To get a Missouri instruction permit, you have to visit a Department of Revenue license office with documents proving your identity, Social Security number, and Missouri residency, pay a $10 fee, and pass both a vision screening and a written knowledge test. Missouri permit test requirements also include parental consent if you are under 18. The permit is valid for 12 months.
Who Can Apply
You can apply for an instruction permit starting at age 15. Missouri’s Graduated Driver License program requires every first-time driver between 15 and 18 to hold an instruction permit before moving on to an intermediate license and then a full license.1Missouri Department of Revenue. Missouri Graduated Driver License Law Your driving privilege cannot be suspended, revoked, or denied in Missouri or any other state when you apply.2Missouri Department of Revenue. Missouri Graduated Driver License Law
Adults 18 and older can apply for an instruction permit too, without going through the GDL program. The document and testing requirements are the same, but adults skip the parental consent step and the mandatory supervised driving hours.
Documents to Bring
The DOR asks for documents in four categories: identity, lawful status, Social Security number, and Missouri residency. Have all of them in hand before you go.
Identity
Bring one document showing your full legal name and date of birth. A certified U.S. birth certificate is the usual choice, but a valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card works, as does a Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship.3Missouri Department of Revenue. List of Acceptable Documents for REAL ID-Compliant Document Processing
Social Security Number
Bring one document showing your name and full Social Security number. Your Social Security card is the simplest option, and if you are 18 or older it must be signed. A W-2 or a pay stub showing the full number also qualifies. The document cannot be laminated or altered.3Missouri Department of Revenue. List of Acceptable Documents for REAL ID-Compliant Document Processing
Missouri Residency
How many residency documents you need depends on the type of permit. A standard permit requires one. A REAL ID-compliant permit requires two, from two separate sources.4Missouri Department of Revenue. Documents for Driver License, Nondriver ID, and Instruction Permit Acceptable documents include a utility bill, a bank statement, a voter registration card, or a school transcript for the current year.3Missouri Department of Revenue. List of Acceptable Documents for REAL ID-Compliant Document Processing
Most 15-year-olds do not have utility bills in their own name, so a current school transcript is usually the easiest option. Federal REAL ID enforcement for domestic flights began in May 2025 with a phased two-year rollout, so if you fly without a passport, the REAL ID version of the permit is worth the extra residency document.
Parental Consent if You Are Under 18
Applicants under 18 need a parent or legal guardian to sign a permission statement before the permit is issued. That form is Form 5434, the Parent or Guardian Permission Statement.5Missouri Department of Revenue. Parent or Guardian Permission Statement – Form 5434 Plan for the parent or guardian to come with you to the DOR office, because the signature often needs to be made in front of a DOR examiner or notary.
By signing, the parent or guardian also certifies that you will complete at least 40 hours of behind-the-wheel practice, including a minimum of 10 hours at night between sunset and sunrise, before moving on to an intermediate license.6Missouri Revisor of Statutes. RSMo 302.130 – Issuance of Temporary Instruction Permit
The Fee
A Class F instruction permit, the standard permit for applicants starting at age 15, costs $10.7Missouri Department of Revenue. Missouri Driver License and Nondriver License – Section: Permit/Driver License/Nondriver ID Fees Motorcycle (Class M) and commercial (Class A, B, or C) permits are priced separately.8Missouri Department of Revenue. Permit/Driver License/Nondriver ID Fees DOR offices accept cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards.
What the Test Covers
The permit test has two parts: a vision screening and a written knowledge test.
Vision Screening
You need at least 20/40 vision in one or both eyes, with or without corrective lenses. Bring your glasses or contacts if you wear them. If your vision falls below 20/40 but is still correctable, the DOR may add restrictions to your permit, such as daytime-only driving or mandatory outside mirrors.9Missouri Department of Revenue. Vision Examination Record – Form 999
Written Knowledge Test
The written portion tests two things: your ability to recognize and understand road signs, and your knowledge of Missouri traffic laws.6Missouri Revisor of Statutes. RSMo 302.130 – Issuance of Temporary Instruction Permit The questions are multiple choice, and you need a score of at least 80% to pass. Study the official Missouri Driver Guide, a free PDF on the DOR website.10Missouri Department of Revenue. Missouri Driver Guide The guide covers right-of-way rules, speed limits, lane markings, traffic signals, and standard road signs. Real time with the guide is the single most effective way to pass on the first try.
If You Fail the Written Test
Missouri lets you retake the written test up to two times in a single day.11Missouri State Highway Patrol. Driver Examination FAQs If you do not pass on your second attempt that day, you can come back another day. There is no cap on total attempts, so treat a failed test as a signal to go back to the driver guide and focus on the sections that tripped you up.
After You Pass
If you pass both parts of the test and your documents check out, the DOR issues a temporary instruction permit the same day, and your permanent card arrives by mail. The permit is valid for 12 months and can be renewed.12Missouri Department of Revenue. Driver License General FAQ From there, keep a log of your supervised driving hours, because the DOR does not track them and your parent or guardian is the one who will certify that the 40-hour requirement (with 10 hours at night) is met before you apply for an intermediate license.13Missouri Department of Revenue. Parent/Guardian Role in Missouri Graduated Driver License (GDL) Law