What is the Missouri Driver Education course?
The Missouri Driver Education course is an online course that will teach you everything a first-time driver needs to know to be safe and competent on the roadway. We cover the following topics and much, much more:
- Defensive driving techniques
- Traffic laws
- What traffic signs, signals, and pavement markings mean
- Who has the right-of-way in different traffic scenarios
- How to accurately assess risks on the roadway
- How to share the road with other roadway users
- How alcohol and drugs affect driving skills
Our online course is full of videos and games to make the learning experience fun and interactive and to help you retain the information. Our Missouri Driver Education course is also a great way to prepare for your written and road sign recognition tests.
When you complete our course, we'll email you your Certificate of Completion, free of charge.
A Quick Guide to Getting Your Missouri Driver License If You're Under Age 18
Missouri follows a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program for young drivers. Young drivers are disproportionately represented in traffic collisions and fatalities.
GDL programs aim to decrease young drivers' risk by implementing different phases of licensing with different requirements and restrictions.
Basically, as drivers get older and gain more experience behind the wheel, they're allowed more driving privileges. There are 3 stages to Missouri's GDL program: instruction permit,
intermediate license and full driver license.
Stage One: Get Your Instruction Permit.
You must be at least 15 years old to apply for your instruction permit. You must also pass a vision exam, a road sign recognition test, and a written test at an examination station.
A qualified person must accompany you to the license office to sign a permission statement. A qualified person is a parent, legal guardian, or a certified trainer with a federal residential job training program with a valid driver license.
Once you get your instruction permit, if you're under age 16, you may only drive when accompanied by a licensed driver in the front passenger seat who is one of the following:
- A qualified person (i.e., a parent, legal guardian, or a certified trainer with a federal residential job training program)
- A grandparent
- A qualified driving instructor (i.e., an instructor who has a valid driver education endorsement on a teaching certificate issued by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, or a driver training instructor employed by a private driver education program)
- A qualified driver at least 25 years of age who has been licensed for a minimum of 3 years and has received written permission from the parent or legal guardian
- A qualified driver designated by the disabled parent or guardian of the permit holder
Once you reach age 16, you may drive when accompanied in the front seat by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has a valid driver license.
Keep in mind that seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers while you are driving. You must carry your permit with you at all times while driving.
Your instruction permit is valid for up to 12 months. You may renew it if you need to.
Stage Two: Get Your Intermediate License.
To qualify for your intermediate license, you must be between ages 16 to 18 and meet the following requirements:
- Hold your instruction permit for at least 182 days (beginning the day after issuance).
- NOT have any alcohol-related offenses in the last 12 months and no traffic convictions in the last 6 months.
- Have received 40 hours of driving instruction, including a minimum of 10 hours of nighttime driving instruction between sunset and sunrise, with a qualified person, grandparent, or qualified driving instructor.
Your qualified person or grandparent must accompany you to the license office to verify that you have completed the required number of hours of driving instruction.
If your vision, road sign recognition and written test are more than a year old, you will need to take and pass those tests again.
Finally, you must pass a driving test.
When you have your intermediate license, you may drive on your own. However, there are some restrictions:
- During the first 6 months, you may not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger who is under 19 years old and who is not a member of your immediate family.
Your immediate family includes your parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, stepbrothers, stepsisters, and adopted or foster children residing in your household.
- After the first 6 months, you may not operate a motor vehicle with more than three passengers who are under 19 years old and who are not members of your immediate family.
- You may not drive alone from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. except to and from a school activity, job, or for an emergency, unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years old or older.
These restrictions might not apply to those operating in agricultural work-related activities.
Keep in mind that while you're driving, seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers, and you must have your intermediate license with you.
Your intermediate license is valid for up to two years.
Stage Three: Get Your Full Driver License.
To qualify for your full driver license, you must be at least age 18, or within 30 days of your 18th birthday, and you must meet the following requirements:
- You must satisfy the requirements for an intermediate license, including having no alcohol-related offenses or traffic convictions in the last 12 months.
- You must have a valid intermediate license. Your driving privilege cannot be suspended, revoked, or denied when you apply for a full license.
Your driver license will expire on your birthday in the third year after the date it was issued.
How to Get Your Driver License If You're Age 18 or Older
To qualify for your driver license if you're age 18 or older, you must present the required documents (which include proof of lawful status, identity, social security number,
Missouri residency and mailing address). Accepted documents differ depending on whether you're getting a Real ID or a Non-Real ID.
You must also pass a vision test, a road sign recognition test, a written test and a road test.
Drivers who are 21 to 69 years of age receive a 6-year driver license that expires on the applicant's date of birth in the sixth year after the date of issuance. Drivers who are ages 70 and over receive a 3-year driver license that expires on the applicant's date of birth in the third year after date
of issuance.
Why Choose Safe2Drive?
Safe2Drive's online Missouri Driver Education course can be summed up in 3 words: high-quality, convenient, and affordable. Because our course can be completed online, it is
easily accessible and you get to decide when you work on it! But you're not alone--our exceptional Customer Care team is available to you 7 days a week by phone, email, or Live Chat.
We're here to help if you have any questions! We also have a low-price guarantee, so you can be sure you're getting the best price out there.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up now and get started with your Missouri Driver Ed course!
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