Your Guide to Carthage 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 Carthage Missouri learner's permit or first Carthage Missouri driver's license. There are a few things you need to know about Carthage Missouri's Graduated Driver license Program for Carthage Missouri teen drivers, to make sure that your experience getting your Carthage Missouri driver's license goes as smoothly as possible. So, what are we waiting for?
The Carthage Missouri Instructional Permit and Carthage 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 Carthage 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 Carthage 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 Carthage 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 Carthage Missouri learner's permit!
A few more things to keep in mind: all passengers must wear seatbelts, and you must carry your Carthage Missouri Instruction Permit with you at all times. After you've had your Carthage Missouri learner's permit for 182 days, you'll be ready for the next step in the Carthage Missouri Graduated License Program.
The Carthage Missouri Provisional License and Carthage Missouri Full License
The next stage is the Carthage Missouri provisional license. In order to apply, you'll need to make sure you've satisfied a few Carthage Missouri State requirements before heading down to the nearest Carthage Missouri Driver Examination Station:
- No traffic convictions within the last 6 months
- Bring the same information as for the Carthage Missouri learner's Permit
- $7.50 fee
- Hold your Carthage 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 Carthage Missouri Driver Service Center, where you'll pay the required fee and submit your Carthage 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 Carthage Missouri intermediate driver license.
Carthage 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 Carthage Missouri under-21 full driver license. You know the drill--just bring $10 to your local Carthage Missouri Driver License Station. And congrats again!
Carthage Missouri Auto Insurance Carthage Missouri Financial Responsibility Laws
Don't think you're ready to drive just because you now have a Carthage 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 Carthage Missouri mandatory liability insurance carries a risk that your Carthage Missouri learner's permit or Carthage Missouri intermediate license could be suspended and you could be fined.
Carthage Missouri Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws
Knowing the Carthage 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, Carthage Missouri has a Zero Tolerance Law for underage drinking, and if you are convicted of a Carthage Missouri DUI or Carthage Missouri DWI, you face penalties in addition to those listed below.
Upon your first conviction of a Carthage 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 Carthage Missouri DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Carthage Missouri license suspension or even license revocation.
Cell Phone Use. Studies consistently show that cell phone use and driving are a dangerous combination. Currently, Carthage Missouri teen drivers are prohibited from using cell phones to text message while driving.
Carthage Missouri Online Driver Education
Carthage Missouri teen drivers can find more information about approved Carthage Missouri online driver education courses on the Carthage Missouri Department of Revenue Website.