Missouri Driver Guide: study guide

Key rules by chapter

A few of the rules from each chapter that come up in our practice questions:

1. The Missouri Driver License

• Under 16, besides a parent, stepparent, grandparent, guardian or qualified instructor, a supervisor must be at least 25, licensed at least three years, and have written parent/guardian permission.
• At age 16 or older, a permit holder may drive with a person at least 21 with a valid driver license in the front seat.
• You must hold the instruction permit for at least six months (182 days) beginning the day after issuance.

2. The Driver Examination

• You will not be tested on the information on commercial vehicles in Chapter 15 on the Class F test; the Class E test includes it.
• The standard minimum acuity is at least 20/40 with either or both eyes.
• The standard minimum peripheral reading is at least 55 degrees in each eye or 85 degrees in one eye.

3. Rules of the Road

• The law says who must yield the right-of-way; it does not give any driver the right-of-way. You must do everything you can to avoid a crash.
• If you are in an intersection, drive through it before you pull over; then remain stopped until the emergency vehicle passes.
• Amber warning lights flash 500 feet before the bus comes to a designated stop.

4. Sharing the Road

• Operation of an electric bicycle as defined in 301.010 RSMo does not require an operator or motorcycle license.
• An organized funeral procession has the right-of-way at all intersections regardless of traffic controls, except for emergency vehicles or as directed by law enforcement.
• Because of their size, large trucks may swing out to the left as the first step in making a right turn; watch its signals before passing.

5. Parking

• Do not park on the left side of a two-way street or with your vehicle facing against traffic.
• The vehicle must display a handicapped placard or plates and a physically handicapped person must be an occupant or being dropped off or picked up.
• Violators shall be fined no less than $50 and no more than $300.

6. Highway Driving

• The cellular number to call in an emergency is *55 (or 911 in metropolitan areas when reporting road rage).
• In a DDI you travel on the left side of the roadway for a short distance; directional signs help you find your way.
• Speeding does not save more than a few minutes an hour; slow down and keep pace with traffic.

7. Pavement Markings, Traffic Signs, and Signals

• Dark signals, or traffic signals that aren't working, operate as a four-way stop.
• If you want to turn and only the straight arrow is showing, you must wait for the turn arrow.
• You must obey traffic officers at all times and ignore signs or signals; if an officer signals you to stop at a green light, you must stop.

8. Safe Driving Tips For Everyday Driving

• Place your left hand between the seven and nine o'clock positions and your right hand between three and five o'clock.
• Use the three-second rule: if you reach the object before finishing 'one-thousand three,' you are too close.
• If there is no right lane, wait until the road ahead is clear and reduce speed slowly; never slow down quickly to discourage a tailgater.

9. Safe Driving Tips For Special Driving Conditions

• Leave a safe distance of about eight to ten seconds behind the vehicle ahead on snow or ice.
• Turn headlights on from ½ hour after sunset until ½ hour before sunrise, and any time weather requires wipers.
• Use your low beams when you come within 500 feet (about one block) of an oncoming vehicle.

10. Alcohol, Drugs, and Driving

• It is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or more.
• The limit is 0.02% for drivers under 21.
• Commercial vehicle drivers may not drive with a BAC of 0.04% or more.

11. The Point System

• The guide's table lists speeding at 3 points. It also notes that a speeding conviction can be two or three points, depending on whether the court is municipal, county or state.
• Operating with a suspended or revoked license is 12 points.
• Accumulating 8 or more points in 18 months results in suspension.

13. Mandatory Insurance

• Minimum coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury and $25,000 per crash for property damage.
• The law also requires uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury.
• State law requires the accident report to be filed within 30 days.

14. Safety and Emissions Inspections & Required Equipment

• If your vehicle passes, the certificate of inspection is good for 60 days (90 days from a Missouri dealer if inspected within 60 days before purchase).

16. Distracted Driving and Electronic Communication Devices

• While moving, drivers may not hold or support a phone, type or read texts, record or broadcast video, or watch video; hands-free calls are allowed.
• The law allows hands-free voice calls, voice-to-text, GPS navigation, and music or podcast functions.
• Because texting requires visual, manual and cognitive attention, it is by far the most high-risk distraction.

How to study the handbook

Read one chapter, then take a practice test. Every answer explanation names the handbook section it comes from, so when you get one wrong, go back to that section. Pay most attention to exact numbers and to the rules specific to Missouri, which are where most people lose points.