Your Guide to Berkeley Missouri Driver's Licensing Procedures
On behalf of the State of Missouri, we're delighted that you have chosen to start the process of applying for your Berkeley Missouri learner's permit or first Berkeley Missouri driver's license. There are a few things you need to know about Berkeley Missouri's Graduated Driver license Program for Berkeley Missouri teen drivers, to make sure that your experience getting your Berkeley Missouri driver's license goes as smoothly as possible. So, what are we waiting for?
The Berkeley Missouri Instructional Permit and Berkeley Missouri learner's Permit
Beginning the adventure of learning to drive can be both exciting and nerve-racking. The following tips can help you stay on track. When you turn 15, you can apply for a Berkeley Missouri learner's Permit. This license allows you to practice driving provided there's a parent, guardian, or driving instructor with you (but when you turn 16, you can also practice with a licensed driver who is 21). It is valid for 12 months, and can be renewed once.
To apply for a Berkeley Missouri learner's permit you'll need the following:
- A qualified person must accompany you to sign a permission statement
- $3.50 fee
- Application
Bring these materials to your local Berkeley Missouri Driver Examination Station. Then you'll have to pass the required road sign, vision, and written tests. Your reward for surviving this far is a Berkeley Missouri learner's permit!
A few more things to keep in mind: all passengers must wear seatbelts, and you must carry your Berkeley Missouri Instruction Permit with you at all times. After you've had your Berkeley Missouri learner's permit for 182 days, you'll be ready for the next step in the Berkeley Missouri Graduated License Program.
The Berkeley Missouri Provisional License and Berkeley Missouri Full License
The next stage is the Berkeley Missouri provisional license. In order to apply, you'll need to make sure you've satisfied a few Berkeley Missouri State requirements before heading down to the nearest Berkeley Missouri Driver Examination Station:
- No traffic convictions within the last 6 months
- Bring the same information as for the Berkeley Missouri learner's Permit
- $7.50 fee
- Hold your Berkeley Missouri learner's Permit for at least 182 days
- No alcohol-related convictions for the last 12 months
- complete 40 hours of driving instruction
- 10 of these hours must be at night
If you've satisfied these requirements, head to the nearest Berkeley Missouri Driver Service Center, where you'll pay the required fee and submit your Berkeley Missouri intermediate License application. If it's been more than one year since you took the required vision, road sign, and written tests, you'll have to take them again. Once you get this far, all that's left is the dreaded road test. If you pass, then congratulations! You've just earned your Berkeley Missouri intermediate driver license.
Berkeley Missouri Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties
Before you can be granted a full driver's license, you must show that you're able to drive responsibly with certain restrictions. Briefly, these are:
- You may not drive between 1AM and 5AM unless it is to or from a school activity, job, or emergency or you are accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older
- For the first 6 months, you may not drive with more than one passenger who is under 19 (unless they're a member of your family)
- After the first 6 months, you may not drive with more than three passengers under 19 (unless they're family)
Once you've driven without any alcohol-related convictions or traffic violations for 12 months, you can receive your Berkeley Missouri under-21 full driver license. You know the drill--just bring $10 to your local Berkeley Missouri Driver License Station. And congrats again!
Berkeley Missouri Auto Insurance Berkeley Missouri Financial Responsibility Laws
Don't think you're ready to drive just because you now have a Berkeley Missouri driver's license. You still must obtain liability insurance for your vehicle.
The minimum liability insurance coverage is:
- $25,000 per person for a single accident
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- $10,000 for property damage
- $25,000 bodily injury per person for Uninsured Motorists
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident for Uninsured Motorists
Driving without Berkeley Missouri mandatory liability insurance carries a risk that your Berkeley Missouri learner's permit or Berkeley Missouri intermediate license could be suspended and you could be fined.
Berkeley Missouri Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws
Knowing the Berkeley Missouri drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws is necessary to ensure the safety of drivers and their passengers. This is especially true for a newer driver like yourself.
DUI Laws. Like most states, Berkeley Missouri has a Zero Tolerance Law for underage drinking, and if you are convicted of a Berkeley Missouri DUI or Berkeley Missouri DWI, you face penalties in addition to those listed below.
Upon your first conviction of a Berkeley Missouri DUI, you'll face the following penalties:
- Jail sentence up to 6 months
- License restriction 60 days
- $45 License Reinstatement fee
- Up to $500 fine
- Possible Ignition Interlock Device installation
- License suspension 30 days
We would hope you'd learn your lesson the first time, but further Berkeley Missouri DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Berkeley Missouri license suspension or even license revocation.
Cell Phone Use. Studies consistently show that cell phone use and driving are a dangerous combination. Currently, Berkeley Missouri teen drivers are prohibited from using cell phones to text message while driving.
Berkeley Missouri Online Driver Education
Berkeley Missouri teen drivers can find more information about approved Berkeley Missouri online driver education courses on the Berkeley Missouri Department of Revenue Website.