Revised August 2012

In memory of
those who have given their lives
in the line of duty on Missouri roads.
Missouri
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Driver
Guide
Chapter 1 The Missouri Driver License and the Graduated
Driver License Law......................................................Page 8
TypesofPermits....................................................................................... 8
TypesofLicenses..................................................................................... 9
RequirementstoObtainYourLicenseorPermit.................................... 10
RequiredDocuments......................................................................... 11
SocialSecurityNumber..................................................................... 12
FeesforPermits/Licenses....................................................................... 13
Restrictions.............................................................................................. 14
Endorsements......................................................................................... 14
RenewingaLicenseorPermit................................................................ 15
OtherInformationAboutYourDriverLicense......................................... 17
Suspension/RevocationofYourLicense................................................ 20
TheGraduatedDriverLicense(GDL)Law............................................. 20
StepOne:InstructionPermit........................................................... 20
StepTwo:IntermediateLicense....................................................... 21
StepThree:Full(Under21)License................................................ 22
AChecklistforYou.................................................................................. 23
Chapter 2 The Driver Examination............................................Page 24
TheDriverExamination........................................................................... 24
WheretoTaketheExam................................................................... 24
VerificationofNameandAge............................................................ 24
WrittenTest........................................................................................ 24
VisionTest......................................................................................... 24
RoadSignTest.................................................................................. 25
DrivingTest........................................................................................ 25
YourGrade........................................................................................ 27
FailingtheDrivingTest...................................................................... 27
Fraud.................................................................................................. 27
Chapter 3 Pavement Markings, Traffic Signs,
Lights, and Signals..................................................Page 28
PavementMarkingsontheRoad............................................................ 28
MeaningsofPavementMarkings............................................................ 28
DirectionofTraffic................................................................................... 28
NoPassingZones................................................................................... 28
Left-TurnLanes....................................................................................... 29
CrosswalksandStopLines..................................................................... 29
DualUseLanes....................................................................................... 29
ReversibleExpressLanes...................................................................... 30
SharedCenterLanes.............................................................................. 30
1
Table of Contents
NoLaneMarkings................................................................................... 30
TrafficOfficers......................................................................................... 30
TrafficSignals.......................................................................................... 30
FlashingLightSignal............................................................................... 31
TrafficControlSignals............................................................................. 31
LaneUseControlSignals....................................................................... 32
TrafficSigns............................................................................................ 32
SignShapes............................................................................................ 33
WarningSigns......................................................................................... 33
RegulatorySigns..................................................................................... 37
StopSign................................................................................................. 38
YieldSign................................................................................................ 39
WrongWaySign..................................................................................... 39
DoNotEnterSign................................................................................... 39
LaneControlSigns.................................................................................. 39
SpeedLimitSigns................................................................................... 39
RailroadCrossingSign........................................................................... 40
WorkZoneSigns..................................................................................... 41
GuideSigns............................................................................................. 42
ServiceSigns.......................................................................................... 42
RouteSigns............................................................................................. 42
EmergencyReferenceMarkers.............................................................. 42
RoundaboutSigns................................................................................... 42
Chapter 4 Rules of the Road..................................................... Page 43
Right-Of-Way........................................................................................... 43
Passing.................................................................................................... 43
Intersections............................................................................................ 44
EmergencyVehicles................................................................................ 44
SchoolBuses.......................................................................................... 44
HandandVehicleSignals....................................................................... 45
Turns....................................................................................................... 45
U-Turns................................................................................................... 46
RightTurns.............................................................................................. 46
LeftTurns................................................................................................ 46
One-WayStreetOntoaTwo-WayStreet................................................ 46
Two-WayStreetOntoaOne-WayStreet................................................ 46
Two-WayStreetOntoaTwo-WayStreet................................................ 47
MultipleLeftTurnLanes.......................................................................... 47
Two-WayLeftTurnLanes....................................................................... 47
RoundaboutIntersections....................................................................... 48
City/CountyOrdinances.......................................................................... 48
Chapter 5 Parking....................................................................... Page 49
No-ParkingZones................................................................................... 49
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WhenCanYouParkinHandicappedParkingSpaces?......................... 49
InternationalSymbolofAccess............................................................... 50
ParkingonHills....................................................................................... 50
ParallelParking....................................................................................... 51
Chapter 6 Highway Driving........................................................ Page 52
DriveintheProperLane......................................................................... 52
ControllingSpeed.................................................................................... 52
PassingonHighways.............................................................................. 52
BeingPassed.......................................................................................... 53
AdjustingtoTraffic.................................................................................. 53
BeAwareoftheTrafficAroundYou....................................................... 53
SlowMovingTraffic................................................................................. 53
Stopping.................................................................................................. 54
ControlledAccessHighways................................................................... 54
EnteringtheHighway.............................................................................. 54
LeavingtheHighway............................................................................... 55
Interchanges............................................................................................ 55
WatchoutforHighwayHypnosis.......................................................... 55
StopDrivingWhenYouFeelSleepy....................................................... 56
Emergencies........................................................................................... 56
Chapter 7 Sharing The Road..................................................... Page 57
SharingtheRoadwithMotorcycles........................................................ 57
SharingtheRoadwithTrucks................................................................. 58
SharingtheRoadwithPedestrians......................................................... 59
SharingtheRoadwithMopedsandBicycles......................................... 60
FuneralProcessions................................................................................ 63
RoadRage.............................................................................................. 63
DrunkDrivers.......................................................................................... 64
AboutLittering......................................................................................... 64
Chapter 8 Safe Driving Tips For Everyday Driving................. Page 65
UseSeatBeltsandChildRestraints....................................................... 65
SeatBeltsItstheLaw........................................................................ 65
ChildPassengerRestraintLaw............................................................... 65
Age/Weight/HeightClassifications.......................................................... 65
DefensiveDriving.................................................................................... 66
ProperPostureWhileDriving.................................................................. 66
Steering................................................................................................... 66
FollowingOtherVehicles........................................................................ 67
ThreeSecondRule................................................................................. 67
SpaceBehind.......................................................................................... 67
SpacetotheSide.................................................................................... 67
StoppingDistance................................................................................... 68
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AverageStoppingDistanceofCarsonDryLevelPavement................. 68
LettingOthersKnowWhatYouareDoing.............................................. 69
SignalWhenYouChangeDirection....................................................... 69
UsingYourHorn...................................................................................... 69
SlowPokeDriving................................................................................... 69
CarbonMonoxide.................................................................................... 69
Chapter 9 Safe Driving Tips For Special
Driving Conditions.................................................... Page 71
NightDriving............................................................................................ 71
WinterDriving.......................................................................................... 71
WetPavement......................................................................................... 72
Anti-LockBrakes(ABS).......................................................................... 73
Skidding................................................................................................... 73
Fog.......................................................................................................... 73
HandlingVehicleEmergencies............................................................... 73
Chapter 10 Be in Shape to Drive...............................................Page 76
Alcohol,Drugs,andDriving
AdministrativeActions........................................................................ 76
CourtConvictedActions.................................................................... 77
MissourisAbuseandLoseLaw........................................................ 79
MinorinPossession(MIP)andOtherAlcoholOffenses................... 79
ProofofInsurance............................................................................. 79
RefusaltoSubmittoaChemicalTest............................................... 80
IgnitionInterlockandReinstatementRequirements.......................... 80
Chapter 11 The Point System and How It Affects You........... Page 81
RackingUpPoints:TheConsequences................................................. 81
HowPointsComeOffYourDrivingRecord............................................ 82
OtherConsequences.............................................................................. 82
DrivingWhileSuspendedorRevoked............................................... 82
FailuretoAppearinCourt(FACT)..................................................... 82
Chapter 12 Vehicle Titling and Registration............................ Page 84
TitlingYourVehicle................................................................................. 84
WhatYouNeedtoGetaTitle........................................................... 84
VehiclesBoughtinMissouri............................................................... 84
VehiclesBoughtOut-of-State(notinMissouri)................................. 84
ProperlyAssignedTitles.................................................................... 85
SalvageVehicles............................................................................... 85
OdometerReadings........................................................................... 85
RegisteringYourVehicle......................................................................... 85
WhatYouNeedtoRegisterYourVehicle......................................... 86
OtherInformation.................................................................................... 87
SellingaVehicle................................................................................ 87
StolenLicensePlatesandTabs........................................................ 87
LostorDestroyedTitle,Plates,orTabs............................................ 87
4
MissouriLicensePlateInformation.................................................... 87
PersonalizedPlates........................................................................... 87
Chapter 13 Mandatory Insurance.............................................. Page 88
TheBasics............................................................................................... 88
MinimumCoverageRequirements.................................................... 88
MaintainingYourInsurance............................................................... 88
FailuretoKeepInsurance.................................................................. 89
FailuretoPayforDamages............................................................... 89
AccidentsandCrashes........................................................................... 90
FilinganAccidentReport................................................................... 90
Chapter 14 Safety and Emissions Inspections
and Required Equipment....................................... Page 92
SafetyInspections................................................................................... 92
ExceptionstotheRequirement.......................................................... 92
EquipmentNeeded............................................................................ 93
OtherEquipmentRequiredbyLaw................................................... 94
EmissionsInspections............................................................................. 95
ExceptionstotheRequirement.......................................................... 95
Chapter 15 Commercial Vehicles..............................................Page 96
SizeLimitations(WithoutSpecialPermit)............................................... 96
Height.................................................................................................. 96
Width................................................................................................... 96
Length................................................................................................. 96
ExemptionsFromSizeLimits................................................................... 97
WeightLimitations(WithoutSpecialPermit)............................................ 97
MaximumWeightonAnySingleAxle.Pounds.................................. 97
MaximumWeightonAnyTandemAxle..Pounds................................. 97
MaximumGrossWeight.Pounds................................. 98
OverdimensionandOverweightPermits.................................................. 98
VehicleRouteMap................................................................................... 98
FederalMotorCarrierSafetyRegulations............................................... 98
TransportingHazardousMaterial............................................................. 99
EmergencyEquipmentandSignals......................................................... 99
InformationonCommercialMotorVehicles............................................. 99
FollowingDistance................................................................................... 99
RailroadCrossing................................................................................... 100
LoadSecurity......................................................................................... 100
Off-Tracking............................................................................................ 100
WeighStations....................................................................................... 100
Tailgaters................................................................................................ 100
SpaceOverhead.................................................................................... 100
5
SoftSurfaces.......................................................................................... 101
SpacetoCrossorEnterTraffic.............................................................. 101
Sample Test Questions................................................................. Page 102
Index............................................................................................... Page 109
Glossary......................................................................................... Page 112
Contact Information...................................................................... Page 115
NOTE:Thestatemotorvehiclelawsdescribedinthismanualarenot
reproducedintheirentiretyandthewordingisnotidentical.Dueto
possiblefederalandstatelawchangesandDepartmentofRevenue
(department)policy,theinformationinthismanualmaynotalwaysbe
current.Thedepartmentwillmakeeveryefforttoincorporateanychanges
assoonaspossible.
The Missouri Driver Guideispublishedby
theMissouriDepartmentofRevenue.
6
Carefully studying the Missouri Driver Guide will increase your driving
confidence and broaden your knowledge of Missouri traffic laws. The
more knowledge you have, the safer you are!
To test your knowledgeoftrafficlaws,youwillneedtotakeawrittentest
of25multiple-choicequestions.Studyingthisguidewillprepareyoufor
thattest.Youmustcorrectlyanswer20questionstopassthetest.Allof
thetestquestionscomedirectlyfrominformationfoundinthisguide.There
arenotrickquestions.
To test your ability to drive a vehicle,youmusttakeadrivingskills
test.Yourexaminerrealizesadrivingtestwillprobablybeanunusual
experienceforyou,andyoumightevenbecomenervousoruneasy.If
youdobecomenervousorfearful,pleaserememberyourexaminerhas
accompaniedmanyotherpeopleexactlylikeyou,andtheexaminerrides
withyouonlytomakesureyoucancontrolyourvehicleandobserve
therulesofsafety.Yourexaminerwillnottrytotrickyouinanyway.
Rememberthatthousandsofpeoplepassthistesteveryyearandbecome
licenseddrivers.Iftheycandoit,socanyou!Justrelaxanddothebest
youcan.
Wewouldliketohearyourcommentsandquestionsaboutthe
materialincludedinthismanual:
Address: DriverLicenseBureau
P.O.Box200
JeffersonCity,MO65105-0200
Telephone: (573)751-2730
Fax: (573)522-8174
E-Mail: dlbmail@dor.mo.gov
Web Site: www.dor.mo.gov
Thenamesandtelephonenumbersofotherrelatedagencies
andofficesarelocatedinsidethebackcoverofthisguide.
IfyouneedaMissouri Commercial Driver License ManualorMotorcycle
Operator Manual,youmayrequestonefromtheMissouriStateHighway
Patrol,oranyMotorVehicleandDriverLicensingContractOffice(contract
office).TheMissouri Commercial Driver License Manualandthe
Motorcycle Operator Manual arealsopostedonourwebsite:
www.dor.mo.gov.
7
8
Anyonewhooperatesamotorvehicleormotor-drivencycleonpublic
roadwaysinMissouriisrequiredtohaveavaliddriverlicense.Youmay
obtainaMissouridriverlicenseatanyoneofMissouris183licenseoffices.
YoumusthaveaMissouridriverlicenseif:
YouliveinMissouri,are16yearsofageorolder,andplantodrive.
YouareanewresidentofMissouriandwanttodrive,evenifyouhavea
driverlicensefromanotherstate.
Youareanout-of-statecommercialdriverwhohasmovedtoMissouri
withinthelast30days.(PleaserefertotheMissouri Commercial Driver
License Manual.)
CertainpersonsarenotrequiredtoobtainaMissouridriverlicense.Youdo
notneedaMissouridriverlicenseif:
Youareamemberofthearmedforcesandyouhaveavaliddriver
licensefromyourhomestate.
Youareafull-timestudentandyouhaveavaliddriverlicensefromyour
homestate.
Youoperateortemporarilyoperate/moveanyfarmtractororimplement
onahighwayforagri-relatedpurposes.
Youarerequiredtocarryyourdriverlicenseorpermitwhenyoudrive.If
anylawenforcementofficeraskstoseeyourdriverlicenseorpermit,you
mustpresentit.Itisagainstthelawforyoutoallowanyoneelsetouse
yourlicenseorpermit.
TIP! Anyoneobtaininganewlicenseorpermitorrenewingalicenseor
permitisrequiredtoshowverificationofname,dateofbirth,placeofbirth,
socialsecuritynumber,andMissouriresidentialaddress.Theserequire-
mentsareexplainedindetaillaterinthischapter.
TYPES OF PERMITS
Ifyouareunder21yearsofage,youwillbeissuedapermitidentifyingyou
asaminor.
Instruction Permit Eligible Age: 15
ThisisthefirststepinMissourisGraduatedDriverLicenseProgramfor
youngdrivers.Generally,thispermitallowsayoungpersontolearntodrive
withthesupervisionofalicensedadult.Seelaterinthischapterfordetailed
information.
Motorcycle Instruction Permit Eligible Age: 15 or 16
Youmayapplyforamotorcycleinstructionpermittolearntooperatea
motorcycleormotortricycle.Theageyouareeligibletoapplymaybe15
or16years,asdescribedbelow.
15yearsofage(15yearsand182days)
TheMotorcycleInstructionPermitwillonlybeissuedifyouhave
successfullycompletedanapprovedmotorcycleridertrainingcourse.
CHAPTER 1 THE MISSOURI DRIVER LICENSE
9
YoumustpasstheClassFandClassMwritten,vision,androadsign
tests.Youmustalsohavethewrittenconsentofyourparentorlegal
guardian.Thispermitallowsdaylightdrivingonly,withina50-mileradius
ofhome,amotorcycleofnolargerthan250cc,andnopassengers.
16yearsofageorolder
Ifyouare16yearsoldorolderyoumayapplyforamotorcycle
instructionpermit,butthemotorcycleridertrainingcourseisnotrequired.
Ifyoudonothaveavaliddriverlicense,youmusttaketheClassFand
ClassMwrittenteststoreceiveamotorcycleinstructionpermit.
Whenyouareready,youmaytakethemotorcycledrivingtestandpaythe
appropriatefeetobecomemotorcyclequalified.
FormoreinformationonMissourislawsonmotorcycles,pleaseobtaina
copyoftheMotorcycleOperatorManualattheMissouriHighwayPatrol
testingstationoratoneofourlicenseoffices.
TYPES OF LICENSES
Ifyouareunder21yearsofage,youwillbeissuedalicenseidentifyingyou
asaminor.Whenyoureachage21,youmayapplyandpayforanother
driverlicense(withouttheminorindication)orwaituntilyourunder-21
licenseexpires.
Intermediate License (Class F) Eligible Age: 16
ThisisthesecondstepinMissourisGraduatedDriverLicenseprogram
foryoungdrivers.Generally,thislicenseallowsayoungpersoncertain
restricteddrivingprivileges.Seelaterinthischapterfordetailedinformation.
Full Driver License (Class F) Eligible Age: 18
Thisisthebasicdriverlicense,alsocalledanoperatorlicense.Youmust
haveaClassFlicensetooperateanymotorvehicle(otherthanonerequiring
youtohaveaClassA,B,C,orElicense.)TheClassFlicensedoesnot
allowyoutodriveamotorcycleunlessthelicenseshowstheMotorcycle(M)
endorsement.Endorsementswillbediscussedlaterinthischapter.You
mustpasstheClassFwritten,vision,roadsign,anddrivingtests.
For-Hire License (Class E) Eligible Age: 18
WhenyoutestforaClassElicense,thewrittenexamwillincludequestions
basedonthecompletedriverguide,butmainlyChapter15(Commercial
DriverLicenses).Youmustalsopassthevisionandroadsigntests.Ifyou
alreadyhaveaClassFlicense,adrivingtestisnotrequired.However,you
muststillmeettheunder21requirements(seepage21)forafulllicenseif
youapplyforaClassElicenseatage18.Thereareanumberofreasons
youmaywishtoobtainaClassElicense,suchas:
Ifyoureceivepayfordrivingamotorvehicletransporting14orfewer
passengers(suchasadriverforadaycarecenter).
Ifyouwilltransportpropertyforpayoraspartofyourjob(suchasa
pizzaorfloristdeliverydriver).
10
Ifyouregularlyoperateamotorvehicleforyouremploymentwhich
belongstoanotherpersonandisdesignedtocarryfreightand
merchandise.Thevehiclemustbe26,000poundsorlessgross
vehicleweightrating(GVWR)andnotrequiredtobeplacardedfor
hazardousmaterials.
Motorcycle License (Class M) Eligible Age: 16
YoumusthaveaClassMlicenseorpermit(oradriverlicensewiththeM
endorsement)ifyouoperateamotorcycleormotortricycleonpublic
roadways.YouwillneedtopasstheClassFandClassMwritten,vision,
roadsign,andmotorcycleskillstests.Graduateddriverlicenserequirements
willapplytoClassMlicenseapplicantsbetweentheagesof16and18.
SeetheGraduatedDriverLicenserequirementslaterinthischapter.
FormoreinformationaboutMissourismotorcyclelaws,pleaseobtainacopy
oftheMotorcycle Operator Manual attheMissouriHighwayPatroltesting
stationoratoneofourlicenseoffices.
Commercial Driver License (Class A, B, or C)
Youmusthaveacommercialdriverlicensebasedonthetypeofcommercial
motorvehicleyoudrive.Youmustbeatleast18yearsoldtoapplyfora
CDL,andatleast21yearsoldtoobtainaCDLwithaHazmatorschoolbus
endorsement.Youmuststillmeettheunder21requirementsifyouapply
foraCDLatage18.PleaserefertotheMissouri Commercial Driver
License (CDL) ManualfordetailedinformationabouttheCDLprogram.
Nondriver License/Identification Card (Class ND)
Youmayobtainaphotonondriverlicenseforidentificationpurposes.Your
nondriverlicenseexpiresonyourdateofbirthinthesixthyearafteryou
apply.Ifyouareage70orolder,yournondriverlicensewillneverexpire.
IfyouareapplyingforanondriverlicensetoaddorretainaConcealed
CarryWeapon(CCW)endorsement,thenondriverlicensewillexpireonthe
samedateastheCCWendorsement.Thisdateisdeterminedbycalculating
threeyearsfromtheissuedateoftheConcealedCarryCertificateof
Qualificationissuedbythesherifforsheriffsdesignee.Refertothe
EndorsementssectionofthismanualforCCWeligibilityrequirements.
REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A LICENSE OR PERMIT
Dependingonyourage,whetheryouareobtaininganewlicenseorpermit,
ifyouarerenewingone,orifyouhavejustmovedtoMissouri,the
requirementstoobtainalicenseareslightlydifferent.
Ifyouareadriverage15to21,theGraduatedDriverLicense(GDL)
programappliestoyou.PleaseseetheGDLsectioninthischapterfor
moreinformation.Youwillneedtoshowverificationofname,dateof
birth,placeofbirth,socialsecuritynumber,andMissouriresidential
address(detailedinthischapter)toqualify.
IfyouareaMissouridriverrenewingalicense,youmustshowverification
ofname,dateofbirth,placeofbirth,socialsecuritynumberandMissouri
residentialaddress.Youwillalsosurrenderyourpreviouslicenseand
takethevisionandroadsigntests.
11
IfyouareobtaininganewMissourilicense,youmustshowverification
ofname,dateofbirth,placeofbirth,socialsecuritynumberandMissouri
residentialaddress.Youwillberequiredtotakethefour-partdriver
examination.Thefour-partexamconsistsofawrittentest,visiontest,road
signtest,andadrivingskillstest.(SeeChapter2formoreinformation.)
IfyouarenewtoMissouriandaretransferringyourout-of-statedriver
license,youwillneedtoshowverificationofname,dateofbirth,placeof
birth,socialsecuritynumberandMissouriresidentialaddress.Youwill
alsosurrenderthelicensefromyourpreviousstateofresidence,andtake
thevisionandroadsigntests.
Youmusttakethefour-partdriverexamination(detailedinChapter2)if
anyofthefollowingapplytoyou:
YouareapplyingforanewMissouridriverlicense.
YourMissouridriverlicensehasbeenexpiredformorethan6months
(184days).
Yourout-of-statelicensehasbeenexpiredformorethan184days.
Yourlicensewasrevokedbecauseyouhavetoomanypoints(see
Chapter11)onyourdrivingrecordorbecauseofanAdministrative
Alcoholaction(seeChapter10).
TheDirectorofRevenueasksyoutotaketheexam,evenifyouhave
acurrentdriverlicense.
Required Documents
Whenyouobtainorrenewanylicense,permit,ornondriverlicense,youwill
be required to show verification of name, date of birth, place of birth, social
security number and Missouri residential address, as required by Missouri
law. If renewing, you will also be required to present and surrender your
current license, permit, or nondriver license. Details of these requirements
arelistedbelow.Formoreinformation,visitwww.dor.mo.gov.
Name, Date of Birth, Place of Birth:AU.S.citizenmayshowabirthcertificate
issuedbyastateorlocalgovernment(withanembossed,stampedorraised
seal),avalidorexpiredU.S.passport,aCertificateofCitizenship,Certificate
of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Birth Abroad. A hospital-issued birth
certificateisnotacceptable.U.S.MilitaryIndentificationCardorDischarge
PapersaccompaniedbyacopyofU.S.BirthCertificateissuedbyastateor
localGovernment.Non-U.S.citizensmustpresenttheappropriateimmigration
documentsindicatingtheapplicantsstatus.Examinethefulllistofacceptable
requireddocumentsatwww.dor.mo.gov/mvdl/drivers/idrequirements.pdf.
Age 65 and Older Exemption If you are renewing a non-commercial
permit/driver license or nondriver license and are age 65 or older you are
exemptfrompresentingdocumentsforplaceofbirth.
Social Security Number: ASocialSecuritycardorMedicarecardwithyour
currentnamecanbepresented.IfyournameontheSocialSecuritycard
orMedicarecarddoesnotmatchyourcurrentname,additionaldocuments
mustbepresentedtosupplyverificationofyournamechange.
Missouri Residential Address: You have a variety of options to prove
yourcurrentaddress.Examplesincludearecentutilitybill(includingphone,
electric,gas,water,sewer,andcable),propertytaxreceipt,mostrecentbank
12
statement,voterIDcard,oranyofficialletterissuedwithinthelast30days
byanotherstateorlocalgovernmentalagencyonitsletterhead.AMissouri
residentialaddresswillberequiredeachtimeyouapplytorenewadriver
license, nondriver license, or instruction permit. If you are under the age
of 21 and cannot provide verification of a Missouri residential address, a
parentorlegalguardianmayprovidesuchadocumentonyourbehalf.
Residentaddressisthelocationatwhichapersonhasbeenphysically
present,andthatthepersonregardsashome.Aresidentialaddressisa
personstrue,fixed,principal,andpermanenthome,towhichaperson
intendstoreturnandremain,eventhoughcurrentlyresidingelsewhere.
Social Security Number
StatelawrequiresyoutoincludeyourSocialSecurityNumber(SSN)onyour
applicationtoobtainalicenseorpermit.Alicenseofficeemployeemayask
forproofofyourSSN.Anyoneofthedocumentsbelowareacceptableas
proofofSSN:
Social Security card-Ametalcardis not acceptable.
Recent payroll stubcontainingtheSSN.
Military Identification CardcontainingtheSSN.
IRS/state tax forms-AFormW-2is not acceptable.
Financial statement, on company form/letterhead,containingtheSSN.
If you do not have a social security number, you must sign an affidavit
stating that you do not have a social security number. If a social security
number has not been assigned, you must present a letter from the Social
Security Administration (SSA) regarding the status of your social security
number.Yourapplicationandsupportingdocumentswillbesenttothecentral
officeforverification.Yourpermitorlicensewillbeissuedifapproved.
Name Changes
Ifthenameonyourrequireddocumentsdoesnotmatchyourcurrentname,
presentoneofthedocumentsbelowshowingyourcorrect/currentname.
Last Name Change-certifiedmarriagecertificate,certifieddivorce
decree, certified court order, certified adoption papers, or amended
birthcertificate,U.S.passport,orsocialsecuritycardormedicarecard.
First Name Change-courtorderoradoptionpapers
Middle Name Change-courtorder.
TIP!Makesureyouhaveallthenecessarydocumentswithyoubeforeyougo
toyourlicenseoffice.Itwillsaveyoutimeandthetimeofyourfellowcustomers!
FEES FOR PERMITS
Feesforanddurationofapermitarebasedontheapplicantsageatthe
timeofthetransaction.Applicationtestfeesarenotincluded.
13
FEES FOR LICENSES
Feesanddurationoflicensearebasedontheapplicantsageatthetimeof
thetransaction.Applicationtestfeesarenotincluded.
NEW / RENEWAL LICENSE
MINIMUM
TYPE AGE COST VALID FOR...
*Basedontheapplicantsageordocumentverificationstatusatthetimeofthetransaction.
IntermediateLicense 16 $7.50 02years
FullLicense $10.00 03years*
(ClassF) 18 or or
$20.00 06years*
For-HireLicense $17.50 03years*
(ClassE) 18 or or
$35.00 06years*

01year
Commercial $22.50 03years*
DriverLicense 18 or or
(ClassA,B,orC) $45.00 06years*

01year

Motorcycle $10.00 03years*
OnlyLicense 16 or or
(ClassM) $20.00 06years
NondriverLicense anyage $11.00 06years*
(IDcard) orNon-Expiring*
NondriverLicense(IDcard) 21 $5.50 03years
withConcealedCarry andover Expiringonsamedate
WeaponEndorsement(CCW) asCCW

Age70withschool
busendorsement
New:$7.50
Renewal:$2.50
Age70withschool
busendorsement
New:$10.00
Renewal:$2.50
NEW / RENEWAL PERMIT
MINIMUM
TYPE AGE COST VALID FOR...
StudentPermit 15 $1.00 LengthofApprovedCourse
InstructionPermit 15 $3.50 012months
MotorcyclePermit 151/2or16 $6.25or$3.50 06months
Commercial
DriverLicense 18 $7.50 06months
(CDL)Permit
14
RESTRICTIONS
Ifyouhavelimiteddrivingexperienceoramedicalconditionthatimpairsyour
ability to drive safely, you may receive a restricted license permitting you to
driveonlyunderspecificconditions.Ifyouhavearestrictedlicense,itwillhave
oneormoreoftherestrictioncodesshownbelow.Youmayberequiredtotake
adrivingtestinordertohavearestrictionremovedfromyourlicense.Ifyou
disobey the restriction(s), you can be charged with driving without a license,
and if convicted, points will be placed on your driving record. If you receive
toomanypoints(seeChapter11),yourlicensemaybesuspendedorrevoked.
RESTRICTION CODES
A CorrectiveLenses L Non-airbrakeCDL
B OutsideRearviewMirror M ExtensiononFootDevice
C DaylightDrivingOnly N LegBrace(s)
D AutoTrans/PowerSteering O FootOperatedEmergencyBrake
E SeatCushion P AcceleratoronSteeringColumn
F Restrictedto45MPH R BackCushion
G 25MileRadius T RightOutsideMirror
H SpecialHandDevices U UncodedRestriction*
I IntermediateLicense W 3-WheelMotorcycleOnly
J ElectricalTurnSignals Y LeftOutsideMirror
K IntrastateCDLOnly Z Morethan5Restrictions
*Anuncodedrestrictionisanyrestrictionnotlistedhere.Anylaw
enforcementofficer,judge,orphysiciancanasktheDepartmentof
Revenuetoplacerestrictionsonyourlicense.
Medical Referral
Therearetworeasonsyoumayneedaphysiciansstatementwhenyou
reneworapplyforalicense:
Youhavehadepilepticseizures,convulsions,orblackoutswithinthe6
monthspriortoyourapplicationforalicense.
Adriverexaminer,licenseclerk,familymember,lawenforcementofficer,
orphysicianbelievesyoumayhavesomeothermedicalconditionthat
wouldmakeyouanunsafedriver.ThispersonmustcompletetheDriver
ConditionReport(Form4319)andsubmitittotheDepartmentofRevenue.
ENDORSEMENTS
Endorsementsarejusttheoppositeofrestrictionsbecausetheyqualifyyou
todothingsyoucouldntdowithouttheendorsement,suchasdriveaschool
busorcarryaconcealedweapon.Theendorsementsavailableforyour
non-commercial(classF,E,orM)Missouridriverlicensearelistedbelow.
SchoolBus(S)endorsementAschoolbusendorsementisrequiredfor
anyonetransportingstudentsfromschooltohome,hometoschool,and
toandfromschool-sponsoredevents.Aschoolbusendorsementmaybe
issuedtodriversage21orolderwhoholdaClassE(For-Hire)licenseor
acommerciallicensewithaPassenger(P)endorsement.Aschoolbus
endorsementcanbesuspendedforoneyearifapersonfailstopassany
drug,alcohol,orchemicaltestadministeredinaccordancewithanyfederal
orstatelaw,rule,orregulationregardingtheoperationofaschoolbus.
15
Missourilawhasspecialoperatingregulationsforschoolbuses.Ifyou
needmoreinformationonschoolbuses,contact:MissouriDepartment
ofElementaryandSecondaryEducation,DivisionofAdministrativeand
FinancialServicesSchoolTransportation,e-mail:webreply@dmpt.
dese.mo.gov;phone:(573)751-0357;fax:(573)526-6898.
ConcealedCarryWeapon(CCW)EndorsementToobtainaCCW
endorsementonadriverornondriverlicense,youmustbeatleast21
yearsofage,oratleast18yearsofageandamemberoftheUnited
StatesArmedForcesorhonorablydischargedfromtheUnitedStates
ArmedForces.CCWapplicantsmustbeacitizenoftheUnitedStates.
Themilitaryapplicantmusthaveassumedresidencyinthisstateorbe
amemberofthearmedforcesstationedinMissouri.Ifthespouseofthe
militaryapplicantis21yearsofageorolder,heorshemayreceive
aCCWendorsement,ifallotherrequirementshavebeensatisfied.
YoumustpresenttothelicenseclerkaConcealedCarryCertificate
ofQualificationissuedbythesherifforsheriffsdesigneeinyourMissouri
countyofresidencewithinsevendaysofissuance.
AdriverlicensewithaCCWendorsementwillhaveanexpirationdatethat
isdifferentfromtheexpirationdateoftheCCW.TheCCWexpirationdate
willbeindicatedseparatelyonthefaceofthedriverlicense.Youmust
remembertorenewyourCCWendorsementandapplyforanupdated
driverlicensetoreflecttherenewedqualification.
AnondriverlicensewithaCCWendorsementwillbeissuedwithan
expirationdatethatwillbethesameastheexpirationdateoftheCCW
endorsement.Thedateisdefinedasthreeyearsfromtheissuedateof
theCCWCertificateofQualificationaspostedbythesherifforsheriffs
designee.Thedateswillbereflectedseparatelyonthefaceofthe
nondriverlicense.
IfyourdriverornondriverlicensewithaCCWendorsementislost,
destroyed,orstolen,youmustpresenttothelicenseclerkare-issued
ConcealedCarryCertificateofQualificationfromthesherifforsheriffs
designeeinthecountyyouresideincontainingtheoriginalissuedate,
unlessyouaredueforrenewal,andanewcontrolnumber.
Ifyouholdadriverand/ornondriverlicensewithaCCWendorsement,
youmustnotifythesherifforsheriffsdesigneeandtheDepartmentof
Revenueofanychangeinaddress.Ifyourcountyhaschanged,you
mustnotifythesherifforsheriffsdesigneeinbothyourpreviouscounty
andyournewcounty.
AdditionalendorsementsareavailableifyouhaveaCommercialDriver
License.Formoreinformation,pleaseseetheCommercialDriver
LicenseManual,availablefromtheMissouriStateHighwayPatrol,
licenseoffices,orourwebsiteatwww.dor.mo.gov.
RENEWING A LICENSE OR PERMIT
Renewal Reminders
Thedepartmentwillmailyouaremindertorenewbeforeyourlicenseexpires.
Thereminderwillbesenttothemailingaddressonyourdriverrecord.When
youmove,youmayupdateyouraddressinoneofthefollowingways:
16 16
Completeanaddresschangeatyourlocallicenseoffice;
On-lineat www.dor.mo.gov;
Sendane-mailtodlbmail@dor.mo.gov;or
Sendawrittennoticewithyournewaddresstothe
DriverLicenseBureau,P.O.Box200,JeffersonCity,MO65105-0200.
Yourreminderwillstatethefeerequiredtorenewyourlicense.Youcan
renewyourlicenseupto6monthsbeforeitexpires.Eachtimeyourenew,
youwillberequiredtotakethevisionandroadsigntest.
Itisyourresponsibilitytorenewyourdriverlicense,evenifyoudonot
receiveyourreminder.Failuretorenewpromptlymaycauseyoutohaveto
retakethewrittenanddrivingtests.Youcanbeticketedfordrivingwithout
avalidlicense.Exception:Ifyouwillbeleavingthestate/countryforan
extendedtimeyoumayrequestanearlyrenewalofyourdriverlicenseat
yourlocallicenseoffice.
Adriverlicensemaybevalidforupto6years.Ifyouallowittoexpire,you
mustnotdrive.Ifyouwouldliketocontinuedrivinguninterrupted,youmust
renewyourlicensebeforeitexpires.Ifyoudonotrenewyourlicensewithin6
months(or184days)afteritsexpirationdate,youwillhavetotakethewritten
anddrivingtests(seeChapter2),inadditiontothevisionandroadsigntests.
Licenseofficesareusuallybusiestattheendofeachmonth.Sinceyou
mayrenewyourlicenseupto6months(184days)beforeitexpires,you
areencouragedtoselectatimetoavoidthelongerlines.Iftherenewal
datesforyourdriverlicenseandmotorvehicleregistrationrenewalare
within6months,youmaybeabletocompletebothrenewalsatthesame
timeandsaveyourselfatriplatertothelicenseoffice.
Renewal by Mail for Active Duty Members of the Armed Forces
Missouriallowsrenewalbymailformembersofthearmedforcesandtheir
dependents.Applicantsshouldsubmitrenewalform4317(availableon-line
athttp://dor.mo.gov/forms/index.php,orfaxeduponrequest),alongwith
requireddocumentsandfees.
Missouriallowsarenewalwithoutre-examinationformembersofthearmed
forceswhoselicensehasexpiredwhileoutofstate,foruptosixmonths
fromhonorabledischargeorwithinninetydaysofreestablishingresidency
inMissouri,whicheveroccursfirst.TheexpiredMissourilicenseand
dischargepapersmustbesubmittedatthetimeofapplicationinadditionto
otherapplicablerenewaldocuments.Theexpiredlicenseisnotvalidfor
driving.Theseprovisionsonlywaivere-examinationanddonotextendthe
actualdrivingprivilegesbeyondtheexpirationdate.
Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed License
Ifyourlicenseexpiresorislostorstolenwhileyouareoutofstate,you
mayrequestaMail-InLicenseApplicationbyphoneat(573)751-4600or
downloadtheform(DOR-4317)atourwebsiteatwww.dor.mo.gov.
Ifyourlicenseislost,stolen,ordestroyed,youmustapplyforaduplicate
license.Ifyourcurrentlicenseexpireswithinthenext6months,youmay
renewyourlicenseearlyratherthanobtainaduplicatelicense.Thissaves
youtimeandmoney.
17
Renewing When Your License is Suspended or Revoked
Youmaytakethevisionandroadsigntestsandrenewyourlicenseeven
whileyourdrivingprivilegeissuspended.However,ifyourdrivingprivilege
hasbeenrevoked,youmayonlyrenewyourlicenseduringtherevocationif
itresultedfromyourrefusaltotakeachemicaltest,fromanabuseandlose
courtorder,oraminorinpossessionaction.
Youwillnotreceiveyourlicensebackuntilyouhavecompletedyour
reinstatementrequirementsandyourdrivingprivilegehasbeenreinstated.
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRIVER LICENSE
Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor Information
Whenyouapplyforanew,renewal,orduplicateinstructionpermit,driver
ornondriverlicense,thecontractofficewillprovideinformationregarding
thefirstpersonconsentorgan,eyeandtissuedonorregistry.Youwillbe
askedtwoveryimportantquestionsatthetimeyoumakeyourapplication.
1. Do you authorize a symbol to be placed on your license indicating
your consent to be listed as an organ, eye and tissue donor in the
donor registry?
Ifyousayyes,aredheartwithagreenbannerwillappearonthefront
ofyourinstructionpermit,driver,ornondriverlicense.Yournamewill
automaticallybeaddedtotheMissouriOrganandTissueDonorRegistry
managedbytheMissouriDepartmentofHealthandSeniorServicesor
theiragent.Theregistryisonasecure,confidentialdatabase.Joiningthe
registrymeansyouhavelegallydocumentedyourdecisiontosavelives
bybecominganorganandtissuedonoratthetimeofyourdeath-no
furtherconsentisneeded-relievingyourfamilyofmakingthatdecision
onyourbehalf.Thereisnofeetoplacethesymbolonyourinstruction
permit,driverornondriverlicense,orplaceyournameintheregistry.
Youmayobtainmoreinformationregardingthedonorregistryorregister
yourdecisionandenrollon-lineatwww.missouriorgandonor.com.
2. Would you like to contribute a dollar to the Missouri Organ Donor Fund?
Anotherwaytosupportorganandtissuedonationistomakeavoluntary
contributiontotheMissouriOrganDonorFund.Yourcontributiontothe
funddirectlysupportsregistryoperationandpubliceducationsothat
peopleareempoweredtomakeaninformeddecisionaboutdonation.
Theregistryandeducationaleffortsaresupportedbycontributionsonly.
Onthebackofyourinstructionpermit,driverornondriverlicense,space
isprovidedtodesignateanyorgansyouwanttodonateatthetimeof
yourdeath,inotherwords,ananatomicalgift.Writetheorgan(s)you
wanttodonateandsignanddateinfrontoftwowitnesses.Theytoo
mustsign.Thereisalsoaplaceonthebackofthelicensetoindicate
yourAttorneyinFactforhealthcaredecisions,includingorgandonation.
AnAttorneyinFactissomeonetowhomyougivepermissiontoacton
yourbehalf.Useapermanentmarkerwhencompletingthebackof
yourdriverandnondriverlicense.
18
Youarestronglyencouragedtoinformyourfamilyofyourdecisiontobe
anorgan,eye,andtissuedonorandyourdecisionrelatedtoAttorneyin
Fact.AlthoughMissourilawdoesnotrequireit,keepingeveryone
informedwillhelpavoidconfusionordelays.
Thebackofyourlicensealsoincludesareasforyoutowriteyourblood
type and allergic reactionstomedicines.Ifyouareinanaccident,this
informationcouldhelpmedicalpersonnelsaveyourlife.
Blind Awareness Fund
Statelawrequirestheclerktoaskyouifyouwouldliketodonate$1to
theblindawarenessfundwhenyouapplyforalicense,permit,or
non-driverlicense.
J88 Notation for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Applicants
Whenyouapplyfororrenewyourdriverlicense,nondriverlicense,or
instructionpermit,youmayaskthataJ88notationbeplacedonyour
driverlicense,nondriverlicense,orinstructionpermit.Intheeventofan
emergency,thisnotationwillallowlawenforcementoremergencyand
medicalpersonneltoreadilydetermineifyouaredeaforhardofhearing.
Thiswillassistinensuringeffectivecommunicationswithsomeonewhois
injuredandnonresponsive.InordertoobtaintheJ88notation,youmust
requestthenotationwhenapplyingforalicenseorinstructionpermit.
Youmusthaveoneofthefollowingdocumentsifyouwishtohavethe
J88notationplacedonyourlicenseorpermit:
Amedicalstatementfromalicensedmedicalprofessional,which
verifiesyourlevelofhearingloss.
AcertifiedaffidavitTheaffidavitform(DOR-4942)canbeobtained
fromanylicenseoffice.
Astatementfromanapprovedorauthorizedagencylistedbelow,
whichverifiesyourlevelofhearingloss.
Agenciesorprogramsauthorizedtoprovidedocumentationthatalicense
orinstructionpermitapplicantisdeaforhearingimpairedshallincludebut
notbelimitedtothefollowing:
TheMissouriCommissionfortheDeaf
SocialSecurityAdministration
Avocationalrehabilitationprogram
Afederal,state,orcountydepartmentofhealth
AnIndependentLivingCenter
TheDirectorofRevenueshallhaveauthorizationtoreviewanddetermine
acceptabilityofanydocumentationfromanagencyorprogramnotlisted.
Boater Safety Indicator
IfyouarearesidentofMissouriwhohascompliedwiththeprovisionsof
section306.127,RSMoandpossessacurrentBoatingSafetyEducation
CardissuedbytheMissouriStateHighwayPatrol,youmayrequestto
obtainaboateridentificationindicatoronyourdriverlicenseornondriver
license.TheMissouriStateHighwayPatrolwillaccepttheindicatoron
avaliddriverlicenseornondriverlicenseinlieuofcarryingtheseparate
19
BoatingSafetyEducationCard.Youmustrequestthenewindicatorand
presentyourvalidBoatingSafetyEducationCardatthetimeofapplication
foranew,renewalorduplicatetransaction.Therewillbeanadditionalcost
of$1.00addedtostandardprocessingfeeswhentheboateridentification
indicatorisinitiallyaddedtoadriverlicenseornondriverlicensedocument.
Permanent Disability Indicator
IfyouarearesidentofMissouriwhoispermanentlydisabledyoumayrequest
tohaveapermanentdisabilityindicatorplacedonthebackofyourdriver
licenseornondriverlicenseatthetimeofapplicationforanew,renewalor
duplicatetransaction.TobeeligiblefortheindicatoryoumustsubmitaForm
5294PhysiciansStatement-PermanentDisabilityIndicatorcompletedand
signedbyyourphysician,physicaltherapist,occupationaltherapistlicensed
underChapter334,RSMo,orotherauthorizedhealthcarepractitioner.There
willbenoadditionalcosttoaddtheindicator.Thestandardnew,renewal,or
duplicatetransactionandprocessingfeeswillapply.Youarenotrequiredby
lawtoobtainapermanentdisabilityindicatoronyourdriverlicenseornon-
driverlicense.Theindicatorisnotdeterminationofeligibilityorpublicbenefits.
Veteran Designation
IfyouareaveteranoftheUnitedStatesArmedForcesyoumayopttohavea
VETERANdesignationplacedonthebackofyourdriverornondriverlicense
atthetimeofapplicationforanew,renewalorduplicatetransaction.Tobe
eligibleforthedesignation,youmustsubmitaUnitedStatesDepartmentof
Defensedischargedocument,otherwiseknownasaDD214thatindicatesa
dischargestatusofhonorable,general,underhonorableconditionsor
generalunderhonorableconditions.Therewillbenoadditionalcosttoadd
theindicator.Thestandardnew,renewalorduplicatetransactionand
processingfeeswillapply.Youarenotrequiredbylawtoobtaintheveteran
designation.
Drivers Privacy Protection Act (DPPA)
TheFederalDriversPrivacyProtectionActrequiresallstatestoclosethe
personalinformationcontainedonallmotorvehicle,driverandnondriver
licenserecords,unlessotherwisedirectedbystatelaw.UnderMissourilaw,
apersonorentitymayaccessthepersonalinformationifexemptunder
theDPPA(andhavesubmittedForm4678RequestforSecurityAccess
Code)orhaveobtainedexpressconsentfromtherecordholder(Form4681
-RequestfromRecordHolder).
Voter Registration
Whenyouapplyfororrenewyourdriverlicense,nondriverlicense,or
instructionpermit,theclerkwillaskyouifyouareregisteredtovote.If
youindicatethatyouareregisteredtovote,yourtransactionwillbe
completed.Ifyouarenotregistered,andareinterestedinbecoming
registered,orneedtoupdateyournameoraddressonyourvoter
registrationcard,youmaycompleteanapplicationanditwillbeforwarded
toyourlocalelectionauthority.
Selective Service Registration
Maleapplicants,age18to26,mayregisterwiththeSelectiveServiceat
thetimeoftheirlicenseorpermitapplication.
20
SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF YOUR LICENSE
Thereareanumberofreasonsyourlicensemayberevokedorsuspended
ordenied.Yourbestbetistoberesponsibleandbeagooddriver.Youcan
loseyourlicenseforanyofthefollowingreasons:
ParentorGuardianRequesttoDenyaDriverLicenseIfyouare
undertheage18,yourparentorguardianmayrequestthattheDirector
ofRevenuedenyyoualicense.Ifyoualreadyhaveadriverlicense,
therequest(Form4811)willcancelyourlicense.Whenthedepartment
receivestherequest,adenialwillbeplacedonyourdrivingrecord.
Thedenialexpireswhenyouturn18orwhenyourparentorguardian
requestsyourdrivingstatusbecleared.Form4811maybefoundonthe
departmentswebsiteatwww.dor.mo.govoratanylicenseoffice.
Drivingundertheinfluenceofalcoholordrugs(seeChapter10)
Refusingtoletapoliceofficertestyouforalcoholordrugs
Leavingthesceneofanaccident
Failingtofileanaccidentreport(seeChapter13)
Givingfalseinformationwhenyouapplyforalicense
Failingtosettleacourtjudgmentmadeagainstyoufordamagesresulting
fromamotorvehicleaccident
Failingtokeepinsurance(financialresponsibility)(seeChapter13)
Changingtheinformationonyourlicenseorusingsomeoneelseslicense
whenyouattempttobuyalcohol
FailingtoappearforanexamwhenrequestedbytheDriverLicenseBureau
Usingamotorvehicletocommitafelonyorcausingthedeathof
someoneinamotorvehicleaccident
Havingtoomanypointsonyourdrivingrecord(seeChapter11)
Lettingsomeoneelseuseyourdriverlicense
FailingtoappearincourtorpaytrafficticketsinMissouriorotherstates
Failingtopaychildsupport
Failingtouseanignitioninterlockdevicewhenrequired
Stealingfuelfromagasstation
Possessinganyintoxicatingliquorifyouareaminor
Submittingfalseproofofinsurance
Failingtoyieldtheright-of-wayandcausinginjuryordeath
THE GRADUATED DRIVER LICENSE (GDL) LAW
MissourisGraduatedDriverLicenseLawrequiresallfirst-timedriverstoobtainan
instructionpermitandcompleteaperiodofdrivingwithalicenseddriverfollowed
byaperiodofrestricteddriving(intermediatelicense)beforegettingafulllicense.
Studiesfromacrossthecountryshowthatdeathsandseriousinjuriesfrom
trafficcrashesinvolvingyoungdriversdeclinebyasmuchas58percent
afteraGraduatedDriverLicenseLawisimplemented.Considerthe
instructionpermitasstepone,theintermediatelicenseassteptwo,andthe
full(Under21)driverlicenseasstepthree.Thefollowingaredescriptionsof
eachsteptohelpyouunderstandtheGDLprogram.
STEP ONE: Instruction PermitEligibleAge:15Cost:$3.50
Valid:0-12months,basedondocumentverificationstatus
To Obtain an Instruction Permit:
Passthevision,roadsign,andwrittentests.
Aparent,stepparent,legalguardian,orcertifiedtrainer(withafederal
residentialjobtrainingprogram)mustaccompanyyoutothelicense
officetosignapermissionstatement.
Permit Notes:
Underage16,youmaydriveonlywhenaccompaniedinthefrontseat
byaparent,stepparent,grandparent,legalguardian,qualifieddriving
instructor,orapersonwhoisatleast25yearsofagewhohasbeen
licensedforaminimumof3yearsandhasreceivedwrittenpermission
fromtheparentorlegalguardian.Ifyourparent,stepparent,
grandparent,orlegalguardianisphysicallydisabled,heorshemay
designateuptotwopersonstoaccompanyyouinthevehicletoprovide
behind-the-wheelinstruction.
Atage16orolder,youmaydrivewhenaccompaniedinthefrontseat
byapersonwhoisatleast21yearsoldandhasavaliddriverlicense.
Seatbeltsmustbewornbythedriverandallpassengers.
Yourtestpaperaloneisnotlegalfordriving.Besuretocarryyour
permitwithyou.
Youmayrenewyourinstructionpermitasmanytimesasneeded
withouttakingadditionalwrittentests.
FreePERMITDRIVERwindowsignsareavailableatalllicenseoffices.
To Graduate to an Intermediate License:
Youmusthaveaninstructionpermitforaminimumof6months(182days)
beginningthedayafterissuance.
Youmusthavereceived40hoursofdrivinginstructionwithaparent,
stepparent,legalguardian,orcertifiedtrainer(withafederalresidential
jobtrainingprogram).Therequired40hoursmustincludeatleast10
hoursofnighttimedriving.
STEP TWO: Intermediate LicenseEligibleAge:16to18Cost:$7.50
Valid:0-2years,basedondocumentverificationstatus
To Obtain an Intermediate License:
Youmustsatisfytherequirements(listedinStepOne)tograduate
fromtheinstructionpermit,andholdtheinstructionpermitforatleast
6months(182days)beginningthedayafterissuance.Thisincludes
havingnoalcohol-relatedconvictionsinthelast12monthsandno
trafficconvictionsinthelast6months.
Aparent,grandparent,stepparent,legalguardian,orcertifiedtrainer
(withafederalresidentialjobtrainingprogram)mustaccompanyyou
tothelicenseofficetoverifyyouhavereceived40hoursofdriving
instructionwithyourinstructionpermit.
Passthevision,roadsign,andwrittentestsifpreviousresultsaremore
thanoneyearold.
Passthedrivingtest.
License Notes:
Yourtestpaperaloneisnotlegalfordriving.Besuretocarryyour
intermediatelicensewithyou.
Seatbeltsmustbewornbythedriverandallpassengers.
Passengerrestrictionsoutlinedbelowmaynotbeapplicabletoan
intermediatelicenseholderwhoisoperatinginagriculturalwork-related
activities.
21
22
Driving Restrictions:
Duringthefirst6months,youmaynotoperateamotorvehiclewith
morethanonepassengerwhoisundertheageof19andwhoisnota
memberofyourimmediatefamily*.
Afterthefirst6months,youmaynotoperateamotorvehiclewithmore
thanthreepassengerswhoareunder19yearsofageandwhoarenot
membersofyourimmediatefamily*.
Youmaynotdrivealonebetween1:00a.m.and5:00a.m.exceptto
andfromaschoolactivity,job,oranemergency,unlessaccompanied
byalicenseddriver21yearsofageorolder.
* Immediate familyshallincludeparents,grandparents,brothers,sisters,
stepbrothers,stepsisters,andadoptedorfosterchildrenresidinginthe
drivershousehold.Parent shallincludeafosterparent,stepparentor
adoptiveparent.Grandparentshallincludeafostergrandparent,step-
grandparentoradoptivegrandparent.
To Graduate to a Full Under-21 Driver License:
Yourdrivingprivilegecannotbesuspended,revoked,ordeniedatthe
timeofapplication.
Youmaynothaveanyalcohol-relatedoffensesortrafficconvictions
withinthelast12months.
STEP THREE: Full Driver License (Under 21)
EligibleAge:18Cost:$10.00
Valid:0-3years,basedondocumentverificationstatus
To Obtain the Under-21 Full Driver License:
Youmustsatisfytherequirementsforanintermediatelicense.This
includeshavingnoalcohol-relatedconvictionsortrafficconvictionsin
thelast12months.
Haveavalidintermediatelicense.Yourdrivingprivilegecannotbe
suspended,revoked,ordeniedwhenyouapplyforafulldriverlicense.
Passthevisionandroadsignrecognitiontests.(Youarenotrequired
topassthewrittenanddrivingtestsifalreadycompleted.)
Ifyouareunder21yearsofage,theDepartmentofRevenuewillissueyou
alicenseidentifyingyouasaminor.Whenyoubecome21yearsold,you
mayapplyandpayforanotherdriverlicense(withouttheminorindication)
orwaituntilyourunder-21driverlicenseexpires.
YouareencouragedtostudythisDriverGuidebeforeyouattemptthewritten
exam.Almost50percentofalltest-takersfailthefirsttime.Youwillhavea
muchbetterchanceofpassingyourtestifyoutaketimetoreviewthisGuide.
23
A CHECKLIST FOR YOU
YoumusthavethefollowingdocumentswithyouwhenyouapplyforaMissouri
driverlicense,instructionpermit,ornondriverlicense.Takeallthedocumentswith
youtoacontractofficewhenyouapplyforyourlicenseorpermit.
NEW MISSOURI RESIDENT TRANSFERRING AN OUT-OF-STATE DRIVER
LICENSE (valid or expired no more than 184 days)
Out-of-State driver license (valid or expired no more than 184 days)
Verification of name, date of birth, place of birth, social security
number, and Missouri residential address*
NOTE:Ifyouareupgradingyourdriverlicense,taketheabovedocuments
withyoutoaMissouriStateHighwayPatrol(MSHP)examinationlocation
whenyoutakethewritten,vision,androadsigntestsand/ordrivingtest.
FIRST-TIME APPLICANT
Verification of name, date of birth, place of birth, social security
number, and Missouri residential address*
Driver Examination Record (DOR-100) indicating successful completion
of tests (not required for nondriver license)
RENEWAL LICENSE
All drivers renewing will have to show verification of name, date of
birth, place of birth, social security number, and Missouri residential
address*
Exemption: If you are renewing a non-commercial permit/driver license
or nondriver license and are age 65 or older you are exempt from
presenting documents for place of birth.
*Pleaserefertothelistofacceptabledocumentsinthischapter.
Note: AdditionaldocumentsandverificationofSSNmayberequired
ifthedocumentationsubmittedisquestionable,orifthecontract
officeclerkorMSHPexaminerhasreasontoquestionthevalidityor
authenticityofthedocuments,orneedsfurtherverification.
4
24
THE DRIVER EXAMINATION
Thedriverexaminationconsistsofafour-parttest:
Awrittentestontrafficlawsandrulesforsafedriving
Avisiontest
Aroadsigntest
Adrivingtest(skills)
Youshouldbepreparedtotakethedriverexamif:
YouareapplyingforanewMissouridriverlicense.
Note:Ifyouhaveadriverlicensefromanotherstatethatisvalidorhas
beenexpiredforlessthan184days,andyouareapplyingforthesametype
oflicenseinMissouri,youonlyhavetotakethevisionandroadsigntests.
YourMissouridriverlicenseisexpiredformorethan6months(184days).
TheDirectorofRevenueasksyoutotaketheexam,evenifyouhavea
currentdriverlicense.
Yourlicensewasrevoked:
becauseyouhavetoomanypointsonyourdrivingrecord.
becauseofanAdministrativeAlcoholaction(seeChapter10).
Where to Take the Exam
TheMissouriStateHighwayPatrol(MSHP)administersthedriverexamination.
Tofindthetestingcenternearestyou,contacttheMSHPortheDepartment
ofRevenue.ThephonenumbersfortheDepartmentofRevenueandMSHP
areatthebackofthisguide.YoucanalsofindtheselocationsontheMSHP
website:www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov.
Verification of Your Name and Age
Beforeyoucantakethedriverexam,youmustproveyourlegalnameand
age.ThisidentificationmustalsobeshowntotheDepartmentofRevenue
whenapplyingforadriverlicenseorpermitandanytimeyoutakethewritten
ordrivingtests.(RefertoChapter1foralistofacceptabledocumentsfor
verificationofname,dateofbirth,placeofbirth,socialsecuritynumber,and
Missouriresidentialaddress.)
Written Test
DriverLicense(ClassF)
IfyouareapplyingforaClassF(operator)license,youmusttakea25
questionmultiple-choicewrittentest.Thequestionswillbeonthelawsand
methodsofdrivingcoveredinthisGuide.ThetestisNOTanopenbook
test.Youwillnotbetestedontheinformationoncommercialvehiclesin
Chapter15.
For-HireLicense(ClassE)
IfyouareapplyingforaClassE(for-hire)license,youmusttakeaspecial
writtentest.Thequestionswillbeonthelawsandmethodsofdriving
coveredinthisGuidebutwillalsoincludetheinformationoncommercial
vehiclesfoundinChapter15.ThetestisNOTanopenbooktest.
Vision Test
Youmusttakeanacuityvisiontestandaperipheral(side)visiontestwhen
youapplyforanyneworrenewaldriverlicenseorpermit.Thestandard
minimumacuityisatleast20/40witheitherorbotheyes.Ifyouwearglasses
CHAPTER 2 THE DRIVER EXAM
25
orcontactlenses,youmayneedthemforthevisiontest.Thestandard
minimumperipheralreadingisatleast55degreesineacheyeor85degrees
inoneeye.Ifyouareunabletomeetthevisionstandardsasrequired,you
maybedeniedalicense,orrestrictionsmaybeplacedonyourlicense.
If you fail the standard vision test,theexaminerwillgiveyouavision
examformthatyoureyespecialistorphysicianmustfillout.Ifthe
physicianprescribesglassesorcontactlensestocorrectyourvision,you
mayhavetowaitfortheglasses(orcontactlenses)beforethewrittenand/
ordrivingtestsmaybegiven.Ifbothyournaturalandcorrectedacuity
visionareworsethan20/160,oryourperipheralcombinedisworsethan70
degrees,youcannottakethedrivingtestandcannothaveadriverlicense.
Road Sign Test
Theroadsigntestwillcheckyourabilitytorecognizeandunderstandtraffic
signs.
Driving Test
Afteryoupassthewritten,vision,androadsigntests,youmaythentake
thedrivingtest.Youwilltakethedrivingtestwithadriverlicenseexaminer
oftheMissouriStateHighwayPatrol.
Theexaminerwillcheckyourvehiclefortherequiredequipment.The
examinerwillalsocheckyourvehicleforitssafeoperatingcondition.You
cannottakethetestifthevehicleisnotproperlyequipped,ortheexaminer
believesthatgivingthetestwillbedangerous.
Youshouldtakethetestinavehiclethatisfamiliartoyou.Thevehicle
musthave:
Currentlicenseplate(s)andavalidinspectionsticker.
Seatbeltsinproperworkingorder.
Doorsinproperworkingorderforthedriverandexaminer.
Aclean,safeseatfortheexaminer.
Twosetsofbrakes(parkingandafootbrake)ingoodworkingorder.
Ahorningoodworkingorder.
Youwilldrive,andtheexaminerwillsitbesideyou.Nooneelsemayride
inthevehicleduringthetest.Avoidunnecessaryconversationwiththe
examiner,andfocusonyourdriving.Remembertheexaminersjobisto
test,nottoteach.YoumustobeyallMissouritrafficlawsatalltimes.
THE EXAMINER WILL ASK YOU TO FIND AND USE THE VEHICLES
CONTROLS,suchastheaccelerator,brakes,turnsignals,windshield
wipers,etc.Youwillbetestedfor:
Findingthecontrolwithoutsearching.
Usingthecontrolcorrectly.
THE EXAMINER WILL ASK YOU TO START DRIVING.Youwillbe
testedfor:
Startingthevehicle.
Releasingtheparkingbrake.
Lookingtoseeifthewayisclear.
Givingthepropersignal.
Drivingsmoothlyandatthecorrectspeed.
26
THE EXAMINER WILL TELL YOU WHERE TO DRIVE, TURN, STOP, ETC.
Aftertheexaminertellsyouwhattodo,youwillhaveenoughtimetolook
fortrafficandtodriveasasked.Youwillbeaskedtodothefollowing:
1. Start and stop the vehicle.Youwillbetestedfor:
Thesmoothnessandsafetyofyourstartsandstops.
Yourreactiontime.
Yourcontrolofthevehiclewhenstopping.
2. Park parallel to the curb,inaspace25feetlongand7feetwide.
Youwillbetestedfor:
Thepositionofyourvehiclebeforebacking.
Whetherornotyoubumpintothespacemarkers.
Movingintothespacesmoothlyandattherightspeed.
Parkingnomorethan18fromthecurb.
Parkingnearthecenterofthespace.
Abilitytoparkthevehiclewithintwominutes.
Turningthewheelsinthecorrectdirectionforparking.
Checkingtrafficandsignalingbeforeyouleavetheparkingspace.
3. Backing.Youwillbetestedfor:
Lookingoveryourrightshouldertoseethroughtherearglass.
Whetheryourvehiclebacksinastraightlineorweaves.
Stayingintheproperlaneoftraffic.
Backingattherightspeed.
4. Make at least two right and two left turns.Youwillbetestedfor:
Drivinginthecorrectlaneforturning.
Givingtheproperturnsignalatthepropertime.
Turningintotheproperlane.
Makingpropertrafficchecks.
Turningattherightspeed.
Yourcontrolofthevehicle.
5. Park on a hill.Youwillbetestedfor:
Yourcontrolofthevehicle.
Parkingnomorethan18fromthecurb.
Leavingyourvehicleinparkorthecorrectgear.
Turningthefrontwheelsinthecorrectdirectionforparking.
Settingtheparkingbrake.
Checkingtrafficandsignaling.
6. Enter and leave intersections.Youwillbetestedfor:
Understandingandobeyingthetrafficsignsandlights.
Yourspeedwhenapproachinganintersection.
Yourawarenessofthetrafficaroundyou.
Drivinginthecorrectlane.
Yieldingtheright-of-waywithoutblockingtraffic.
Makingafullstopattheproperplaceatstopsigns.
7. Understand and obey traffic signs and signals.Youwillbetestedfor:
Noticingandobeyingtrafficsignsandsignals.
27
THE EXAMINER WILL WATCH FOR YOUR USE OF GOOD DRIVING
RULES.Youwillbetestedfor:
Thedistancebetweenyourvehicleandthevehicleinfrontofyou.
Yourspeedwhiledriving.
Drivingintheproperlaneandobeyinglanemarkings.
Yourawarenessofthetrafficaroundyou.
Yieldingtheright-of-waywhennecessary.
Your Grade
Throughoutthedrivingtest,theexaminerwillsubtractpointsforanydriving
errorsyoumake.Ifyoulosemorethan30points,youwillfailthetest.You
willalsofailthetestifyou:
Areinatrafficaccidentwithanothervehicleanditisyourfault
Hitapedestrian
Drivesodangerouslyyoumighthavecausedanaccident
Violateatrafficlaw
Refusetodriveastheexaminerasks
Whenyoupassthedrivingskillstest,youwillbegivenaformwithyourtest
results.Beforeyoudrive,youmustapplyandobtainalicenseatalicense
office.Thetestresultformitselfisnotvalidfordriving.
Failing the Driving Test
Ifyoufailthedrivingtest,theexaminerwillsuggestthatyoupracticebefore
retakingthetest.Youmaytakeonlyonedrivingtestperday.
If you fail the driving test three times, no further tests will be allowed
without written authorization from the Department of Revenue.The
driverexaminerwillgiveyouaformthatyoumustsendtothedepartment.
Afteryousendtheformtothedepartment,youwillreceivealetterfromthe
departmentrequiringadditionalbehind-the-wheeldrivertraining.
Youmustsendproofoftheadditionaldrivertrainingbeforeyouwillbe
allowedtotakethedrivingtestagain.
Fraud
Itisacrimetocommitfraud.Anyonewhomakesafalseunswornstatement
oraffidavitorwhocommitsorassistsanotherpersonincommittingfraudor
deceptionduringanyexaminationprocessforaMissourilicense,permit,or
nondriverlicense,isguiltyoffraud.FraudisaClassAmisdemeanorthat
mayresultinthelossofyourdrivingprivilegeforuptooneyear.
Someexamplesoffraudcouldincludecheating,orusingorattemptingto
useanyrecording,photographic,ortwo-waycommunicatingdeviceduring
anytestingprocess.
28
CHAPTER 3 PAVEMENT MARKINGS, TRAFFIC
SIGNS, LIGHTS, AND SIGNALS
NOPASSINGZONE
NOPASSINGZONE
NO PASSING ZONES
Two-laneroadsmayhavenopassingzonesmarkedwithaSOLID
YELLOW LINE.Nopassingzonesareonhillsorcurveswhereyoucannot
seefarenoughaheadtopasssafely.Youmustcompletepassingbefore
youenterthenopassingzone.
PAVEMENT MARKINGS ON THE ROAD
Linesandsymbolsontheroadwayindicateanumberofthingstodrivers:
wherelanesaredivided,whereyoumaypassothervehicles,orchange
lanes,whichlanestouseforturns,wherepedestrianwalkwaysarelocated,
andwhereyoumuststopforsignsandtrafficsignals.
MEANINGS OF PAVEMENT MARKINGS
LINES BROKENLINESmaybecrossedinapassingmaneuver.
SOLIDLINESshouldnotbecrossedinapassingmaneuver.
COLORS YELLOWdividesoncomingtraffic.
WHITEdividessame-directiontraffic.
DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC
IfthelineontheleftofyouisYELLOW,thetrafficontheothersideofthe
lineismovingintheOPPOSITEdirection.
WhenthelineontheleftofyouisWHITE,thetrafficismovingintheSAME
direction.Asolidwhitelinemarkstherightedgeofmanyroads.
ThecentermarkingforroadswithfourlanesconsistsofTWO SOLID
YELLOW LINES.Theyellowlinestellyouthetrafficontheothersideof
thelinesismovingintheoppositedirection.Youshouldnevercrossthe
twosolidyellowlinestopass.
CROSSWALKS AND STOP LINES
Whenrequiredtostopbecauseofasignorsignal,youmuststopbefore
yourvehiclereachesthestoplineor,ifthereisone,thecrosswalk.
Crosswalksdefinetheareawherepedestriansaretocrosstheroadway.
Youmustyieldtopedestriansinorabouttoenteracrosswalk.Not
allcrosswalksaremarked.Bealertforpedestrianswhencrossing
intersectionsthatdonothavedefinedcrosswalks.
DUAL USE LANES
Dualuselaneshavebothaturnarrowandastraightarrow.Whenboth
arrowsappearontheelectrictrafficsignal,youmayeitherturnorgo
straight.Butifyouwanttoturn,andonlythestraightarrowisshowing,you
mustwaitfortheturnarrow.
29
Whenyouseeasolidyellowlineonyoursideofthecenterline,donottry
topass.Onanytwo-laneroad,neverpassifyoucannotseetheroadis
clearforthedistanceyouneedtomakeapass,evenifthereisnomarking
ontheroadway.
LEFT-TURN LANES
Someroadshavemarkedleft-turnlanes.Noticethesolidyellowlinesand
thethickyellowstripesintheillustrationbelow.
30
REVERSIBLE EXPRESS LANES
Sometravellanesaredesignedtocarrytrafficinonedirectionatcertain
timesandintheoppositedirectionatothertimes.Theselanesareusually
markedbydouble-dashedyellowlines.Beforeyoustartdrivinginthem,
checktoseewhichlanesyoucanuseatthattime.Theremaybesigns
postedbythesideoftheroadoroverhead.Sometimesspeciallightsare
used.Agreenarrowmeansyoucanusethelanebeneathit;aredX
meansyoumaynot.
SHARED CENTER LANES
Vehiclesmovinginbothdirectionsmayusethesecenterlanesformaking
leftturns(orU-turnswhentheyarepermitted).Onthepavement,left-turn
arrowsfortrafficinonedirectionalternatewithleft-turnarrowsfortraffic
comingfromtheotherdirection.Theselanesaremarkedoneachsideby
asolidyellowanddashedyellowlines.Turnfromthislaneassoonasyour
pathisclear.
NO LANE MARKINGS
Whentherearenosignsormarkingstocontroltheuseoflanes,thereare
rulesthatindicatewhichlaneistobeused.Theserulescovergeneral
driving,passing,andturning.
General DrivingIngeneral,neverbackavehicleinanytravellane.
Driversdonotexpectavehicletobebackingtowardsthemandmaynot
realizeituntilitistoolate.Ifyoumissyourturnorexit,donotbackup.
Goontowhereyoucansafelyturnaround.Donotstopintravellanes
foranyreason(confusion,breakdown,orlettingoutapassenger).Keep
movinguntilyoucansafelypullofftheroad.
Onaroadwiththreeormorelanestravelinginthesamedirection,stayin
therightlaneexcepttopass.Ifthereisaconsiderableamountoftraffic
enteringtherighttravellane,thenusethecentertravellane.
PassingOnmulti-laneroads,theleft-mostlaneisintendedtobeused
topassslowervehicles.Ifyoupassontheright,theotherdrivermay
havedifficultyseeingyouandmightsuddenlychangelanesinfrontofyou.
Neverpassontheshoulder.Otherdriverswillnotexpectyoutobethere
andmaypullofftheroadwithoutlooking.
TRAFFIC OFFICERS
Youmustobeytrafficofficersatalltimes.Ifyouseeatrafficofficergiving
directions,dowhatheorshesaysandignoreanytrafficsignsorsignals.
Forexample,iftheofficersignalsforyoutostopatagreenlight,youmust
stop.
TRAFFIC SIGNALS
Trafficsignalsarelightsthattellyouwhenorwheretostopandgo.
FLASHING SIGNAL - ALL DIRECTIONS
Flashingtrafficsignalsmayoccurduringemergencies,night
time/lowtrafficvolumeperiodsandspecialevents.Flashing
trafficsignalshavethefollowingmeanings:
Aflashingredlightmeansthesamethingasastopsign.
Aflashingyellowlighttellsyoutoslowdownandproceed
withcaution.
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS
Trafficcontrolsincludetrafficsignals,trafficsignsandpavementmarkings.
Trafficcontrolalsocanbeprovidedbylawenforcement,highwaypersonnel
orschoolcrossingguards.Youmustobeydirectionsfromthesepersons.
ARED LIGHTtellsyoutostopatthestopline,crosswalkorbefore
theintersection.Unlessyouaremakingarightturn,youmust
waitforthesignaltoturngreenbeforeyouproceed.Aftermaking
acompletestop,youmayturnrightonaredlightifthewayisclearof
pedestriansandtraffic.However,youmustnotturnrightonaredlight
whenthereisaNORIGHTTURNONREDsignposted.
ASTEADY YELLOW LIGHTtellsyouthetrafficsignalischanging
fromgreentored.Stopforasteadyyellowlightunlessyouare
withintheintersectionoraresoclosethatyoucannotsafelystop
beforeenteringtheintersection.
AGREEN LIGHTtellsyouthatyoucangothroughtheintersection.
However,youmustfirstyieldtheright-of-waytotrafficand
pedestrianswhoarestillintheintersection.
Left Turn Signals: Whenturningleftatagreenlight,there
arethreetypesofleft-turnsignalphases:
1. PermissiveVehiclesaregivenacirculargreenora
flashingyellowarrowandrequiredtowaitforanadequate
gapintheopposingtrafficpriortomakingtheirturn.
2. Protected Vehiclesmayturnonlywhentheyreceive
agreenarrowwhileopposingvehiclesarestoppedbya
redlight.Thistypeofcontroliscommonlysignedleftturn
signal.
3. Protected/PermissiveVehiclesaregivenaprotected
phase(greenarrow),orapermissive(circulargreenor
flashingyellowarrow)phase,whendriversmustchoosean
adequategapinopposingtraffic.Thistypeofcontrol,when
usedwithacirculargreen,iscommonlysignedleftturn
yieldongreen.
ASTEADY YELLOW ARROWappearsafteragreenarrow.Ittells
youthegreenarrowwillbechangingtoacirculargreenlight,a
flashingyellowarroworaredlight.Youmustbereadytoyieldthe
right-of-waytooncomingtrafficortostop.
31
AFLASHING YELLOW ARROWtellsyouthatyouareallowed
todriveinthedirectionthearrowispointingbutarerequiredto
waitforanadequategapintheopposingtrafficpriortomaking
yourturn.
AGREEN ARROWtellsyouthatyoucandriveinthedirectionthe
arrowispointing.Youmustbeintheproperlaneandthewaymust
beclearofalltrafficandpedestrians.
Darksignals,ortrafficsignalsthatarentworkingoperateasa4-waystop.
LANE USE CONTROL SIGNALS
Laneusecontrolsignalstellyouwhichlanesyoumaydriveinona
roadway.Youwillseethesesignalsdirectlyoverthelanetheycontrol.
RedX Donotdriveinthislane.
GreenArrowYoumayusethislane.
IfyouaredrivinginagreenarrowlaneandthearrowturnstoaredX,do
notpanic.Theoncomingtrafficwillnotreceiveagreenarrowforthatlane
untilyouhavehadtimetochangelanes.
TRAFFIC SIGNS
Trafficsignstellyouabouttrafficrules,hazards,whereyouare,howtoget
whereyouaregoingandwhereservicesarelocated.Theshapeandcolor
ofthesesignsgivecluestothetypeofinformationtheyprovide.
SIGN COLORS
32
Red=Stop,Yield,orProhibited
Yellow=Warning
Black=Regulatory
White=Regulatory
Brown=PublicRecreation
&CulturalInterests
Yellow-Orange=RoadSigns
Orange=Construction
Green=DirectionandDistance
Blue=MotoristServices
SIGN SHAPES
WARNING SIGNS
Thesesignsareyellowwithblackletteringorsymbolsandusuallydiamond
shaped.Thesesignswarnyoutoslowdownandbepreparedtostop
ifnecessarybecauseaspecialsituationorahazardisahead.Some
commonwarningsignsareshownbelow.
TRAFFIC CONTROL
33
Octagon=Stop
Triangle=Yield
Vertical
Rectangle=Regulatory
Horizontal
Rectangle=Guide
Pentagon=School
Round=Railroad
Crossbuck=Railroad
Pennant=No
Passing Zone
Diamond=Warning

Horizontal
Rectangle=Parks
andRecreation
Bicycle Crossing
Yieldtobicycleridersonanybike
trailwhichcrossesaroad.
Signal Ahead
Thereisatrafficlightsignalahead
ontheroadyouareon.Be
preparedtostop.
TRAFFIC FLOW
34
School Crossing
Slowdown.Watchforchildren
crossingtheroad.
Note:Thissignisbeingtransi-
tionedtoneongreen.Thistransi-
tionwilltakeeffectwithinthenext
10years.
Speed Advisory-Highway Ramp
Thehighwayentry/exitramphas
aspeedadvisory.
Added Lane
Trafficfromanotherroadwillbe
enteringtheroad.Nomerging
isnecessarybecausealanehas
beenadded.
Begin Divided Roadway
Theroadwillsoonbecometwo-
waytrafficdividedbyamedianor
barrier.
End Divided Roadway
Two-waytrafficwillnolongerbe
dividedbyamedianorbarrier.
Pedestrian Crossing
Yieldtopedestrianswalkinginthe
crosswalk.SlowDown.
35
Merge
Trafficfromanotherroadwillbe
enteringtheroad.Beprepared
forvehiclestomoveintoyour
lane.
Lane Ends/Merge Left
Twolanesoftrafficwillsoon
becomeonelaneoftraffic.Ifyou
areintherightlaneyoumust
mergeleft,yieldingtotraffic
drivingintheleftlane.
Curve Sign
Acurvesignisusedtowarnofa
curvewheretherecommended
speedislessthantheposted
speedlimitforthehighway.
Right Angle Turn
Aturnsignisusedtowarnofa
sharpturnorturnwherethe
recommendedmaximumspeedis
30mphorless.
Reverse Turn
Areverseturnsignisusedto
warnoftwoturnsinopposite
directions.Thesecondturn
maybesharperthanthefirst.
Recommendedmaximumspeed
is30mphorless.
Speed Advisory
Curveandturnsignshavean
advisoryspeedplatethatshows
therecommendedspeedfor
thecurveorturn.Althoughyou
mayfeelcomfortabledrivingata
higherspeedinfairweather,you
shouldneverdosoinrain,snow
oricyconditions.
TURNS AND CURVES IN THE ROAD
36
Large Arrow
Maybeseenontheoutsideofa
turn.Slowdownforsharpchange
ofdirectionoftravel.
Chevron
Maybeusedinsteadofthelarge
arrowsigntooutlinetheedgeofa
curvingroadortosupplementthe
largearrowsign.
Object Marker
Areusedtonotifydriversof
objectsintheroadwayorvery
closetotheedgeoftheroadway.
Thissignemphasizestheneed
tonotstrayoutsideofthemarked
travellane.
Soft Shoulder
Theshoulderonthesideofthe
roadaheadissoft.Donotdrive
offthepavement.
Slow Moving Vehicle
Areflectiveorangetriangleon
therearofavehiclemeansitis
travelinglessthan25mph.You
mayseethissignonconstruction
equipmentorfarmvehicles.
Slippery When Wet
Theroadaheadbecomes
unusuallyslipperyinwetweather.
Drivecarefullyintheseconditions.
SPECIAL ROAD/TRAFFIC CONDITIONS
REGULATORY SIGNS
Manyregulatorysignsaresquareorrectangular-shapedandarewhite,
withblackorredlettersorsymbols.Theygiveyouinformationaboutrules
fortrafficdirection,laneuse,turning,speed,parking,andotherspecial
situations.
Someregulatorysignshavearedcirclewitharedslashoverasymbol.
Theseindicateyoucannotdosomething,forexample,noleftturnorno
U-turn.
37
Side Road Railroad Crossing
Awarningofarailwaycrossing
veryclosetotheintersection.
Usecautionwhencrossingtracks.
Intersection
Anotherroadcrossestheroad.
Watchcarefullyfortrafficcrossing
yourpath.
Side Road Ahead
Anotherroadenterstheroadfrom
thedirectionshownonthesign.
Roundabout Ahead
Aroundaboutintersectionis
ahead.Slowdownasrequiredby
thespeedrestrictionsignand
followtheroadrulesfor
roundabouts.
T Intersection Ahead
Theroadyouaretravelingdoes
notcontinue.Youmustturn
eitherrightorleft.
ROAD INTERSECTIONS
38
Othercommontypesofregulatorysignsare:
STOP SIGN
Astopsignisredwithwhitelettersandhaseight
sides.Whenyouseeastopsign,youmustcome
toafullstop.
Youmustwaituntilcrossingvehiclesandpedestrians
haveclearedtheintersection.Youmuststopatthe
stoplineifoneispresentevenifitislocatedpastthe
stopsign.Ifthereisnostopline,pullupandstopneartheedgeofthe
intersection,lookbothways,andthenproceedwhenitissafe.
No Left Turn
No Trucks No Bicycles
No Right Turn No U- Turn
a.Stopbeforethe
stopline.
OR...
b.Stopbeforethe
crosswalk.
OR...
c.Ifthereisno
stoplineor
crosswalk,
stopbefore
enteringthe
intersection.
39
YIELD SIGN
Ayieldsignistriangular.Itisredandwhitewith
redletters.Itmeansyoumustslowdownand
yieldtheright-of-waytotrafficintheintersection
youarecrossingorroadwayyouareentering.
WRONG WAY SIGN
Youmadeawrongturnandhaveenteredalane
ofoncomingtraffic.Asquicklyandsafelyas
possible,pullofftheroad,turnaroundandgoback.
DO NOT ENTER SIGN
Whenyouseethissignatroadwayopenings,
donotenterthisroad.
LANE CONTROL SIGNS
Thesesignsuseanarrowsymboltotellyouwhichdirectionyoucango
fromeachlane.Thesignsarealongtheroadorhangingovertheroad.
SPEED LIMIT SIGNS
Speedlimitsignsindicatethemaximumspeedallowed
bylaw,anddonotmeanthatallpartsoftheroadcan
besafelydrivenatthosespeedsunderallconditions.
Thespeedlimitisthemaximumallowablespeedinideal
conditions.Adjustyourspeedforhills,curves,slippery
roadways,limitedsightdistance,pedestrians,bicyclists,
andslow-movingvehicles.Theseconditionsmaymake
thepostedspeedlimitunsafe.Bylaw,whenconditions
demandit,youmustslowdown.Interstatehighwaysalso
haveminimumspeedlimits.Ifthisminimumspeedistoo
fastforyou,thenyoushoulduseanotherroute.Youmay
notdriveslowerthan40mphoninterstatehighways
undernormalroadwayconditions.
40
Usethefollowingguideunlesspostedspeedlimitsdirectotherwise.
ROADWAY MAXIMUM SPEED
Ruralinterstatesandfreeways 70
Ruralexpressways 65
Interstatehighways,freewaysorexpressways 60
withinurbanizedareas
Allotherroadsandhighwaysnotlocatedinan 60
urbanizedarea
Letteredroads 55
Thespeedlimitinanycity,town,orvillageis25mph,unlessposted
otherwise.TheMissouriHighwayandTransportationCommissionhasthe
authoritytosetspeedlimitshigherorlowerthantheuniformmaximum
speedlimitsforsafetyreasonsortoexpeditetheflowoftraffic.Thereare
13interstatesinMissouri.Thespeedlimitisposted60mphwhenthese
interstatesarenearorwithinthefollowingfiveMissouricities:St.Louis,
KansasCity,Columbia,St.Joseph,andSpringfield.
RAILROAD CROSSING SIGN
Manyrailroadcrossingshavesignsorsignalstowarndrivers.Theround
advancewarningsigntellsyouthatyouarenearingarailroadcrossing.
Nevertrytobeatatrainacrossthetracks.Neverstarttocrossthetracks
untilthereisroomforyourvehicleontheothersideofthetracks.Itisnot
wisetoshiftgearswhencrossingrailroadtracks,justincaseyourvehicle
mightstall.
Youmayalsoseeapavementmarkingbeforeacrossing.Liketheround
advancewarningsign,pavementmarkingstellyouthatyouarenearinga
railroadcrossing.
Awhite,X-shapedsignorcrossbuckislocatedattherailroad
crossing.Thissignhasthesamemeaningasayieldsign;
therefore,youmustyieldtotrainsatcrossings.Thesignunder
thecrossbucktellsyouhowmanytrackscrosstheroad.
Atsomecrossings,alongwiththecrossbucksign,youwill
seeside-by-sideredlightsthatflashalternately.Atsome
crossingsthereisalsoacrossinggate(somewithabell)
thatwilllowerwhenatrainiscoming.Atbothofthese
signal-equippedcrossings,youmuststopandyoucannot
crossthetracksuntilthetrainhaspassed.
Whenyouseeanyofthesesigns,SLOWDOWN,lookfor
atrain,andbereadytostop.YoumustSTOPifthered
lightsareflashingorthegateisdown.Youmuststopwithin
15to50feetbeforetherailroadtracks.DONOTtrytogo
aroundthegate.
Theredlightsmay
continuetoflashafter
thetrainhasgoneby.Iftherearetwoormoretracks,lookfor
asecondtrainbeforeyoucross.
WORK ZONE SIGNS
Workzonesignsarefluorescentorangeandindicatesometypeofworkis
beingperformedonoralongsidetheroadway.Beextremelycarefulwhen
youseethesesigns.Theremaybeothertrafficcontroldevicesorflag
personstohelpdirectyousafelythroughtheworkzone.
Ifyouarecaughtspeedingorpassinginaconstructionzoneorworkzone
onMissouristateroadways,youcouldbefinedaminimumof$250forthe
firstoffenseandaminimumof$300forasecondorsubsequentoffense
inadditiontoanyotherfineauthorizedbylawaccordingtoStateStatute
304.582.
41
42
GUIDE SIGNS
Thesesignsaresquareorrectangular,andaregreenorbrownwithwhite
lettering.Theyshowdirectionanddistancetovariouslocationssuchas
cities,airports,andstatelines,ortospecialareassuchasnationalparks,
historicalareas,andmuseums.
SERVICE SIGNS
Thesesignsaresquareorrectangular,andarebluewithwhitelettersor
symbols.Theyshowthelocationofvariousservices,suchasrestareas,
gasstations,campgrounds,andhospitals.
ROUTE SIGNS
Theshapeofroutesignsindicatesthetypeofroadway:interstate,United
States,state,orcounty.Whenplanningatrip,useahighwaymapto
determineyourroute.Duringthetrip,followtheroutesigns.Thiswillhelp
yousoyouwillnotgetlost.
North-southroutesareidentifiedbyoddnumbers.East-westroadsare
identifiedbyevennumbers.Interstatehighwaysthatlooparoundcitiesare
identifiedbythree-digitevennumbers.Roadwaysthatdirecttrafficintoa
citysroadsystem(calledspurs)areidentifiedbythree-digitoddnumbers.
Understandingexitnumbersiseasywhenyouknowinterstatestraveling
west/eastarenumberedstartingfromthewestandgoingeast.Thismeans
exitnumbersstartatzeroandincreaseasyoudriveeast.Likewise,ifyou
comefromtheeast,thenumberswilldecreasetothewest.Interstatesthat
travelnorth/southhavetheirexitsnumberedbeginningatthesouthpoint
andincreasingnorth.Ifyouenterthestatefromthenorthanddrivesouth,
thentheexitnumbersdecrease.
EMERGENCY REFERENCE MARKERS
Emergencyreferencemarkersaremilemarkersplacedalongtheoutside
shouldertomarktheedgeoftheroadwayandconveyinformationto
driversabouttheirlocationontheinterstatefornavigationandemergency
situations.Thereferencemarkersarelocatedeverytwo-tenthsofamile,
somotoristswillalwaysbeinsightofasign.Theytellthedirectionoftravel
androutenumber.
43
Yourhighestdutyasamotorististodriveyourvehiclecarefullyandprudently.
Yourspeedandmannerofdrivingmustcreateasafeenvironmentforyourself
andotherroadusers,includingpedestrians,cyclists,andothermotorists.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
Wherevehiclesorpedestriansarelikelytomeetoneanother,andthere
arenosignsorsignalstoregulatetraffic,therearerulesthatsaywhomust
yieldtheright-of-way.Theserulestelldriverswhogoesfirstandwhomust
waitindifferenttrafficsituations.
The law says who must yield the right-of-way; it does not give any driver
the right-of-way.Youmustdoeverythingyoucantopreventstrikinga
pedestrianoranothervehicle,regardlessofthecircumstances.
PASSING
Passingisadangerousmaneuverwherethedangersarecompounded
byintersections,othervehicleswithinanintersectionandtwo-laneroads
(RefertoNoPassingZonesinChapter3).
Ifyouarecaughtspeedingorpassinginaconstructionzoneorworkzoneon
Missouristateroadways,youcouldbefinedaminimumof$250forthefirst
offenseandaminimumof$300forasecondorsubsequentoffenseinaddition
toanyotherfineauthorizedbylawaccordingtoStateStatute304.582.
Usethesamecarewhenpassingapedestrianorcyclistaswhenpassinga
motorvehicle.Youmayneedtoslowdownandwaitforasafeopportunityto
passapedestrianorcyclist,justasyouwouldforanyotherslow-movingtraffic.
Passing on the Right
Thedriverofamotorvehiclemayovertakeandpasstotherightofanother
vehicleonlyunderthefollowingconditions:
Whenthevehicleovertakenismakingorabouttomakealeftturn;
Uponacitystreetwithunobstructedpavementofsufficientwidthfortwo
ormorelinesofvehiclesineachdirection;
Uponaone-waystreet;
Uponanyhighwayoutsideofacitywithunobstructedpavementof
sufficientwidthandclearlymarkedforfourormorelanesoftraffic.
In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the paved or
main traveled portion of the roadway (shoulder).
Passing on the Left
Novehicleshallatanytimebedriventotheleftsideoftheroadwayunder
thefollowingconditions:
Whenapproachingthecrestofagradeoruponacurveofthehighwaywhere
the drivers view is obstructedwithinsuchdistanceastocreateahazardin
theeventanothervehiclemightapproachfromtheoppositedirection;
Whentheviewisobstructeduponapproachingwithinone hundred feet
ofanybridge,viaduct,ortunnel;
Whenapproachingwithinone hundred feet oforatanyintersectionor
railroadgradecrossing;or
Whenthereisasolidyellowline.
CHAPTER 4 RULES OF THE ROAD
INTERSECTIONS
Thefollowingright-of-wayrulesapplyatintersections:
Driversmustyieldwherenecessarytoavoidstrikingpedestrianswhoare
legallycrossingtheroad.
Driverscrossingasidewalkenteringorexitingadriveway,alley,or
parkinglotmustyieldtopedestrians.Itisillegaltodriveonasidewalk
excepttocross.
Driversturningleftmustyieldtooncomingvehiclesgoingstraight.
Atafour-waystop,thedriverreachingtheintersectionfirstmayproceed
beforetheotherdrivers(aftercomingtoacompletestop).
Driversenteringaroadfromadriveway,alley,orroadsidemustyieldto
vehiclesalreadyonthemainroad.
Atanintersectionwherethereisnostopsignortrafficsignal(withthe
exceptionofroundabouts),driversmustyieldtovehiclescomingfromthe
right.
Whenapproachingaroundaboutintersection,alwaysyieldtotrafficin
thecircleandpedestriansinthecrosswalks.Waitforagapintraffic
beforeentering.
EMERGENCY VEHICLES
Youmustyieldtheright-of-waytopolice,fire,ambulance,oranyother
emergencyvehiclesusingasirenorairhorn,andaredorblueflashinglight.
Pullovertotherightedgeoftheroad,orasneartotherightaspossible,
whenyouseeorhearanemergencyvehicleapproachingfromanydirection.
Ifyouareinanintersection,drivethroughtheintersectionbeforeyoupull
over.Remainstoppeduntiltheemergencyvehiclepasses.Followany
instructionsgivenovertheemergencyvehiclesloudspeaker.Emergency
vehiclesmayfolloweachothersoproceedonlywhenthewayisclear.
Whenapproachingastationaryemergencyvehicledisplayinglightedredor
redandbluelights,youmust:
Proceedwithcaution,andifitissafetodoso,makealanechange
intoalanenotadjacenttothestationaryvehicle(ifonaroadwayhaving
atleastfourlaneswithnotlessthantwolanesproceedinginthesame
directionastheapproachingvehicle);or
Proceedwithduecautionandreducethespeedofthevehicle,
maintainingasafespeedforroadconditions,ifchanginglaneswouldbe
unsafeorimpossible.
FormoreinformationregardingtheMoveOverLawseepage116.
SCHOOL BUSES
Whenaschoolbusstopstoloadorunloadschoolchildren,thedriver
activatesthemechanicalandelectricalsignalingdevicestonotifyother
driversofanimpendingstop.Amberwarninglightswillflash500feet
beforethebuscomestoadesignatedstop.Whentheschoolbusis
stopped,thealternateflashingredlightsandthestopsignalarmare
activated.Oncomingandfollowingtrafficmuststopbeforetheyreachthe
buswhenthesesignalsareactivated.Youmuststop:
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45
1. Ona2-laneroadwherethevehiclestravelineitherdirection.
2. Ona2-laneroadthatisaone-waystreet.
Nodriverofaschoolbusshalltakeonordischargepassengersatany
locationuponahighwayconsistingoffourormorelanesoftraffic,whether
ornotdividedbyamedianorbarrier,insuchamannerastorequirethe
passengerstocrossmorethantwolanesoftraffic.Thefollowingaresitua-
tionswhenyoudonothavetostop:
1. Whenyouaretravelingtheoppositedirectionofaschoolbusonahigh-
waydividedbyamedianwherethevehiclestravelingonedirectionareon
atotallyseparateroadfromthevehiclestravelingtheoppositedirection;
2. Whenyouaretravelingtheoppositedirectionofaschoolbusonahigh-
waycontainingfourormorelanesoftraffic;or
3. Whenaschoolbusisstoppedinaloadingzone(ataschool)wherestu-
dentsarenotpermittedtocrosstheroadway.
Afterstoppingforaschoolbusthatisunloadingschoolchildren,watch
forschoolchildrenwalkingalongthesideoftheroad.Youmustremain
stoppeduntilthebusmovesorthebusdriversignalsforyoutoproceed.
Proceedwithcaution.
HAND AND VEHICLE SIGNALS
Beforeyoustop,turnorchangelanes,lettheotherdriversknowwhatyou
aregoingtodobysignaling.Youcansignalwithyourhandandarmor
withyourvehiclesturnsignalsandbrakelights.Youshouldsignalatleast
100feetbeforeyouturnsotheotherdriverscanbeready.Checkyour
vehiclesturnsignalsoftentoensuretheyareworkingproperly.
Thepicturesbelowshowthecorrecthandsignalstousewhenturningor
stopping.
TURNS
Asagooddriver,youshouldgetintotheproperturnlaneandsignalat
least100feetbeforeyouturn.Beforeyoumakeanyturn,youshouldlook
bothwaysforoncomingtrafficorpedestrians.
Iftherearenosignsorlanemarkingstocontrolturning,youshouldturn
fromthelanethatisclosesttothedirectionyouwanttogo,andturninto
thelaneclosesttotheoneyoucamefrom.Thisway,youwillcrossthe
fewestlanesoftraffic.Whenmakingturns,gofromonelanetotheotheras
smoothlyaspossiblewithoutcrossinglanelinesorinterferingwithtraffic.
Onceyouhavecompletedyourturn,youcanchangetoanotherlaneifyou
needto.
U-TURNS
YoushouldonlymakeaU-turnwhenitis
safe.U-turnsshouldnotbemadeonany
curveornearthecrestofahillwhenyour
vehiclemaynotbeseenbyotherdrivers.
Sometownsandcitiesdonotallow
U-turns.NevermakeaU-turnatalocation
thatismarkedwithaNoU-Turnsignorat
anintersectioncontrolledbyatrafficsignal
orpoliceofficer.
RIGHT TURNS
Onrightturns,avoidswingingwidetotheleftbeforeturning.Ifyouswing
wide,thedriverbehindyoumaythinkyouarechanginglanesorgoingto
turnleft,andmaytrytopassyouontheright.Ifyouswingwideasyou
completetheturn,driverswhoareinthefarlanewillnotexpecttoseeyou
thereandyoucouldcauseanaccident.
LEFT TURNS
Whenmakingaleftturn,avoidcuttingthe
cornersosharplythatyourunintosomeone
approachingfromtheleft.However,you
mustleaveroomforoncomingvehiclesto
turnleftinfrontofyou.
ONE-WAY STREET ONTO
A TWO-WAY STREET
Begintheturnintheleftlane.Enterthe
two-wayroadtotherightofitsyellow
dividingline.Ifthetwo-wayroadisafour-
laneroad,youmayenteritintherightlaneif
thatlaneisfreeoftraffic.
TWO-WAY STREET ONTO
A ONE-WAY STREET
Begintheturnwithyourleftwheelasclose
aspossibletotheyellowdividingline.Ifthe
one-wayroadhastwolanes,turnintoitsleft
laneorrightlane,whicheverisfreeoftraffic.
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47
TWO-WAY STREET ONTO
A TWO-WAY STREET
Begintheturnwithyourleftwheels
ascloseaspossibletotheyellow
dividingline.Entertheroadtothe
rightofitscenterline.Iftheroad
ontowhichyouareturningisa
four-laneroad,youmayenteritin
therightlaneiftherightlaneis
freeoftraffic.
MULTIPLE LEFT-TURN
LANES
Somestreetsmayhavemore
thanonelanemarkedforleft
turns.Ifyouareturningfrom
theleftside,left-turnlane,enter
theleftlaneontherightofthe
yellowdividingline.Ifyou
areturningfromtherightside,
left-turnlane,entertheright
lane.
TWO-WAY LEFT-TURN LANES
Somestreetshaveacenterlanemarkedasatwo-wayleft-turnlane.Only
enterthislanewhenpreparingtoslowdownorstopbeforemakingaleft
turnfromthemainroadway.Donotusethislaneastravellane(avehicle
maynottravelinthislaneformorethan500feet),anddonotusethislane
whenenteringtheroadwayfromasidestreet.
ROUNDABOUT
INTERSECTIONS
Ataroundabout,driverswhoapproach
theintersectionmakeaslightright
turntogocounterclockwisearounda
circularcenterisland.Thedrivermay
theneitherexittheroundaboutontoa
differentroadway,orcontinueonthe
sameroadway.Whenapproachinga
roundabout,alwaysyieldtotrafficinthe
circleandpedestriansinthecrosswalks.
LOCAL ORDINANCES
Localgovernmentsmaymaketrafficordinancesinadditiontolawsmade
bythestate.Youmustobeyanytrafficsignorregulationwhethersetbya
municipality,county,orthestate.Citiesandtownsmayhaveregulationsto
dothefollowing:
Setspeedlimits
Setone-waystreets
Setstopsignsatintersections
Prohibitcommercialvehiclesfromusingcertainstreets
Controlparkingbyinstallingmetersorbysomeotherreasonablemethod
Controlturns
Requiretheuseofturnsignals,brakelights,andhornsonallmotor
vehicles
Prohibittheuseofsound-producingwarningdevices
ALWAYS USE YOUR TURN
SIGNALS BEFORE TURNING
OR CHANGING LANES!
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49
Driversareresponsibleformakingsuretheirvehiclesdonotbecome
hazardsaftertheyhavebeenparked.Wheneveryouparkyourvehicle,
besureitisinaplacethatisfarenoughfromanytravellanetoavoid
interferingwithtrafficandvisibletovehiclesapproachingfromeither
direction.
Alwaysparkinadesignatedareaifpossible.
Onone-waystreets,youmaynormallyparkoneithertherightorleftside
ofthestreet.
Alwayssetyourparkingbrakewhenyoupark.Leavethevehiclein
gearifithasamanualtransmission,orinparkifithasanautomatic
transmission.
Checktrafficbeforeyouopenthedoor.Getoutofthevehicleonthe
curbsideifyoucan.Ifyouhavetousethestreetside,checktraffic
beforeyougetout.Alwayshavepassengers,especiallychildren,exit
thevehicleonthecurbside.Checkforbicyclists,whooftentravelonthe
right-handsideofthetravellanes,nearparkedcars.Shutthedooras
soonasyoucanaftergettingout.
Neverleavethekeysinaparkedvehicle.Lockthedoorswheneveryou
leaveyourvehicleifitwillbeoutofyoursightatanytime.
Ifyoumustparkonaroadway,parkyourvehicleasfarawayfromtraffic
aspossible.Ifthereisacurb,parkasclosetoitasyoucan.
Whenyouparkonahill,turnyourwheelssharplytowardsthesideofthe
road.Thisway,ifyourvehiclestartstorolldownhill,itwillrollawayfrom
traffic(refertoParkingOnHills).
NO-PARKING ZONES
Therearemanyareaswhereyoucannotpark.Checkforsignsthatmay
prohibitorlimitparking.Someparkingrestrictionsareindicatedbycolored
curbmarkings.Donotpark:
Inanintersection.
Onacrosswalkorsidewalk.
Acrossadrivewayentrance.
Ontheleftsideofatwo-waystreet.
Alongsideacurbthatispaintedyellow.
Onabridge.
Blockingafirehydrant.
Blockingthenormaltrafficfloworcreatingahazardtootherdrivers.
Withyourvehiclefacingagainsttraffic.
WHEN CAN YOU PARK IN HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES?
Handicappedparkingspacesmayonlybeusedwhenthevehicledisplays
ahandicappedpersonplacardorlicenseplates,andaphysically
handicappedpersonistheoccupantofthemotorvehicleatthetimeof
parking,oraphysicallyhandicappedpersonisbeingdroppedofforpicked
up.
CHAPTER 5 PARKING
50
INTERNATIONAL SYMBOL OF ACCESS
Thissymbolmarksspacesforvehiclesoperated
byorusedtotransportpeoplewithhandicaps.
Violators, when convicted, shall be punished by
a fine of no less than fifty dollars ($50) and no
more than three hundred dollars ($300).
Thelawalsoprovidesthat:
Itisillegaltoparkinhandicappedparkingaccessaisles.
Itisillegaltouseahandicappedpersonsplacardorlicenseplatesto
parkindesignatedhandicappedparkingspacesifthehandicapped
personisnotbeingtransportedatthetime.
PARKING ON HILLS
Beforeleavingyourparkedvehicle:
Turnyourwheelsintheproperdirection(seegraphicbelow);
Turnoffthemotor,leavingthevehicleinpropergear;
Settheemergency/parkingbrake;
Removethekeysfromtheignition;
Checkyourrearviewmirrorfortrafficbeforesteppingout;and
Lockitandpocketthekeys.
Beforeyoudriveawayfromanyparkingspace,besuretocheckfortraffic
andsignal.
PARKING ON HILLS
51
PARALLEL PARKING
1. Stopevenwiththevehicleaheadoftheparkingspaceabout1feetto
theleftofthatvehicle.
2. Turnwheelssharplytotheright,andbackslowlyintotheparkingspace.
Besurethefrontofyourvehicledoesnotblockpassingoroncoming
traffic.
3. Whenclearofthefrontvehicle,turnwheelssharplytotheleftand
continuebacking.
4. Turnwheelssharplytotherightandpullforwardtowardthecurb.Park
inthecenteroftheparkingspace.
IN A PARKING LOT WITH MARKED
PARKING SPACES, CENTER YOUR
VEHICLE SO OTHER DRIVERS
HAVE ROOM TO ENTER
AND EXIT THEIR VEHICLES!
52
Gooddrivingrequiresyoutobeobservantandawareofyoursurroundings.
Youmustlookdowntheroad,tothesides,andbehindyourvehicle,andbe
alertforunexpectedevents.Manyaccidentsoccurbecausedriversdonot
payenoughattentiontotheirdriving.Donottakeyoureyesofftheroad
formorethanafewsecondsatanyonetime.Forexample,ifyouneedto
lookatamap,pullsafelyofftheroad.Donottrytoreadthemapwhileyou
aredriving.
DRIVE IN THE PROPER LANE
Whendrivingonahighwaywithatotaloftwolanes(onelaneineach
direction),driveintherighthandlane.Youmaycrossthecenterlinefor
passingwhentherearenooncomingvehiclesandnosolidyellowline.
Onhighwayswithatotaloffourormorelanes(twoormorelanesineach
direction),alwayskeeptotherightunlessyouarepassingslowertraffic,
lettinganotherdriverhaveroomtoentersafely,orgettingreadytomakea
legalleftturn.
CONTROLLING SPEED
Thebestwaytocontrolyourspeedistoknowhowfastyouaregoing.
Checkthespeedometeroften,andpayattentiontothepostedspeedlimits.
Thisisespeciallytruewhenyouleavehighspeedroadsandbegindriving
onmuchslowerlocalroads.FormoreinformationonMissourisspeed
limits,refertoChapter3.
PASSING ON HIGHWAYS
Use the left lane only to pass another vehicle. Youcanusetheright
lanewhenpassingavehiclethatismakingaleftturn.Neverusethe
shoulderorunpavedpartofthehighwaytopass.
Before you pass a vehicle in front
of you, make sure you are in a safe
passing zone.Onfour-lane
highways,checktheleftlanefor
trafficbyusingyourleftandinside
rearviewmirrorsandbrieflylooking
overyourleftshoulder.Looking
overyourleftshoulderisimportant
becauseitallowsyoutocheckfor
blindspots.Blind spotsarethe
spacesyoucannotseewithyour
rearviewmirrors.Donotdrivein
anothervehiclesblindspot.
Try to avoid driving on either side and slightly to the rear of another
vehicle.Eitherspeedupordropbacksotheotherdrivercanseeyour
vehiclemoreeasily.
CHAPTER 6 HIGHWAY DRIVING
When passing another vehicle, get through the other drivers blind
spot as quickly as you can without exceeding the speed limit.The
longeryoustaythere,thelongeryouareindangerofhavingthevehicle
collidewithyourvehicle.
Never stay alongside, or immediately behind, a large vehicle such
as a truck or bus.Thesevehicleshavelargeblindspotsanditishard
fortheirdriverstoseeyou.Ifyoucannotseethetruckdriversfacein
thetruckssidemirror,thetruckdrivercannotseeyou.Ittakeslongerto
passatruck.Afteryoupass,makesureyoucanseethecabofthetruck
inyourrearviewmirrorbeforereenteringthelane.Maintainyourspeed.
Donotslowdownonceyouareinfrontofthetruck.
If the way is clear, signal that you are changing lanes.Passtheother
vehiclequicklyandsmoothly,beingcarefulnottoexceedthespeedlimit.
Give plenty of room to the vehicle you just passed. Donotturnbackintothe
rightlaneuntilyouseethepassedvehicleinyourrearviewmirror.Rememberto
lookoveryourrightshouldertocheckyourblindspot,andbesuretosignal.
BEING PASSED
Ifanothervehiclebeginstopassyou,stayinyourlaneanddonotincrease
yourspeed.Ifmanyvehiclesarepassingyouintherightlaneofamulti-
laneroadway,youareprobablygoingslowerthantherestofthetraffic.
Unlessyouwillbeturningleftsoon,youshouldmoveintotherightlane
whenthewayisclear.
ADJUSTING TO TRAFFIC
Vehiclesmovinginthesamedirectionandlane,andatthesamespeed
cannothitoneanother.Accidentsinvolvingtwoormorevehiclesoften
happenwhendriversgofasterorslowerthanothervehiclesontheroad.
Ifyouaregoingfasterthantraffic,youwillhavetokeeppassingothers.
Eachtimeyoupasssomeone,thereisachanceforacollision.Thevehicle
youarepassingmaychangelanessuddenly,oronatwo-laneroad,an
oncomingvehiclemayappearsuddenly.Slowdown,andkeeppacewith
othertraffic.Speedingdoesnotsavemorethanafewminutesanhour.
Goingmuchslowerthanothervehiclescanbejustasbadasspeeding.
Ittendstomakevehiclesbunchupbehindyouanddriversthenbecome
impatientandpassyou.Ifvehiclesarepiledupbehindyou,pulloverand
letthempasswhenitissafetodoso.
BE AWARE OF THE TRAFFIC AROUND YOU
Checkyourrearviewmirrorseveryfewsecondstokeeptrackofthe
approachingtraffic.Makesureotherdriversseeyou.Besuretokeepasafe
distance(refertoChapter8)betweenyouandthevehicleinfrontofyou.
SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC
Somevehiclescannottravelveryfast,orhavetroublekeepingupwiththe
speedoftraffic.Ifyouspotthesevehiclesearly,youhavetimetochange
lanesorslowdownsafely.Slowingsuddenlycancauseatrafficaccident.
53
54
Watchforlargetrucksandsmall,underpoweredvehiclesonsteep
gradesorwhentheyareenteringtraffic.Theycanlosespeedonlong
orsteephillsanditmaytakelongerforthesevehiclestogetuptospeed
whentheyentertraffic.
STOPPING
Neverstoponthehighwayitself.Manyhighwayshavereststopsand
serviceareas.
Bealertsothatyouknowwellaheadoftimewhenyouwillhavetostop.
Stoppingsuddenlyisdangerous.Brakingquicklycouldcauseyoutolose
controlofyourvehicle.Youalsomakeitharderfordriversbehindyouto
stopwithouthittingyou.Trytoavoidpanicstopsbyseeingeventswellin
advance.Byslowingdownorchanginglanes,youmaynothavetostopat
all,andifyoudo,itcanbeamoregradualandsaferstop.
Youcanstopontheshoulderofthehighwayinanemergency.Ifyoudo,
alertotherdriversbyturningonyouremergencyflashers.Itisalsohelpful
toraisethehood,ortieawhiteclothtotheantenna.
CONTROLLED ACCESS HIGHWAYS
Manyhighwayshavecontrolledaccess.Thismeansyoucanenteror
leavethehighwayonlywherethereareentranceorexitramps.
ENTERING THE HIGHWAY
Entrancerampsareshort,one-wayrampsusedtogetonthehighway.At
theendofmostentrancerampsisanaccelerationlane.Usetherampand
accelerationlanetoincreaseyourspeedtomatchthespeedofthevehicles
onthehighway.
Asyouarespeedingup,watchforanopeninginthehighwaytraffic.
Switchonyourturnsignal,andpullsmoothlyintothetraffic.DONOTstop
attheendofanaccelerationlaneunlesstrafficisveryheavyandyouhave
tostop.
Driversalreadyonthehighwayshouldgiveyouroomtoenter,butifthey
dont,DONOTforceyourwayontothehighway.Youmustyieldtheright-
of-waytothem,evenifthatmeansstoppingattheendofanacceleration
lane.
LEAVING THE HIGHWAY
Exitrampsareshort,one-wayramps.Atthebeginningofmostexitramps
isadecelerationlane.Makesureyouareintheproperlanetoleavethe
highwaywellinadvanceofthedecelerationlane.
Usethedecelerationlaneandtheexitramptoslowdownwhenleavingthe
highway.Besureyouobeythespeedadvisorysignontheexitramp.Be
readytostoporyieldattheendoftheramp.
Ifyoumissyourexit,DONOTstop,backup,ortrytoturnaroundonthe
highway.Youwillhavetogetoffthehighwayatthenextexitandcome
backtotheexityoumissed.
INTERCHANGES
Wheretwobusyhighwaysmeet,theremaybeinterchangesinsteadof
entranceandexitramps.Aninterchangecanbeconfusingifyouhavenot
drivenonitbefore.Therearedirectionalsignsoninterchangesthatcan
helpyoudeterminewhereyouneedtogo.
SOME COMMON INTERCHANGE DESIGNS:
WATCH OUT FOR HIGHWAY HYPNOSIS
Highwayhypnosiscanmakeyoufeelsleepyandunawareofthetraffic
aroundyou.Highwayhypnosisiscausedbythesamenessoftheroadand
traffic.Thehumofthewind,tires,andenginealsoaddstothehypnosis.
55
Cloverleaf Diamond
Directional Trumpet
Youcanavoidhighwayhypnosisbyconstantlymovingyoureyesand
watchingthetrafficandhighwaysignsaroundyou.Ifyoufeelsleepy,pull
offthehighway.Donotriskfallingasleepatthewheel.
STOP DRIVING WHEN YOU FEEL SLEEPY
Whenyoufeeltired,itishardertomakedecisionsandtoreacttothetraffic
aroundyou.Youmayfallasleepatthewheel.Whenyoufeelsleepy,pull
offthehighwayatthenearestreststoporservicearea.Ifyouarereally
sleepy,takeanap.Tireddriversareagreatdangertothemselves,other
drivers,andcanbeasdangerousasintoxicateddrivers.
EMERGENCIES
Ifyourvehiclebreaksdownonahighway,makesureotherdriverscan
seeyouandyourvehicle.Accidentsoccurbecauseadriverdidnotseea
stalledvehicleuntilitwastoolatetostop.
Ifpossible,usea2-wayradio,telephone,orcellularphonetonotify
authoritiesthatyourvehicle(orsomeoneelses)hasbrokendown.Many
roadwayshavesignsthattellyoutheCBchannelortelephonenumberto
callinanemergency.Thecellularnumbertocallinanemergencyis*55.
Ifyouarehavingvehicletroubleandhavetostop,considerthefollowing:
Ifatallpossible,getyourvehicleofftheroadandawayfromtraffic.
Turnonyouremergencyflasherstoshowyouarehavingtrouble.
Ifyoucannotgetyourvehicleofftheroadway,trytostopwhereother
drivershaveaclearviewofyourvehicle.Donotstopjustoverahillor
justaroundacurve.
Trytowarnotherdriversthatyourvehicleisthere.Placeemergency
flaresbehindthevehicle.Thisalertsotherdriverstochangelanesif
necessary.
Neverstandintheroadway.Donottrytochangeatireifitmeans
youhavetobeinatrafficlane.Liftthehoodortieawhiteclothtothe
antenna,sidemirror,ordoorhandletosignalanemergency.
IF YOUR VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN
ON THE ROADSIDE, STAY INSIDE.
YOU ARE SAFER INSIDE YOUR
VEHICLE THAN OUTSIDE.
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57
Somethingsyoushouldknowwhensharingtheroadwithmotorcycles:
Motorcyclesareoftenoverlookedbymotorists.
Itisnotalwayseasytojudgethespeedordistanceofamotorcycle.
Onresidentialstreets,especiallythosewithparkedcars,travelator
belowthespeedlimit,dependingonsightdistance.
Motorcyclistschangespeedandlanepositionwhenencounteringbad
roadconditions,suchasmanholecovers,diagonalrailroadtracks,road
debris,orinstrongwinds.Bereadytoreact.
Youshouldnotsharealanewithamotorcycle.Themotorcyclistneeds
theentirelaneforsafetyreasons.
Whenyouarepassing,givemotorcyclesafulllanewidth.Donot
squeezepasttheseroadusers.Waitforaclearstretchofroadbefore
passingacyclistinalanetoonarrowtoshare.
SAFETY TIPS FOR MOTORCYCLE RIDERS
1. Thelawrequiresyoutowearahelmet.Wearingasafety-certified
helmetcanpreventseriousheadinjuriesordeath.
2. Besureyourmotorcycleisinsafeconditionandhasalltheequipment
requiredbylaw.
3. Makesuremotoristsseeyou.Wearbrightcoloredclothesandstayout
ofavehiclesblindspots.Useproperlightsandreflectorswhenriding
afterdark.
4. Makesureyousignalbeforeyouslowdown,changelanesorturn.
Beforemerging,changinglanes,orturning,scanbehindandinfront
toensurethatitissafetomakethismaneuver.Dosoinplentyof
timeandincooperationwithotherdriverswhowillbeaffectedby
yourmove.Ifitisnotsafe,continueonastraightcourseandscan
repeatedly.Onlymoveonceitissafe.
5. Becarefulwhenpassingtotheleftofaparkedormovingvehicle.You
shouldleave3to4feetofclearancetoavoidsuddenlyopenedcar
doorsortoallowforavehicletoswerve.
6. Beextracarefulatintersections.Donotassumeyourright-of-way
whenthereisavehicleapproaching.Beawarethatmotorvehicle
driversmaynotseeyouapproachingtheintersection,ormaybelieve
thatyouaremovingataslowerspeedthanyouare.
7. Keepasteadylineandbepredictableasacourtesytoothertrafficand
toincreaseyourpersonalsafety.
MOTORCYCLE DRIVERS NEED A DRIVER LICENSE
Todriveanymotorcycleonthepublicstreets,youmusthaveavaliddriver
licensewithamotorcycleendorsementoramotorcyclelicense.

CHAPTER 7 SHARING THE ROAD

SHARING THE ROAD WITH MOTORCYCLES
58
Trucksarenotlargecars.Whethertheyareaccelerating,braking,climbing
ahill,switchinglanes,orturningontoasidestreet,tractor-trailertrucks
mustperformcertainmaneuversthatdriversofautomobilesdonot.
Atypicaltractor-trailercombination,apowerunitpullingaloadedsemi-
trailerhingedtoitsrearend,mayweighupto80,000pounds.Depending
onthetrailerlength,thetotallengthofthecombinationmayexceed90feet.
Onthebusiestintercityroutes,amotoristmayencounterdoubleoreven
triple-trailercombinationssometimesexceeding100feetinlength.
Anymotoristwhohasdrivenbehindoneofthesetrucksatatrafficlight
knowsthatasemi-trailercombinationacceleratesslowly.Thetruckmay
havetogothroughtengearstoreachthespeedlimit.Thetruckmayhave
twoorthreetimesmorepowerunderthehoodthanacardoes,butwithup
to70,000poundsoftrailerandcargobehindit,atruckenginemustmove30
or40timesmoreweightthanacarengine.(Publishedwithpermissionfrom
JohnDeereTransportationServices,Sharing the Road,Deere&Co.,1996.)
Toimprovesafetyforallroadusers,pleaseconsiderthisinformation.
1. Donotenteraroadwayinfrontofalargevehicle.Avoidchanging
lanesinfrontofalargevehicleifyouareturningofftheroadway.
2. Ifyouaredrivingbehindatruckorabusandcannotseethedriverin
hisorherrearviewmirrors,thedriverofthatvehiclecannotseeyou.
3. Atruckorbushasblindspotsoneachside,intherearandinthefront
whereanautomobilecannotbeseen.Theseblindspotsarereferred
toastheNo-Zone.DonotdriveintheNo-Zoneexceptwhen
absolutelynecessary.Youshouldnotdrivealongsidelargevehicles
forprolongedperiodsatanytime.Tailgatingatruckisalsodangerous.
Leaveanylargevehicleacushionofsafety.
4. Ittakeslongertopassatruck.Afteryoupass,makesureyoucansee
thecabofthetruckinyourrearviewmirrorbeforereenteringthelane.
Maintainyourspeedandsignalwhenreenteringthelane.Donotslow
downonceyouareinfrontofthetruck.
5. Whentravelingupordownsteepgrades,largevehiclesmustdrive
slowlyintherightlane.Avoiddrivingyourcarintherightlanegoingup
ordownhillsondividedormulti-laneroadwayswheninteractingwith
largetrucks.Whenyouareneartruckweighstations,avoiddrivingin
therightlanesoslow-movingtruckscaneasilymergebackontothe
roadway.
SHARING THE ROAD WITH LARGE TRUCKS
59
6. Vehiclescarryinghazardousmaterialsmuststopatallrailroad
crossings.Beprepared.
7. Becauseoftheirsize,largetrucksmayswingouttotheleftasthefirst
stepinmakingarightturn.Whenfollowingatractor-trailer,observeits
turnsignalsbeforetryingtopass.
8. Tractor-trailerstakelongertostopthancarstravelingatthesamespeed.
Theaveragepassengercartravelingat55mphcanstopinabout130
140feet,almosthalfthelengthofafootballfield.Afullyloadedtractor-
trailermaytakealmost400feettocometoacompletestop.
9. Cuttingoffatruckintrafficoronthehighwayisparticularlydangerous.
Ifyouneedtomakeaturnorlanechange,takeamomenttoslow
downandturnbehindthetruckitwillonlytakeyouafewextra
seconds.
10. Neverunderestimatethesizeandspeedofanapproachingtractor-
trailer.Becauseofitslargesize,atractor-traileroftenappearstobe
travelingmoreslowlythanitsactualspeed.Car-truckcollisionscan
occuratintersectionswhenthedriverofthecardoesnotrealizehow
closethetruckisorhowquicklyitisapproaching.
Assoonasyoustepoutofyourvehicle,youbecomeapedestrian.As
apedestrian,youshouldknowyourrightsandresponsibilities,andasa
driveryoushouldknowthelawwhenpedestriansarearound.
AS A PEDESTRIAN, YOU SHOULD KNOW . . .
WhenyouarefacingaWALKsignalora
greenlight,youhavetheright-of-way.You
maybegintocrosstheroadafteryou
makesurealldriversseeyouandstopforyou.
Donotbegintocrossthestreetwhenyouare
facingaDONTWALKsignaloraredoryellowlight.
IftheflashingDONTWALKsignappears
whenyouarecrossingthestreet,youmayfinish
crossingthestreet.
Youshouldcrosstheroadatanintersection
oracrosswalkwhen:
Youareinabusinessdistrict.
Youarebetweentwocloselyspacedintersectionswithtrafficlights.
Otherwise,youmaycrosstheroadinthemiddleoftheblockwithouta
crosswalkbeingcarefulwhensteppingoutbetweentwoparkedvehicles.
Youmustyieldtheright-of-waytoalltrafficwhencrossinginthemiddleof
ablock.Walkfacingtrafficwhennosidewalkisavailable.
Youshouldnotstandinatrafficlanetospeaktoadriverforanylength
oftime,asthiscouldcauseanaccident.Instead,youshouldwaitforthe
drivertopullovertoasafeparkingspot,andyoushouldremainonthe
curbsideofthevehicle.
SHARING THE ROAD WITH PEDESTRIANS
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AS A DRIVER, YOU SHOULD KNOW . . .
Insomesituations,pedestriansarerequiredbylawtoyieldtovehicles.
Inothersituations,vehiclesarerequiredtoyieldtopedestrians.Inall
situations,whetherthepedestriansareobeyingthelawornot,youmust
drivecarefully,reduceyourspeedifneeded,anddoyourbesttoavoid
endangeringpedestrians.
Evenwhenyouarefacingagreenlightyoumustyieldtheright-of-wayto
allpedestriansintheintersection.Neverassumeyouhavetheright-of-
way.Donotassumepedestriansseeyouandwillstopforyou.
Donotpassavehiclethathasstoppedorsloweddownforapedestrian.
Watchoutforkids.Childrenwillrunoutintotheroadwithoutlookingfor
traffic.So,beextracarefulwhenyoudrivenearschools,playgrounds,
parks,orinresidentialareas.Youmustobeyaslowerspeedlimitina
schoolzonewhenlightsareflashingorchildrenarepresent.Ataschool
crossingwherethereisatrafficpatrol,stopandyieldifatrafficpatrol
membersignalsyoutodoso.
Thefollowinglawsorrulesalsoapply:
Driversmustalwaysyieldtheright-of-waytopersonswhoareblind.
Whenapedestrianiscrossingastreetorhighwayguidedbyadogor
carryingawhitecane(orawhitecanewitharedtip),vehiclesmust
cometoacompletestop.
Driversmustyieldwhenapedestrianisinamarkedorunmarked
crosswalkonorapproachingtheirsideoftheroad.
Asyouprepareforarightturn,especiallyonaredtrafficsignal,be
cautiousofpedestrians(orbicyclists)approachingonyourright.
Driversshouldnotblockthecrosswalkwhenstoppedataredtraffic
signal.Driversshouldnotcrossasidewalkorcrosswalkwithoutfirst
yieldingtopedestrians.
Somethingsyoushouldknowwhensharingtheroadwithmopedsor
bicycles:
Mostcollisionswithbicyclesandmopedshappenatintersections,where
smaller,slowerbicyclesandmopedsareespeciallyeasytooverlook.
Scancarefullyforbicyclesandmopedsbeforeproceedingthroughan
intersection,givingthemthesameconsiderationyouwouldanyother
vehicle.
Bicyclesareoftenoverlookedbymotorists.
Itisnotalwayseasytojudgethespeedordistanceofabicycle.
Accidentswithwrong-waybicyclistsfrequentlyoccurwhenamotorist
wantstoturnrightontoamainroadandisonlylookingleftfor
approachingtraffic.Besuretolookrightandcheckforwrong-way
bicyclistsontheroadorsidewalkbeforeproceeding.
Onresidentialstreets,especiallythosewithparkedcars,travelator
belowthespeedlimit.
SHARING THE ROAD WITH MOPEDS AND BICYCLES
61
Ifyouarefollowingabicyclistandneedtomakearightturn,slowdown
andremainbehindthecyclistuntilyouareabletoturn.
Cyclistsoftentravelatsurprisinglyfastspeeds.Ifyouneedtomakea
leftturn,yieldtooncomingbicyclistsunlessyouareabsolutelysureyou
canmaketheturnbeforethecyclistreachestheintersection.
Bicyclistschangespeedandlanepositionwhenencounteringbadroad
conditions,suchasmanholecovers,diagonalrailroadtracks,drain
grates,roaddebris,orinstrongwinds.Bereadytoreact.
Whenyouarepassing,givebicyclesandmopedsafulllanewidth.Do
notsqueezepasttheseroadusers.Thebicycleisgenerallyaslower
movingvehicleandthismayrequireyoutoslowdown.Waitforaclear
stretchofroadbeforepassingacyclistinalanetoonarrowtoshare.
Checkforpassingbicyclistsbeforeopeningyourcardoorintoatraffic
laneorbicyclelane.
Abicyclelaneisaportionofaroadwaydesignatedbystripingtobeused
bybicycles.Youmaycrossabicyclelanewhenturningorwhenentering
orleavingtheroadway.Youmustyieldtobicyclistsinabicyclelane.
WHERE TO RIDE MOPEDS AND BICYCLES
Onpublicstreetsandhighways,youhavethesamerightsandresponsibilities
asamotorvehicleoperator.Alwaysridewithtraffic,neveragainstit.
Whenoperatingatlessthanthepostedspeedortrafficflow,generallyride
asneartotherightsideoftheroadwayasissafe.Therightedgeofthe
roadoftenhashazardslikeditches,gutters,sand,andgravelshoulders.
Leavespacebetweenyourselfandthesehazardsasneededforsafety.
Youmaymovemoretowardthemiddleorleftofthelaneorroadway,as
appropriate:
whenmakingaleftturn;
whenavoidinghazards;
whenthelaneistoonarrowtosharewithanothervehicle;and
whenthereisaright-turn-onlylaneandyouaregoingstraight.
Alwayschecktrafficandsignalbeforechanginglanesorchangingyour
positionwithinalane.Onaone-waystreet,bicyclistsmayalsochooseto
rideasfarleftasissafe.
Thelawdoesnotallowyoutorideamopedonanypartofthefederal
interstatehighwaysystem.
SAFETY TIPS FOR MOPED AND BICYCLE RIDERS
1. Statelawdoesnotrequireyoutowearahelmet.However,wearinga
safety-certifiedhelmetcanpreventseriousheadinjuriesordeath.
2. Besureyourbikeisinsafeconditionandhasalltheequipment
requiredbylaw.
3. Makesuremotoristsseeyou.Wearbrightcoloredclothesandstayout
ofavehiclesblindspots.Useproperlightsandreflectorswhenriding
afterdark.
4. Makesureyousignalbeforeyouslowdown,changelanes,orturn.
Beforemerging,changinglanes,orturning,scanbehindandinfront
toensurethatitissafetomakethismaneuver.Dosoinplentyof
timeandincooperationwithotherdriverswhowillbeaffectedby
yourmove.Ifitisnotsafe,continueonastraightcourseandscan
repeatedlyandonlymoveonceitissafe.Inconditionsofheavytraffic,
lessproficientbicyclistsmayfinditeasiertowaitnearthecurbfora
safegaptoappear.
5. Becarefulwhenpassingtotheleftofaparkedormovingvehicle.You
shouldleave3to4feetofclearancetoavoidsuddenlyopenedcar
doorsortoallowforavehicletoswerve.
6. Beextracarefulatintersections.Donotassumeyourright-of-way
whenthereisavehicleapproaching.Beawarethatmotorvehicle
driversmaynotseeyouapproachingtheintersection,ormaybelieve
thatyouaremovingataslowerspeedthanyouare.
7. Keepasteadylineandbepredictableasacourtesytoothertrafficand
toincreaseyourpersonalsafety.
8. Forteenandadultbicyclists,studiesshowthatridingonthestreetwith
traffic,notagainstit(followingthesametrafficrulesthatothervehicles
do),isfarsaferthanridingonthesidewalk.
MOPED DRIVERS NEED A DRIVER LICENSE
Todriveanymotorizedbicyclesuchasamopedonthepublicstreets,you
musthaveavaliddriverlicense.Amotorizedbicycleisdefinedasanytwo-
wheeledorthree-wheeleddevicehavinganautomatictransmissionand
amotorwithacylindercapacityofnotmorethanfiftycubiccentimeters,
whichproduceslessthanthreegrossbrakehorsepower,andiscapableof
propellingthedeviceatamaximumspeedofnotmorethanthirtymilesper
houronlevelground.
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED ON MOPEDS AND BICYCLES
Youdonothavetoregisteryourmopedorbicycleanditdoesnothave
tobeinspected.However,Missourilawrequirescertainequipmenton
mopedsandbicycles.
BRAKESYourbrakesmustbeabletostopyouwithin25feetwhen
traveling10mph.
LIGHTS AND REFLECTORSThenumberofbicycle-autocrashesrises
dramaticallybetweensunsetandsunrise.Almostallsuchcrashescan
bepreventedwithproperbicyclelightsandreflectors.Youmusthavethe
followinglightsandreflectorswhenridingyourbicyclefromhourafter
sunsetuntilhourbeforesunrise:
1. AWHITE LIGHTonthefrontofyourbicycleorcarriedbyyouthat
otherdriverscanseefrom500feet.
2. AREAR RED REFLECTOR,atleasttwosquareinches,oraREAR
REDLIGHTthatdriverscanseewhenreflectedbytheirvehicleslow
beamheadlightsat600feet.
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3. REFLECTIVE MATERIAL OR LIGHTSonthepedals,crankarms,
shoes,orlowerlegsthatdriverscanseewhenreflectedbytheir
vehicleslowbeamheadlightsat200feet.
4. REFLECTIVE MATERIAL AND/OR LIGHTS ON EACH SIDE OF
THE BICYCLEorbicyclistthatdriverscanseewhenreflectedby
theirvehicleslowbeamheadlightsat300feet.Thisdoesnotapply
tomopedsthatcomplywiththeNationalHighwayTrafficSafety
AdministrationRegulations.
FUNERAL PROCESSIONS
Ifyouaredrivingavehicleinafuneralprocession,youshouldfollowthe
vehicleinfrontofyouascloselyasispracticalandsafe.Everyvehicle
intheprocessionmustuseitsflashingemergencylights.Anorganized
funeralprocessionhastheright-of-wayatallintersectionsregardlessof
anytrafficcontroldevice,exceptforemergencyvehiclesorwhendirected
otherwisebylawenforcementofficials.
Thefollowingrulesapplytoalldriversnotinvolvedinanorganizedfuneral
procession.
1. Donotdrivebetweenthevehiclesthatarepartoftheprocessionwhen
theyareinmotion.
2. Donotjoinafuneralprocessionforthepurposeofobtainingtheright-
of-way.
3. Donotattempttopassanyvehicleintheprocessionexceptwherea
passinglanehasbeenspecificallyprovided.
4. Donotenteranintersectioninwhichaprocessionisgoingthrougha
redsignallight,unlessyoumaydosowithoutcrossingthepathofthe
funeralprocession.
ROAD RAGE
Roadrageisanuncontrolleddisplayofangerbytheoperatorofamotor
vehicle(usuallyinresponsetoanotherdriversactions),whichcanresultin
propertydamageorpersonalinjury.
Driverspronetoroadrageareusuallyaggressiveindividualswhofailto
followcourteousdrivingpractices.Someexamplesofbehaviorassociated
withroadrageinclude:
Beepingthehorn Pursuinganothervehicle
Flashingtheheadlights Makingaggressivegestures
Forcinganothervehicletopullover Verballyabusinganotherdriver
Bumpingintoanothervehicle Tailgatinganothervehicle
Threateninganotherdriver Brakingorslowingsuddenly
Damagingavehicleintentionally Deliberateobstruction
Assaultinganotherdriver Cuttingofforswerving
Asoursocietyhasbecomemoreaccustomedtoit,roadragehasbecome
anormalpartofourdrivingenvironment.Thesehabitscanbeunlearned,
butittakesselfdisciplineonthepartofdrivers.
When confronted with any of the behaviors associated with road rage,
you should try to . . .
Remaincalmanddonotreactwithsimilarbehavior.
Identifythelocation(forexample:intersection,milemarker,directionthe
vehiclewastraveling,etc.).
Getaphysicaldescriptionofthedriver.
Getadescriptionofthevehicle(approximateyear,make,model,color,
licenseplatenumber,etc.).
Reporttheincidenttothenearestlocalauthoritiesassoonaspossible.
Ifyouhaveacellularphone,exittheroadwaytoasafeareaanddial*55
(or911ifyouareinametropolitanarea).
DRUNK DRIVERS
Ifyoubelieveyouhaveseenadrunkdriver,tellthepoliceimmediately.
Youmaybesavingsomeoneslife.Helpfulinformationtoprovidethe
officerincludesthelicenseplatenumberofthevehicle,aphysical
descriptionofthecaranddriver,andthevehicleslocation.
ABOUT LITTERING
Litteringisagainstthelaw.Itisunsightlyand
maycauseatrafficaccident.Forexample,alit
cigarettethrownoutacarwindowcanbeblown
intothevehiclebehindyou,causingproperty
damageorpersonalinjury.
Ifajudgefindsyouguiltyoflittering,youmayhave
topayuptoa$1,000fineand/orspenduptooneyearinjail.
SHARING THE ROAD WITH OTHERS,
IN A CONSIDERATE MANNER,
MAKES THE ROAD SAFER
FOR EVERYBODY!
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USE SEAT BELTS AND CHILD RESTRAINTS
Beforeyoudrive,alwaysfastenyourseatbelt(s)andmakesureallyour
passengersareusingseatbeltsorchildrestraints.Studieshaveshown
thatifyouuseseatbelts,yourchancesofbeinghurtorkilledinanaccident
aregreatlyreduced.
Seatbeltsshouldalwaysbewornwiththelapbeltlowandsnugacrossthe
hipsandtheshoulderbeltacrossthechest.Shoulderbeltsshouldnever
beplacedunderthearmorbehindtheback.Ifyourvehiclehasatwo-part
seatbeltsystem,besuretowearboththelapandshoulderbelt.
Seat belts should be worn even if your vehicle is equipped with air
bags. Whileairbagsaregoodprotectionagainsthittingthesteering
wheel,dashboard,orwindshield,theydonotprotectyouifyouarehitfrom
thesideorrear,orifthevehiclerollsover.Anairbagwillnotkeepyou
behindthewheelinthesesituations.
Anunrestrainedorimproperlyrestrainedoccupantcanbeseriouslyinjured
orkilledbyadeployingairbag.TheNationalHighwayTrafficSafety
Administrationrecommendsdriverssitwithatleast10inchesbetweenthe
centeroftheirbreastboneandthecenterofthesteeringwheel.Children
12andundershouldalwaysrideproperlyrestrainedinarearseat.Never
putarear-facinginfantrestraintinthefrontseatofavehiclewithafront
passengerairbag.
Ifyouneedmoreinformationaboutchildseatsafety,contact:Department
ofTransportation,HighwaySafetyDivision,website:www.modot.gov;
phone:(800)800-BELT.
SEAT BELTS ITS THE LAW
Missourilawrequirestheoperatorandfrontseat
occupantsofallpassengervehiclestoweara
properlyadjustedandfastenedseatbelt.However,
ALLpassengersaccompanyinganintermediate
driverlicenseholdermustbeproperlyrestrained.
CHILD PASSENGER RESTRAINT LAW
Thelawrequireschildrenofcertainages,weights
andheightstoberestrainedbyachildpassenger
restraintsystem,boosterseatorsafetybeltwhen
transportedinanymotorvehicleotherthanapublic
carrierforhireorschoolbus.
AGE, WEIGHT AND HEIGHT CLASSIFICATIONS
LESSTHAN4YEARSOLDChildrenlessthanfouryearsold,
regardlessofweight,shallbesecuredinachildpassengerrestraint
systemappropriateforthatchild.
CHAPTER 8 SAFE DRIVING TIPS
FOR EVERYDAY DRIVING
66
LESS THAN 40 POUNDSChildrenweighinglessthan40pounds,
regardlessofage,shallbesecuredinachildpassengerrestraintsystem
appropriateforthatchild.
LESS THAN 8 YEARS OLD or 80 POUNDS OR UNDER 49
Childrenatleastfouryearsofagebutlessthaneightyearsofage,who
alsoweighatleast40poundsbutlessthan80pounds,andarealsoless
than49tallshallbesecuredinachildpassengerrestraintsystemor
boosterseatappropriateforthatchild.
CHILDREN AT LEAST 8 YEARS OLD, GREATER THAN 80 POUNDS
OR TALLER THAN 49 Childrenatleast8yearsold,atleast80
poundsorchildrenmorethan49tallshallbesecuredbyavehicle
safetybeltorboosterseatappropriateforthatchild.
FormoreinformationontheBoosterSeatLawrefertotheDepartmentof
Transportationwebsite:www.modot.org/boosterseats/.
DEFENSIVE DRIVING
Toavoidmakingmistakes,orbeinginanaccidentbecauseofsomeone
elsesmistake,youmustdrivedefensively.Asadefensivedriveryoushould:
Keepyoureyesmoving.Noticewhatishappeningaheadofyouandon
thesidesoftheroad,andcheckbehindyouthroughyourmirrorsevery
fewseconds.Payspecialattentiontooncomingvehicles.Manyhead-
oncollisionsoccurbydistracteddriverscrossingthecenterline.
Expectotherdriverstomakemistakes,andthinkwhatyouwoulddo
ifamistakedoeshappen.Forexample,donotassumethatavehicle
comingtoastopsignisgoingtostop.Bereadytoreactifitdoesnot
stop.Nevercauseanaccidentonpurpose,evenifapedestrianor
anothervehiclefailstogiveyoutheright-of-way.
Donotrelyontrafficsignalsorsignstokeepothersfromcrossingin
frontofyou.Somedriversmaynotobeytrafficsignalsorsigns.Atan
intersection,looktotheleftandright,evenifothertraffichasaredlight
orastopsign.
PROPER POSTURE WHILE DRIVING
Thewayyousitandholdthesteeringwheelaffectsyourdriving.Good
posturecanhelpyoustayalertandinfullcontrolofyourvehicle.
Sitwithyourbackstraight,upright,andrelaxedagainsttheseat.
Moveyourseatcloseenoughsoyoucaneasilyreachthepedalsbut
farenoughawaythatyourelbowsareinfrontofyouwhenyouholdthe
steeringwheel.
Keepbothfeetwithinreachofthefloorcontrols.
Keepbothhandsonthesteeringwheel.
STEERING
Useapropergrip.Placeyourlefthandbetweenthe7&9oclockpositions
andyourrighthandbetweenthe3&5oclockpositionsonthesteering
wheel.Thispositioniscomfortableandallowsyoutomakemostturns
withouttakingyourhandsoffthewheel.
Lookwelldowntheroad,notjustattheroadinfrontofyourvehicle.Look
fortrafficsituationswhereyouwillneedtosteerorslowbeforeyougetto
them.
Whenturningcorners,turnthesteeringwheelusingthehand-over-hand
technique.Donotturnthewheelwithjustthepalmofonehand,because
youcouldlosecontrol.Whenyoucompleteaturn,straightenoutthe
steeringwheelbyhand.
Steering Wheel Locking DeviceNeverturnyourvehiclesignitionkey
tothelockpositionwhileyourvehicleisstillinmotion.Thiswillcausethe
steeringwheeltolockifyoutrytoturnthesteeringwheel,andyouwilllose
controlofyourvehicle.
FOLLOWING OTHER VEHICLES
Besuretokeepasafedistancebetweenyourvehicleandthevehicleinfront
ofyou.Youneedasafedistancetostoporturntoavoidanaccident.Rear-
endcrashesareverycommon.Theyarecausedbydriverswhofollowtoo
closelyandcannotstopintimewhenthevehicleaheadsuddenlystops.
THREE SECOND RULE
Agoodwaytomeasureyoursafefollowingdistanceistousethethree
secondrule.Chooseanobjectneartheroadahead,likeasignor
telephonepole.Asthevehicleaheadofyoupassesit,countslowly,One
thousandone,onethousandtwo,onethousandthree.Ifyoureachthe
objectbeforeyoufinishcounting,youaretooclosetothevehicleahead.
SPACE BEHIND
Itisnotalwayseasytomaintainasafedistancebehindyourvehicle.
However,youcanhelpkeepthedriveratasafedistancebykeepinga
steadyspeed,andsignalinginadvancewhenyouslowdown.Followthese
safetytips:
Trytofindasafeplaceoutoftraffictostopandpickuporletoff
passengers.
Ifyouwanttoparallelparkandthereistrafficcomingbehindyou,puton
yourturnsignal,pullnexttothespace,andallowvehiclestopassbefore
youpark.
Whenyouhavetodrivesoslowlythatyouslowdownothervehicles,pull
tothesideoftheroadwhenitissafetodoso,andletthempass.There
areturnoutareasonsometwo-laneroadsyoucoulduse.Othertwo-
laneroadssometimeshavepassinglanes.
Ifyouarefollowedtoocloselyortailgatedbyanotherdriver,andthere
isarightlane,moveovertotheright.Ifthereisnorightlane,waituntil
theroadaheadisclearandthenreducespeedslowly.Thiswillencourage
thetailgatertodrivearoundyou.Neverslowdownquicklytodiscourage
atailgater.Thiswillonlyincreaseyourriskofbeinghitfrombehind.
SPACE TO THE SIDE
Youneedspaceonbothsidesofyourvehicletohaveroomtoturnor
changelanes.
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Avoiddrivingnexttoothervehiclesonmulti-laneroads.Someonemay
crowdyourlaneortrytochangelanesandpullintoyou.Moveaheador
dropbehindtheothervehicle.
Keepasmuchspaceasyoucanbetweenyourselfandoncoming
vehicles.Onatwo-laneroad,thismeansnotcrowdingthecenterline.
Ingeneral,itissafesttodriveinthecenterofyourlane.
Makeroomforvehiclesenteringonamulti-laneroadway.Ifthereisnot
avehicleinthelanenexttoyou,moveoveralane.
Keepextraspacebetweenyourvehicleandparkedvehicles.Someone
couldstepoutfromaparkedvehicle,frombetweenvehicles,oraparked
vehiclecouldpullout.
Giveextraspacetopedestriansorbicyclists,especiallychildren.They
maymoveintoyourpathquicklyandwithoutwarning.Waituntilitis
safetopass.
Whenpossible,takepotentialhazardsoneatatime.Forexample,if
youareovertakingabicycleandanoncomingvehicleisapproaching,
slowdownandletthevehiclepassfirstsoyoucangiveextraroomto
thebicycle.
STOPPING DISTANCE
Yourstopping distance equalsyourreactiondistanceplusyourbraking
distance.Ifyouaredrivingfast,areverytired,orifyourvehiclehasbad
brakes,youwillneedmorespacetostopyourvehicle.
Thefollowing distance equalsyour reaction distanceplusyourvehicles
braking distanceatdifferentspeeds.Thereactiondistanceisthedistance
youtravelafteryouseeadangerandbeforeyouapplyyourbrakes.Inthe
chartshownbelow,thereactiondistanceisfor1.5seconds.Youhaveto
bealerttoreactwithinoneandone-halfseconds.
Thebrakingdistanceisthedistanceyoutravelafteryouapplyyourbrakes
andbeforeyourvehiclecomestoastop.Inthechartshownbelow,
thebrakingdistanceisforavehiclewithgoodbrakesandtires,ingood
weatherandonagoodroad.
AVERAGE STOPPING DISTANCE OF CARS ON DRY LEVEL PAVEMENT
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LETTING OTHERS KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING
Generally,otherdriversexpectyoutokeepdoingwhatyouaredoing.You
mustwarnthemwhenyouaregoingtochangedirectionorslowdown.
Thiswillgivethemtimetoreacttowhatyoudo.
SIGNAL WHEN YOU CHANGE DIRECTION
Youshoulduseyourturnsignalsbeforeyouchangelanes,turnrightorleft,
mergeintotraffic,orpark.
Getintothehabitofsignalingeverytimeyouchangedirection.Signal
evenwhenyoudonotseeanyoneelsearound.Itiseasytomiss
someonewhoneedstoknowwhatyouaredoing.
Signalasearlyasyoucan.Trytosignalatleast100feetbeforeyou
makeyourmove.Ifthereareotherstreets,driveways,orentrances
betweenyouandwhereyouwanttoturn,waituntilyouhavepassed
themtosignal.
Ifanothervehicleisabouttoenterthestreetbetweenyouandwhere
youplantoturn,waituntilyouhavepassedittosignalyourturn.
Afteryouhavemadeaturnorlanechange,makesureyourturnsignal
isoff.Aftersmallturns,thesignalmaynotturnoffbyitself.Turnitoffif
ithasnotclickedoffbyitself.Ifyoudonot,otherdriversmightthinkyou
plantoturnagain.
USING YOUR HORN
Donotuseyourhornunlessyouhaveto.Needlessuseofyourhornmay
distractotherdriversandcauseanaccident.Thereisonlyonereasonto
useyourhorn:towarnotherdrivers.Yourhornshouldnotbeusedasa
displayofangerorfrustration.
SLOW POKE DRIVING
Itisagainstthelawforyoutodriveslowerthanthepostedminimumspeed
undernormaldrivingconditions.Youmaydrivemoreslowlythantheminimum
speedifyouaredrivinginbadweather,heavytraffic,oronabadroad.
Ifthereisnopostedminimumspeed,itisstillagainstthelawforyouto
drivesoslowlythatyoublocktraffic.Ifyouhavetodrivemoreslowly,and
vehicleslineupbehindyou,youshouldpulloverandletthempass.Many
accidentsarecausedbyslowdriverswhoblockothertraffic.Remember,
slowerisnotalwayssafer.
CARBON MONOXIDE
Bewareofcarbonmonoxidepoisoning.Vehiclemotorsgiveoffcarbon
monoxidewhichisadeadlygas.Toavoidcarbonmonoxidepoisoning:
Donotleavethemotorrunninginagarage.
Donotleavethemotorrunningandwindowsclosedwhenyouparkyour
vehicle.
Donotusetheheaterorairconditionerinaparkedvehiclewiththe
windowsclosed.
Donotleavetheventsopenwhenfollowingcloselybehindanother
vehicle.
Donotdrivewithadefectivemufflerorexhaustsystem.
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TIPS FOR AVOIDING A DEER-VEHICLE ACCIDENT (DVA)
Youcanreduceyouroddsofbeinginvolvedinadeer-vehicleaccident
(DVA)byapplyingtheseprecautionarymeasures:
Beespeciallyalertandusecautionwhentravelingthroughareasmarked
withdeercrossingsigns.
Deerseldomtravelalone.Chancesareifyouseeonedeercrossinga
roadornoticeastruckdeeronthesideoftheroad,thereareothers
nearby.
Beespeciallycautiousinareasaroundfields,streams,andgardens
wheredeertendtocongregate.
Mostdeer-relatedcrashesoccurinJanuary,May,andOctoberthrough
December.
Highest-riskperiodsarefromsunsettomidnightandthehoursshortly
beforeandaftersunrise.
Afterdark,usehighbeamswhenthereisnoopposingtraffic.High
beamswillilluminatetheeyesofdeeronorneararoadwayandprovide
greatermotoristreactiontime.
ToreducethelikelihoodofseriousinjuryinaDVA,besureallvehicle
occupantswearseatbeltsandchildrenareproperlyrestrainedinchild
safetyseats.
IfyouseethataDVAisunavoidable,donotswerve.Swervingoffthe
roadorintothepathofanoncomingcarcanincreasetheriskofinjury.
Makesurethereisnotrafficbehindyoubeforeslowingsuddenly.Too
muchbrakepressurecancausethefrontendofthevehicletodrop
down,strikingthedeerinthelegsandallowingthebodytocomeinto
thepassengercompartmentofthevehicle.
IfyouareinvolvedinaDVA:
1.Reporttheaccidenttoalocallawenforcementagency;
2.Obtainapolicereport(ifrequired)tofileaclaimforcoveragewith
yourinsurancecompany;and
3.ContactalocalMissouriDepartmentofConservationagenttoreport
wheretheaccidentoccurred.Thiscanhelptoidentifyfrequentdeer
crossingareas.
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NIGHT DRIVING
Drivingatnightismoredifficultthandrivingduringtheday.Headlightsdo
notletyouseeasfaraheadasyoucanindaylight,limityourviewofthe
sidesoftheroad,andtheglareofoncomingheadlightsmakesseeingthe
roadmoredifficult.
Fordrivingatnight,youshould:
Makesureyourwindowsareclean.
Turnyourheadlightsonfromhouraftersunsetuntilhourbeforesunrise.
Makesureyourheadlightsarecleanandworkingwell.Havethem
checkedfromtimetotimeforcorrectaim.
Useyourhighbeamswhentherearenooncomingvehicles.
Donotoverdriveyourheadlights.Yourheadlightsonlyletyouseeabout350
feetahead.Besureyouaredrivingslowenoughtostoporturnifneeded.
Useyourlowbeamswhenyoucomewithin500feet(aboutoneblock)of
anoncomingvehicle.Alsouseyourlowbeamswhenfollowinganother
vehiclewithin300feet.
Slowdownwhennearingacurveifyouaredrivingthemaximumposted
speedlimit.
Usetheedgelineasaguide.Ifthereisnoedgeline,usethecenterline
toguideyou.
Stayawakeandalert.Donotdriveifyoufeeltired.
Watchcarefullyforhighwaysignsastheyarehardertoseeatnight.
Watchcarefullyforpeopleandvehiclesstoppedonthesideoftheroad.
HEADLIGHT USE
Youmustuseyourheadlightsanytimeweatherconditionsrequiretheuse
ofyourwindshieldwipers.
WINTER DRIVING
Inwinter,cleanallsnowandiceoffyourwindows,headlights,andtaillights.
Besureyourwindshieldwipersanddefrosterareworking.Nomatterhow
faryouaregoingtodrive,neverstartdrivinguntilallsnowandiceisoff
yourwindows.
Yourvehicleshouldhavetiresthatareratedfordrivinginsnow.Ifyoudo
nothavetiresthatareratedfordrivinginsnow,youshouldhavechains
readytoputonyourtiresduringbadweather.Butevenifyouhavesnow
tiresorchains,youcannotdrivesafelyonsnoworiceatnormalspeeds.If
thereissnoworiceontheroad,slowdown.
CHAPTER 9 SAFE DRIVING TIPS FOR
SPECIAL DRIVING CONDITIONS
72
Whenstartingonsnoworice,startslowlyandsmoothly.Ifyourtiresstart
tospin,tryclearingapathbydrivingbackwardsandforwardsafewtimes.
Ifthatdoesnothelp,spreadsomeabrasivemateriallikesalt,sand,orcat
boxlitteraroundyourwheels.NEVERletanyonestandinlinewithyour
wheels.Yourwheelsmaythrowupgraveloriceandcauseaninjury.
Onceyouhavestarted,trytogetthefeeloftheroad.Gentlybrakewhile
drivingtoseehowslipperytheroadisandthenadjustyourspeedforthe
roadconditions.
Itwilltakelongertostopyourvehiclewhendrivingonsnoworice.Sobe
suretoleaveasafedistance,about8to10seconds,betweenyourvehicle
andanyvehicleaheadofyou.
Whenyouwanttoslowdownorstop,applythebrakesgentlyand
smoothly.Neverslamonyourbrakesthismaycauseyoutoskid.On
veryslipperysurfaces,pumpthebrakesbygentlypushingdownandletting
uponthemseveraltimes.Ifyourvehicleisequippedwithananti-lock
brakesystem,refertoyourownersmanualforproperbrakingtechniques
inspecialsituations.
Rememberthatbridgesandoverpasseswillfreezeandbecomeslippery
beforeotherpartsoftheroad,andbeawarethatevenonclearedroadsa
fewicepatchesmaystillexist.
Ifyouhaveafour-wheeldrivevehicle,DONOTusethefour-wheeldriveon
ice.Four-wheeldrivevehiclescaneasilyoverturnonice.Ifyouhitanicy
patchinfour-wheeldrive,takeyourfootofftheaccelerator.
Remember,IceandSnow....Takeitslow!
WET PAVEMENT
Whenitstartstorain,watermixeswiththedustandoilontheroadtoform
aslick,greasyfilm.Fallenleavescanalsobecomeslippery.Thewet
pavementmaymakeitharderforyoutostayontheroadoncurves.Itwill
alsotakelongertostopyourvehicle.Sobesuretoslowyourspeedand
leaveasafedistancebetweenyourvehicleandthevehicleinfrontofyou.
HYDROPLANINGOnwetpavement,yourtiresmayrideonthewater
ratherthanthepavement.Thisisknownashydroplaninganditrefersto
lossoftractionandcontrol.Hydroplaningcanhappenatanyspeedover
35mph.Inasevererainstorm,thetirescanloseallcontactwiththeroad
at55mph.
Ifyouthinkyourtiresarehydroplaning,takeyourfootofftheaccelerator
andslowdown.Donothitthebrakesasthismaycauseyoutoskid.
Toavoidhydroplaning:
Havegoodtireswithdeeptreadsonyourvehicle.
Keeptiresproperlyinflated.
Slowdownduringrainstormsorwhenthepavementiswet.
73
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
Four-wheelABSisasafe,effectivebrakingsystemwhenusedproperly.It
offersanimportantsafetyadvantagebypreventingthewheelsfromlocking
duringemergencybrakingsituations.IfyourcarisequippedwithABS,
youshouldbeawarethatunderhardbrakingyoumayfeelapulsingin
thebrakepedal.DOKEEPyourfootonthebrake.Maintainafirmand
continuouspressureonthebrakewhilesteeringtoenablethefour-wheel
ABStoworkproperly.Remember,ifyourvehicleisequippedwithanti-
lockbrakesDONT PUMP YOUR BRAKES, DONT FORGET TO STEER,
AND DONT BE ALARMED BY MECHANICAL NOISES AND/OR SLIGHT
PEDAL PULSATIONS.Theseconditionsarenormalandletyouknowthe
ABSisworking.
SKIDDING
Handlingaskidisthesameforfront-wheelandrear-wheeldrivevehicles.
Takeyourfootofftheaccelerator,butDONOThitthebrakes.
Gentlyturnyoursteeringwheelinthedirectionthatyourrearwheelsare
sliding.
Becarefulnottobrakeorturnsharply.Hittingthebrakesorjerkingthe
steeringwheelwillonlymaketheskidworse.
STEER INTO THE SKID
1. BEFORE 2. REAR 3. TURN 4. VEHICLE
SKID WHEELS FRONT STRAIGHT
SLIDE WHEELS AGAIN
TO RIGHT TO RIGHT
FOG
Itisverydangeroustodriveinfog.Ifyoumustdriveinfog,youshould:
Reduceyourspeed.
Bealertandreadytostop.
Keepyourheadlightsonlowbeam.Infog,youwillseelessifyourlights
areonhighbeam.
Ifthefogbecomessothickyoucannotsee,pullofftheroadandstop.
LeaveyourlightsandemergencyflashersON.
HANDLING VEHICLE EMERGENCIES
ThemostimportantruleinanyemergencyisDONOTPANIC.Ifyoustay
calm,youwillrememberwhatyoushoulddo.Ifyouhavepowersteering
oralockingsteeringwheel,neverturnofftheignitionkeyuntilyouhave
cometoafullstop.
BRAKE FAILURE: Ifyourbrakepedalsuddenlysinkstothefloor:
1. Pumpthebrakepedalfastandhardseveraltimes.Ifthatdoesnotwork...
2. Useyouremergencyorparkingbrake,butuseitgradually.
3. Shifttoalowgearandlookforaplacetoslowtoastop.
4. Makesureyourvehicleisofftheroad.
5. Afterthevehiclehasstopped,callforhelp.Donottrytodrivetoagarage.
TIRE BLOWOUT: Ifyouhaveatireblowout,youmayhearaloudbang
thenthump,thump,thump.Thesteeringwheelmayjerk,andyoumay
losecontrolofyourvehicle.
1. Holdthesteeringwheeltightly.
2. Takeyourfootofftheaccelerator,butdonothitthebrakes.
3. Letyourvehicleslowtoastopcompletelyofftheroad.
4. Applythebrakeswhenthevehicleisalmoststopped.
5. Turnonyouremergencyflashers.
6. Changethetireonlyifyoucandosowithoutplacingyourselfindanger.
RUNNING OFF THE PAVEMENT: Ifyourwheelsrunoffthepavededge
oftheroad,thewheelsmaypulltotheright:
1. Holdthesteeringwheeltightly.
2. Takeyourfootofftheaccelerator,butdonothitthebrakes.Only
applygentlebrakepressureifnecessary.
3. Whenthevehiclehasslowedandyouhavecontrolofyourvehicle,
turnbackontothepavementifthelaneisfreeoftraffic.
STEERING FAILURE: Ifyourvehicledoesnotturnwhenyouturnthewheel:
1. Takeyourfootofftheaccelerator.
2. Letyourvehicleslowdownbyitself.Donothitthebrakesuntilyour
vehiclehasalmoststoppedorunlessyouhaveto.
3. Turnonyouremergencyflashers.
HEADLIGHT FAILURE: Ifyourvehiclesheadlightsgoout:
1. Trythedimmerswitchorheadlightswitch,thatmightturnthemon
again.Ifthatdoesnotwork...
2. Putontheparkinglights,emergencyflashers,orturnsignals.
3. Pullofftheroad,butleavetheemergencyflasherson.
STUCK ACCELERATOR: Ifyouracceleratorbecomesstuck,youshould:
1. Shifttoneutral.
2. Applythebrakes.
3. Keepyoureyesontheroad.
4. Lookforawayout.
5. Warnotherdriversbyhonkingandflashingyouremergencylights.
6. Trytodrivethecarsafelyofftheroad.
7. Whenyounolongerneedtochangedirectionandhavestopped,turn
offtheignition.(Turningoffthekeylocksthesteeringwheelofmany
vehicles.)
74
75
BLOCKED VISION: Ifyourhoodsuddenlyfliesopen,yourwindshield
wipersfail,orsomethingelseblocksyourvision:
1. Rolldownthewindowsoyoucanlookaroundwhateverisblocking
yourview.
2. Turnonyouremergencyflashers.
3. Pullyourvehicleofftheroad.
VEHICLE APPROACHING HEAD-ON IN YOUR LANE:
1. Slowdown.
2. Pullovertotherightandsoundyourhorn.
3. DONOTswingoverintotheleftlane.Theotherdrivermaypullback
overintothatlanetoo.
STALLING ON RAILROAD TRACKS:
Ifatrainisapproaching:
1. Unfastenyourseatbelt,getoutofyourvehicle,andoffthetracks.
2. Runinthedirectionthetrainiscomingfrom.(Ifyouruninthe
directionthetrainisheading,youmaybehitwithdebriswhenthetrain
hitsyourvehicle.)
Ifthereisnotraininsight:
1. Rolldownyourwindowsandlistenforthetrain.
2. Trytostarttheengine.Ifthatfails...
3. Putyourvehicleinneutralandpushitoffthetracks.
12 AND 15 PASSENGER VAN SAFETY:
TheNationalTransportationSafetyBoard(NTSB)hasdeterminedthat12-
and15-passengervansareinherentlyunstablewhenloadedtothelevelfor
whichtheyaredesigned,carryingmorethantenpassengers.TheNTSB
recommendsthatalldriversof12-and15-passengervansobtainspecific
trainingonthehandlingandoperationofthesetypesofvehicles.Formore
informationregarding12-and15-passengervansafety,youmayvisitthe
NTSBswebsiteatwww.ntsb.gov.
IT IS GOOD TO PRACTICE DRIVING
IN BAD WEATHER, BUT TRY TO FIND
A SAFE LOCATION AWAY FROM TRAFFIC,
PEDESTRIANS, AND OTHER OBSTACLES!
76
ALCOHOL, DRUGS, AND DRIVING
Drivingamotorvehicleisaprivilege.Ittakesskillandcommonsense.
Alcoholordrugsorfatiguewillcauseyourdrivingtosuffer,anditisyour
responsibilitytoknowwhenyouarenotinshapetodrive.Drivingunder
theinfluenceofalcoholordrugs,evenmedicine,ordrivingwhenyoure
tiredcanhavedeadlyconsequencesforyou,yourpassengers,and
othermotorists.
Drinkinganddrivingisnotworththerisktoyourlifeandthelivesofothers.
Evenasmallamountofalcoholmayaffectyourdrivingability.Ifyouare
goingtodrink,letsomeoneelsedrivewhohasnotbeendrinking.
Missourilawsaretoughifyouarefoundguiltyofdrinkingorusingdrugs
whiledriving.Youmaypayafine,loseyourlicense,andevengotojail.
Ifyouinjureorkillsomeonebecauseyouweredrinkingorusingdrugs
whiledriving,youmay:
Spend2to7yearsinjail,
Paya$5,000fine,and/or
Loseyourdriverlicensefor5years.
Whenapoliceofficerstopsyouandsuspectsyouhavebeendrinking,
theofficermayaskyoutotakesometestslikewalkingheeltotoeor
standingononeleg.Thesetestswillhelptheofficerdecideifyoushould
bearrestedandhaveachemicaltestofyourbreath,blood,orurine.The
resultofthistestisknownasyourBloodAlcoholConcentration(BAC)
level.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS
IfyourBloodAlcoholConcentration(BAC)levelis.08%ormore(orfor
minors.02%ormore),theofficerwilltakeyourlicenseawayandgive
youanotice.Thisnoticetellsyouthatyourlicensewillbesuspendedor
revoked(andyouwillnotbeabletolegallydrive)after15days.Thenotice
includesa15-daydrivingpermitthatyoucanuseiftheofficerindicatesthis
onthenotice.Thenoticealsoincludesaformthatallowsyoutorequesta
hearing.Ifyouaregivenahearing,youmaycontinuetolegallydriveuntil
15daysafteradecisionismailedtoyou.
Therearetwotypesofactionsthatmaybetakenagainstyoufordriving
whenyouarenotfittodrive.Thereareadministrativeactionsandcourt
convictedactions,whichcarrydifferentpenalties.
CHAPTER 10 BE IN SHAPE TO DRIVE
77
Thefollowingchartshowstheadministrativeactionsthatyoucanexpectto
faceifyouarearrestedfordrivingundertheinfluenceofalcoholordrugs.
Administrative Driver License To Get Your
Action Suspension/ License Back
Revocation/Denial
*IIDinstallationrequiredforreinstatement.
COURT CONVICTED ACTIONS
IfyoureceiveaticketandajudgefindsyouguiltyofDrivingWhile
Intoxicated(DWI)orBloodAlcoholConcentration(BAC)of.08%ormore,
youwillnotbeabletolegallydriveaftertheticketissenttothedepartment.
Yourlicensewillbesuspended,revoked,ordeniedbasedonyourpast
drivingrecordandthepointsaddedtoyourrecord.Youwillbenotifiedby
mailwhenyoumuststopdriving.Thechartonthenextpageshowsthe
consequencesofacourtconvictedactionlikeDWIorBAC:
LicenseSuspension
1stOffense--30day
suspension,followed
bya60-dayrestricted
drivingprivilege
*2ndOffense--30day
suspension,followed
bya60-dayrestricted
drivingprivilege,for
a2ndoffensethat
occurredoutsidea
5-yearperiod
LicenseRevocation
*2ndOffense--1-Year
licenserevocation
Please see
page 80
for
Reinstatement
Requirements
78
Crime Fines/Jail Driver License To Get Your
Suspension, License Back
Revocation, or Denial
BAC
Driving/
operating
avehicle
with.08%
Blood
Alcohol
Contentor
more
and/or
DWI
Driving
while
intoxicated.
1st Offense -
Spendupto6
monthsinjail.
Payuptoa
$500fine.
2nd Offense -
Spendupto1
yearinjail.
Payuptoa
$1000fine.
3rd Offense -
Spendupto
4yearsinjail.
Payuptoa
$5,000fine.
4th Offense -
Spendupto7
yearsinjail.
Payuptoa
$5,000fine.
5th Offense -
Spend
between5and
15yearsinjail.
1st Offense -
30daysuspension,
followedbya60-day
restricteddriving
privilege.
*2nd Offense -
1-yearlicenserevoca-
tion.
*2nd Offense Within
5 Years-5-year
licensedenial.
NOTE:OnlyaBAC
withaconvictiondate
ofAugust28,2009
oraftercanbeused
towardafive-year
denial.
*3rd Offense -
10-yearlicense
denial.
*3rd and Subsequent
Offenses-10-year
licensedenial.
*IIDinstallationrequiredforreinstatement.
Please see
page 80
for
Reinstatement
Requirements
79
MISSOURIS ABUSE AND LOSE LAW
If you are younger than 21 years of age,yourdriverlicensemaybe
takenawayfor90daysforanyofthefollowing:
Anyalcohol-relatedtrafficoffense
Ifyoupossessorusealcoholordrugswhiledrivingavehicle
Ifyoualter,modify,ormisrepresentadriverlicense
Ifyouareunder18yearsofageandpossessorusealcoholandare
chargedwithasecondoffense.
If you are 21 years of age or older,youmayhaveyourdriverlicense
takenawayforoneyearifyoupossessorusedrugswhiledriving.Toget
yourlicenseback,youmust:
Paya$45fee
SubmitaformshowingyoucompletedaSubstanceAbuseTraffic
OffenderProgram(SATOP)orcomparableprogram
Minor in Possession (MIP) and Other Alcohol Offenses
If you are older than 15 years of age and under 21 years of age,
astatecourtmaysuspendorrevokeyourdriverlicenseforanyofthe
following:
Purchasingorattemptingtopurchaseanyintoxicatingliquor
Possessinganyintoxicatingliquor(consumptionconstitutespossession).
BeingvisiblyintoxicatedasdefinedinSection577.001,RSMo.
HavingaBloodAlcoholContent(BAC)levelofmorethan.02%
Thefollowingchartshowstheconsequencesayoungpersonfacesfor
MIPandotheralcoholoffenses:
Driver License
Suspension/ To Get Your
Crime Revocation License Back
MIP 1st Offense30-day Paya$45fee,andattenda
Minorin suspension SubstanceAbuseTraffic
Possession OffenderProgram(SATOP)
2nd Offense90-day orcomparableprogram.
suspension
3rd Offense1-year
revocation
PROOF OF INSURANCE
IfyouarefacingconsequencesofaDWIorBAC,youwillberequiredto
fileproofofinsurancewiththeDriverLicenseBureau.Themostcommon
methodoffilingproofofinsuranceisanSR-22insurancefiling.Proof
ofinsurancemustbekeptonfilewiththeDriverLicenseBureaufortwo
years.Ifyoudonotkeepproofofinsuranceonfile,yourdriverlicense
willbesuspendedfortherestofthetwoyearsunlessyoufileproofof
insuranceandpaya$20fee.
80
Thereisoneexceptiontothisrule:MinorswithaBACof.02%ormoredo
nothavetofileproofofinsuranceonafirstoffense.
MoreinformationaboutinsuranceisincludedinChapter13ofthisGuide.
Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test of Your Blood Alcohol
Concentration (BAC)
Ifapoliceofficerstopsyouandyourefusetotakeachemicaltesttodetermine
yourBAC,yourdriverlicensewillbetakenawayforoneyear.Yourdriver
licensemaybereinstatedifyousubmittherequirementslistedbelow.
Reinstatement Requirements for Alcohol-Related Offenses
Yourlicensewillbereinstatedifyou:
Paya$45fee;
SubmitaformshowingyoucompletedaSubstanceAbuseTraffic
OffenderProgram(SATOP)orcomparableprogram;
Provideproofofinsurancefortwoyears(SR-22filing);and
Haveanignitioninterlockdevice(IID)installedonanyvehicleyou
operateforatleastsixmonthsfromdateofreinstatement(This
requirementbecomeseffectiveJuly1,2009andappliesonlyifyouhada
prioralcohol-relatedcontact).
Ignition Interlock
Anignitioninterlockdevice(IID)isamechanicalunitthatisconnectedto
thevehiclesignition,horn,andheadlightsandmeasurestheconcentration
ofalcoholinapersonsbreath.TheIIDrequiresvehicleoperatorsto
provideabreathsamplebeforestartingthevehicleandperiodicallyduring
theoperationofthevehicle.
EffectiveJuly1,2009,ifyouhavemorethanonealcohol-relatedcontact
showingonyourdriverrecord,youmusthaveanIIDinstalledonany
vehicleyouoperatebeforeyourdrivingprivilegecanbereinstated.The
IIDmustbeinstalledforaminimumofsixmonthsfromyourreinstatement
date.Youmustpayforhavingthedeviceinstalledandforhavingit
servicedeverymonth.IfyoufailtomaintaintheIIDduringthesix-month
period,yourdrivingprivilegewillbere-suspended.Youwillberequiredto
havethedeviceserviced/installed,sendprooftothedriverlicensebureau,
andpaya$20reinstatementfeebeforehavingyourdrivingprivilege
reinstated.
Inadditiontodriverlicensingrequirements,acourtmayimposeother
requirementssuchas:IIDuseforthefirstDWIconviction;oruseofa
deviceforlongerthansixmonths.
IfyoureceiveaticketforfailingtohaveanIIDinstalledasrequiredby
lawandyouareconvictedincourt,yourdrivingprivilegewillberevoked
forone-year.Asecondoffenserequiresyourdrivingprivilegetobetaken
awayforfiveyears.
Tolocatealistofapprovedignitioninterlockdevicesandinstallers,visit
www.modot.mo.gov/safety/ImpairedDriving.htmorcontacttheMissouri
DepartmentofTransportationat800-800-2358.
81
Drivingisaprivilege,notaright.Youcanloseyourdrivingprivilegeifyou
disobeythetrafficlaws.Whenyouareconvictedofatrafficviolation,while
yourvehiclewasinmotion,thedepartmentreceivesnoticeandaddspoints
toyourdrivingrecord.Thisisntlikeafootballorbasketballgameyou
dontwantthesepoints.Youcanloseyourdrivingprivilegewhenyou
accumulatetoomanypoints.
Thenumberofpointsyoureceivedependsontheconviction.Forexample,
youmayreceive2or3pointsifyouareconvictedofspeeding(depending
onifthecourtwasmunicipal,county,orstatelevel).Bycontrast,youmay
receive12pointsandtherevocationofyourdrivingprivilegeifyouare
convictedofleavingthesceneofanaccident.
Thefollowingareexamplesofsomestatelawviolationsandthepoint
valuesassociatedwiththem:
Violation Point Value
Speeding.................................................................. 3points
Careless&ImprudentDriving.................................. 4points
KnowinglyAllowinganUnlicensedDriver
toOperateaVehicle........................................... 4points
AFelonyInvolvingaMotorVehicle.......................... 12points
ObtainingaDriverLicenseby
Misrepresentation................................................ 12points
OperatingaVehiclewithaSuspended
orRevokedDriverLicense................................. 12points
RACKING UP POINTS: THE CONSEQUENCES
Ifyouaccumulateatotalof4pointsin12months,thedepartmentwillsend
youapointaccumulationadvisory.
Ifyouaccumulateatotalof8ormorepointsin18months,yourdriving
privilegewillbesuspended.Belowaretheconsequencesforaccumulating
8pointsin18months:
1stsuspension30days
2ndsuspension60days
3rd(orsubsequent)suspension90days
Yourdrivingprivilegewillberevokedforoneyearifyouaccumulate:
12ormorepointsin12months
18ormorepointsin24months
24ormorepointsin36months
Dependingonwhetheryoursuspensionorrevocationwasrelatedto
alcohol,therearedifferentreinstatementrequirements.
Foranon-alcoholrelatedpointsuspensionorrevocation,youwillneedto:
Submitproofofinsurance(SR-22)and
A$20reinstatementfee.
CHAPTER 11 THE POINT SYSTEM AND
HOW IT AFFECTS YOU
82
Foranalcohol-relatedpointsuspensionorrevocation,youwillneedto
submitthereinstatementrequirementsonpage80.
Detailsaboutsubmittingproofofinsurance(SR-22)canbefoundin
Chapter13,MandatoryInsurance.
HOW POINTS COME OFF YOUR DRIVING RECORD
Whenyourdrivingprivilegeisreinstated,thedepartmentreducesyourtotal
pointsto4.Everyyearyoudrivewithoutgettingnewpointsonyourrecord,
thepointswillbereduced.
After1yearRemainingpointswillbereducedbyone-third
After2yearsRemainingpointswillbereducedbyone-half
After3yearsPointsreducedtozero
Althoughyourpointsmaybereducedtozero,certainconvictionsmust
remainlistedpermanentlyonyourdrivingrecord.
OTHER CONSEQUENCES
DrivingWhileYourLicenseisSuspendedorRevoked
Ifyoudrivewhileyourlicenseissuspended,yourdrivingprivilegemaybe
revokedforoneyearafteryouareconvicted.Ifyoucontinuetodrivewhile
yourlicenseisrevoked,youmaybeconvictedofafelonyandhaveyour
licenserevokedagainforoneyear.
Failure to Appear in Court for Traffic Violations (FACT)
Whenyoufailtoappearincourtforatrafficviolation,thecourtwillnotify
youwithin10daysofyourfailuretocomply.Thecourtwillgiveyou30
daystopaythefinesbeforethecourtnotifiestheDriverLicenseBureau.
Ifyoudonotcomplywithin30days,thecourtwillnotifytheDriver
LicenseBureauofyourfailuretocomply,andyourdrivingprivilegewillbe
suspendedimmediately.
Ifthishappenstoyou,yourdrivingprivilegewillbesuspendeduntilthe
Bureaureceives:
Proofthattheticketispaidand
A$20reinstatementfee.
IfyourlicenseissuspendedforFACT,youmaygetyourdrivingprivilege
reinstatedinoneofthreeways.
1. Takethereinstatementrequirementstoalicenseoffice.Theinformation
willbefaxedtotheDriverLicenseBureauinJeffersonCityforreview.
Areinstatementletterwillbepreparedandfaxedtothelicenseoffice
tobegiventoyou.Ifyourdriverlicensewaspreviouslysurrendered,a
temporarydrivingreceiptwillalsobefaxed.Yourdriverlicensewillbe
mailedtoyoufromtheDriverLicenseBureauinJeffersonCity.
83
2. MailthereinstatementrequirementstotheDriverLicenseBureau,P.O.
Box3950,JeffersonCity,Missouri65105-3950.
3. BringthereinstatementrequirementstotheDriverLicenseBureauinthe
HarrySTrumanStateOfficeBuildingat301WestHighStreet,Jefferson
City,Missouri,inRoom470.Officehoursare7:30a.m.to5:00p.m.
MondaythroughFriday(exceptholidays).
ALL OCCUPANTS OF YOUR
VEHICLE SHOULD BUCKLE UP
EVERY TRIP, EVERY TIME!
84
TITLING YOUR VEHICLE
WhetheryouareaMissouriresidentbuyinganewvehicleoranew
residentwhorecentlymovedtoMissouri,youhave30daystovisityour
locallicenseofficeandtakecareofyourlegalresponsibilitiestotitleyour
vehicle.
Atitleisproofthatyouownyourvehicle.Whenyoubuyavehicle,you
mustapplyforatitlewithin30days.Ifyoudonotapplywithin30days,
youwillhavetopayapenaltyfee.
Youmayapplyforatitleatanylicenseoffice.Thetitlewillcost$8.50,and
youwillberequiredtopaya$2.50processingfee.Youwillhavetopayall
stateandlocalsalestaxesdue.Forinformationontheamountofsalestax
youwillhavetopay,contactanylicenseoffice,call(573)526-3669,orvisit
ourwebsiteatwww.dor.mo.govandentersalestaxcalculatorintothe
searchbox.
Whenyouapplyforatitle,youwillreceiveareceipt.Youwillreceiveyour
titleinthemailfromtheDepartmentofRevenue(department).
Atitleisaveryimportantpersonaldocument.DoNOTkeepyourtitlein
yourvehicle.
WHAT YOU NEED TO GET A TITLE
Therequirementsaredifferentfornewandusedvehiclesandforvehicles
boughtinMissouriandoutsideMissouri.Followingisadescriptionofthe
requirementsforthesesituations.
VEHICLES BOUGHT IN MISSOURI
NewVehicleBoughtinMissouriThedealerwillgiveyouatitle
applicationandanassignedManufacturersStatementofOrigin.The
ManufacturersStatementofOriginindicatesthevehicleisnewandhas
neverbeenregistered.You(thepurchaser)andthedealermustcomplete
theodometerdisclosureportiononthebackoftheManufacturers
StatementofOrigin.
UsedVehicleBoughtinMissouriYoumustreceiveaproperly
assignedtitle(seebelowforanexplanation)fromthesellerthatproves
youhaveboughtthevehicle.Ifyouboughttheusedvehiclefroma
dealer,youshouldalsoreceiveacompletedtitleapplication.Aproper
odometerdisclosureonthebackofthetitleisrequiredonvehicles
thatarelessthan10yearsold.Ifthetitleassignedtoyouisanout-of-
statetitle,youmustgetanidentificationnumberandodometer(ID/OD)
verificationformcompletedbyalicensedinspectionstation.
VEHICLES BOUGHT OUT-OF-STATE (NOT IN MISSOURI)
NewVehicleBoughtOut-of-StateYoumustreceivethedealers
invoiceorabillofsaleandassignedManufacturersStatementof
Originfromtheout-of-statedealer.You(thepurchaser)andthedealer
mustcompletetheodometerdisclosureportiononthebackofthe
ManufacturersStatementofOrigin.
CHAPTER 12 VEHICLE TITLING
AND REGISTRATION
UsedVehicleBoughtOut-of-StateYoumustreceiveeitheraproperly
assignedtitle(seebelowforanexplanation)fromthesellerora
reassignedtitlefromthedealer.Ifthestatedoesnotrequireatitle,you
mustgetabillofsaleandthevehicleslastcertificateofregistrationin
thatstate.Aproperodometerdisclosureisrequiredonvehiclesless
than10yearsold.Ifthetitleassignedtoyouisanout-of-statetitle,you
mustgetanidentificationnumberandodometer(ID/OD)verificationform
completedbyalicensedinspectionstation.
Properly Assigned Titles
Aproperlyassignedtitlehasthefollowinginformationcompletedinthe
assignmentarea:
Buyersnameandaddress
Odometerreading,ifapplicable
Salepriceofvehicle
Dateofthesale
Nameofanylienholder,ifapplicable
Signatureandprintednameofallsellers,and
Buyersprintednameandsignature,ifapplicable.
Salvage Vehicles
Forinformationontitlingavehicleboughtforsalvage,dismantling,or
rebuilding,call(573)526-3669,orwriteto:
MissouriDepartmentofRevenue
MotorVehicleBureau
301WestHighStreet,Room370
P.O.Box100
JeffersonCity,Missouri65105-0100
Odometer Readings
Whenyoubuyorsellavehiclethatislessthan10yearsold,theseller
mustwritethemileagereadingonthetitleassignment.Ifthevehicleis
new,theodometerreadingmustbeontheManufacturersStatementof
Origin.Boththebuyerandthesellermustprintandsigntheirnames
verifyingthemileage.Insomeinstances,aseparateodometerstatement
mayberequired.
REGISTERING YOUR VEHICLE
IfyouareaMissouriresident,youarerequiredtoregisteryourvehiclein
Missouri.IfyouareanewMissouriresident,youmustregisteryourvehicle
within30daysofbecomingaMissouriresident.
IfyouareanewMissouriresident,youmustsurrenderyourout-of-state
titleandapplyforaMissourititle.Ifafinancialinstitutionhasyourtitle,
youmustprovideyourout-of-stateregistration,lienholdersname,and
lienholdersaddress.Thelicenseofficewillrequestthetitlefromyour
lienholder.Afteryousurrenderyourout-of-statetitle,aMissourititlewillbe
issuedandmailedtoyou.
WhenyouregisteryourvehicleinMissouri,youwillreceiveMissouri
licenseplatesandayeartablocatedonthelicense.
85
86
Youmayregisteryourvehicleatanylicenseoffice.Ifyouareregistering
apassengervehicle,yourregistrationfeewillbebasedonyourvehicles
taxablehorsepower.Ifyouareregisteringacommercialvehicle,your
registrationfeewillbebasedonitszoneandgrossweight.Anadditional
processingfeewillapply.
Youmaybeeligibletoobtainatwo-yearregistrationforyourvehicle.
Duringaneven-numberedyear(like2008)youmayregisterfortwoyearsif
yourvehiclehasaneven-numberedmodelyear.Likewise,duringanodd-
numberedyear(like2009)youmayregisterfortwoyearsifyourvehicle
hasanodd-numberedmodelyear.Otherwise,onlyaone-yearregistration
isavailable.
What You Need to Register Your Vehicle
Abouttwomonthsbeforeyourvehicleregistrationexpires,youshould
receivearenewalnoticeinthemail.Ifyoudonotreceivethenotice,you
arestillrequiredbylawtorenewyourlicenseplatesbeforetheyexpire.
Toensureyoureceivearenewalnotice,remembertoupdateyouraddress
ifyoumove.Youcanemaildormail@dor.mo.govandincludeyourfull
name,oldandnewaddress,yourdriverlicensenumberorlastfourdigitsof
yourSocialSecurityNumber,andyourvehicleslicenseplatenumber(s).
Therenewalnoticewilllistyourrequirementstorenewyourvehicle
registration.Makesuretoreadthelistandbringtherequireddocuments
tothelicenseofficewithyou.Therequirementsarelistedbelowbutallof
themmaynotapplytoyou.
Renewalnoticefromthedepartment,aregistrationreceiptfromthe
previousyear,oracopyofyourtitle.
Paidpersonalpropertytaxreceiptorastatementofnon-assessment
fromthecountyinwhichyoureside(orcityofSt.Louis)fortheperiodof
yourpreviousregistration.(Ifyouhadaone-yearregistration,showthe
previousyearsreceipt.Ifyouhadatwo-yearregistration,showreceipts
fromtheprevioustwoyears.)
Currentinsuranceidentificationcardorotherproofoffinancial
responsibility(refertoChapter13fordetailedinformation).
Currentcertificateofsafetyand/oremissionsinspectiondonewithinthe
last60days,ifapplicable(refertoChapter14formoreinformation).
Thecorrectregistration/processingfee.
TIP! Youmayalsobeabletorenewyourplatesonlineatwww.plates.
mo.gov.Ifyouareeligibleforthisconvenientoption,aPersonal
IdentificationNumber(PIN)willbeprintedonyourrenewalnotice.
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OTHER INFORMATION
Selling a Vehicle
Statelawrequiresyoutoreportthesaleofyourmotorvehicleorall-terrain
vehiclebycompletingaNoticeofSale(DOR-5049)andsubmittingittoany
licenseofficeortotheaddressontheformwithin30days.
Stolen License Plates and Tabs
Statelawallowsyoutoreplacestolenlicenseplates/tabsuptotwotimes
peryearatNOCOST(a$3.50processingfeeisapplicable)ifyousigna
notarizedaffidavitcertifyingtheplatesortabswerestolen.
EffectiveJanuary1,2009,acorrespondingpolicereportisrequiredin
additiontothenotarizedaffidavit,orthe$8.50replacementfeeisdue.
Lost or Destroyed Title, Plates, or Tabs
Ifyourlicenseplate(s),tab(s),ortitleislostordestroyed,youmustapply
forareplacement.Thechargeforareplacementtitleis$8.50;thecharge
forreplacementplatesis$8.50perplate;andthechargeforasetof
replacementtabsis$8.50.Anadditionalprocessingfeeof$3.50willalso
apply.
Missouri License Plate Information
ThewordsSHOWMESTATEappearacrossthebottomofthestandard
licenseplate.Ayeartabislocatedonthelicenseplate.Eachyeartabisa
differentcolor.
Personalized Plates
Whenyouregisteryourvehicle,youmayapplyforpersonalized
licenseplates.Inadditiontothenormalregistrationfee,thechargefor
personalizedplatesis$15foraone-yearregistrationand$30foratwo-
yearregistration.Moreinformationregardingpersonalized/specialtyplates
maybeobtainedonlineatwww.dor.mo.gov/mvdl/motorv/plates.
88
THE BASICS
Statelawrequiresallmotorvehicleoperatorsandownerstohaveaformof
liabilityinsurance.Liabilityinsurancecoversthepolicyholderslegalliability
resultingfrominjuriestootherpersonsordamagetotheirproperty.Thisis
calledFinancial Responsibility.
Motorvehicleownersarerequiredtoshowproofofinsurancewhen
registeringavehicleorrenewingtheirlicenseplates.Thereareseveral
waysyoucanprovideproofofinsurance.Theyarelistedbelow:
Acopyofyouroriginal,currentinsuranceidentificationcardgiventoyou
byyourinsurancecompany
Acopyofyourmotorvehicleliabilityinsurancepolicyorinsurancebinder
(atemporarypolicy)
Apaidinsurancereceiptshowingthepolicyinformation
Acertificateofself-insuranceissuedbythedepartment
AnIDcardissuedbythedepartmentwhenasuretybond,realestate
bond,orsecurityisfiledwiththedepartment
Mostdriversobtainliabilityinsurancethroughaninsurancecompanyor
agent,butthereareotherformsofliabilityinsurance:
Self-insurance:Tobeself-insured,youmusthavemorethan25vehicles
andbeabletoshowyoucanandwillpayfordamagecausedbyyour
vehicles.Acertificateofself-insurancewillbeissuedtoyoubythe
DepartmentofRevenue.
Suretybond,RealEstatebond,CertificateofDeposit,OtherNegotiable
Securities:Toinsurethroughabond,deposit,orsecurity,youmustfile
thebond,certificate,orsecurityintheamountof$60,000(or$120,000if
arealestatebond)withtheDepartmentofRevenue.Thedepartmentwill
issueyouacertificateofself-insuranceasproofofinsurance.
Cash:Adepositof$60,000cashmaybedepositedwiththeState
Treasurer.Acertificateofself-insurancewillbeissuedtoyoubythe
department.
Minimum Coverage Requirements
Liabilityinsurancecoversyourlegalliabilitywheninjuriesorproperty
damagehappentoothersasaresultofyouractions.Theminimumlevel
ofcoveragerequiredbystatelawisshownbelow:
$25,000perpersonforbodilyinjury
$50,000peraccidentforbodilyinjury
$10,000peraccidentforpropertydamage
Thelawalsorequiresyoutohaveuninsuredmotoristcoverageof$25,000
forbodilyinjuryperpersonand$50,000forbodilyinjuryperaccident.
Maintaining Your Insurance
Whenyouregisteravehiclewiththedepartment,youmustsignaform
statingthatyouhaveinsuranceandwillkeepinsuranceonyourvehicle.
CHAPTER 13 MANDATORY INSURANCE
Youmustkeepproofofinsuranceinyourvehicle.Ifalawenforcement
officerasksyouforproofandyoucannotshowit,youwillreceiveaticket.
Atanytime,thedepartmentmayrequireyoutoshowproofofinsurance.If
youareinanaccidentanddidnotshowproofofinsuranceatthetime,the
departmentwillrequireyoutoproveyouhaveinsurance.
Failure to Keep Insurance
Insuranceisimportant.Thereareanumberofconsequencesifyoufailto
keepyourinsurancenotonlycanitcostyoualotofmoneyifyouarein
anaccident,butyoumayloseyourdriverlicenseandlicenseplates.
Ifthedepartmentlearnsyouhavenotkeptyourinsurance,youwillreceive
anoticeofsuspensioninthemail.Yourdriverlicenseandlicenseplates
maybetakenawayorsuspendedfornothavinginsurance.Inordertoget
yourlicenseandlicenseplatesback,therearecertainrequirementsyou
mustmeet.
Numberof WhatHappenstoYou
Suspensions
1suspension Yourdriverlicenseand/orlicenseplateswillbe
suspendeduntilyou:
Paya$20fee.
Fileproofofinsurance.Youarerequiredtodo
thisfor3years.
2suspensions Yourdriverlicenseand/orlicenseplateswillbe
(within2years suspendedfor90days.Youmustalso:
ofeachother) Paya$200fee.
Fileproofofinsurancefor3years.
3(ormore) Yourdriverlicenseand/orlicenseplateswillbe
suspensions suspendedforoneyear.Youmustalso:
Paya$400fee.
Fileproofofinsurancefor3years.
ThemostcommonwaytofileproofofinsuranceisthroughanSR-22
insurancefiling.Contactyourinsurancecompanyoragenttofilethe
SR-22form.Ifyoufailtokeepinsuranceforthreeyears,yourdriver
licenseand/orvehiclelicenseplateswillbesuspendedagain.
Failure to Pay for Damages Caused in an Accident
Ifyouareatfaultinanaccidentanddonotpayforthedamagesyou
caused,yourdriverlicenseand/orvehiclelicenseplateswillbesuspended
foroneyear.Youmaybereinstatedduringthatone-yearperiodifyoudo
thefollowing:
Paya$20fee.
SendprooftotheDepartmentofRevenueDriverLicenseBureauthatyou
havesettledthedamages.
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90
ACCIDENTS AND CRASHES
Anaccidentiswhenyouinjureyourself,injuresomeoneelse,orcause
damagetopropertywhiledrivingyourvehicle.Drivingresponsiblyand
defensivelycanreduceyourchancesofbeinginanaccident,butnothing
cantotallypreventit.Evenifyouhaveanaccidentwithaparkedvehicle,
donotleave.Leavingthesceneofanaccidentisacrime.Ifyouareinan
accident,youshould:
STOP!Moveyourvehicleofftheroadifpossible,especiallyifitmay
causeotheraccidents.
Helpanyonewhoishurt.Trytomaketheinjuredpersoncomfortable,but
donotmovehimorher.Callanambulance.
Callthepolice.
Useflares,reflectors,orflashlightstowarnothertrafficiftheaccidenthas
happenedatnightorinbadweather.
Exchangethefollowinginformationwitheveryoneinvolved:
Name
Address
Driverlicensenumber,vehicleidentificationnumber(VIN),and
licenseplatenumber
Nameofyourinsurancecompanyandpolicynumber
Stayuntilalawenforcementofficersaysyoumayleavetheaccident
scene.
Contactyourinsurancecompanyassoonaspossible,evenifthe
accidentwasntyourfault.
Steer It and Clear It
Ifyoureinvolvedinaminortrafficcrash,oneofthefirstthoughtsyoumight
haveiswhetherornotyoushouldmoveyourvehicle.Theanswerisyes.
Astatelawthattookeffect10yearsagorequiresvehiclesinvolvedin
minor,non-injurycrashestomoveofftheroad.TheMissouriDepartment
ofTransportationisusingthe10-yearanniversarytoremindmotoriststo
steeritandclearittoensureminortrafficcrashesdontturnintomajor
pileups.TheagencyisalsoputtingupsignsintheSt.LouisandKansas
Cityareaswiththesteeritandclearitmessage.
Ifyoureinvolvedinaminortrafficcrashandtherearentanyinjuries,you
needtomoveyourvehicleontotheshoulderorothernearbylocationoffof
theroadway.Everyminuteavehiclestopsonthefreewayandblocksone
laneoftraffic,itbacksupapproachingtrafficforfourminutes.
Thelaw,knownastheMoveItlawalsohelpsreducethechanceof
motoristsbeinginvolvedinsecondarycrashes,whichcause18percentof
fatalitiesinMissouri.
Filing an Accident Report
Undercertaincircumstances,youarerequiredtofileanaccidentreportwith
thedepartment.Statelawrequirestheaccidentreporttobefiledwithin
30days.Eveniftheaccidenthappenedinaparkinglot,orasettlementis
made,youmustreportanaccidenttotheDriverLicenseBureauif:
1. TheaccidenthappenedinMissouri;
2. Theaccidenthappenedlessthanoneyearago;
3. Someoneinvolvedintheaccidentdidnothaveliabilityinsurance
coverage;AND
4. Thereisdamagetooneormorepersonspropertyinexcessof$500,
ortherewaspersonalinjuryordeath.
Inothercircumstances,youmaynotberequiredtoreporttheaccident,
butyoumaywanttoreportitanyway.Iftheaccidentdidnotcausemore
than$500inpropertydamage,personalinjury,ordeath,youmaystill
fileanaccidentreportiftherewasanuninsuredmotoristinvolved.The
departmentwillonlybeabletotakeactionagainsttheuninsuredmotorist
fornotmaintaininginsurance.
Youmayobtainanaccidentreportfromthedepartmentswebsiteat
www.dor.mo.gov/mvdl,fromyourinsurancecompanyoragent,orfrom
anylicenseoffice.
Afteryoufillouttheaccidentreport,youmaymailorfaxittothe
department:
MissouriDriverLicenseBureau
301WestHighStreetRoom470
PostOfficeBox200
JeffersonCity,Missouri65105-0200
FAX:(573)526-7365
91
SAFETY INSPECTIONS
Safetyinspectionsarerequiredtoregisterorrenewtheregistrationon
manymotorvehicles.Therearesomeexceptions,whicharediscussedin
thenextsection.
Chapter10discussedthatyouneedtobeinshapetodrive.Justthesame,
yourvehicleneedstobeinshapetobedriven.
Yourvehiclesafetyinspectionisgoodfortworegistrationyearsunlessyou
sellthevehicle.Evenmodelyearvehicles(like2008)mustbeinspected
whentheirregistrationexpiresduringevencalendaryears.Oddmodel
yearvehicles(like2007)mustbeinspectedwhentheirregistrationexpires
duringoddcalendaryears.Eachofficialinspectionstationmaychargean
inspectionfeenottoexceed$12(orupto$10foramotorcycleinspection).
Ifyourvehiclepassesthesafetyinspection,theinspectionstationwillgive
youacertificateofinspectiontoshowasproof.Thecertificateisgoodfor
60days.
Yourvehicleregistrationrenewalnoticewillindicatewhetheraninspection
isrequiredforyournextrenewal.
Exceptions to the Requirement
Thefollowingtypesofvehiclesareexemptfromthesafetyinspection
requirement:
Motorvehiclesareexemptforthefirstfiveyearsfollowingthemodelyearof
manufactureevenwhenthereisachangeofownership.Thisincludes
vehicleswithanout-of-statetitle.Example:A2007modelyearvehicleis
exemptfromsafetyinspectionin2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,and2012.
Alltrailers
Motorvehiclesengagedinintrastatecommerceandregisteredwiththe
MissouriDepartmentofTransportation
Motorvehiclesthatdisplayhistoriclicenseplates
Motorvehiclessoldforjunk,salvage,orrebuilding
Motorvehiclessoldfromdealertodealer
LowspeedvehiclesasdefinedinSection304.029,RSMo
Motorvehiclesregisteredfor26,000poundsoraboveandregisteredfor
aperiodoflessthan12months.Note:Renewalnoticewilllistasafety
inspectionrequirement;however,iftheofficeissues/renewsthe
registrationonorafterApril1staninspectionisnotrequired.
Ifyourvehicledoesnotfitintotheexceptions
listedabove,itwillberequiredtopassasafety
inspection.Anylicensedinspectionstationmay
inspectyourvehicleforsafety.Authorizedstations
willdisplaythesignshownonthebottomofpage
92.Readyourmotorvehiclerenewalnoticetofind
outwhetheryourvehicleneedsasafetyinspection.
CHAPTER 14 SAFETY AND EMISSIONS
INSPECTIONS AND REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
92
Equipment Needed
BRAKESBrakesmustbeingoodworkingorder.
HEADLIGHTSYourvehiclemusthaveatleasttwowhiteheadlights.
TAILLIGHTSYourvehiclemusthaveatleasttworedtaillightsand
reflectorsthatotherdriverscanseefrom500feet.
SIGNALING DEVICESYourvehiclemusthaveturnsignalsandbrake
lightsasoriginallyinstalledbythemanufacturer.
STEERING MECHANISMYourvehiclessteeringmechanismmustnot
havetoomuchplayorbinding.
TIRES AND WHEELSYoumustnothavebaldormismatchedtireson
yourvehicle.
SAFETY GLASSIfyourvehiclewasmadeafterJanuary1,1936,it
musthavesafetyglassinallwindows.
WINDSHIELDTheviewingareaofyourwindshieldmaynotbebadly
broken.
VISION REDUCING MATERIALYourvehiclemustnothaveanything
onthewindshieldthatwillreduceyourvisibility,exceptlabelsandstickers
requiredbylaworordinance,andinformationalsignsontheupperportion
ofthewindshieldnormallytintedbymanufacturers.
WINDSHIELD WIPERSYourvehicleswindshieldwipersmustwork.
SEAT BELTSIfyourpassengercarwasmadeafterJune30,1964,it
musthavetwosetsofseatbeltsinthefrontseat.
HORNYourvehiclemusthaveahornthatotherdriversandpedestrians
canhear.
EXHAUST SYSTEMYourvehiclemusthaveanattachedexhaustpipe,
muffler,andtailpipe.
MIRRORSIfyourvehiclewasmadeafter1967,itmusthaveaninside
andanoutsiderearviewmirror.
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DEVICESIfyourvehiclewasmadeafter
1967anddoesnothaveadieselmotor,itmusthaveairpollutioncontrol
devices.Thesepollutioncontroldevicesmustbeasoriginallyinstalledby
themanufacturer.
FUEL SYSTEMThefuelsystem,includingalllines,hoses,connections,
andtank(s),mustbefirmlyattachedandmustnotleak.
MUD FLAPS Truckswithoutrearfenders,registeredforover24,000
pounds,musthavemudflaps.
93
BUMPERS Bumpersonpassengervehiclesmaynotexceed22inches
abovethegroundwhenmeasuredatthehighestpoint.Commercialvehicle
bumperheightsaredeterminedbygrossvehicleweightrating.
Other Equipment Required by Law
Inadditiontotheequipmentneededtopassthesafetyinspection,Missouri
lawrequiresthefollowingequipment:
LICENSE (REGISTRATION) PLATES Missourilawrequiresthatlicense
platesbesecurelyfastenedtoavehicle,andthatallpartsoftheplatesare
visibleandcleanforvieworinspectionbyanylawenforcemententity.If
youhaveframesaroundyourlicenseplates,theMissouriStateHighway
Patrolremindsyouthattheframesmustnotcoveranypartoftheplates.
Ifyoureceivetwoplates,youmustplaceoneonthefrontandoneonthe
backofyourvehicle.
Ifyouhaveatraileroramotorcycle,youwillonlyreceiveoneplate,which
mustbeonthebackofyourvehicle.
Ifyouhaveatrucklicensedinexcessof12,000pounds,youwillonly
receiveoneplate,whichmustbeplacedonthefrontofthetruck.Ifyou
wantasecondplate,itmustbespecificallyrequested.Youmustplacethe
originalplateonthefrontofyourtruckandifasecondplateisissued,it
mustbeplacedontherearofthetruck.
LICENSE PLATE LIGHTYourvehiclemusthaveawhitelightshining
ontherearlicenseplatesotheplatecanbeseenfrom50feet.
PROJECTIONSYouneedspecialequipmentifsomethinginyour
vehicleoverhangstherearbymorethan5feet.Duringtheday,theendof
theprojectionmusthavearedflagorcloththatisatleast16square.The
endoftheprojectionmusthavearedlightfromhouraftersunsetuntil
hourbeforesunrise.
TOWLINESWhenyouaretowinganothervehicle,yourtowlinemust
keepthevehicleswithin15feetofeachother.Fromhouraftersunset
untilhourbeforesunrise,bothvehiclesmusthavelightson.
SLOW MOVING VEHICLE SIGNFromsunsettohourbeforesunrise,
anyvehiclemoving25mphorslowermusthaveaslowmovingvehicle
sign(refertoChapter3).Thesignmustbeontherearofthevehicle,near
themiddle,and4feetormoreabovetheroad.Thesignmustbeclean
andreflective.
STUDDED SNOW TIRESYourvehiclemayhavestuddedsnowtires
onlyfromNovember1toApril1.
WINDOW TINTINGTintingorsun-screeningmaterialispermittedon
thesideandrearwindows(frontdoorwindowsatnomorethan65%light
blockage).
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95
EMISSIONS INSPECTIONS
MotoristsresidinginSt.LouisCityandthecountiesofSt.Louis,St.
Charles,Franklin,andJeffersonarealsorequiredtohaveemissions
inspections,ifapplicable.Therearesomeexceptions,whicharelisted
below.
ForinformationonemissionsinspectionsnotcoveredinthisGuide,please
call1-866-623-8378,orvisittheDepartmentofNaturalResourceswebsite
atwww.dnr.mo.govandlookfortheGatewayVehicleInspectionProgram
(GVIP).
Theemissionsinspectionisatwo-yearinspection.Justlikethesafety
inspection,evenmodelyearvehicleswithregistrationsexpiringineven
yearsmustbeinspectedduringevencalendaryears.Oddmodelyear
vehicleswithregistrationsexpiringinoddyearsmustbeinspectedduring
oddcalendaryears.
Allvehiclesmustbeemissionsinspectedatthetimeofsaleregardlessof
themodelyear(refertothelistofexceptionsbelow).Newmotorvehicles,
andthefirstretailsaleoftitledmotorvehiclesduringthemodelyearofthe
vehicleandthefollowingyearareexemptfromtheinspectionrequirement
providedtheodometerreadingislessthan6,000milesatthetimeofsale.
Exceptions to the Requirement
Thefollowingmotorvehiclesareexemptfromtheemissionsinspection
requirement:
Newmotorvehicles,notpreviouslytitled,duringthemodelyearofthe
vehicleandthefollowingyear,providedthereisnochangeinownership.
1995andoldergasoline-poweredvehicles
1996andolderdiesel-poweredvehicles
Motorvehicleswithamanufacturersgrossvehicleweightrating(GVWR)
over8,500pounds
Newmotorvehiclesnotpreviouslytitledandregisteredforthefour-year
periodfollowingtheirmodelyearofmanufacture,withfewerthan40,000
milesatthefirstrequiredbiennialinspection
Motorvehiclesthataredrivenfewerthan12,000milesbetweenbiennial
safetyinspections
Vehiclespoweredbyfuelsotherthangasoline,ethanolordiesel
Motorvehiclesthatdisplayhistoricplates,schoolbus,shuttlebus,
motorcycle,motortricycle,orstreetrodplates
Gasoline-poweredlowspeedvehiclesinFranklinCountyonly
Motorvehiclesregisteredinoneoftheaffectedareas(St.LouisCityand
thecountiesofSt.Louis,St.Charles,Franklin,andJefferson)butbased
andoperatedoutsidetheareafor24consecutivemonths
96
Youwillneedtoknowthefollowinginformationifyouareapplyingfora
ClassElicense.Asadriverofacommercialvehicle,youmustobeyall
Missouritrafficlawsincludingthelawsoncommercialvehicles.
Note:
1. Allsizeandweightlimitslistedbelowincludetheloadofthevehicle.
2. Alllimitsthatrefertointerstatesorcertaindesignatedhighwaysinclude
roadsupto10milesfromtheinterstateorhighway.
3. Thesizeandweightandexceptionslistedinthischapterarefor
Missourihighwaysonly.
SIZE LIMITATIONS (WITHOUT SPECIAL PERMIT)
HEIGHT
1. Maximumheightofanyvehicleoutsideofacommercial
zone*ondesignatedhighwaysplus10milestherefrom...................14
2. Maximumheightofanyvehicleinacommercialzone......................15
3. Maximumheightonallotherhighways..........................................13
WIDTH
1. Maximumwidthofanyvehicle.........................................................8
*COMMERCIAL ZONECommercialzonesexistonlyincitieswitha
populationof75,000ormore.Thecommercialzoneisonemilebeyondthe
citylimitsplusonemileforevery50,000residentsorportionthereof,except:
ThecommercialzoneforSt.LouisCityextends18milesbeyondthecity
limits.
ThecommercialzoneforKansasCityextends12milesbeyondthecity
limitsandincludesthecityofHarrisonville.
ThecommercialzonesforSpringfield,St.Joseph,andColumbiaextends
only2milesbeyondthecitylimits.
Thecommercialzoneoninterstatehighwaysextendsonly2miles
beyondthecitylimits.
LENGTH
1. Maximumlengthofanysinglevehicle...............................................45
2. Maximumlengthofanybusortracklesstrolleycoachnot
includingonefootinfrontandbackforsafetybumper.....................45
3. Maximumlengthoftruck-tractorandsemi-trailer
uponinterstatesandcertaindesignatedhighwaysthelengthof
thesemi-trailer(nooverallmaximumlength,includesload).........53
uponallotherroads.......................................................................60
CHAPTER 15 COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
4. Maximumlengthoftruck-tractor,semi-trailer,andtrailer
combinations(doublebottoms)
uponinterstatesandcertaindesignatedhighwaysthelengthofthe
semi-trailerortrailer(nooverallmaximumlength)........................28
uponallotherroads....................................................................... 65
5. Maximumlengthoftruckandtrailer(s)andallother
combinationsofvehicles
uponinterstatesandcertainprimaryhighways.............................65
theoverallmaximumlengthuponallotherroads.........................55
6. MaximumlengthofAutomobileTransportersand
BoatTransporters
Conventional5thWheel.........................75
forcombinationunitplus
Stingersteered........................................75 3frontto4rearoverhang.
7. MaximumlengthofDriveawaySaddleMountCombinations(Doubleor
Tripleoninterstateanddesignatedhighways)................................. 97
Motorvehiclecarriersmaycarryloadsthatextendbeyondtheirlegallength
limits.Loadsmustnotextendmorethan3feetbeyondthefrontor4feet
beyondtherearofthevehicle.
EXEMPTIONS FROM SIZE LIMITS
1. Farmmachinerydrivenoccasionallyforshortdistances
2. Vehiclestemporarilytransportingfarmmachinery
3. Implementdealersdeliveringormovingfarmmachineryforrepair
4. Vehiclestemporarilytransportingroad-makingmachinesorroad
materials
5. Vehiclestowingdisabledvehiclesforrepaironhighways
Theseexemptionsdonotincludeinterstatehighways.
WEIGHT LIMITATIONS (WITHOUT SPECIAL PERMIT)
Abridgesweightlimitmaydifferfromtheroadsweightlimit.Ifabridge
hasadifferentweightlimit,thelimitwillbeposted.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT ON ANY SINGLE AXLE ........................... POUNDS
1. Maximumweightallowedoninterstates 20,000
2. Maximumweightallowedinacommercialzone 22,400
3. Maximumweightallowedonallotherroutes 22,000
MAXIMUM WEIGHT ON ANY TANDEM AXLE ......................... POUNDS
1. Maximumweightallowedoninterstates 34,000
2. Maximumweightallowedonallotherroutes 36,000
MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT ..................................................... POUNDS
Theactualgrossweightalloweddependsonthedistancefromthefirstto
lastaxle.Todeterminethemaximumgrossweightallowedinacommercial
zone,multiplythenumberofaxlesby22,400pounds.80,000pounds
maximumgrossweightisallowedonallhighwaysinMissouri,except
wherebridgestructuresarepostedwithlesserweightlimits.
1. Maximumgrossweightallowedoninterstates,primaryand
otherdesignatedhighways......................................................... 80,000
97
98
OVERDIMENSION AND OVERWEIGHT PERMITS
Youmayapplyforanoverdimensionoroverweightpermitbycalling1-800-
877-8499,or(573)751-2871forlocalcallsonly,orbycontacting:
MissouriDepartmentofTransportation,MotorCarrierServicesUnit
P.O.Box893
JeffersonCity,MO65102
Fax:(573)751-7408
Toreceiveanoversizeoroverweightpermit:
theloadonyourvehiclemustbenon-reducible,
youmusthavepropertydamageandbodilyinjuryliabilityinsurance,and
youmustpayapermitfee.
VEHICLE ROUTE MAP
TheMissouriVehicleRouteMapisavailablefromtheMissouriDepartment
ofTransportation.Thismapshowstheroutesonwhichthelargerand
heaviertrucksareallowedtotravelasspecifiedbystatestatute.Youmay
obtainamapbycalling1-866-831-6277orbycontacting:
MissouriDepartmentofTransportation,MotorCarrierServices
P.O.Box893
JeffersonCity,MO65102
Fax:(573)751-7408
contactus@modot.mo.gov
FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY REGULATIONS
MissourihasadoptedasstatelawParts390through397oftheFederal
MotorCarrierSafetyRegulations.Therefore,driversandvehicles
operatingsolelyintrastatemustobeythoseregulationsexceptforthe
followingexemptions:
CommercialvehicleswithaGVWRorGCWRof26,000lbs.orlessthan
26,001GVWRunlesstransportinghazardousmaterialsorpassengers.
Commercialvehicleslicensedforgrossweightof60,000poundsorless
whenusedonlyforthetransportationofsolidwaste
Commercialvehicleslicensedfor42,000poundsorlessforfarmuseand
indicatedbytheletterFonthelicenseplateasauthorizedbyMissouri
RevisedStatutes,Section301.030unlesstransportinghazardous
materialsexceptfertilizer.
TRANSPORTING HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
Ifyouaretransportinghazardousmaterial,yourvehiclemustcomplywith
theequipmentandoperatingregulationsoftheUnitedStatesDepartment
ofTransportation.
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AND SIGNALS
Whenoperatingwhollywithinthestate,Missourilawdoesnotrequire
emergencyequipmentfor:
Vehicleslicensedfor42,000poundsorlesswithanFplate,
Solidwastehaulerslicensedfor60,000poundsorless,and
Commercialvehicleslicensedfor12,000poundsorless.
Anyothercommercialmotorvehicleusedforintraorinterstatecommerce
thatislicensedformorethan12,000poundsmustcarrythefollowing
emergencyequipment:
Onefireextinguisher.Theextinguishermustberatedat5B:Cormore
byUnderwritersLaboratoriesIncorporated.
Onesparefuseorotheroverloadprotectivedeviceforeachkindand
sizeused,ifthedevicesarenotofaresettype.
Oneofthefollowingcombinationofwarningdevices:
1. Threeflares(liquid-burningpottorches)andthreefusesandtwored
flags.Thiscombinationmustnotbecarriedbyvehiclestransporting
explosiveorflammablematerialorusingflammablecompressedgasas
amotorfuel.
2. Threeredelectriclanternsandtworedflags.
3. Threebi-directionalemergencyredreflectivetriangles.
INFORMATION ON COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES
Thefollowinginformationmustbeclearlyvisibleoncommercialmotor
vehicles:
Thenameoftheowner
Theaddressthevehicleisoperatedfromandthenumberissuedtoa
motorcarrierbytheMotorCarrierServices.(USDOT123456MO)
EverylocalcommercialvehiclemustalsoshowthewordLocal.
For-hirecarriersmustdisplaytheirUSDOTnumberfollowedbythe
lettersMO.
Yourvehicledoesnotneedtoshowtheaboveinformationif:
Itislicensedfor36,000poundsorless,and
Itisnotregularlyusedforcommercialpurposes.
FOLLOWING DISTANCE
Ifyouaredrivingabusortruck,youmustnotfollowanotherbusortruck
anycloserthan300feet.However,youmayfollowcloserthan300feet
whenyouareinabusinessorresidentialdistrictorwhenpassing.Always
stayasafedistancebehindthevehicleinfrontofyou.Foreach10feet
oflengthinyourvehicle,keepatleastonesecondbetweenyouandthe
vehicleinfrontofyou.Forexample,ifyouaredrivinga40-footvehicle,
keepfoursecondsbetweenyouandthevehicleinfrontofyou.
99
100
RAILROAD CROSSING
Ifyouaredrivinga:
motorvehiclecarryingpassengersforhire,
schoolbus,
motorvehiclecarryingmaterialthatiscorrosive,flammable,explosive,or
poisonous,or
motorvehicleusedforthetransportationofflammableorcorrosive
liquidsinbulk,whetherloadedorempty,youmuststopwithin15to50
feetbeforetherailroadtracks.Ifthereisnosignofatrain,youmay
crossthetracks.
LOAD SECURITY
Toavoidanypartofaloadfallingoffyourvehicle,youmustsecureitor
haveaprotectivecoveronit.
OFF-TRACKING
Whenavehicleturns,therearwheelstakeashorterpaththanthefront
wheels.Thegreaterthedistancebetweenthefrontandrearwheels,the
greaterthedifferenceintheirpaths.Tocompensatefortheoff-tracking,
beginaleftturnasfartotherightaspossible.Beginarightturnasfarto
theleftaspossible.
WEIGH STATIONS
Allcommercialmotorvehiclesmuststopatweightstationsexceptthose
licensedfor18,000lbsorlessorotherwiseexemptedbylaw,unless
directedbyapeaceofficer.
TAILGATERS
Toavoidanaccidentwithatailgater,youshould:
1. Slowdown.Itisbettertobetailgatedatalowspeedthanahighspeed.
2. Avoidanysuddenturnsorstopsandsignalwellinadvance.
3. Increasethedistancebetweenyouandthevehicleinfrontofyou.This
willhelpyoutoavoidanysuddenstops.
4. Donotflashyourtaillightsorbrakelightsatthetailgater.Thetailgater
maynotbelieveyourbrakelightswhenyoudoslowdownorstop.
SPACE OVERHEAD
Makesureyouhaveenoughspaceoveryourvehicleatalltimes.
Donotassumethatpostedheightsatbridgesorunderpassesare
correct.
Checkallwires,signs,trees,andairconditioningunits.
SOFT SURFACES
Makesurethesurfacewillholdtheweightofyourvehicle.Bewaryof:
Parkinglots
Unpavedroadsorparkingareas,especiallywhenwet
Constructionareas
101
SPACE TO CROSS OR ENTER TRAFFIC
Youraccelerationratevarieswiththeweightofyourvehicle.Andyourtime
tocrosstheroadisalsoaffectedbythelengthofyourvehicle.Inalongor
heavilyweightedvehicle,youwillneedalargergaptocrosstheroadthan
youwouldinacar.
PROPERLY SECURE OR COVER
ANY LOAD YOU CARRY!
102
TheClassF(regularoperator)andClassE(For-Hire)writtentests
administeredbytheMissouriStateHighwayPatroldriverexaminersare
multiple-choicetests.Thefollowingsampletestquestionsareprovided
asastudyaidonly,andarenotmeanttoreflectactualquestionsfromthe
Missouriwrittentest(s).
DIRECTIONS: Circlethecorrectanswer.
1. When you approach a railroad crossing without flashing warning
signals or crossing gates, you should:
a. crossthetracksasquicklyaspossible.
b. alwaysstop.
c. yieldtoalltrainsatthecrossing.
d. speeduptobeatthetrain.
2. You may pass another vehicle by using the shoulder of the road:
a. when the vehicle in front of you is making a left turn.
b. togoaroundaslowmovingvehicle.
c. youarenotallowedtopassontheshoulderoftheroad.
d. whenthetrafficaheadisblockedupfor250feet.
3. If you miss your exit from an interstate expressway:
a. stopinanylaneofthehighway
b. getoffatthenextexitandcomebacktotheexityoumissed
c. rolldownyourwindowandaskthedrivernexttoyouforhelp
d. backuponthehighway
4. The minimum age that a person must be in order to obtain an
Instruction Permit is:
a. 14yearsold
b. 15yearsold
c. 151/2yearsold
d. 16yearsold
5. The fee for an Instruction Permit is:
a. $1.00
b. $2.00
c. $3.50
d. $4.00
6. Shortly before your driver or nondriver license expires, the Driver
License Bureau will mail a renewal reminder postcard to:
a. themostcurrentaddressonyourdriverrecord
b. theaddressonyourlastapplication
c. theaddressinyourlocalphonebook
d. yourlocalcontractoffice
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
7. The minimum age that a person must be in order to obtain a
motorcycle instruction permit is:
a. 14yearsold
b. 15yearsold
c. 151/2yearsold
d. 16yearsold
8. For a driver with an intermediate license, the driving restrictions
are:
a. seatbeltmustbewornbythedriver
b. seatbeltsmustbewornbyallpassengers
c. adrivingcurfewfrom1:00a.mto5:00a.m
d. alloftheabove
9. To help others know that you want to be an organ donor, you
should:
a. completetheorgandonorinformationonthebackofyourlicense
b. discussyourdecisionwithyournextofkin
c. havetwowitnessessignthebackofyourlicense
d. alloftheabove
10. Where should you go to take the Missouri driver examination
tests:
a. anyMissouriStateHighwayPatrolexaminationstation
b. anyDepartmentofTransportationoffice
c. anyMissouricontractoffice
d. thenearesthighschooldrivereducationclass
11. The Missouri State Highway Patrol examiner will check the
persons vehicle before beginning the driving test:
a. tolookforstolencarparts
b. tomakesurethatthevehiclehastherequiredequipment
c. tomakesurethatthevehicleisinsafeoperatingcondition
d. answersbandc
12. If you fail the driving test three times:
a. theexaminerwillgiveyouaDrivingSkillsExaminationReport
b. youmustsendtheabovereporttotheDepartmentofRevenue
c. theDepartmentofRevenuewillrequiredrivertraining
d. alloftheabove
13. Two solid yellow lines on the pavement mean:
a. passingisallowedforbothdrivers
b. passingisnotallowed
c. passingisallowedifyouareatthetopahill
d. passingisallowedduringdaylightonly
103
14. The minimum and maximum speed limits on Missouri interstate
highways are:
a. 40/55
b. 40/70
c. 30/70
d. 55/75
15. A flashing red light on a traffic signal means:
a. thesamethingasastopsign
b. thetrafficsignalisbroken
c. youdonothavetocometoacompletestop
d. drivingconditionsaredangerous
16. A yellow signal light means:
a. thetrafficsignalischangingfromgreentored
b. youshouldslamonyourbrakes
c. youshouldincreaseyourspeed
d. thecarinfrontofyouisgoingtooslow
17. A speed restriction sign:
a. maybeignoredinrain,snow,oricyconditions
b. hasatriangularshape
c. isbluewithblacklettering
d. showsarecommendedspeedforacurveorturn
18. When approaching a railroad crossing you should:
a. slowdown
b. lookforatrain
c bereadytostop
d. alloftheabove
19. Work zone signs mean:
a. itissummer
b. youmustimmediatelystopandbackup
c. lessthanidealconditionsarepresentfordriving
d. youshoulddrivefastertogetoutoftheworkzone
20. A No Right On Red sign means:
a. evenifthetrafficsignalisred,youmayturnright
b. ifthetrafficsignalisred,youcannotturnright
c. theintersectionhasahighnumberofaccidents
d. evenifthetrafficsignalisred,youdonothavetocometoastop
21. Emergency vehicles:
a. havetherightofwaywhenusingsiren,horn,andred/bluelights
b. mayusealoudspeakertogiveinstructions
c. mayfolloweachother
d. alloftheabove
104
22. After stopping for a school bus that is unloading children:
a. donotproceeduntilthechildrenwavetoyou
b. watchforchildrenwalkingalongthesideoftheroad
c. acceleratequickly
d. turnonyouremergencyflashers
23. When making right or left turns, a driver should signal ________
before the turn:
a. 100feet
b. 50feet
c. 35feet
d. 5feet
24. A driver may use a handicapped parking space:
a. ifaphysicallyhandicappedpersonisinthemotorvehiclewhenit
isparked
b. ifaphysicallyhandicappedpersonisbeingdeliveredorpickedup
c. ifthevehicledisplaysahandicappedpersonplacardorlicense
plates
d. answersaandc,orbandc
25. When parking you vehicle down hill on a two way street:
a. turnyourwheelstotheright
b. turnyourwheelstotheleft
c. keepyourwheelspointedstraightahead
d. leaveyourtransmissioninneutral
26. When a traffic signal light turns green, you should:
a. yieldtheright-of-waytopedestrians
b. accelerateasquicklyaspossibletothenextintersection
c. backupslowly
d. notmoveuntilanotherdriverwavesyouon
27. Littering:
a. isagainstthelaw
b. maycauseatrafficaccident
c. canleadtoa$1,000fineanduptooneyearinjail
d. alloftheabove
28. A fully loaded tractor-trailer traveling 55 mph could take up to
______ to come to a complete stop:
a. 50feet
b. 125feet
c. 400feet
d. 750feet
29 . The No-Zone is:
a. thetermusedtodescribetheblindspotsaroundatruckorbus
b. aspecialspeedzone
c. aroadwaywithrestrictionsonvehiclestereovolume
d. thetelevisionshowthatreplacedTheTwilightZone
105
30. The following is true regarding seat belts and child restraints in
vehicles:
a. youshouldneverplaceaninfantorsmallchildinthefrontseatof
avehiclewithairbags
b. anairbagcanbedangeroustoaninfantorsmallchildevenina
lowspeedcollision
c. youshouldalwaysmakesureallyourpassengersareusingaseat
beltorchildrestraint
d. alloftheabove
31. When you are being tailgated;
a. ifthereisanopenlanetoyourright,moveovertotheright
b. ifthereisnotanopenlanetoyourright,waituntilthewayisclear
ahead,andreducespeedslowlytoencouragethetailgatertodrive
aroundyou
c. neverslowdownquickly
d. alloftheabove
32. Liability insurance:
a. isrequiredforallmotorvehicleownersinMissouri
b. coversthepolicyholderslegalliabilityresultingfrominjuriesto
otherpersonsordamagetotheirproperty
c. canbedroppedassoonasyouregisteryourmotorvehicle
d. answersaandb
33. You must keep proof of your liability insurance:
a. atyouroffice
b. inasafetydepositboxatthebank
c. inyourvehiclewheneveritisbeingoperated
d. atyourneighborshouse
34. If you are at fault in an accident and do not pay for the damages:
a. yourdriverlicenseorplatesorbothwillbesuspendedforoneyear.
b. youwillsavemoney
c. yourcarwillberepossessed
d. youmustbuyanewcar
35. You must report all vehicle accidents to the Driver License
Bureau if:
a. theaccidentinvolvedanuninsuredmotoristandtherewas
propertydamagecostingmorethan$500
b. yourvehicleislessthan5yearsold
c. someonewasinjuredorkilled
d. answersaandc
36. SATOP is an abbreviation for:
a. SubstanceAbuseTrafficOffenderProgram
b. SaltAndTarOnPavement
c. SteerAtTheOtherPoint
d. StopAiringTiresOverPressure
106
37. If you are ordered to install an ignition interlock on your vehicle,
the cost of installation and monthly inspection must be paid by:
a. thecourtclerk
b. thepoliceofficer
c. you
d. thejudge
38. In Missouri, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level at which
it is illegal for an adult driver to operate a motor vehicle is:
a. .08%ormore
b. .05%ormore
c. .020%ormore
d. .008%ormore
39. A point accumulation advisory letter will be sent to you if you:
a. havetoomanypointstakenoffofyourdriverrecord
b. accumulateatotalof4pointsin12months
c. donotscoreenoughpointsonyourdrivertest
d. failthewrittentest
40. Points:
a. arenothingtoworryabout
b. areagoodthingtohaveonyourdriverrecord
c. arehelpfulifyouwanttogetajobdriving
d. aresomethingyoudontwantonyourdriverrecord
41. FACT is an abbreviation for:
a. FinanceACarToday
b. FullAmbulanceCannotTurn
c. FearofAuthorityCausesTension
d. FailuretoAppearinCourtforTrafficviolations
42. Front door windows on a vehicle may be tinted to no more than:
a. 100%lightblockage
b. whateverlooksgood
c. 65%lightblockage
d. 50%lightblockage
43. A license plate frame:
a. maycoverthewordMissouriontheplate
b. shouldnotcoveranyinformationonthelicenseplate
c. maycoverthemonthandyearregistrationstickers
d. maycoverthewordingatthebottomoftheplate
44. When a person buys a vehicle, he or she must title the vehicle
within:
a. 30days
b. 6months
c. 1week
d. 1year
107
108
Answer Key:
1-c,2-c,3-b,4-b,5-c,6-a,7-c,8-d,9-d,10-a,11-d,12-d,13-b,14-b,15-a,
16-a,17-d,18-d,19-c,20-b,21-d,22-b,23-a,24-d,25-a,26-a,27-d,28-c,
29-a,30-d,31-d,32-d,33-c,34-a,35-d,36-a,37-c,38-a,39-b,40-d,41-d,
42-c,43-b,44-a
WHEN YOU DRIVE A VEHICLE
(EVEN IF IT IS NOT YOURS), YOU
MUST BE PREPARED TO SHOW
THE INSURANCE AND REGISTRATION
PAPERS UPON DEMAND BY A LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER!
109
Accidents
WhatToDo......................................................... 90
ReportingAnAccident........................................ 90-91
Alcohol,Drugs,andDriving.......................................... 76-80
Bicycles........................................................................ seeSharingtheRoad
BlindAwarenessFund................................................. 18
BoaterSafetyIndicator................................................. 18
BloodAlcoholContent(BAC)....................................... 76-80
ChildRestraints............................................................ 65-66
CommercialDriverLicense(ClassA,B,orC)............. 10
CommercialVehicles.................................................... 96-101
ContactUs.................................................................... 7,115
CrosswalksandStopLines.......................................... 29
DefensiveDriving......................................................... 66-70
DenyDriverLicense(Parent/Guardian)....................... 20
DriverLicense(ClassF)............................................... 9
DriverLicenseRenewal............................................... 10-12,15-16,22
DriverLicenseRenewal/Replacement
(whileout-of-state).............................................. 16
DriverLicenseRestrictions........................................... 14
DriversPrivacyProtectionAct(DPPA)........................ 19
DrivingTest.................................................................. 24-27
FailingTheDrivingTest...................................... 27
DuplicateDriverLicense(Lost,Stolen,
orDestroyed)...................................................... 16
Emergencies................................................................. 56
EmergencyVehicles..................................................... 44
EmissionsInspections.................................................. 95
Endorsements.............................................................. 14-15
Examination.................................................................. 23-27
WhenYouMustTakeTheExam:...................... 24
WhereToTaketheExam................................... 24
Expiration,License....................................................... 15
Fees.................................................................... 12-13
FailureToAppearinCourtForTraffic
Violations(FACT)............................................... 82-83
FeesforPermits/Licenses............................................ 12-13
FinancialResponsibility................................................ 88
INDEX
110
FollowingDistance....................................................... 66-68
For-HireLicense(ClassE)........................................... 9-10
FullDriverLicense(Under21)..................................... 22
FuneralProcessions..................................................... 63
GraduatedDriverLicenseLaw(GDL).......................... 20-22
HandSignals................................................................ 45
HighwayDriving........................................................... 52-56
HighwayHypnosis........................................................ 55-56
HowtoLoseYourLicense........................................... 20
Inspection(VehicleSafety)........................................... 92-94
InstructionPermit......................................................... 8,20-21
Insurance(Typesof).................................................... 88
IntermediateLicense.................................................... 9,21-22
J88NotationForDeaforHardof
HearingApplicants.............................................. 18
Licenses(Typesof)...................................................... 9-10
LicenseChecklist........................................................ 23
LicensePlates
Lost..................................................................... 87
Personalized....................................................... 87
Littering......................................................................... 64
MandatoryInsurance.................................................... 88-91
MedicalReferral........................................................... 14
MissouriResidentialAddress....................................... 11
Mopeds......................................................................... seeSharingtheRoad
Motorcycles.................................................................. seeSharingtheRoad
MotorcycleInstructionPermit....................................... 8-9
MotorcycleLicense(ClassM)...................................... 10
NameChanges............................................................ 12
NondriverLicense/IdentificationCard(ND).................. 10
NoticeofSale............................................................... 87
OrganDonationAndAttorneyInFact.......................... 16-17
OrganDonorProgramFund........................................ 17
Parking......................................................................... 49-51
PavementMarkings&Meanings................................ 28-30
Pedestrians................................................................... 59-60
PermanentDisabilityIndicator...................................... 19
Permits(Typesof)........................................................ 8-9
PointSystem................................................................ 81-83
ProofofInsurance........................................................ 79,88-89
RequiredDocumentation.............................................. 11
RequiredDocumentationExemptionfor
SeniorCitizens.......................................................... 11
RequirementstoObtainLicense/Permit...................... 10-12
RoadRage................................................................... 63-64
RoadSignTest............................................................. 25
RoundaboutIntersections............................................ 48
RulesoftheRoad........................................................ 43-48
SafeDrivingTips.......................................................... 65-75
SafetyInspection/EquipmentNeeded.......................... 92-94
SampleTestQuestions................................................ 102-107
SchoolBusInformation................................................ 44-45
SeatBelts..................................................................... 65-66
SelectiveServiceRegistration...................................... 19
SellingaVehicle........................................................... 87
SharingtheRoad......................................................... 57-64
SpecialDrivingConditions........................................... seeSafeDrivingTips
StoppingDistances...................................................... 68
Suspended/Revoked,DrivingWhile............................. 82
Tabs(Lost,Destroyed,orStolen)............................... 87
Tailgating...................................................................... 67,99
TrafficOfficers.............................................................. 30
TrafficSignals............................................................... 30-32
TrafficSigns................................................................. 32-42
Colors.................................................................. 32
Shapes................................................................ 33
Types.................................................................. 33-42
U-Turns......................................................................... 46
VehicleEmergencies.................................................... 73-75
VehicleRegistration..................................................... 85-86
VehicleTitling............................................................... 84-85
VerificationofIdentity................................................... 11
VerificationofNameandAge...................................... 24
VerificationofSocialSecurityNumber......................... 11-12
VeteranDesignation..................................................... 19
VisionTest.................................................................... 24-25
FailingTheVisionTest....................................... 25
VoterRegistration......................................................... 19
WebSite....................................................................... 7
WrittenTest.................................................................. 24
111
112
AIR BAGSSupplementalrestraintsystemsthatarestandardequipment
inmanynewervehicles,toprotectvehicleoccupantsduringcollisions.
Designedtobeusedwithseatbelts.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)Allowsthedrivertostopwithout
brakelockup.Standardequipmentinmanynewervehicles.Designedto
beusedbyapplyingsteadypressureonthebrakepedal.
ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE (ATV)Anymotorvehicledesignedtotravel
overanyterrain,ofatypepossessingthreetosixrubbertires,and
poweredbyagasolineenginenotexceeding600cubiccentimetersandis
usedexclusivelyforoff-highwayuse.
BICYCLEAnyvehiclehavingtwotandemwheels,propelledsolely
byhumanpower,uponwhichanypersonmayride(exceptscootersand
similardevices).
BLIND SPOT Theareasattheleftandrightcornerofthecarthatthe
drivercannotseeintherearviewmirrors.
BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION (BAC)Thepercent(%)of
alcoholinapersonsblood.InMissouriitisillegaltooperateamotor
vehiclewhentheBACis0.08%ormoreforapersonwhoisage21orover;
and0.020%ormoreforapersonwhoisunderage21.
BYPASSAroadusedforgoingaroundorpassinganarea.
CONTROLLED INTERSECTIONAnintersectionwheretrafficis
regulatedbytrafficsignsorsignallights.
DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPSUpperbeamheadlightsthatgoon
automaticallywhenthevehicleisrunning.Thisisafeatureofmanynewer
vehicles.
DECELERATION LANE Anextradrivinglaneonthesideofahigh-
speedhighwaytopermitvehiclestoslowdownbeforeexiting.
DEFENSIVE DRIVINGBeingcarefultopreventaccidents,inspiteof
incorrectactionsofothersorbaddrivingconditions.
DRIVER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Arequiredcourseofstudyfor
certaindriverswhohaveshowncausethattheirdrivingskillsarenot
acceptable.ThecoursemustmeetorexceedthestandardsoftheNational
SafetyCouncilseight-hourDefensiveDrivingCourse.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (DUI)Drivingwhenyoursenses
andjudgmentareimpairedbyalcoholorotherdrugs.
ENDORSEMENTAcodeusedonadriverlicenseorpermit,toshow
thatyouarealsoqualifiedtooperateothertypesofvehicles(suchasa
motorcycle).Twoexamplesofcommercialdriverlicenseendorsementsare
P(passengervehicle)andH(hazardousmaterials).
GLOSSARY
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITYAdrivers(orcarowners)abilitytopay
fordamagecausedbyanaccidentwhenheorsheisatfault.Itisusually
intheformofliabilityinsurance.
FREEWAYAhigh-speeddividedhighwaywithoutintersections.
GRADUATED DRIVER LICENSEAstep-by-steplicensingprocessfor
allnewdriverlicenseapplicantsundertheageof21.
HIGHWAY Anypublicly-maintainedroadwaythatisopentotheuseof
thepublicforpurposesofvehiculartravel.
HYDROPLANINGAdrivingconditionwherethetireslosetractionona
wetroad,andfloatonalayerofwaterorslush.
IMPAIRMENTPhysicaland/ormentalconditionthatcanreducethe
abilitytooperateamotorvehiclesafely.
IMPLIED CONSENTUnderthislaw,adriver(bydriving),automatically
agreestotakeatesttomeasurebloodalcoholconcentrationwhenstopped
(under21yearsold),underarrest(age21andover),andsuspectedof
drivingundertheinfluence.
INTERCHANGEThejunctionoftwoormorehighwayswhereturnoffs
allowyoutojoinorcrosstraffic.
INTERSTATE SYSTEMAnationalnetworkofover41,000milesof
limitedaccesshighwayssetbyCongress.
INTOXICATION Thestateofapersonwhohasconsumedtoomuch
alcohol.
MANDATORY SENTENCESThesearepenaltiessetbylawforcertain
drivingoffensesand,ifconvicted,thepenaltiesmustbecarriedout.
MEDIANAstripoflandseparatingtrafficgoinginoppositedirections.
MERGING TRAFFICTrafficfromtwoseparatelanescombiningintoone.
NO ZONE Blindspotsordangerareas,particularlyaroundlargetrucks,
wherecrashesmayoccur.
PEDESTRIANAnypersononfoot.
PRIVILEGEAbenefit.Adriverlicenseisaprivilege,andnotabasic
rightgrantedbylaw.
REACTION DISTANCEThedistanceacartravelsbeforethedrivercan
takecorrectiveactiontoaperceiveddanger.
REINSTATEMENTThereturnofdrivingprivilegeafterithasbeen
suspended/revoked/denied,afterallreinstatementrequirementsaremetby
thedriver.
113
RESTRICTIONAspecialneedthatmustbemetinordertodrivelegally.
Restrictionsaremarkedonthedriverlicense.Forexample,ifyoumust
wearcorrectivelensestopassthevisiontest,thenyoumustalsowear
themwhiledriving.YourlicensewillhaveanArestriction(forcorrective
lenses).
RIGHT OF WAYTheprivilegeoftheimmediateuseofthehighway.
Pedestriansalwayshavetherightofway.Atuncontrolledintersections,
thevehicletotheleftshallyieldtherightofwaytothevehicleapproaching
fromtheright.
SATOP SubstanceAbuseTrafficOffenderProgram.
SHOULDER Theportionofthehighwayforemergencyuse,butnot
intendedfortravel.
TAILGATINGFollowinganothervehicletooclosely.
UTILITY VEHICLEAnymotorvehicledesignedprimarilyfor
landscaping,lawncare,ormaintenancewhichissixty-threeinchesorless
inwidth,travelingonfourorsixwheelsandisusedexclusivelyforoff-
highwayuse.
VIOLATION Afailuretoobeydrivingrulesandregulations.
IF YOU ARENT SURE YOU
UNDERSTAND A TRAFFIC LAW,
ASK A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER!
114
CONTACT INFORMATION
DRIVER LICENSE QUESTIONS Phone Number
General Information...............................................................573-751-1887
Information 24 / 7.................................................................. 573-526-2407
MOTOR VEHICLE QUESTIONS
General Information...............................................................573-526-3669
STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
TroopA,LeesSummit.............................................................816-622-0800
TroopB,Macon........................................................................660-385-2132
TroopC,Kirkwood....................................................................314-340-4000
TroopD,Springfield.................................................................417-895-6868
TroopE,PoplarBluff................................................................573-840-9500
TroopF,JeffersonCity.............................................................573-751-1000
TroopG,WillowSprings..........................................................417-469-3121
TroopH,St.Joseph.................................................................816-387-2345
TroopI,Rolla............................................................................573-368-2345
HIGHWAY PATROL STATEWIDETOLLFREEEMERGENCY
ASSISTANCENUMBER.......................................................1-800-525-5555
orcellular*55
115
Safety is on Your Shoulders
Since 1931, 28 Missouri State Highway Patrol Troopers have been killed
in the line of duty. Eight of those officers were killed after being struck by
a vehicle, whose driver was either impaired or not paying attention. The
number one contributing circumstance to traffic crashes in Missouri is
driver inattention. Please slow down and move over away from stationary
emergency vehicles along the side of the road with their emergency
equipmentactivated.ITS THE LAW.
Thelaw(Section304.022,RSMo.)requiresmotoriststoyieldtheright-of-way
and immediately drive to a position parallel to,
andasfaraspossibletotherightof,thetraveled
portion of the highway and thereupon stop and
remain in such position until such emergency
vehicle has passed, except when otherwise
directedbyapoliceortrafficofficer.
A revision to the law, which became effective
August 28, 2002, requires motorists upon
approaching a stationary emergency vehicle
displayinglightedredorredandbluelightsto:
(1)Proceed with caution and yield the right-of-way, if possible, with due
regard to safety and traffic conditions, by making a lane change into a
lanenotadjacenttothatofthestationaryvehicle,ifonaroadwayhaving
at least four lanes with not less than two lanes proceeding in the same
directionastheapproachingvehicle;or
(2)Proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of the vehicle,
maintainingasafespeedforroadconditions,ifchanginglaneswouldbe
unsafeorimpossible.
ViolationofthissectionisaclassAmisdemeanor.
116
117
Notes
118
Notes
119
Notes
120
Notes