Missouri’s Teen Driver’s License and Insurance Requirements

Missouri uses a graduated license program to advance young drivers from a temporary instruction permit to an intermediate license and, finally, to an unrestricted driver's license. Below, we explain how this system works and the minimum car insurance you'll need to start driving.

How Do I Get a Temporary Instruction Permit to Start Driving in Missouri?

Getting a temporary instruction permit is the first step toward getting a driver's license. Here are the requirements and restrictions that apply to instruction permits. (Mo. Ann. Stat. § 302.130 (2024).)

Requirements to Get an Instruction Permit

Fifteen-year-olds can apply for a temporary instruction permit by passing a vision test and a written exam covering state traffic laws. The application must include proof of residency or citizenship and valid identification. A parent or guardian must sign the application and certify that he or she will supervise the driver and log at least 40 hours of supervised drive time.

Instruction Permit Restrictions

This permit is valid for 12 months and allows the licensee to drive as long as an "eligible adult" is in the front seat at all times. An eligible adult is a parent, guardian, or grandparent. A parent can give written consent for another person to supervise if the person is at least 25 years old and has been licensed for at least three years. Permit holders over 16 years old can be supervised by any licensed driver who's at least 21 years old.

The permit holder will also have a "PERMIT DRIVER" sticker attached to the driver's license and must attach a PERMIT DRIVER sticker to the rear window of any vehicle driven.

All passengers in the vehicle must have seat belts.

Who Qualifies for Missouri's Intermediate Driver's License?

With parental approval, 16-year-olds who have held a temporary instruction permit for six months can take a driving test to obtain an intermediate license. (Mo. Ann. Stat. § 302.178 (2024).)

Prerequisites for an Intermediate Driver's License

Along with the intermediate license application, the teen must provide a driving log showing 40 hours of supervised driving (including ten nighttime hours) signed by a parent, guardian, grandparent, or certified driver's education instructor. The applicant must also be free of any alcohol-related law enforcement contact in the last 12 months and have no traffic tickets for the last six months. A written test of traffic laws may be required if the instruction permit was held for more than one year.

Intermediate License Restrictions

The driver can't drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless supervised by an eligible adult. Exemptions also exist for travel to and from work or school and in emergency situations.

For the first six months of holding an intermediate license, the driver can transport only one non-family member passenger under 19 years old. After the first six months, the driver is limited to transporting up to three non-family member passengers under 19 years old. All passengers and drivers must wear seat belts. The passenger restriction does not apply to agricultural transportation.

Penalties for Violations of License Restrictions

Violations of the license restrictions are infractions but will not result in driving record points. However, minor drivers who accumulate six points in a 12-month period for other violations will be required to take a driver improvement program.

When Can I Get a Non-Restricted Driver's License in Missouri?

Thirty days prior to turning 18, an intermediate license holder can apply for an unrestricted driver's license. The applicant must have no driving record points in the last 12 months and must be free of any alcohol-related law enforcement contacts for the last 12 months.

What Are Missouri's Minimum Car Insurance Requirements?

Any vehicle operated or registered in Missouri must be properly insured. Below, are the minimum coverage requirements and the penalties for uninsured driving.

Minimum Car Insurance Coverage

In Missouri, the mandatory insurance requirements are:

• Liability coverage. Must include at least $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $10,000 property damage per accident.
• Uninsured/Underinsured coverage. Must include at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

(Mo. Ann. Stat. § 303.020 (2024).)

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

Uninsured driving is a class D misdemeanor and can result in a fine of up to $500. A second or subsequent offense will result in up to 15 days in jail and a fine of $200 to $500. Driving without insurance will also result in four points being assessed to the driver's record or court supervision.

All convictions will be forwarded to the Missouri Department of Revenue for driver's license suspension.

• First offense: license suspended until proof of insurance is shown; $20 fee.
• Second offense: license suspended for 90 days; $200 fee.
• Third offense: license suspended for one year; $400 fee.

All fees must be paid and proof of insurance must be shown before license reinstatement. (Mo. Ann. Stat. § 303.025 (2024).)