Missouri license renewal for older drivers
Every renewal requires the vision and road sign tests (all ages). Drivers 70 and older receive a 3-year license instead of 6 years. The DOR lists no age-based road test, but anyone can be referred for a medical review (Driver Condition Report, Form 4319). School bus endorsement holders 75 and older must pass a school bus skills test for each annual renewal. Check with the DOR before you go.
Preparing for the renewal test
If you need to take a written or signs test to renew, it covers the same handbook as new drivers' tests. Our Missouri practice tests and road signs test are free to use, and the read-aloud button can help if small print is hard to read.
Rules that may have changed since you first got your license
Some of the rules in today's Missouri handbook are newer than many drivers' first test. Worth a look before renewal:
- Phones: Hands-free law (RSMo 304.822): while the vehicle is moving, no driver of any age may hold or support a phone with any part of the body, type, write, send or read texts, record, post or broadcast video, or watch video. Hands-free calls, voice-to-text, GPS navigation and audio are allowed. Before Jan 1, 2025 violations drew warnings; now they are infractions with fines up to $150 (first), $250 (second within 24 months) and $500 (third or later, or in a work zone or school zone). No separate teen-only phone rule.
- Move over: For a stationary emergency vehicle with red or red-and-blue lights, or a vehicle with amber or amber-and-white lights: on a road with at least four lanes (two your way) change into a lane not adjacent to it if safe; otherwise slow down and proceed with caution. Violation is a Class A misdemeanor. For moving emergency vehicles, pull to the right and stop (drive through an intersection first).
- School buses: Amber lights flash 500 feet before the bus stops; when red lights flash and the stop arm is out, traffic from both directions must stop on a two-lane road. No stop needed when traveling the opposite direction on a divided highway with separate roadways, on a highway with four or more lanes, or when the bus is in a school loading zone where students may not cross. Remain stopped until the bus moves or the driver signals. Conviction: 5 points; 90-day suspension (first and second offense within 5 years), 180 days for a third.
- Alcohol: the limit for adult drivers is 0.08%.
Vision standard
Acuity at least 20/40 with either or both eyes; peripheral vision at least 55 degrees in each eye or 85 degrees in one eye. If both natural and corrected acuity are worse than 20/160, or combined peripheral is worse than 70 degrees, no driving test and no license.
Source: Missouri Department of Revenue, Driver License Bureau (tests given by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, MSHP), checked 2026-10-27.