Permits and the Graduated Driver License

Key points

1. First time drivers under 18 must hold an instruction permit and then a restricted intermediate license before getting a full license.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “Missouri’s Graduated Driver License Law requires all first-time drivers under 18 years old to obtain an instruction permit and complete a period of driving with a licensed driver”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 15

2. The instruction permit, step one of the program, is available at 15.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “Step One: Instruction Permit Eligible Age: 15 See chart on Page 8 for cost.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 15

3. Under 16, a permit holder may drive only with a parent, stepparent, grandparent, legal guardian, qualified instructor, or a person at least 25 who has been licensed for at least 3 years.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “Under age 16, you may drive only when accompanied in the front seat by a parent, stepparent, grandparent, legal guardian, qualified driving instructor, or a person who is at least 25 years of age who has been licensed for a minimum of three years”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 15

4. At 16 or older, a permit holder may drive with someone in the front seat who is at least 21 and holds a valid license.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “At age 16 or older, you may drive when accompanied in the front seat by a person who is at least 21 years old and has a valid driver license.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 15

5. You must hold the permit at least 6 months (182 days) before moving to an intermediate license.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “You must have an instruction permit for a minimum of six months (182 days) beginning the day after issuance.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 16

6. You need 40 hours of driving instruction, including at least 10 hours at night.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “The required 40 hours must include at least ten hours of nighttime driving.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 16

7. For the first 6 months of an intermediate license, you may carry no more than 1 passenger under 19 who is not immediate family.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “During the first six months, you may not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger who is under the age of 19 and who is not a member of your immediate family”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 16

8. After the first 6 months, the limit is 3 passengers under 19 who are not immediate family.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “After the first six months, you may not operate a motor vehicle with more than three passengers who are under 19 years of age”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 16

9. An intermediate license holder may not drive alone from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. except for school activities, work or emergencies, unless a licensed driver 21 or older is along.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “You may not drive alone between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. except to and from a school activity, job, or an emergency, unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years of age or older.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 16

10. To move up to the full license, you need no alcohol related offenses or traffic convictions in the last 12 months.

    Source: Handbook p. 17

    “This includes having no alcohol-related offenses or traffic convictions in the last 12 months.”
    Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 17

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Missouri practice test

1. 1. What is the eligible age for a Missouri instruction permit?

   1. 17
   2. 14
   3. 16
   4. 15
   Show answer

   15. A Missouri instruction permit begins the graduated licensing process at age 15. The age 16 option describes the usual minimum age for the intermediate step, not the initial permit. The permit is a learning stage, so the driver must also meet the examination and supervision requirements before driving. Remember the sequence as permit first, intermediate next, and full under 21 license after that. When a question asks when a young driver can start the program, look for 15 rather than the age attached to the next license stage.

2. 2. A Missouri instruction permit holder who is 16 or older is driving. Who must accompany the permit holder in the front seat?

   1. Any licensed driver of any age
   2. A parent only
   3. No one, once the holder turns 16
   4. A person at least 21 years old with a valid driver license
   Show answer

   A person at least 21 years old with a valid driver license. Missouri ties the supervising driver to age and licensing rather than to family. From age 16 the permit holder may drive with a person who is at least 21 and holds a valid driver license sitting in the front seat. A licensed 18 year old friend does not qualify, the rule is not limited to parents, and turning 16 does not remove the supervision requirement; that comes with the intermediate license. Younger permit holders face a stricter list of qualifying supervisors, so the age in the question matters.

3. 3. How long must a Missouri instruction permit be held before the driver can graduate to an intermediate license?

   1. At least 120 days
   2. At least 90 days
   3. At least 182 days
   4. At least 365 days
   Show answer

   At least 182 days. The permit must be held for a minimum of six months, stated in the guide as 182 days beginning the day after issuance. The 90 day and 120 day choices shorten the learning period, while 365 days doubles it. This holding period is only one graduation condition, because the applicant also needs the required instruction hours and must satisfy the applicable record and testing rules. When counting, do not start with the issuance date itself. The guide specifically anchors the 182 day period to the following day.

Source: the Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 1: The Missouri Driver License. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.