Driving Tests

Are Missouri Driver Tests Free? Retake Limits and License Office Fees

informational·how to guide·Published September 30, 2026

Are Missouri driver tests free, and how often can you retake them?

Yes. The Missouri written test and non-CDL driving test are free at Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) stations. The license office charges for the document: $10 for an instruction permit, $14 for an intermediate license and $16.50 for a 3-year license at ages 18 to 20. You can take the written test twice a day and the driving test once a day, three times at most.

Where these Missouri test and fee rules come from

The test rules come from the MSHP driver examination FAQ and the Missouri Driver Guide, and the fees come from the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) license fee page, with details from the DOR driver license FAQ, Graduated Driver License page and fee chart. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Missouri Department of Revenue (dor.mo.gov) before you drive.

What you pay for a Class F license in Missouri

What you pay for a Class F license in Missouri
Step	Where	Cost
Written test	MSHP driver examination station	Free
Driving test (driver skills test), non-CDL	MSHP driver examination station	Free
Class F instruction permit (minimum age 15)	License office (DOR contract office)	$10, valid 12 months
Class F intermediate license (minimum age 16)	License office	$14
Class F driver license (minimum age 18)	License office	$16.50 for a 3-year license at ages 18 to 20

Why the tests are free but you still pay

MSHP gives the four tests of the driver examination: written, vision, road sign and driving. DOR issues the permit or license through its license offices, and the fee is for that document, not for a test. When you pass, MSHP gives you a receipt that shows which tests you passed and which permit or license you can buy. The receipt is not valid for driving until you buy that permit or license.

Missouri license office fees by age

Fees and the length of the license depend on your age on the day you buy it. At 16 or 17, you get an intermediate license that expires up to two years from the issue date. At 18 to 20, you get a full Class F license that is valid for 3 years and costs $16.50. The $10 permit, $14 intermediate license and $16.50 license prices are on the DOR fee chart dated 08-2025.

What the Missouri license office asks for

DOR takes cash, a personal check, a cashier's check, a money order, or a Discover, American Express, Visa or Mastercard card.
Make a personal check payable to the Missouri Department of Revenue.
The card vendor adds a convenience fee of 2.0 percent plus $0.25 for each card transaction.
A parent or legal guardian must go with a minor to the license office to buy the permit. Anyone can go with a minor to the written test.
You do not need proof of residency or a Social Security card at the tests, but the license office needs them. The guide to Missouri license office documents for a permit lists what to bring.

Missouri written test: two tries a day until you pass

You can take a written test up to two times a day, statewide, during normal business hours, until you pass. There is no time limit, and you pass with 20 correct answers out of 25 (80 percent). The Driver Guide says almost 50 percent of test takers fail the first time. All Class F questions come from the Missouri Driver Guide, so study the Guide between attempts.

Missouri driving test: one try a day, three in total

You can take only one driving test a day, statewide, and a maximum of three tests. You fail if you lose more than 30 points. Some faults fail the test at once, for example a crash with another vehicle that is your fault. After a fail, the examiner suggests that you practice before you try again. The guide to the Missouri driving skills test at MSHP explains how the test is graded.

After three failed driving tests: get DOR approval

1
Wait for written authorization
After the third failed driving test, you cannot take another one without written authorization from DOR.
2
Watch your mail
DOR contacts you by U.S. mail with instructions and a practice log. You usually must complete 20 hours of practice driving and record each session on the log.
3
Return the log as proof
Send the completed log to DOR. The Driver Guide calls this proof of additional behind-the-wheel training by an eligible driver, so follow the exact instructions in your DOR letter.
4
Wait for your retest approval
DOR checks your practice hours and contacts you again to tell you if you can retest.

Do you retake the tests for another license?

You have a valid instruction permit and want the intermediate license

You need only pass the driving test with a score of 70 percent or better. DOR says you must also repeat the vision, road sign recognition and written tests at an MSHP station if your earlier results are more than one year old.

You are 18 or older and have a permit

The intermediate license rules no longer apply. You need only pass the driving test, if you passed a written test within the last 12 months.

Your license was suspended or revoked

You must retake the written, driving, vision and road sign tests. First contact DOR or a license office, complete the steps it gives you and pay any reinstatement fees. Then you are clear to test.

Before you go back for a driving retest

Bring a vehicle that is properly registered and insured and has valid plates. It does not have to belong to you.
If you drive to the station on a permit, the licensed driver with you must be at least 21.

Key takeaways

The Missouri written test and the non-CDL driving test are free. You pay for the permit or license at the license office.
You can take the written test up to twice a day. You can take the driving test once a day, with a maximum of three tests.
After three failed driving tests, you need DOR authorization, and DOR usually sends a 20-hour practice log.
DOR lists $10 for the instruction permit, $14 for the intermediate license and $16.50 for a 3-year license.
Next step: practice on the free Missouri Class F practice test.

Missouri driver test fees and retakes: common questions

Do I pay each time I retake a Missouri driver test?

No. There is no cost for the written test or the non-CDL driving test, each time you take it. The limits still apply: two written tests a day, and one driving test a day with a maximum of three. The fee you pay is for the permit or license that you buy at a license office after you pass.

Do I need an appointment to retake the Missouri driving test?

No. You do not need an appointment for a written test or a non-CDL driving test. Some stations offer appointment slots for the driving test, and the MSHP station map shows which ones. Where a station offers slots, it is highly recommended that you use one.

How much is a Missouri instruction permit?

A Class F instruction permit costs $10, is valid for 12 months and can be renewed. You buy it at a license office after you pass the vision, road sign recognition and written tests at an MSHP station. A parent or legal guardian must go with you if you are under 18.

Is the Missouri CDL test free too?

Not fully. There is no cost for written or skills tests at the station, but a $25 testing fee is added to the licensing fee when you buy the commercial driver license (CDL) at the license office. Only the written test and the non-CDL driving test are free with no added fee.