The Missouri permit test has 25 questions, and you need 20 correct (80%) to pass. Official source. Page updated 2026-10-22.
Study this first
Key Missouri DMV rules and numbers
These are key rules and numbers from the Missouri handbook, a few per topic so they fit on one printed page. We favor rules that state a specific number. Every fact below comes from our free Missouri DMV practice test question bank, which has 500 questions across 9 topics, checked against the Missouri handbook (last verified 2026-09-07).
Speed limits
- Missouri interstates have a maximum limit of 70 mph unless a posted lower limit applies. (Handbook, p. 50)
- Missouri sets the speed limit in any city, town, or village at 25 mph unless a different limit is posted. (Handbook, p. 50)
- Missouri gives local governments a role in traffic control beyond state laws. (Handbook, p. 27)
- The school-zone rule is activated by either of two visible conditions: flashing school-zone lights or children being present. (Handbook, p. 30)
- The best way to control speed, according to the Missouri guide, is to know how fast you are going by checking the speedometer often and watching posted limits. (Handbook, p. 37)
Right of way
- In its section on mopeds and bicycles, the Missouri guide sets a plain brake standard: the brakes must be able to stop you within 25 feet when traveling ten mph. (Handbook, p. 33)
- At an uncontrolled intersection, Missouri directs the driver approaching from the left to yield to the vehicle coming from the right. (Handbook, p. 23)
- A left turn crosses the path of opposing traffic, so the turning driver must yield to an oncoming vehicle that is proceeding straight. (Handbook, p. 23)
- A white cane or guide dog identifies a pedestrian who is blind, and Missouri requires vehicles to come to a complete stop while that person crosses. (Handbook, p. 31)
- An organized funeral procession has priority at every intersection regardless of the traffic control device. (Handbook, p. 33)
Alcohol and DUI
- Missouri identifies 0.08% BAC or more as illegal for an ordinary adult driver. (Handbook, p. 71)
- The guide lists the alcohol offenses that let a state court suspend or revoke the license of a person older than 15 and under 21. (Handbook, p. 69)
- At or above 0.08% BAC, the guide says the officer takes the license and gives the driver a notice. (Handbook, p. 67)
- The notice can allow the driver to request a hearing or, if eligible, request an immediate 90-day Restricted Driving Privilege. (Handbook, p. 67)
- The administrative notice tells the driver that the license will be suspended or revoked after 15 days. (Handbook, p. 67)
Signals and markings
- Missouri fixes a stopping window for railroad crossings: when you must stop, stop within 15 to 50 feet before the tracks. (Handbook, p. 51)
- The Missouri guide says a school bus's amber warning lights will flash 500 feet before the bus comes to a designated stop, warning drivers of an impending stop. (Handbook, p. 23)
- The guide advises signaling at least 100 feet before turning so other drivers have time to recognize the intended movement. (Handbook, p. 24)
- The Missouri guide says your headlights only let you see about 350 feet ahead, and it warns drivers not to overdrive their headlights. (Handbook, p. 62)
- The Missouri guide says you may not drive slower than 40 mph on interstate highways under normal roadway conditions. (Handbook, p. 50)
Parking
- The Missouri guide begins parallel parking by having you stop even with the vehicle ahead of the open space, about 1½ feet to the left of it. (Handbook, p. 36)
- Missouri's list of places you cannot park includes on a bridge, blocking a fire hydrant, blocking the normal flow of traffic or creating a hazard to other drivers, and parking with your vehicle facing against traffic. (Handbook, p. 35)
- Missouri tells drivers parking on a hill to turn the wheels sharply toward the side of the road. (Handbook, p. 35)
- Missouri lists the left side of a two-way street among the places you may not park. (Handbook, p. 35)
- Missouri's checklist for parking on a hill starts with turning the wheels in the proper direction. (Handbook, p. 36)
Safe driving
- A child weighing less than 40 pounds must use a child passenger restraint system appropriate for that child, regardless of age. (Handbook, p. 55)
- The air bag safety section says children 12 and under should always ride properly restrained in a rear seat. (Handbook, p. 55)
- Missouri places a child in the older-child classification when the child is at least eight years old, at least 80 pounds, or taller than 4 feet 9 inches. (Handbook, p. 56)
- Missouri bars passing when approaching within 100 feet of or at any intersection or railroad grade crossing. (Handbook, p. 22)
- Missouri requires low beams when following another vehicle within 300 feet. (Handbook, p. 62)
Road signs
- A turn sign alerts the driver to a sharp bend or another turn whose recommended maximum speed is 30 mph or less. (Handbook, p. 47)
- The Missouri guide says a reflective orange triangle on the rear of a vehicle means it is traveling less than 25 mph, and that you may see this sign on construction equipment or farm vehicles. (Handbook, p. 47)
- A J turn replaces a direct crossing movement with a right turn in the same direction as traffic, a merge into the far left lane, and a left turn toward the intended destination. (Handbook, p. 27)
- A stop sign requires a full stop, not merely a reduction in speed. (Handbook, p. 49)
- The yield sign calls for a slower approach and a right-of-way check. (Handbook, p. 49)
Laws and paperwork
- The guide sets a minimum $250 fine for a first speeding or passing offense in a construction or work zone on Missouri state roadways. (Handbook, p. 22)
- A second or subsequent speeding or passing offense in a Missouri state construction or work zone carries a listed minimum of $300, in addition to any other authorized fine. (Handbook, p. 22)
- The examiner subtracts points for driving errors throughout the skills test, and losing more than 30 points causes failure. (Handbook, p. 21)
- An applicant for a Class F operator license takes a 25-question multiple-choice written test. (Handbook, p. 18)
- Missouri requires 20 correct answers on the 25-question written test. (Handbook, p. 2)
Emergencies
- Missouri uses a minimum acuity standard of 20/40 with either or both eyes for the vision test. (Handbook, p. 18)
- The guide lists *55 as the cellular number to call in a highway emergency. (Handbook, p. 41)
- Missouri expanded its Move Over law in 2017. (Handbook, p. 98)
- An organized funeral procession has priority at intersections regardless of the traffic control device, but the guide names an emergency vehicle as an exception. (Handbook, p. 33)
- If changing lanes would be unsafe or impossible, Missouri requires the driver to proceed with due caution and reduce speed while maintaining a safe speed for road conditions. (Handbook, p. 23)
Want the reasoning behind these rules? Study the handbook, chapter by chapter, in 20 short lessons quoted from the Missouri manual.
Signs
Sign shape and color carry meaning before you even read the words. A red octagon always means stop, a red-bordered triangle pointing down means yield, and yellow diamonds warn of a hazard ahead. For every sign image used in our practice test, with the exact meaning and explanation, see the full road sign glossary.
Keep studying
This cheat sheet is a summary, not a substitute for practice. Test yourself with the free Missouri DMV practice test, which explains the reasoning behind every answer, or see Missouri DMV facts and fees before test day.