Graduated Driver License (GDL) Law FAQs

You may apply for renewal and graduate to an under 21 full driver license within 30 days prior to or on or after your 18th birthday. If you apply more than 30 days prior to your 18th birthday, you will be issued only an Intermediate restricted driver license.

An instruction permit holder less than 16 years of age may be accompanied -- for purposes of providing training -- by a parent, legal guardian, grandparent, qualified driving instructor, a person who is at least twenty-five years of age who has been licensed for a minimum of three years and has received written permission from the permit holder's parent or legal guardian or, in case of disability, the parent or legal guardian’s designee.

In addition, if the parent, grandparent or guardian has a physical disability which prohibits or disqualifies said parent, grandparent or guardian from being a qualified licensed operator pursuant to this section, said parent, grandparent or guardian may designate a maximum of two individuals authorized to accompany the applicant for the purpose of giving instruction in driving the motor vehicle.An authorized designee must be a licensed operator for the type of motor vehicle being operated and have attained twenty-one years of age.At least one of the designees must occupy the seat beside the applicant while giving instruction in driving the motor vehicle. The name of the authorized designees must be provided to the department of revenue by the parent, grandparent or guardian at the time of application for the temporary instruction permit on the Parent, Grandparent, or Guardian Request (Form 4737).

No. If you are driving on an Instruction Permit at age 16, the person beside you when you are driving must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver license. If the adult driver has restrictions on his/her driving, then those restrictions must be followed when accompanying the teen driver.

Yes. When you apply for your intermediate license, a qualified person or grandparent must accompany you to the license office and sign your application, stating that you have completed 40 hours of behind-the-wheel driver training while operating on an instruction permit. This 40 hours may also include any time that you have operated a vehicle with a qualified driver training instructor.

For the first six months, you cannot drive with more than one passenger who is under the age of nineteen who is not a member of your immediate family. After the first six months, you cannot operate a motor vehicle with more than three passengers who are under 19 years old and who are not members of your immediate family.

Everyone in the vehicle must wear seat belts and obey the curfew (1:00 a.m. - 5:00 a.m.). For more information on the curfew, refer to the intermediate license driving restrictions.

If you are eligible to receive a Missouri driver license, an intermediate license will be issued. However, if you apply within 30 days immediately preceding your 18th birthday, a full driver license may be obtained.

• In order for you to obtain the instruction permit, a qualified person must accompany you to the license office and sign your application stating that he or she will provide you with at least 40 hours of behind-the-wheel driver training.
• In order for you to obtain the intermediate license, a qualified person or grandparent must accompany you to the license office and sign your application stating that you have received at least 40 hours of behind-the-wheel driver training.

NOTE: A qualified person is defined as a parent, legal guardian or certified trainer with a federal residential job training program.

If your intermediate license expires on a weekend or legal holiday, you may continue to drive for a period of five business days. This will allow you to legally drive to your local license office to renew your license.

There is nothing in Missouri law that prevents you from driving while visiting other states -- assuming that you continue to observe the restrictions placed on your driving by Missouri's Graduated Driver License law. It is recommended that you contact the state(s) where you will be driving in order to verify that you are not subject to any additional driving restrictions.

No, you can not get a full driver license until the offense/conviction date is 12 months old, or until you turn 21 (whichever comes first). Until then, you can only renew the intermediate license.

For additional information, please visit our Graduated Driver License Law page, call (573) 751-4600, or email dlbmail@dor.mo.gov