Missouri Permit Test Cheat Sheet (2026)
The Missouri rules and numbers to know for the DOR knowledge test, on one page. Every line was checked against the official Missouri driver's handbook. It is a study sheet: you cannot use notes during the real test.
The Missouri test at a glance
- Questions on the test
- 25
- To pass
- 20 of 25 correct (80%)
- Time limit
- We found no published time limit for the Missouri knowledge test.
- Minimum permit age
- 15 years old
- Hold the permit for
- 182 days (beginning the day after issuance) before the intermediate license
- Alcohol limit under 21
- 0.02% BAC
Missouri rules and numbers
From the official Missouri handbook (Revised August 2026); PDF page numbers in brackets.
Road signs
- Orange 'slow moving vehicle' triangle: the vehicle moves 25 mph or slower. [p.87]
Rules of the road
- Missouri rural interstates and freeways: 75 mph unless posted lower. [source]
- Missouri 'Steer It, Clear It': move a drivable car out of traffic after a minor crash. [p.83]
- No passing on the left within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad crossing. [p.24]
- Work zone speeding or passing: $250 minimum first offense, $300 after that. [p.53]
- School bus amber lights start flashing 500 feet before the stop. [p.25]
- Opposite direction on a 4+ lane highway: no need to stop for a school bus. [p.26]
- Failing to stop for a loading or unloading school bus: 5 points. [p.26]
- Two-way left-turn lane: never travel in it for more than 500 feet. [p.28]
- Four-way stop: the first driver to arrive and stop goes first. [p.25]
- Siren while you are in an intersection: drive through it, then pull right and stop. [p.25]
- Emergency vehicle while you are in a roundabout: exit immediately and pull right. [p.29]
- Roundabout truck apron: for big trucks' rear wheels - not cars, SUVs or pickups. [p.29]
- Blind pedestrian (white cane or guide dog) crossing: come to a complete stop. [p.33]
- An organized funeral procession has the right-of-way at intersections, even on red. [p.35]
- One-way street: you may normally park on either side. [p.37]
- Dark (not working) traffic signal = treat it as a four-way stop. [p.47]
- Missouri interstates: 40 mph minimum speed in normal conditions. [p.52]
- Missouri city, town or village: 25 mph unless posted otherwise. [p.52]
- Missouri lettered roads: 55 mph maximum unless posted. [p.52]
- Railroad crossing stop: 15 to 50 feet before the tracks. [p.53]
- Wipers needed for the weather = headlights on. [p.64]
- Intermediate license: no driving alone 1-5 a.m. (school, job, emergency excepted). [p.18]
Safe driving & emergencies
- Missouri: writing, sending, or reading texts while driving is illegal. [p.94]
- Missouri GDL: the driver and all passengers must wear seat belts. [p.17]
- Missouri Move Over: slow down and move over a lane when safe. [p.25]
- At 55 mph a car stops in about 130-140 ft; a loaded tractor-trailer needs almost 400 ft. [p.31]
- Stalled on tracks with a train coming: get out and run toward the train's direction. [p.68]
- Low beams within 500 ft of oncoming traffic and within 300 ft when following. [p.64]
- Snow or ice: keep an 8 to 10 second following distance. [p.65]
- Hydroplaning can happen above 35 mph; tires can lose all contact at 55 mph. [p.65]
- Headlights fail: try the switches, then use flashers and pull off the road. [p.67]
- Vehicle head-on in your lane: slow down, pull right, honk - never swerve left. [p.67]
- Missouri cell phone emergency number: *55. [p.43]
- Studded snow tires are allowed only from November 1 to April 1. [p.87]
Rules learners miss most
The rules behind the most-missed questions on our practice tests. Some details, such as parking distances, can differ by state - your handbook has the final word.
- At 60 mph a car travels about 88 feet per second.
- Measure following distance in seconds, counted from a fixed roadside object.
- Most states: no parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
- A yellow curb signals a stopping or parking limit - check signs and local rules.
- Uncontrolled T-intersection: the terminating road yields to the through road.
- Uphill with a curb: turn wheels away from the curb; downhill: toward it.
- Most states: no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant (a few use 10 feet).
- KEEP RIGHT: pass to the right of the island, median or obstruction.
- Point of no return: past it you cannot stop safely on yellow, so proceed.
- Zipper merge: use both lanes up to the merge point, then alternate.
- In heavy rain use low beams, slow down and increase following distance.
- Parallel park close to and parallel with the curb, within your state's limit.
- Yellow pennant on the left side of the road: a no-passing zone begins.
- Car with skid marks: the road is slippery when wet.
- Diamond-shaped signs are warning signs.
- 4-way stop tie: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
- ABS keeps wheels from locking in hard braking so you can still steer.
- A round yellow sign warns of a railroad crossing ahead.
- Merging onto a highway: yield to traffic already on the highway.
- An upward-pointing pentagon marks a school zone or school crossing.
- Steady yellow: the light is about to turn red - stop if you can do so safely.
- Basic speed law: never drive faster than is safe for conditions, even under the limit.
- Use high beams on open roads; dim them for oncoming or followed vehicles.
- Arrows pointing up and down warn of two-way traffic ahead.
- Orange diamond signs warn of construction and work zones.
- Adult (21+) BAC limit is 0.08% in most states.
- Implied consent: by driving you agree to chemical tests if arrested for DUI.
Now test yourself
Reading rules is a start; answering questions is what makes them stick.