20 questions from the Missouri driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What should you do if your vehicle's headlights fail while driving?
Answer: Try the dimmer switch or headlight switch to see if they turn back on. The handbook advises attempting to reset the lights via the switches before resorting to other lighting options or pulling over.
Missouri driver handbook, page 67: “Try the dimmer switch or headlight switch, that might turn them on again.”
2. What do blue square or rectangular signs with white letters or symbols indicate?
Answer: The location of various services such as rest areas and hospitals. The handbook defines blue signs with white text as Service Signs, which indicate locations of services like rest areas, distinct from green/brown guide signs.
Missouri driver handbook, page 56: “Service Signs These signs are square or rectangular, and are blue with white letters or symbols. They show the location of various services, such as rest areas and hospitals.”
3. What action is recommended to help avoid highway hypnosis?
Answer: Constantly move your eyes and watch the traffic and highway signs around you. The handbook advises active visual engagement with surroundings to counteract the sleepy state caused by highway monotony.
Missouri driver handbook, page 42: “You can avoid highway hypnosis by constantly moving your eyes and watching the traffic and highway signs around you.”
4. At what age does the restriction limiting passengers to one non-family member under age 19 end for an intermediate license holder?
Answer: After the first six months. The handbook outlines that the stricter limit of one passenger applies during the first six months, after which the limit increases to three.
Missouri driver handbook, page 18: “After the first six months, you may not operate a motor vehicle with more than three passengers who are under 19 years of age and who are not members of your immediate family*.”
5. What does a flashing yellow arrow indicate when making a left turn?
Answer: You are allowed to turn but must wait for an adequate gap in opposing traffic. The flashing yellow arrow permits the turn but requires yielding to opposing traffic by finding a safe gap.
Missouri driver handbook, page 47: “A flashing yellow arrow tells you that you are allowed to drive in the direction the arrow is pointing but are required to wait for an adequate gap in the opposing traffic prior to making your turn.”
6. How many hours of nighttime driving are required within the total driving instruction hours for a teen to graduate from an instruction permit to an intermediate license?
Answer: Ten hours. The handbook specifies that out of the 40 total hours of driving instruction, at least ten must be nighttime driving.
Missouri driver handbook, page 18: “The required 40 hours must include at least ten hours of nighttime driving.”
7. According to the handbook, what is the approximate stopping distance for a fully loaded tractor-trailer compared to an average passenger car traveling at 55 mph?
Answer: The car stops in about 130 feet, while the truck may take almost 400 feet to stop. The handbook states that a car stops in about 130 feet while a fully loaded truck takes almost 400 feet.
Missouri driver handbook, page 31: “The average passenger car traveling at 55 mph can stop in about 130 140 feet, almost half the length of a football field. A fully loaded tractortrailer may take almost 400 feet to come to a complete stop.”
8. What is the stated reason for using your horn?
Answer: To warn other drivers. The handbook limits the purpose of the horn to warning other drivers, distinguishing this from emotional expressions or general greetings.
Missouri driver handbook, page 61: “There is only one reason to use your horn: to warn other drivers.”
9. During the first six months of holding an intermediate license, how many non-family passengers under age 19 are permitted in the vehicle?
Answer: Only one. The restriction for the first six months allows for only one non-family passenger under age 19.
Missouri driver handbook, page 18: “During the first six months, you may not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger who is under the age of 19 and who is not a member of your immediate family*.”
10. When approaching railroad tracks in a vehicle carrying passengers for hire, within what range must you stop before the tracks?
Answer: Within 15 to 50 feet before the railroad tracks. The handbook specifies that drivers of vehicles carrying passengers for hire must stop between 15 and 50 feet before the railroad tracks.
Missouri driver handbook, page 92: “You must stop within 15 to 50 feet before the railroad tracks if you are driving a: • Motor vehicle carrying passengers for hire;”
11. How should a driver adjust their following time interval based on the length of their vehicle?
Answer: Keep at least one second between you and the vehicle in front of you for each ten feet of length. The handbook provides a specific formula: one second of following time for every ten feet of vehicle length.
Missouri driver handbook, page 92: “For each ten feet of length in your vehicle, keep at least one second between you and the vehicle in front of you.”
12. Which of the following is listed as a distraction that endangers driver safety?
Answer: Texting. The handbook identifies texting as a high-risk distraction requiring visual, manual, and cognitive attention, distinguishing it from standard driving tasks.
Missouri driver handbook, page 94: “Because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most high risk distraction.”
13. What should you do if you suspect your tires are hydroplaning?
Answer: Take your foot off the accelerator and slow down. The instructions state that when hydroplaning occurs, the driver should ease off the accelerator to slow down rather than braking hard.
Missouri driver handbook, page 65: “If you think your tires are hydroplaning, take your foot off the accelerator and slow down.”
14. What is the required stopping distance for bicycle brakes when traveling at ten mph?
Answer: Within 25 feet. The handbook states that brakes must be capable of stopping the bicycle within 25 feet when traveling at ten mph.
Missouri driver handbook, page 35: “Brakes — Your brakes must be able to stop you within 25 feet when traveling ten mph.”
15. Under Missouri's Graduated Driver License Law, what is the minimum duration a first-time driver must hold an instruction permit before graduating to an intermediate license?
Answer: Six months (182 days). The handbook states that the instruction permit must be held for a minimum of six months (182 days) before graduation.
Missouri driver handbook, page 18: “You must have an instruction permit for a minimum of six months (182 days) beginning the day after issuance.”
16. Where should you begin a turn when moving from a one-way street onto a two-way street?
Answer: In the left lane. The handbook instructs drivers to begin the turn in the left lane when transitioning from a one-way street to a two-way street.
Missouri driver handbook, page 27: “Begin the turn in the left lane.”
17. What action triggers a point accumulation advisory from the Department?
Answer: Accumulating a total of 4 points in 12 months. The handbook defines the specific threshold for receiving an advisory notice as accumulating 4 points within a 12-month period.
Missouri driver handbook, page 75: “If you accumulate a total of 4 points in 12 months, the Department will send you a point accumulation advisory.”
18. Why is it important to look over your left shoulder before passing a vehicle on a four-lane highway?
Answer: To check for blind spots that are not visible in the rearview mirrors. The handbook explains that checking blind spots requires looking over the shoulder because these areas are not visible through standard rearview mirrors.
Missouri driver handbook, page 39: “Looking over your left shoulder is important because it allows you to check for “blind spots.” Blind spots are the spaces you cannot see with your rearview mirrors.”
19. What is the minimum duration an ignition interlock device (IID) must be maintained from the date of reinstatement?
Answer: Six months. The handbook specifies that the ignition interlock device must be maintained for at least six months starting from the reinstatement date.
Missouri driver handbook, page 72: “The IID must be maintained for a minimum of six months from your reinstatement date without any violations in the last three months.”
20. What is the consequence for a third offense of Minor in Possession (MIP) for a driver older than 15 and under 21?
Answer: One-year revocation. The chart indicates that a third MIP offense leads to a one-year revocation of the driving privilege.