Missouri Driver's Guide

Missouri Drivers guide Who must have a Missouri Driver License? Anyone who operates a motor vehicle or motor- driven cycle on public roadways in Missouri is required to have a valid driver license. 1. You live in Missouri, are 16 of age or older, and plan to drive. You must have a Missouri driver license if: 2. You are a new resident of Missouri and want to drive, even if you have a driver license from another state. 3. You are an out-of-state commercial driver who has moved to Missouri within the lat 30 days. When to carry license You must always carry your license or permit when you drive. It is against the law for you to let anyone else use your license or permit. 1. You are a member of the armed forces and you have a valid driver license from your home state. You do NOT need a driver license if: 2. You are a full-time student and you have a valid driver license from your home state 3. You operate or temporarily operate a farm tractor or implement on a highway for agri-related purposes. Non-driver license/ Identification card You may obtain a photo non-driver license for identification purposes only. Your new non-driver license expires on your date of birth in the sixth year after applying. If you are 70 or over, the license will be non-expiring. Parent/Guardian Request to deny driver license The parent or guardian of a person who is under the age of 18 may request the Director of Revenue to deny that person a driver license. The denial expires at age 18. Under - 21 Driver License If you are under 21 years of age, the Department of Revenue will issue you a license identifying you as a minor. When 21, you may apply and pay for another driver license or wait until your license expires Out-of-State Transfer If you have a valid driver license issued by another state or a driver license which has been expired for less than 184 days, and Missouri driver license, you must surrender your out-of-state license to the clerk. Commercial Driver license You must be at least 18 years old to apply for CDL, and at least 21 years old to obtain a hazardous materials endorsement. Under Missouri's graduated driver license law, you must still meet the under 21 requirements for a full license at the time you apply for a CDL at age 18. 1. At age 15, a person may apply for an instructor permit 2. At age 16, a person may apply for an intermediate driver license Graduated Driver License (Law) 3. At age 18, a person may apply for a full driver license. The process is complete when the driver has completely obtained a full driver license or reaches the age of 21. Duplicate Driver License or replace a lost stolen or destroyed driver license If your driver license is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you must apply for a duplicate license. If your current license expires within the next 6 months, you may renew your license early rather than obtain a duplicate license. Driver license Renewal You can renew your license no earlier than 6 months before your license expires. You are also required to take a vision test and a highway sign recognition test when you renew. Driver license Renewal when suspended 1/8 You may take the vision and road sign recognition tests and renew your driver license even while your driving privilege is suspended. Driver License Restriction codes If you have limited driving experience, or a medical condition that impairs your ability to drive safely, you may receive a restricted license permitting you to drive only under specific conditions. If you do NOT have a social security number you must sign an affidavit stating that you do not have a social security number. Concealed Carry Weapon Endorsement (CCW) If you are at least 23 years of age and apply for a renew of driver license, non-driver license, or instruction permit, you may request a CCW endorsement be placed on any of those. You can lose your license for (list a few) : • Refusing to let a police officer test you for alcohol or drugs • Leaving the scene of an accident • Failing to file an accident report (see Chapter 13) • Giving false information when you apply for a license • Failing to settle a court judgment made against you for damages resulting from a motor vehicle accident • Failing to keep insurance (financial responsibility) (see Chapter 13) • Changing the information on your license or using someone else's license when you attempt to buy alcohol • Failing to appear for an exam when requested by the Driver License Bureau • Using a motor vehicle to commit a felony or causing the death of someone in a motor vehicle accident • Having too many points on your driving record (see Chapter 11) • Letting someone else use your driver license • Failing to appear in court or pay traffic tickets in Missouri or other states • Failing to pay child support • Failing to use an ignition interlock device when required • Stealing fuel from a gas station • Possessing any intoxicating liquor if you are a minor • Submitting false proof of insurance • Failing to yield the right-of-way and causing injury or death 1. Written Test 2. Vision Test The Driver Examination consists of: 3. A road sign test 4. A driving test - You are applying for a new Missouri Driver License - Your Missouri Driver license is expired for more than 6 months You must take a Driver Exam If: - The Director of Revenue asks you to take the exam, even if you have a current license - You license was revoked Where to Take the Exam The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) administers the examination. Contact them to find the center closes to you. Written Test If you are applying for a Class F (operator) license, you must take a 25 question multiple-choice written test. The questions will be on the laws and methods of driving covered in this Guide. The test is NOT an open book test. You will not be tested on the information on commercial vehicles. For-Hire License - Class E (Written Test) If you are applying for a Class E (for-hire) license, you must take a special written test. The questions will be on the laws and methods of driving covered in this Guide but will also include the information 2/8 on commercial vehicles found in Chapter 15. The test is NOT an open book test. Vision Test You must take an acuity vision test and a peripheral (side) vision test when you apply for any new or renewal driver license or permit. The standard minimum acuity is at least 20/40 with either or both eyes. The standard minimum peripheral reading is at least 55 degrees in each eye or 85 degrees in one eye. Road - Sign Test The road sign test will check your ability to recognize and understand traffic signs. Driving Test • Current license plate(s) and a valid inspection sticker. • Seat belts in proper working order. • Doors in proper working order for the driver and examiner. • A clean, safe seat for the examiner. • Two sets of brakes (parking and a foot brake) in good working order. • A horn in good working order. What are some Controls with the Driving Examiner ask for and what will they test on? THE EXAMINER WILL ASK YOU TO FIND AND USE THE VEHICLE'S CONTROLS, such as the accelerator, brakes, turn signals, windshield wipers, etc. You will be tested for: • Finding the control without searching. • Using the control correctly. Start and Stop the Vehicle • The smoothness and safety of your starts and stops. • Your reaction time. • Your control of the vehicle when stopping. Park Parallel to the curb • The position of your vehicle before backing. • Whether or not you bump into the space markers. • Moving into the space smoothly and at the right speed. • Parking no more than 18" from the curb. • Parking near the center of the space. • Ability to park the vehicle within two minutes. • Turning the wheels in the correct direction for parking. • Checking traffic and signaling before you leave the parking space. Backing • Looking over your right shoulder to see through the rear glass. • Whether your vehicle backs in a straight line or weaves. • Staying in the proper lane of traffic. • Backing at the right speed. Make at lest two right and two left turns • Driving in the correct lane for turning. • Giving the proper turn signal at the proper time. • Turning into the proper lane. • Making proper traffic checks. • Turning at the right speed. • Your control of the vehicle. Park on a hill • Your control of the vehicle. • Parking no more than 18" from the curb. • Leaving your vehicle in park or the correct gear. • Turning the front wheels in the correct direction for parking. • Setting the parking brake. • Checking traffic and signaling. Enter and Leave Intersections • Understanding and obeying the traffic signs and lights. • Your speed when approaching an intersection. • Your awareness of the traffic around you. • Driving in the correct lane. • Yielding the right-of-way without blocking traffic. • Making a full stop at the proper place at stop signs. Understand and obey traffic signs and signals • Noticing and obeying traffic signs and signals. • The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. • Your speed while driving. 3/8 Common Driving rules during exam • Driving in the proper lane and obeying lane markings. • Your awareness of the traffic around you. • Yielding the right-of-way when necessary. Committing Fraud It is a crime to commit fraud. Anyone who makes a false unsworn statement or affidavit or who commits or assists another person in committing fraud or deception during any examination process for a Missouri license, permit, or non-driver license, is guilty of fraud. Fraud is a Class "A" misdemeanor that may result in the loss of your driving privilege for up to one year. What to do on Broken Lines Broken lines may be crossed in a passing maneuver What to do on Solid Liens Solid lines should not be crossed Yellow lines means Divides oncoming traffic so do not cross White lines means divides same-direction traffic so you may cross No passing zones Two-lane roads may have "no passing zones" marked with a SOLID YELLOW LINE. No passing zones are on hills or curves where you cannot see far enough ahead to pass safely. You must complete passing before you enter the no passing zone. When Do Flashing Light Signals occur During emergencies, night time/low traffic volume periods and special events. What does a flashing red light mean The same thing as a stop sign A flashing yellow light means what To slow down and proceed with caution A Red light tells you what To stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or before the intersection. Unless you are making a right turn, you must wait for the signal to turn green. After making a complete stop to the other traffic, you may make a right turn on a red light A Yellow Light Tells you what The traffic signal is changing from green to red. Stop for a yellow light unless you are within the intersection or are so close hat you cannot safely stop before entering the intersection. A Green light tells you what That you can go through the intersection. However, you must yield to the right-of-way traffic and pedestrians. 1. Permissive — Vehicles are given a circular green or a flashing yellow arrow and required to wait for an adequate gap in the opposing traffic prior to making their turn. Left Turn Signals 2. Protected — Vehicles may turn only when they receive a green arrow while opposing vehicles are stopped by a red light. This type of control is commonly signed "left turn signal." 3. Protected/Permissive — Vehicles are given a protected phase (green arrow), or a permissive (circular green or flashing yellow arrow) phase, when drivers must choose an adequate gap in opposing traffic. This type of control, when used with a circular green, is commonly signed "left turn yield on green". A Yellow Arrow means : The Green arrow will be changing to a circular green or a red light. You must be ready to yield to oncoming traffic or stop. A Green Arrow means: You can drive in the direction the arrow is pointing. You must be in the proper lane and the way must be clear of all traffic and pedestrians. Dark signals or Traffic signals that aren't working serves as what A 4-way stop where you let the person with the right -of- way go. Lane Use Controls Signs Lane use control signals tell you which lanes you may drive in on a roadway. You will see these signals directly over the lane they control. Red "X" — Do not drive in this lane. Green Arrow —You may use this lane. 4/8 Traffic Signs Traffic signs tell you about traffic rules, hazards, where you are, how to get where you are going and where services are located. Red Sign means Stop, Yield , or prohibited Yellow Sign means Warning Black and White sign means Regulatory Orange sign means Construction Green Sign means Direction and Distance Blue sign means motorist services Brown sign means Public Recreation and Cultural interests Warning Signs These signs are yellow with black lettering or symbols and usually diamond shaped. These signs warn you to slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary because a special situation or a hazard is ahead. Maximum speed for a Rural interstate or freeway 70 mph Maximum speed for rural expressways 65 mph Maximum speed for Interstate highways, freeways or urbanized areas 60 mph Maximum speed for All other highways not located in an urbanized area 60 mph Lettered roads Maximum speed is 55 mph The speed limit in any city, town, or village is what unless posted otherwise. 25 mph Right-of- way Where vehicles or pedestrians are likely to meet one another, and there are no signs or signals to regulate traffic, there are rules that say who must yield the right-of-way. These rules tell drivers who goes first and who must wait in different traffic situations. If you are caught speeding or passing in a construction zone or work zone on Missouri state roadways, you could be fined a minimum of : $250 for the first offense and $300 for the second or further. A driver may pass on the right under what conditions • Upon a city street with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles in each direction; • Upon a one-way street; • Upon any highway outside of a city with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width and clearly marked for four or more lanes of traffic A driver may pass on the left under what conditions • When approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve of the highway where the driver's view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction; • When the view is obstructed upon approaching within one hundred feet of any bridge, viaduct, or tunnel; • When approaching within one hundred feet of or at any intersection or railroad grade crossing; or • When there is a solid yellow line. Right-of-way rules at Intersections • Drivers must yield where necessary to avoid striking pedestrians who are legally crossing the road. • Drivers crossing a sidewalk entering or exiting a driveway, alley, or parking lot must yield to pedestrians. It is illegal to drive on a sidewalk except to cross. • Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight. • At a four-way stop, the driver reaching the intersection first may proceed before the other drivers (after coming to a complete stop). 5/8 • Drivers entering a road from a driveway, alley, or roadside must yield to vehicles already on the main road. • At an intersection where there is no stop sign or traffic signal (with the exception of roundabouts), drivers must yield to vehicles coming from the right. • When approaching a roundabout intersection, always yield to traffic in the circle and pedestrians in the crosswalks. Wait for a gap in traffic before entering. When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying lighted red or red and blue lights, you must: • Proceed with caution, if it is safe to do so, make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle (if on a roadway having at least four lanes with not less than two lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle); or • Proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes would be unsafe or impossible. Amber lights will flash how far before the bus comes to a complete stop 500 ft As a good driver, you should get into the proper turn lane and signal at least: 100 ft before you turn Strait arm - left turn What are the Hand signals for turning when your signaler is broken Arm down across vehicle- Stop Arm Up with elbow facing vehicle- right turn U-turns You should only make a U-turn when it is safe. U-turns should not be made on any curve or near the crest of a hill when your vehicle may not be seen by other drivers. Some towns and cities do not allow U-turns. Never make a U-turn at a location that is marked with a No U-Turn sign. Right Turns On right turns, avoid swinging wide to the left before turning. If you swing wide, the driver behind you may think you are changing lanes or going to turn left, and may try to pass you on the right. Left Turns When making a left turn, avoid cutting the corner so sharply that you run into someone approaching from the left. However, you must leave room for oncoming vehicles to turn left in front of you. One-way into a Two-way street Begin the turn in the left lane. Enter the two-way road to the right of its yellow dividing line. If the two-way road is a four lane road, you may enter it in the right lane if that lane is free of traffic. Two- Way into a One- way street Begin the turn with your left wheel as close as possible to the yellow dividing line. If the one-way road has two lanes, turn into its left lane or right lane, whichever is free of traffic. Two way onto a Two way street Begin the turn with your left wheels as close as possible to the yellow dividing line. Enter the road to the right of its center line. If the road onto which you are turning is a four-lane road, you may enter it in the right lane if the right lane is free of traffic. Multiple left turn lanes Some streets may have more than one lane marked for left turns. If you are turning from the left side, left-turn lane, enter the left lane on the right of the yellow dividing line. If you are turning from the right side, left-turn lane, enter the right lane. Two - Way left turn lanes Some streets have a center lane marked as a two-way left-turn lane. Only enter this lane when preparing to slow down or stop before making a left turn from the main roadway. Do not use this lane as travel lane (a vehicle may not travel in this lane for more than 500 feet). 6/8 Roundabout Intersections At a roundabout, drivers who approach the intersection make a slight right turn to go counterclockwise around a circular center island. The driver may then either exit the roundabout onto a different roadway, or continue on the same roadway. When approaching a roundabout, always yield to traffic in the circle and pedestrians in the crosswalks Cities and towns may have regulations to do the following: • Set speed limits • Set one-way streets • Set stop signs at intersections • Prohibit commercial vehicles from using certain streets • Control parking by installing meters or by some other reasonable method • Control turns • Require the use of turn signals, brake lights, and horns on all motor vehicles • Prohibit the use of sound-producing warning devices Parking • Always park in a designated area if possible. • On one-way streets, you may normally park on either the right or left side of the street. • Always set your parking brake when you park. Leave the vehicle in gear if it has a manual transmission, or in park if it has an automatic transmission. • Check traffic before you open the door. Get out of the vehicle on the curb side if you can. If you have to use the street side, check traffic before you get out. Always have passengers, especially children, exit the vehicle on the curb side. Check for bicyclists, who often travel on the right-hand side of the travel lanes, near parked cars. Shut the door as soon as you can after getting out. • Never leave the keys in a parked vehicle. Lock the doors whenever you leave your vehicle if it will be out of your sight at any time. • If you must park on a roadway, park your vehicle as far away from traffic as possible. If there is a curb, park as close to it as you can. • When you park on a hill, turn your wheels sharply towards the side of the road. This way, if your vehicle starts to roll downhill, it will roll away from traffic (refer to Parking On Hills). Do not park: • In an intersection. • On a crosswalk or sidewalk. • Across a driveway entrance. • On the left side of a two-way street. • Alongside a curb that is painted yellow. • On a bridge. • Blocking a fire hydrant. • Blocking the normal traffic flow or creating a hazard to other drivers. • With your vehicle facing against traffic. Law of Handicap parking: • It is illegal to park in handicapped parking access aisles. • It is illegal to use a handicapped person's placard or license plates to park in designated handicapped parking spaces if the handicapped person is not being transported at the time. Violators of Handicap parking law will be: Violators, when convicted, shall be punished by a fine of no less than fifty dollars ($50) and no more than three hundred dollars ($300). Before leaving your parked vehicle on a hill you: • Turn your wheels in the proper direction (see graphic below); • Turn off the motor, leaving the vehicle in proper gear; • Set the emergency/parking brake; • Remove the keys from the ignition; • Check your rear-view mirror for traffic before stepping out; and • Lock it and pocket the keys. 7/8 Parallel Parking 1. Stop even with the vehicle ahead of the parking space about 1½ feet to the left of that vehicle. 2. Turn wheels sharply to the right, and back slowly into the parking space. Be sure the front of your vehicle does not block passing or oncoming traffic. 3. When clear of the front vehicle, turn wheels sharply to the left and continue backing. 4. Turn wheels sharply to the right and pull forward toward the curb. Park in the center of the parking space. Being passed If another vehicle begins to pass you, stay in your lane and do not increase your speed. If many vehicles are passing you in the right lane of a multilane roadway, you are probably going slower than the rest of the traffic. Unless you will be turning left soon, you should move into the right lane when the way is clear 8/8