Missouri: Cheat Sheet

The most frequently tested facts and numbers, condensed onto one page — free to print or save.

Independent educational site · not affiliated with any government agency or DMV

Driving Test Practiceofficialdrivingtest.com

Road signs

A Bicycle - Share the Road sign tells you to watch for bicycle riders traveling in the same lane as vehicular traffic.
A turn sign warns of a sharp turn or turn where the recommended maximum speed is 30 mph or less.
A Begin Divided Roadway sign means the road will soon become two-way traffic divided by a median or barrier.
Lane control signs are along the road or hanging over the road.
Regulatory signs give information about rules for traffic direction, lane use, turning, speed, parking, and other special situations.
A keep right sign marks locations that require traffic to pass only to the right side of a feature or obstruction.
A School Crossing sign tells you to slow down and watch for children crossing the road.

Sign shapes and colors

A diamond is the shape for warning signs.
A stop sign is red with white letters and has eight sides.
Warning signs are yellow with black lettering or symbols and usually diamond shaped.
Work zone signs are fluorescent orange.
Many regulatory signs are square- or rectangular-shaped and are white, with black or red letters or symbols.

Traffic signals

In a permissive phase, vehicles are given a circular green or a flashing yellow arrow and are required to wait for an adequate gap in the opposing traffic prior to making their turn.
Dark signals, or traffic signals that are not working, operate as a four-way stop.
You must obey traffic officers at all times and ignore any traffic signs or signals when an officer is giving directions.
In a protected phase, vehicles may turn only when they receive a green arrow while opposing vehicles are stopped by a red light.
If you want to turn and only the straight arrow is showing, you must wait for the turn arrow.
A steady yellow light tells you the traffic signal is changing from green to red.

Right-of-way, turning and passing

The manual says not to enter an intersection in which a procession is going through a red signal unless you can do so without crossing the procession's path.
Roundabouts are a traffic control device that may be used as an alternative to signalized and all-way stop intersections.
You must obey any traffic sign or regulation whether set by a municipality, county, or the state.
The manual says never to cause a crash on purpose, even if a pedestrian or another vehicle fails to give you the right-of-way.
U-turns should not be made on any curve or near the crest of a hill when your vehicle may not be seen by other drivers.
Drivers do not expect a vehicle to back toward them, so you should not back up but go on to where you can safely turn around.
The law says who must yield the right-of-way; it does not give any driver the right-of-way.

Alcohol and drugs

Marijuana can impair cognitive function, impair judgment of time and distance, and decrease coordination.
Refusing a chemical test of your BAC results in the driver license being taken away for one year.
The notice tells the driver that the license will be suspended or revoked, and the driver cannot legally drive, after 15 days.
The manual says to stay awake and alert and not to drive if you feel tired.
The guide gives 0.04% as the illegal BAC for commercial vehicle drivers.
The guide says to check with your physician or pharmacist and read the warning label.

Speed and following distance

Even with no posted minimum speed, it is against the law to drive so slowly that you block traffic.
The manual's guide for maximum speed lists 60 mph for all other roads and highways not located in an urbanized area.
The manual says that when tires ride on the water rather than the pavement it is known as hydroplaning, a loss of traction and control.
Stopping distance is the reaction distance plus the braking distance.
Put on your turn signal, pull next to the space, and allow vehicles to pass before you park.
If vehicles are piled up behind you, you pull over and let them pass when it is safe to do so.
Headlights show only a limited distance, so the manual says to be sure you are driving slowly enough to stop or turn if needed.

Licensing basics

A non REAL ID-compliant document requires one document verifying Missouri residency.
The guide says you must take the four-part exam if your Missouri license has been expired for more than six months (184 days).
If you will be leaving the state or country for an extended time you may request an early renewal.

Older drivers

Those drivers must complete school bus skills testing biennially, which means every two years.

Signals and vehicle controls

When you receive two plates, one goes on the front and one on the back.
Your vehicle must have functioning turn signals and brake lights as originally installed by the manufacturer.
The manual says to watch carefully for people and vehicles stopped on the side of the road.
Once every month, or before you embark upon a long road trip, check your tires for wear and damage problems.

Pavement markings

Yellow lines separate traffic traveling in opposite directions.
Shared center lanes are marked on each side by a solid yellow and dashed yellow lines.
Vehicles moving in both directions may use shared center lanes for left turns (or U-turns when permitted).
Broken lines may be crossed in a passing maneuver.

Highway driving

You stay in your lane and do not increase your speed when another vehicle begins to pass you.
You do not stop at the end of an acceleration lane unless traffic is very heavy and you have to stop.

Parking rules

The vehicle with an automatic transmission is left in park when you park it.
You turn the wheels sharply to the right and back slowly into the parking space.
When you park on a hill you are tested for setting the parking brake, among other things.
The manual lists a bridge among the places where you cannot park.

Railroad crossings

The manual says to unfasten your seat belt, get out of your vehicle, and get off the tracks if a train is approaching.
The crossbuck has the same meaning as a yield sign, so you must yield to trains at crossings.
Like the round advance warning sign, pavement markings tell you that you are nearing a railroad crossing.

Pedestrians

Drivers must yield where necessary to avoid striking pedestrians who are legally crossing the road.
The manual says a pedestrian with a Walk signal or green light has the right-of-way but should begin to cross after making sure all drivers see and stop.
The manual says vehicles must come to a complete stop when a pedestrian is crossing guided by a dog or carrying a white cane, or a white cane with a red tip.

Sharing the road

No school bus driver shall load or discharge passengers on a highway of four or more lanes in a way that requires them to cross more than two lanes of traffic.
The manual tells drivers to give motorcycles a full lane width and not to squeeze past.
The manual defines road rage as an uncontrolled display of anger by the operator of a motor vehicle which can result in property damage or personal injury.
The manual says that if you cannot see a truck or bus driver in his or her mirrors, that driver cannot see you.

Seat belts and child safety

Seat belts should be worn with the lap belt low and snug across the hips and the shoulder belt across the chest.
Seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers.

Distracted driving

The manual says to properly secure your pet in a pet carrier, portable kennel, or specially designed pet harness when you are driving.
Drivers may place or receive voice calls using voice-operated or hands-free functions that can be engaged or disengaged with a single touch or swipe.
You should pull safely off the road to look at a map, never read it while driving.

Emergencies

The manual says to roll down the window so you can look around whatever is blocking your view.
Swerving off the road or into the path of an oncoming car can increase the risk of injury.
The manual says to pull off the road and stop, leaving your lights and emergency flashers on.

Emergency vehicles, work zones and traffic stops

In a mobile work zone you follow the directional guide of the Flashing Arrow Panel.
Turn off the ignition and radio, and stay in your vehicle unless directed by the officer to exit.
You must yield to police, fire, ambulance, or any other emergency vehicle using a siren or air horn and a red or blue flashing light.

Insurance and vehicle papers

The law requires uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000 per crash.

Points and suspension

The guide's table of state law violations lists knowingly allowing an unlicensed driver to operate a vehicle at 4 points.
After one year without new points, your remaining points are reduced by one-third.