersection.
AGREEN LIGHTtellsyouthatyoucangothroughtheintersection.
However,youmustfirstyieldtheright-of-waytotrafficand
pedestrianswhoarestillintheintersection.
Left Turn Signals: Whenturningleftatagreenlight,there
arethreetypesofleft-turnsignalphases:
1. PermissiveVehiclesaregivenacirculargreenora
flashingyellowarrowandrequiredtowaitforanadequate
gapintheopposingtrafficpriortomakingtheirturn.
2. Protected Vehiclesmayturnonlywhentheyreceive
agreenarrowwhileopposingvehiclesarestoppedbya
redlight.Thistypeofcontroliscommonlysignedleftturn
signal.
3. Protected/PermissiveVehiclesaregivenaprotected
phase(greenarrow),orapermissive(circulargreenor
flashingyellowarrow)phase,whendriversmustchoosean
adequategapinopposingtraffic.Thistypeofcontrol,when
usedwithacirculargreen,iscommonlysignedleftturn
yieldongreen.
ASTEADY YELLOW ARROWappearsafteragreenarrow.Ittells
youthegreenarrowwillbechangingtoacirculargreenlight,a
flashingyellowarroworaredlight.Youmustbereadytoyieldthe
right-of-waytooncomingtrafficortostop.
31
AFLASHING YELLOW ARROWtellsyouthatyouareallowed
todriveinthedirectionthearrowispointingbutarerequiredto
waitforanadequategapintheopposingtrafficpriortomaking
yourturn.
AGREEN ARROWtellsyouthatyoucandriveinthedirectionthe
arrowispointing.Youmustbeintheproperlaneandthewaymust
beclearofalltrafficandpedestrians.
Darksignals,ortrafficsignalsthatarentworkingoperateasa4-waystop.
LANE USE CONTROL SIGNALS
Laneusecontrolsignalstellyouwhichlanesyoumaydriveinona
roadway.Youwillseethesesignalsdirectlyoverthelanetheycontrol.
RedX Donotdriveinthislane.
GreenArrowYoumayusethislane.
IfyouaredrivinginagreenarrowlaneandthearrowturnstoaredX,do
notpanic.Theoncomingtrafficwillnotreceiveagreenarrowforthatlane
untilyouhavehadtimetochangelanes.
TRAFFIC SIGNS
Trafficsignstellyouabouttrafficrules,hazards,whereyouare,howtoget
whereyouaregoingandwhereservicesarelocated.Theshapeandcolor
ofthesesignsgivecluestothetypeofinformationtheyprovide.
SIGN COLORS
32
Red=Stop,Yield,orProhibited
Yellow=Warning
Black=Regulatory
White=Regulatory
Brown=PublicRecreation
&CulturalInterests
Yellow-Orange=RoadSigns
Orange=Construction
Green=DirectionandDistance
Blue=MotoristServices
SIGN SHAPES
WARNING SIGNS
Thesesignsareyellowwithblackletteringorsymbolsandusuallydiamond
shaped.Thesesignswarnyoutoslowdownandbepreparedtostop
ifnecessarybecauseaspecialsituationorahazardisahead.Some
commonwarningsignsareshownbelow.
TRAFFIC CONTROL
33
Octagon=Stop
Triangle=Yield
Vertical
Rectangle=Regulatory
Horizontal
Rectangle=Guide
Pentagon=School
Round=Railroad
Crossbuck=Railroad
Pennant=No
Passing Zone
Diamond=Warning
Horizontal
Rectangle=Parks
andRecreation
Bicycle Crossing
Yieldtobicycleridersonanybike
trailwhichcrossesaroad.
Signal Ahead
Thereisatrafficlightsignalahead
ontheroadyouareon.Be
preparedtostop.
TRAFFIC FLOW
34
School Crossing
Slowdown.Watchforchildren
crossingtheroad.
Note:Thissignisbeingtransi-
tionedtoneongreen.Thistransi-
tionwilltakeeffectwithinthenext
10years.
Speed Advisory-Highway Ramp
Thehighwayentry/exitramphas
aspeedadvisory.
Added Lane
Trafficfromanotherroadwillbe
enteringtheroad.Nomerging
isnecessarybecausealanehas
beenadded.
Begin Divided Roadway
Theroadwillsoonbecometwo-
waytrafficdividedbyamedianor
barrier.
End Divided Roadway
Two-waytrafficwillnolongerbe
dividedbyamedianorbarrier.
Pedestrian Crossing
Yieldtopedestrianswalkinginthe
crosswalk.SlowDown.
35
Merge
Trafficfromanotherroadwillbe
enteringtheroad.Beprepared
forvehiclestomoveintoyour
lane.
Lane Ends/Merge Left
Twolanesoftrafficwillsoon
becomeonelaneoftraffic.Ifyou
areintherightlaneyoumust
mergeleft,yieldingtotraffic
drivingintheleftlane.
Curve Sign
Acurvesignisusedtowarnofa
curvewheretherecommended
speedislessthantheposted
speedlimitforthehighway.
Right Angle Turn
Aturnsignisusedtowarnofa
sharpturnorturnwherethe
recommendedmaximumspeedis
30mphorless.
Reverse Turn
Areverseturnsignisusedto
warnoftwoturnsinopposite
directions.Thesecondturn
maybesharperthanthefirst.
Recommendedmaximumspeed
is30mphorless.
Speed Advisory
Curveandturnsignshavean
advisoryspeedplatethatshows
therecommendedspeedfor
thecurveorturn.Althoughyou
mayfeelcomfortabledrivingata
higherspeedinfairweather,you
shouldneverdosoinrain,snow
oricyconditions.
TURNS AND CURVES IN THE ROAD
36
Large Arrow
Maybeseenontheoutsideofa
turn.Slowdownforsharpchange
ofdirectionoftravel.
Chevron
Maybeusedinsteadofthelarge
arrowsigntooutlinetheedgeofa
curvingroadortosupplementthe
largearrowsign.
Object Marker
Areusedtonotifydriversof
objectsintheroadwayorvery
closetotheedgeoftheroadway.
Thissignemphasizestheneed
tonotstrayoutsideofthemarked
travellane.
Soft Shoulder
Theshoulderonthesideofthe
roadaheadissoft.Donotdrive
offthepavement.
Slow Moving Vehicle
Areflectiveorangetriangleon
therearofavehiclemeansitis
travelinglessthan25mph.You
mayseethissignonconstruction
equipmentorfarmvehicles.
Slippery When Wet
Theroadaheadbecomes
unusuallyslipperyinwetweather.
Drivecarefullyintheseconditions.
SPECIAL ROAD/TRAFFIC CONDITIONS
REGULATORY SIGNS
Manyregulatorysignsaresquareorrectangular-shapedandarewhite,
withblackorredlettersorsymbols.Theygiveyouinformationaboutrules
fortrafficdirection,laneuse,turning,speed,parking,andotherspecial
situations.
Someregulatorysignshavearedcirclewitharedslashoverasymbol.
Theseindicateyoucannotdosomething,forexample,noleftturnorno
U-turn.
37
Side Road Railroad Crossing
Awarningofarailwaycrossing
veryclosetotheintersection.
Usecautionwhencrossingtracks.
Intersection
Anotherroadcrossestheroad.
Watchcarefullyfortrafficcrossing
yourpath.
Side Road Ahead
Anotherroadenterstheroadfrom
thedirectionshownonthesign.
Roundabout Ahead
Aroundaboutintersectionis
ahead.Slowdownasrequiredby
thespeedrestrictionsignand
followtheroadrulesfor
roundabouts.
T Intersection Ahead
Theroadyouaretravelingdoes
notcontinue.Youmustturn
eitherrightorleft.
ROAD INTERSECTIONS
38
Othercommontypesofregulatorysignsare:
STOP SIGN
Astopsignisredwithwhitelettersandhaseight
sides.Whenyouseeastopsign,youmustcome
toafullstop.
Youmustwaituntilcrossingvehiclesandpedestrians
haveclearedtheintersection.Youmuststopatthe
stoplineifoneispresentevenifitislocatedpastthe
stopsign.Ifthereisnostopline,pullupandstopneartheedgeofthe
intersection,lookbothways,andthenproceedwhenitissafe.
No Left Turn
No Trucks No Bicycles
No Right Turn No U- Turn
a.Stopbeforethe
stopline.
OR...
b.Stopbeforethe
crosswalk.
OR...
c.Ifthereisno
stoplineor
crosswalk,
stopbefore
enteringthe
intersection.
39
YIELD SIGN
Ayieldsignistriangular.Itisredandwhitewith
redletters.Itmeansyoumustslowdownand
yieldtheright-of-waytotrafficintheintersection
youarecrossingorroadwayyouareentering.
WRONG WAY SIGN
Youmadeawrongturnandhaveenteredalane
ofoncomingtraffic.Asquicklyandsafelyas
possible,pullofftheroad,turnaroundandgoback.
DO NOT ENTER SIGN
Whenyouseethissignatroadwayopenings,
donotenterthisroad.
LANE CONTROL SIGNS
Thesesignsuseanarrowsymboltotellyouwhichdirectionyoucango
fromeachlane.Thesignsarealongtheroadorhangingovertheroad.
SPEED LIMIT SIGNS
Speedlimitsignsindicatethemaximumspeedallowed
bylaw,anddonotmeanthatallpartsoftheroadcan
besafelydrivenatthosespeedsunderallconditions.
Thespeedlimitisthemaximumallowablespeedinideal
conditions.Adjustyourspeedforhills,curves,slippery
roadways,limitedsightdistance,pedestrians,bicyclists,
andslow-movingvehicles.Theseconditionsmaymake
thepostedspeedlimitunsafe.Bylaw,whenconditions
demandit,youmustslowdown.Interstatehighwaysalso
haveminimumspeedlimits.Ifthisminimumspeedistoo
fastforyou,thenyoushoulduseanotherroute.Youmay
notdriveslowerthan40mphoninterstatehighways
undernormalroadwayconditions.
40
Usethefollowingguideunlesspostedspeedlimitsdirectotherwise.
ROADWAY MAXIMUM SPEED
Ruralinterstatesandfreeways 70
Ruralexpressways 65
Interstatehighways,freewaysorexpressways 60
withinurbanizedareas
Allotherroadsandhighwaysnotlocatedinan 60
urbanizedarea
Letteredroads 55
Thespeedlimitinanycity,town,orvillageis25mph,unlessposted
otherwise.TheMissouriHighwayandTransportationCommissionhasthe
authoritytosetspeedlimitshigherorlowerthantheuniformmaximum
speedlimitsforsafetyreasonsortoexpeditetheflowoftraffic.Thereare
13interstatesinMissouri.Thespeedlimitisposted60mphwhenthese
interstatesarenearorwithinthefollowingfiveMissouricities:St.Louis,
KansasCity,Columbia,St.Joseph,andSpringfield.
RAILROAD CROSSING SIGN
Manyrailroadcrossingshavesignsorsignalstowarndrivers.Theround
advancewarningsigntellsyouthatyouarenearingarailroadcrossing.
Nevertrytobeatatrainacrossthetracks.Neverstarttocrossthetracks
untilthereisroomforyourvehicleontheothersideofthetracks.Itisnot
wisetoshiftgearswhencrossingrailroadtracks,justincaseyourvehicle
mightstall.
Youmayalsoseeapavementmarkingbeforeacrossing.Liketheround
advancewarningsign,pavementmarkingstellyouthatyouarenearinga
railroadcrossing.
Awhite,X-shapedsignorcrossbuckislocatedattherailroad
crossing.Thissignhasthesamemeaningasayieldsign;
therefore,youmustyieldtotrainsatcrossings.Thesignunder
thecrossbucktellsyouhowmanytrackscrosstheroad.
Atsomecrossings,alongwiththecrossbucksign,youwill
seeside-by-sideredlightsthatflashalternately.Atsome
crossingsthereisalsoacrossinggate(somewithabell)
thatwilllowerwhenatrainiscoming.Atbothofthese
signal-equippedcrossings,youmuststopandyoucannot
crossthetracksuntilthetrainhaspassed.
Whenyouseeanyofthesesigns,SLOWDOWN,lookfor
atrain,andbereadytostop.YoumustSTOPifthered
lightsareflashingorthegateisdown.Youmuststopwithin
15to50feetbeforetherailroadtracks.DONOTtrytogo
aroundthegate.
Theredlightsmay
continuetoflashafter
thetrainhasgoneby.Iftherearetwoormoretracks,lookfor
asecondtrainbeforeyoucross.
WORK ZONE SIGNS
Workzonesignsarefluorescentorangeandindicatesometypeofworkis
beingperformedonoralongsidetheroadway.Beextremelycarefulwhen
youseethesesigns.Theremaybeothertrafficcontroldevicesorflag
personstohelpdirectyousafelythroughtheworkzone.
Ifyouarecaughtspeedingorpassinginaconstructionzoneorworkzone
onMissouristateroadways,youcouldbefinedaminimumof$250forthe
firstoffenseandaminimumof$300forasecondorsubsequentoffense
inadditiontoanyotherfineauthorizedbylawaccordingtoStateStatute
304.582.
41
42
GUIDE SIGNS
Thesesignsaresquareorrectangular,andaregreenorbrownwithwhite
lettering.Theyshowdirectionanddistancetovariouslocationssuchas
cities,airports,andstatelines,ortospecialareassuchasnationalparks,
historicalareas,andmuseums.
SERVICE SIGNS
Thesesignsaresquareorrectangular,andarebluewithwhitelettersor
symbols.Theyshowthelocationofvariousservices,suchasrestareas,
gasstations,campgrounds,andhospitals.
ROUTE SIGNS
Theshapeofroutesignsindicatesthetypeofroadway:interstate,United
States,state,orcounty.Whenplanningatrip,useahighwaymapto
determineyourroute.Duringthetrip,followtheroutesigns.Thiswillhelp
yousoyouwillnotgetlost.
North-southroutesareidentifiedbyoddnumbers.East-westroadsare
identifiedbyevennumbers.Interstatehighwaysthatlooparoundcitiesare
identifiedbythree-digitevennumbers.Roadwaysthatdirecttrafficintoa
citysroadsystem(calledspurs)areidentifiedbythree-digitoddnumbers.
Understandingexitnumbersiseasywhenyouknowinterstatestraveling
west/eastarenumberedstartingfromthewestandgoingeast.Thismeans
exitnumbersstartatzeroandincreaseasyoudriveeast.Likewise,ifyou
comefromtheeast,thenumberswilldecreasetothewest.Interstatesthat
travelnorth/southhavetheirexitsnumberedbeginningatthesouthpoint
andincreasingnorth.Ifyouenterthestatefromthenorthanddrivesouth,
thentheexitnumbersdecrease.
EMERGENCY REFERENCE MARKERS
Emergencyreferencemarkersaremilemarkersplacedalongtheoutside
shouldertomarktheedgeoftheroadwayandconveyinformationto
driversabouttheirlocationontheinterstatefornavigationandemergency
situations.Thereferencemarkersarelocatedeverytwo-tenthsofamile,
somotoristswillalwaysbeinsightofasign.Theytellthedirectionoftravel
androutenumber.
43
Yourhighestdutyasamotorististodriveyourvehiclecarefullyandprudently.
Yourspeedandmannerofdrivingmustcreateasafeenvironmentforyourself
andotherroadusers,includingpedestrians,cyclists,andothermotorists.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
Wherevehiclesorpedestriansarelikelytomeetoneanother,andthere
arenosignsorsignalstoregulatetraffic,therearerulesthatsaywhomust
yieldtheright-of-way.Theserulestelldriverswhogoesfirstandwhomust
waitindifferenttrafficsituations.
The law says who must yield the right-of-way; it does not give any driver
the right-of-way.Youmustdoeverythingyoucantopreventstrikinga
pedestrianoranothervehicle,regardlessofthecircumstances.
PASSING
Passingisadangerousmaneuverwherethedangersarecompounded
byintersections,othervehicleswithinanintersectionandtwo-laneroads
(RefertoNoPassingZonesinChapter3).
Ifyouarecaughtspeedingorpassinginaconstructionzoneorworkzoneon
Missouristateroadways,youcouldbefinedaminimumof$250forthefirst
offenseandaminimumof$300forasecondorsubsequentoffenseinaddition
toanyotherfineauthorizedbylawaccordingtoStateStatute304.582.
Usethesamecarewhenpassingapedestrianorcyclistaswhenpassinga
motorvehicle.Youmayneedtoslowdownandwaitforasafeopportunityto
passapedestrianorcyclist,justasyouwouldforanyotherslow-movingtraffic.
Passing on the Right
Thedriverofamotorvehiclemayovertakeandpasstotherightofanother
vehicleonlyunderthefollowingconditions:
Whenthevehicleovertakenismakingorabouttomakealeftturn;
Uponacitystreetwithunobstructedpavementofsufficientwidthfortwo
ormorelinesofvehiclesineachdirection;
Uponaone-waystreet;
Uponanyhighwayoutsideofacitywithunobstructedpavementof
sufficientwidthandclearlymarkedforfourormorelanesoftraffic.
In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the paved or
main traveled portion of the roadway (shoulder).
Passing on the Left
Novehicleshallatanytimebedriventotheleftsideoftheroadwayunder
thefollowingconditions:
Whenapproachingthecrestofagradeoruponacurveofthehighwaywhere
the drivers view is obstructedwithinsuchdistanceastocreateahazardin
theeventanothervehiclemightapproachfromtheoppositedirection;
Whentheviewisobstructeduponapproachingwithinone hundred feet
ofanybridge,viaduct,ortunnel;
Whenapproachingwithinone hundred feet oforatanyintersectionor
railroadgradecrossing;or
Whenthereisasolidyellowline.
CHAPTER 4 RULES OF THE ROAD
INTERSECTIONS
Thefollowingright-of-wayrulesapplyatintersections:
Driversmustyieldwherenecessarytoavoidstrikingpedestrianswhoare
legallycrossingtheroad.
Driverscrossingasidewalkenteringorexitingadriveway,alley,or
parkinglotmustyieldtopedestrians.Itisillegaltodriveonasidewalk
excepttocross.
Driversturningleftmustyieldtooncomingvehiclesgoingstraight.
Atafour-waystop,thedriverreachingtheintersectionfirstmayproceed
beforetheotherdrivers(aftercomingtoacompletestop).
Driversenteringaroadfromadriveway,alley,orroadsidemustyieldto
vehiclesalreadyonthemainroad.
Atanintersectionwherethereisnostopsignortrafficsignal(withthe
exceptionofroundabouts),driversmustyieldtovehiclescomingfromthe
right.
Whenapproachingaroundaboutintersection,alwaysyieldtotrafficin
thecircleandpedestriansinthecrosswalks.Waitforagapintraffic
beforeentering.
EMERGENCY VEHICLES
Youmustyieldtheright-of-waytopolice,fire,ambulance,oranyother
emergencyvehiclesusingasirenorairhorn,andaredorblueflashinglight.
Pullovertotherightedgeoftheroad,orasneartotherightaspossible,
whenyouseeorhearanemergencyvehicleapproachingfromanydirection.
Ifyouareinanintersection,drivethroughtheintersectionbeforeyoupull
over.Remainstoppeduntiltheemergencyvehiclepasses.Followany
instructionsgivenovertheemergencyvehiclesloudspeaker.Emergency
vehiclesmayfolloweachothersoproceedonlywhenthewayisclear.
Whenapproachingastationaryemergencyvehicledisplayinglightedredor
redandbluelights,youmust:
Proceedwithcaution,andifitissafetodoso,makealanechange
intoalanenotadjacenttothestationaryvehicle(ifonaroadwayhaving
atleastfourlaneswithnotlessthantwolanesproceedinginthesame
directionastheapproachingvehicle);or
Proceedwithduecautionandreducethespeedofthevehicle,
maintainingasafespeedforroadconditions,ifchanginglaneswouldbe
unsafeorimpossible.
FormoreinformationregardingtheMoveOverLawseepage116.
SCHOOL BUSES
Whenaschoolbusstopstoloadorunloadschoolchildren,thedriver
activatesthemechanicalandelectricalsignalingdevicestonotifyother
driversofanimpendingstop.Amberwarninglightswillflash500feet
beforethebuscomestoadesignatedstop.Whentheschoolbusis
stopped,thealternateflashingredlightsandthestopsignalarmare
activated.Oncomingandfollowingtrafficmuststopbeforetheyreachthe
buswhenthesesignalsareactivated.Youmuststop:
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45
1. Ona2-laneroadwherethevehiclestravelineitherdirection.
2. Ona2-laneroadthatisaone-waystreet.
Nodriverofaschoolbusshalltakeonordischargepassengersatany
locationuponahighwayconsistingoffourormorelanesoftraffic,whether
ornotdividedbyamedianorbarrier,insuchamannerastorequirethe
passengerstocrossmorethantwolanesoftraffic.Thefollowingaresitua-
tionswhenyoudonothavetostop:
1. Whenyouaretravelingtheoppositedirectionofaschoolbusonahigh-
waydividedbyamedianwherethevehiclestravelingonedirectionareon
atotallyseparateroadfromthevehiclestravelingtheoppositedirection;
2. Whenyouaretravelingtheoppositedirectionofaschoolbusonahigh-
waycontainingfourormorelanesoftraffic;or
3. Whenaschoolbusisstoppedinaloadingzone(ataschool)wherestu-
dentsarenotpermittedtocrosstheroadway.
Afterstoppingforaschoolbusthatisunloadingschoolchildren,watch
forschoolchildrenwalkingalongthesideoftheroad.Youmustremain
stoppeduntilthebusmovesorthebusdriversignalsforyoutoproceed.
Proceedwithcaution.
HAND AND VEHICLE SIGNALS
Beforeyoustop,turnorchangelanes,lettheotherdriversknowwhatyou
aregoingtodobysignaling.Youcansignalwithyourhandandarmor
withyourvehiclesturnsignalsandbrakelights.Youshouldsignalatleast
100feetbeforeyouturnsotheotherdriverscanbeready.Checkyour
vehiclesturnsignalsoftentoensuretheyareworkingproperly.
Thepicturesbelowshowthecorrecthandsignalstousewhenturningor
stopping.
TURNS
Asagooddriver,youshouldgetintotheproperturnlaneandsignalat
least100feetbeforeyouturn.Beforeyoumakeanyturn,youshouldlook
bothwaysforoncomingtrafficorpedestrians.
Iftherearenosignsorlanemarkingstocontrolturning,youshouldturn
fromthelanethatisclosesttothedirectionyouwanttogo,andturninto
thelaneclosesttotheoneyoucamefrom.Thisway,youwillcrossthe
fewestlanesoftraffic.Whenmakingturns,gofromonelanetotheotheras
smoothlyaspossiblewithoutcrossinglanelinesorinterferingwithtraffic.
Onceyouhavecompletedyourturn,youcanchangetoanotherlaneifyou
needto.
U-TURNS
YoushouldonlymakeaU-turnwhenitis
safe.U-turnsshouldnotbemadeonany
curveornearthecrestofahillwhenyour
vehiclemaynotbeseenbyotherdrivers.
Sometownsandcitiesdonotallow
U-turns.NevermakeaU-turnatalocation
thatismarkedwithaNoU-Turnsignorat
anintersectioncontrolledbyatrafficsignal
orpoliceofficer.
RIGHT TURNS
Onrightturns,avoidswingingwidetotheleftbeforeturning.Ifyouswing
wide,thedriverbehindyoumaythinkyouarechanginglanesorgoingto
turnleft,andmaytrytopassyouontheright.Ifyouswingwideasyou
completetheturn,driverswhoareinthefarlanewillnotexpecttoseeyou
thereandyoucouldcauseanaccident.
LEFT TURNS
Whenmakingaleftturn,avoidcuttingthe
cornersosharplythatyourunintosomeone
approachingfromtheleft.However,you
mustleaveroomforoncomingvehiclesto
turnleftinfrontofyou.
ONE-WAY STREET ONTO
A TWO-WAY STREET
Begintheturnintheleftlane.Enterthe
two-wayroadtotherightofitsyellow
dividingline.Ifthetwo-wayroadisafour-
laneroad,youmayenteritintherightlaneif
thatlaneisfreeoftraffic.
TWO-WAY STREET ONTO
A ONE-WAY STREET
Begintheturnwithyourleftwheelasclose
aspossibletotheyellowdividingline.Ifthe
one-wayroadhastwolanes,turnintoitsleft
laneorrightlane,whicheverisfreeoftraffic.
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47
TWO-WAY STREET ONTO
A TWO-WAY STREET
Begintheturnwithyourleftwheels
ascloseaspossibletotheyellow
dividingline.Entertheroadtothe
rightofitscenterline.Iftheroad
ontowhichyouareturningisa
four-laneroad,youmayenteritin
therightlaneiftherightlaneis
freeoftraffic.
MULTIPLE LEFT-TURN
LANES
Somestreetsmayhavemore
thanonelanemarkedforleft
turns.Ifyouareturningfrom
theleftside,left-turnlane,enter
theleftlaneontherightofthe
yellowdividingline.Ifyou
areturningfromtherightside,
left-turnlane,entertheright
lane.
TWO-WAY LEFT-TURN LANES
Somestreetshaveacenterlanemarkedasatwo-wayleft-turnlane.Only
enterthislanewhenpreparingtoslowdownorstopbeforemakingaleft
turnfromthemainroadway.Donotusethislaneastravellane(avehicle
maynottravelinthislaneformorethan500feet),anddonotusethislane
whenenteringtheroadwayfromasidestreet.
ROUNDABOUT
INTERSECTIONS
Ataroundabout,driverswhoapproach
theintersectionmakeaslightright
turntogocounterclockwisearounda
circularcenterisland.Thedrivermay
theneitherexittheroundaboutontoa
differentroadway,orcontinueonthe
sameroadway.Whenapproachinga
roundabout,alwaysyieldtotrafficinthe
circleandpedestriansinthecrosswalks.
LOCAL ORDINANCES
Localgovernmentsmaymaketrafficordinancesinadditiontolawsmade
bythestate.Youmustobeyanytrafficsignorregulationwhethersetbya
municipality,county,orthestate.Citiesandtownsmayhaveregulationsto
dothefollowing:
Setspeedlimits
Setone-waystreets
Setstopsignsatintersections
Prohibitcommercialvehiclesfromusingcertainstreets
Controlparkingbyinstallingmetersorbysomeotherreasonablemethod
Controlturns
Requiretheuseofturnsignals,brakelights,andhornsonallmotor
vehicles
Prohibittheuseofsound-producingwarningdevices
ALWAYS USE YOUR TURN
SIGNALS BEFORE TURNING
OR CHANGING LANES!
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49
Driversareresponsibleformakingsuretheirvehiclesdonotbecome
hazardsaftertheyhavebeenparked.Wheneveryouparkyourvehicle,
besureitisinaplacethatisfarenoughfromanytravellanetoavoid
interferingwithtrafficandvisibletovehiclesapproachingfromeither
direction.
Alwaysparkinadesignatedareaifpossible.
Onone-waystreets,youmaynormallyparkoneithertherightorleftside
ofthestreet.
Alwayssetyourparkingbrakewhenyoupark.Leavethevehiclein
gearifithasamanualtransmission,orinparkifithasanautomatic
transmission.
Checktrafficbeforeyouopenthedoor.Getoutofthevehicleonthe
curbsideifyoucan.Ifyouhavetousethestreetside,checktraffic
beforeyougetout.Alwayshavepassengers,especiallychildren,exit
thevehicleonthecurbside.Checkforbicyclists,whooftentravelonthe
right-handsideofthetravellanes,nearparkedcars.Shutthedooras
soonasyoucanaftergettingout.
Neverleavethekeysinaparkedvehicle.Lockthedoorswheneveryou
leaveyourvehicleifitwillbeoutofyoursightatanytime.
Ifyoumustparkonaroadway,parkyourvehicleasfarawayfromtraffic
aspossible.Ifthereisacurb,parkasclosetoitasyoucan.
Whenyouparkonahill,turnyourwheelssharplytowardsthesideofthe
road.Thisway,ifyourvehiclestartstorolldownhill,itwillrollawayfrom
traffic(refertoParkingOnHills).
NO-PARKING ZONES
Therearemanyareaswhereyoucannotpark.Checkforsignsthatmay
prohibitorlimitparking.Someparkingrestrictionsareindicatedbycolored
curbmarkings.Donotpark:
Inanintersection.
Onacrosswalkorsidewalk.
Acrossadrivewayentrance.
Ontheleftsideofatwo-waystreet.
Alongsideacurbthatispaintedyellow.
Onabridge.
Blockingafirehydrant.
Blockingthenormaltrafficfloworcreatingahazardtootherdrivers.
Withyourvehiclefacingagainsttraffic.
WHEN CAN YOU PARK IN HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES?
Handicappedparkingspacesmayonlybeusedwhenthevehicledisplays
ahandicappedpersonplacardorlicenseplates,andaphysically
handicappedpersonistheoccupantofthemotorvehicleatthetimeof
parking,oraphysicallyhandicappedpersonisbeingdroppedofforpicked
up.
CHAPTER 5 PARKING
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INTERNATIONAL SYMBOL OF ACCESS
Thissymbolmarksspacesforvehiclesoperated
byorusedtotransportpeoplewithhandicaps.
Violators, when convicted, shall be punished by
a fine of no less than fifty dollars ($50) and no
more than three hundred dollars ($300).
Thelawalsoprovidesthat:
Itisillegaltoparkinhandicappedparkingaccessaisles.
Itisillegaltouseahandicappedpersonsplacardorlicenseplatesto
parkindesignatedhandicappedparkingspacesifthehandicapped
personisnotbeingtransportedatthetime.
PARKING ON HILLS
Beforeleavingyourparkedvehicle:
Turnyourwheelsintheproperdirection(seegraphicbelow);
Turnoffthemotor,leavingthevehicleinpropergear;
Settheemergency/parkingbrake;
Removethekeysfromtheignition;
Checkyourrearviewmirrorfortrafficbeforesteppingout;and
Lockitandpocketthekeys.
Beforeyoudriveawayfromanyparkingspace,besuretocheckfortraffic
andsignal.
PARKING ON HILLS
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PARALLEL PARKING
1. Stopevenwiththevehicleaheadoftheparkingspaceabout1feetto
theleftofthatvehicle.
2. Turnwheelssharplytotheright,andbackslowlyintotheparkingspace.
Besurethefrontofyourvehicledoesnotblockpassingoroncoming
traffic.
3. Whenclearofthefrontvehicle,turnwheelssharplytotheleftand
continuebacking.
4. Turnwheelssharplytotherightandpullforwardtowardthecurb.Park
inthecenteroftheparkingspace.
IN A PARKING LOT WITH MARKED
PARKING SPACES, CENTER YOUR
VEHICLE SO OTHER DRIVERS
HAVE ROOM TO ENTER
AND EXIT THEIR VEHICLES!
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Gooddrivingrequiresyoutobeobservantandawareofyoursurroundings.
Youmustlookdowntheroad,tothesides,andbehindyourvehicle,andbe
alertforunexpectedevents.Manyaccidentsoccurbecausedriversdonot
payenoughattentiontotheirdriving.Donottakeyoureyesofftheroad
formorethanafewsecondsatanyonetime.Forexample,ifyouneedto
lookatamap,pullsafelyofftheroad.Donottrytoreadthemapwhileyou
aredriving.
DRIVE IN THE PROPER LANE
Whendrivingonahighwaywithatotaloftwolanes(onelaneineach
direction),driveintherighthandlane.Youmaycrossthecenterlinefor
passingwhentherearenooncomingvehiclesandnosolidyellowline.
Onhighwayswithatotaloffourormorelanes(twoormorelanesineach
direction),alwayskeeptotherightunlessyouarepassingslowertraffic,
lettinganotherdriverhaveroomtoentersafely,orgettingreadytomakea
legalleftturn.
CONTROLLING SPEED
Thebestwaytocontrolyourspeedistoknowhowfastyouaregoing.
Checkthespeedometeroften,andpayattentiontothepostedspeedlimits.
Thisisespeciallytruewhenyouleavehighspeedroadsandbegindriving
onmuchslowerlocalroads.FormoreinformationonMissourisspeed
limits,refertoChapter3.
PASSING ON HIGHWAYS
Use the left lane only to pass another vehicle. Youcanusetheright
lanewhenpassingavehiclethatismakingaleftturn.Neverusethe
shoulderorunpavedpartofthehighwaytopass.
Before you pass a vehicle in front
of you, make sure you are in a safe
passing zone.Onfour-lane
highways,checktheleftlanefor
trafficbyusingyourleftandinside
rearviewmirrorsandbrieflylooking
overyourleftshoulder.Looking
overyourleftshoulderisimportant
becauseitallowsyoutocheckfor
blindspots.Blind spotsarethe
spacesyoucannotseewithyour
rearviewmirrors.Donotdrivein
anothervehiclesblindspot.
Try to avoid driving on either side and slightly to the rear of another
vehicle.Eitherspeedupordropbacksotheotherdrivercanseeyour
vehiclemoreeasily.
CHAPTER 6 HIGHWAY DRIVING
When passing another vehicle, get through the other drivers blind
spot as quickly as you can without exceeding the speed limit.The
longeryoustaythere,thelongeryouareindangerofhavingthevehicle
collidewithyourvehicle.
Never stay alongside, or immediately behind, a large vehicle such
as a truck or bus.Thesevehicleshavelargeblindspotsanditishard
fortheirdriverstoseeyou.Ifyoucannotseethetruckdriversfacein
thetruckssidemirror,thetruckdrivercannotseeyou.Ittakeslongerto
passatruck.Afteryoupass,makesureyoucanseethecabofthetruck
inyourrearviewmirrorbeforereenteringthelane.Maintainyourspeed.
Donotslowdownonceyouareinfrontofthetruck.
If the way is clear, signal that you are changing lanes.Passtheother
vehiclequicklyandsmoothly,beingcarefulnottoexceedthespeedlimit.
Give plenty of room to the vehicle you just passed. Donotturnbackintothe
rightlaneuntilyouseethepassedvehicleinyourrearviewmirror.Rememberto
lookoveryourrightshouldertocheckyourblindspot,andbesuretosignal.
BEING PASSED
Ifanothervehiclebeginstopassyou,stayinyourlaneanddonotincrease
yourspeed.Ifmanyvehiclesarepassingyouintherightlaneofamulti-
laneroadway,youareprobablygoingslowerthantherestofthetraffic.
Unlessyouwillbeturningleftsoon,youshouldmoveintotherightlane
whenthewayisclear.
ADJUSTING TO TRAFFIC
Vehiclesmovinginthesamedirectionandlane,andatthesamespeed
cannothitoneanother.Accidentsinvolvingtwoormorevehiclesoften
happenwhendriversgofasterorslowerthanothervehiclesontheroad.
Ifyouaregoingfasterthantraffic,youwillhavetokeeppassingothers.
Eachtimeyoupasssomeone,thereisachanceforacollision.Thevehicle
youarepassingmaychangelanessuddenly,oronatwo-laneroad,an
oncomingvehiclemayappearsuddenly.Slowdown,andkeeppacewith
othertraffic.Speedingdoesnotsavemorethanafewminutesanhour.
Goingmuchslowerthanothervehiclescanbejustasbadasspeeding.
Ittendstomakevehiclesbunchupbehindyouanddriversthenbecome
impatientandpassyou.Ifvehiclesarepiledupbehindyou,pulloverand
letthempasswhenitissafetodoso.
BE AWARE OF THE TRAFFIC AROUND YOU
Checkyourrearviewmirrorseveryfewsecondstokeeptrackofthe
approachingtraffic.Makesureotherdriversseeyou.Besuretokeepasafe
distance(refertoChapter8)betweenyouandthevehicleinfrontofyou.
SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC
Somevehiclescannottravelveryfast,orhavetroublekeepingupwiththe
speedoftraffic.Ifyouspotthesevehiclesearly,youhavetimetochange
lanesorslowdownsafely.Slowingsuddenlycancauseatrafficaccident.
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Watchforlargetrucksandsmall,underpoweredvehiclesonsteep
gradesorwhentheyareenteringtraffic.Theycanlosespeedonlong
orsteephillsanditmaytakelongerforthesevehiclestogetuptospeed
whentheyentertraffic.
STOPPING
Neverstoponthehighwayitself.Manyhighwayshavereststopsand
serviceareas.
Bealertsothatyouknowwellaheadoftimewhenyouwillhavetostop.
Stoppingsuddenlyisdangerous.Brakingquicklycouldcauseyoutolose
controlofyourvehicle.Youalsomakeitharderfordriversbehindyouto
stopwithouthittingyou.Trytoavoidpanicstopsbyseeingeventswellin
advance.Byslowingdownorchanginglanes,youmaynothavetostopat
all,andifyoudo,itcanbeamoregradualandsaferstop.
Youcanstopontheshoulderofthehighwayinanemergency.Ifyoudo,
alertotherdriversbyturningonyouremergencyflashers.Itisalsohelpful
toraisethehood,ortieawhiteclothtotheantenna.
CONTROLLED ACCESS HIGHWAYS
Manyhighwayshavecontrolledaccess.Thismeansyoucanenteror
leavethehighwayonlywherethereareentranceorexitramps.
ENTERING THE HIGHWAY
Entrancerampsareshort,one-wayrampsusedtogetonthehighway.At
theendofmostentrancerampsisanaccelerationlane.Usetherampand
accelerationlanetoincreaseyourspeedtomatchthespeedofthevehicles
onthehighway.
Asyouarespeedingup,watchforanopeninginthehighwaytraffic.
Switchonyourturnsignal,andpullsmoothlyintothetraffic.DONOTstop
attheendofanaccelerationlaneunlesstrafficisveryheavyandyouhave
tostop.
Driversalreadyonthehighwayshouldgiveyouroomtoenter,butifthey
dont,DONOTforceyourwayontothehighway.Youmustyieldtheright-
of-waytothem,evenifthatmeansstoppingattheendofanacceleration
lane.
LEAVING THE HIGHWAY
Exitrampsareshort,one-wayramps.Atthebeginningofmostexitramps
isadecelerationlane.Makesureyouareintheproperlanetoleavethe
highwaywellinadvanceofthedecelerationlane.
Usethedecelerationlaneandtheexitramptoslowdownwhenleavingthe
highway.Besureyouobeythespeedadvisorysignontheexitramp.Be
readytostoporyieldattheendoftheramp.
Ifyoumissyourexit,DONOTstop,backup,ortrytoturnaroundonthe
highway.Youwillhavetogetoffthehighwayatthenextexitandcome
backtotheexityoumissed.
INTERCHANGES
Wheretwobusyhighwaysmeet,theremaybeinterchangesinsteadof
entranceandexitramps.Aninterchangecanbeconfusingifyouhavenot
drivenonitbefore.Therearedirectionalsignsoninterchangesthatcan
helpyoudeterminewhereyouneedtogo.
SOME COMMON INTERCHANGE DESIGNS:
WATCH OUT FOR HIGHWAY HYPNOSIS
Highwayhypnosiscanmakeyoufeelsleepyandunawareofthetraffic
aroundyou.Highwayhypnosisiscausedbythesamenessoftheroadand
traffic.Thehumofthewind,tires,andenginealsoaddstothehypnosis.
55
Cloverleaf Diamond
Directional Trumpet
Youcanavoidhighwayhypnosisbyconstantlymovingyoureyesand
watchingthetrafficandhighwaysignsaroundyou.Ifyoufeelsleepy,pull
offthehighway.Donotriskfallingasleepatthewheel.
STOP DRIVING WHEN YOU FEEL SLEEPY
Whenyoufeeltired,itishardertomakedecisionsandtoreacttothetraffic
aroundyou.Youmayfallasleepatthewheel.Whenyoufeelsleepy,pull
offthehighwayatthenearestreststoporservicearea.Ifyouarereally
sleepy,takeanap.Tireddriversareagreatdangertothemselves,other
drivers,andcanbeasdangerousasintoxicateddrivers.
EMERGENCIES
Ifyourvehiclebreaksdownonahighway,makesureotherdriverscan
seeyouandyourvehicle.Accidentsoccurbecauseadriverdidnotseea
stalledvehicleuntilitwastoolatetostop.
Ifpossible,usea2-wayradio,telephone,orcellularphonetonotify
authoritiesthatyourvehicle(orsomeoneelses)hasbrokendown.Many
roadwayshavesignsthattellyoutheCBchannelortelephonenumberto
callinanemergency.Thecellularnumbertocallinanemergencyis*55.
Ifyouarehavingvehicletroubleandhavetostop,considerthefollowing:
Ifatallpossible,getyourvehicleofftheroadandawayfromtraffic.
Turnonyouremergencyflasherstoshowyouarehavingtrouble.
Ifyoucannotgetyourvehicleofftheroadway,trytostopwhereother
drivershaveaclearviewofyourvehicle.Donotstopjustoverahillor
justaroundacurve.
Trytowarnotherdriversthatyourvehicleisthere.Placeemergency
flaresbehindthevehicle.Thisalertsotherdriverstochangelanesif
necessary.
Neverstandintheroadway.Donottrytochangeatireifitmeans
youhavetobeinatrafficlane.Liftthehoodortieawhiteclothtothe
antenna,sidemirror,ordoorhandletosignalanemergency.
IF YOUR VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN
ON THE ROADSIDE, STAY INSIDE.
YOU ARE SAFER INSIDE YOUR
VEHICLE THAN OUTSIDE.
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Somethingsyoushouldknowwhensharingtheroadwithmotorcycles:
Motorcyclesareoftenoverlookedbymotorists.
Itisnotalwayseasytojudgethespeedordistanceofamotorcycle.
Onresidentialstreets,especiallythosewithparkedcars,travelator
belowthespeedlimit,dependingonsightdistance.
Motorcyclistschangespeedandlanepositionwhenencounteringbad
roadconditions,suchasmanholecovers,diagonalrailroadtracks,road
debris,orinstrongwinds.Bereadytoreact.
Youshouldnotsharealanewithamotorcycle.Themotorcyclistneeds
theentirelaneforsafetyreasons.
Whenyouarepassing,givemotorcyclesafulllanewidth.Donot
squeezepasttheseroadusers.Waitforaclearstretchofroadbefore
passingacyclistinalanetoonarrowtoshare.
SAFETY TIPS FOR MOTORCYCLE RIDERS
1. Thelawrequiresyoutowearahelmet.Wearingasafety-certified
helmetcanpreventseriousheadinjuriesordeath.
2. Besureyourmotorcycleisinsafeconditionandhasalltheequipment
requiredbylaw.
3. Makesuremotoristsseeyou.Wearbrightcoloredclothesandstayout
ofavehiclesblindspots.Useproperlightsandreflectorswhenriding
afterdark.
4. Makesureyousignalbeforeyouslowdown,changelanesorturn.
Beforemerging,changinglanes,orturning,scanbehindandinfront
toensurethatitissafetomakethismaneuver.Dosoinplentyof
timeandincooperationwithotherdriverswhowillbeaffectedby
yourmove.Ifitisnotsafe,continueonastraightcourseandscan
repeatedly.Onlymoveonceitissafe.
5. Becarefulwhenpassingtotheleftofaparkedormovingvehicle.You
shouldleave3to4feetofclearancetoavoidsuddenlyopenedcar
doorsortoallowforavehicletoswerve.
6. Beextracarefulatintersections.Donotassumeyourright-of-way
whenthereisavehicleapproaching.Beawarethatmotorvehicle
driversmaynotseeyouapproachingtheintersection,ormaybelieve
thatyouaremovingataslowerspeedthanyouare.
7. Keepasteadylineandbepredictableasacourtesytoothertrafficand
toincreaseyourpersonalsafety.
MOTORCYCLE DRIVERS NEED A DRIVER LICENSE
Todriveanymotorcycleonthepublicstreets,youmusthaveavaliddriver
licensewithamotorcycleendorsementoramotorcyclelicense.