Driver training rules in Missouri

✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18

Driver training rules in Missouri for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.

Driver education (teens)	Not required. DESE says driver's ed is not a required course; GDL steps (permit, 40 hrs, tests) list no course.source 1 · source 2
Supervised practice (teens)	40 hours of driving instruction, at least 10 at night; permit held at least 182 days.source 2
New adult drivers	None stated. Full Class F license at 18: pass written, vision, road sign and driving tests. GDL covers first-time drivers under 18. (Aug 2026 guide)source 3
Who licenses driving schools	Not settled. No state license for private car driving schools was found in the sources checked. RSMo 302.025 only requires driver training programs, including private programs and those taught by DESE-endorsed instructors, to teach traffic-stop procedures.source 4 · source 5
CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT	Training must follow federal ELDT; DOR's CDL Manual outlines the required curriculum based on federal rules.source 6
CDL schools: state license	Yes. Proprietary school certification (or exemption) from the Dept. of Higher Education and Workforce Development, RSMo 173.600-173.618.source 6 · source 7
CDL schools: state hours or curriculum	No fixed state hours. Training must follow federal ELDT; the state board checks that each program's content and duration are adequate (RSMo 173.604).source 6 · source 8
CDL schools: instructor rules	No separate instructor license, but DHEWD sets rules: CDL of same or higher class (now or before) and 2 years driving or BTW-instructing experience in that class.source 6
Carriers training their own drivers: license	Exempt. The board must exempt an employer program training its own employees (RSMo 173.616.2(4)); DHEWD says to apply for certification or exemption.source 9 · source 6
Carriers: hours or curriculum	No. An exempt employer program is outside the proprietary school standards; federal ELDT only.source 9
Carriers: instructor rules	No. DHEWD instructor rules apply to certified CDL schools; an exempt employer program follows federal 380.713 instructor rules.source 6 · source 9
New school bus drivers	No state initial hour minimum found. Endorsement: valid license, age 21, school bus exam with driving test; district must give federal ELDT to new CDL drivers.source 10 · source 11
School bus refresher	At least 8 hours of training every year from the school district, incl. coaches, teachers and subs with S endorsement.source 11

Driving manuals and handbooks

Official publications from Missouri, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.

Driving jobs in Missouri

Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.

Federal rules in every state

CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.

Sources

1. https://dese.mo.gov/college-career-readiness/curriculum/drivers-education
2. https://dor.mo.gov/driver-license/issuance/graduated-driver-license/details.html
3. https://dor.mo.gov/forms/Driver%20Guide.pdf
4. https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=302.025
5. https://dor.mo.gov/driver-license/training-program.html
6. https://dhewd.mo.gov/proprietary-school-certification-cdl-schools
7. https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=173.600
8. https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=173.604
9. https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=173.616
10. https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=302.272
11. https://dese.mo.gov/what-training-required-missouri-school-bus-drivers

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