What the Missouri Permit Pretest Is and Who Takes It

The Missouri Permit Pretest is a written test you take before you sit for the official permit exam at the Department of Revenue. It covers the same material as the real test — road signs, right-of-way rules, speed limits, and safe driving practices — but it is not the official exam itself. You take it at an approved testing location, usually a third-party vendor or driver education school, not at the DMV.

Missouri requires the pretest if you are under 18 and seeking a Learner's Permit (also called a Learner's License). If you are 18 or older, you do not take a pretest; you go straight to the official permit exam at a Missouri Department of Revenue office. The pretest is meant to prepare you and confirm you are ready before you spend time at the DMV.

You must pass the pretest before the DMV will let you schedule or take the official permit exam. A passing score on the pretest does not mean you have your permit — it means you have cleared the first gate and can now test for the real thing.

Key Takeaways

  • The pretest is required only for applicants under 18 seeking a Learner's Permit and must be passed before you can take the official DMV exam.
  • You take the pretest at an approved third-party testing location, not at a Department of Revenue office, and it covers the same road rules and signs as the official exam.
  • Passing the pretest does not give you a permit; it only clears you to take the official exam at the DMV.
  • You must bring a valid photo ID and proof of residency to the pretest location, and fees vary by vendor but typically range from $10 to $25.

Where to Take the Pretest and How to Find an Approved Location

Missouri contracts with multiple third-party testing vendors to administer the pretest. These are not DMV offices — they are private businesses licensed to give the test. Common vendors include Pearson VUE locations, local driver education schools, and some testing centers in libraries or community colleges. The exact list of approved locations changes, so you need to check the official Missouri Department of Revenue website or call your local DMV office to find vendors near you.

When you search for a location, have your zip code ready. Most vendors let you schedule online or by phone. Some locations offer same-day testing; others require an appointment. Call ahead to confirm hours, what ID you need to bring, and whether they accept walk-ins. If you live in a rural area, the nearest approved location may be 30 or 40 miles away, so plan travel time.

Documents and ID You Must Bring

Bring a valid photo ID — a passport, state ID, or school ID with your photo and name. If you do not have a photo ID yet, bring a combination of documents that prove your identity and residency: a birth certificate plus a utility bill, bank statement, or school enrollment letter with your name and current address. The testing vendor will tell you exactly what they accept when you call to schedule.

You do not need to bring your Social Security card, but have your Social Security number memorized or written down. The testing location will record it as part of your test record. Bring nothing else — no phones, no notes, no study materials into the testing room.

What the Pretest Covers and How It Is Scored

The pretest has the same content as the official DMV permit exam: road signs and their meanings, right-of-way rules, speed limits, parking laws, safe following distance, and what to do at traffic lights and stop signs. You will see multiple-choice questions. The exact number of questions varies — typically between 25 and 50 — depending on the vendor and test version.

You must score at least 80 percent to pass. That means if there are 50 questions, you can miss no more than 10. If you score below 80 percent, you fail and must retake the pretest. There is no waiting period between attempts at most locations, though some vendors charge a fee each time you test. Ask about retake fees when you schedule.

The pretest is timed — usually 30 to 45 minutes depending on the number of questions. You cannot leave early once you start, and you cannot go back and change answers after you submit. The testing location will give you your score when ready or within a few minutes.

Fees and What Happens After You Pass

Pretest fees are set by the vendor, not by the state, so they vary. Most charge between $10 and $25 per attempt. Some testing locations bundle the pretest with driver education courses, which may cost more but include classroom instruction. Ask the vendor for their full price before you schedule.

Once you pass the pretest, the testing location sends your passing score to the Missouri Department of Revenue electronically. You will receive a pretest pass certificate or confirmation number — keep this. You then schedule an appointment at a Missouri Department of Revenue office to take the official permit exam. You must bring the pretest pass certificate or confirmation number with you to the DMV appointment, along with your documents for the permit process (birth certificate, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number).

The official permit exam at the DMV is different from the pretest — it is longer, more detailed, and has a higher passing score requirement (usually 80 percent as well, but on a larger question pool). Passing the pretest does not may provide you will pass the official exam, though most people who pass the pretest do pass the official test on their first try.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is showing up to the pretest location without proper ID. Bring what the vendor told you to bring — do not guess. If you arrive without the right documents, you will be turned away and may lose your testing fee.

Another mistake is not studying before you take the pretest. The pretest is not a trick — it is a real test of your knowledge. Study the Missouri Driver Guide (available free on the Department of Revenue website) before you test. Many people fail on their first attempt because they did not prepare. A second attempt costs another fee and delays your permit.

Do not confuse the pretest with the official permit exam. Some people think passing the pretest means they have their permit. It does not. You still have to go to the DMV, take the official exam, and pass that one too. Plan for both tests when you schedule your time.

If You Fail the Pretest

If you score below 80 percent, you fail and must retake it. Most vendors let you schedule a second attempt right away, though you will pay the fee again. Some locations have a waiting period of 24 hours between attempts; ask when you schedule your first test.

Before you retake the pretest, study the Missouri Driver Guide again, focusing on the topics you missed. Many testing locations will tell you which areas you scored low on — ask for that feedback. Some driver education schools offer tutoring or study sessions to help you prepare for a retake. If you fail twice, consider taking a driver education course, which includes classroom instruction and may make the material clearer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to take the pretest if I am 18 or older?

No. The pretest is required only for applicants under 18. If you are 18 or older and seeking a Learner's Permit, you go directly to a Missouri Department of Revenue office and take the official permit exam. You do not take a pretest first.

What if I lose my pretest pass certificate?

Contact the testing vendor where you took the pretest and ask them to print a new copy or provide a confirmation number. The Department of Revenue has your passing score on file, so you can also call your local DMV office and ask them to look it up by your name and date of birth. Bring whatever confirmation you have to your DMV appointment.

Can I take the pretest online?

Some vendors offer online proctored testing, but most require you to test in person at a physical location. Call the vendor to ask whether they offer remote testing. If they do, you will still need a valid photo ID and a quiet space with a camera and microphone.

How long is the pretest pass good for?

Missouri does not set a specific expiration date for pretest passes. However, you should schedule your official DMV permit exam within a reasonable time — typically within 30 to 60 days. If you wait too long, the Department of Revenue may require you to retake the pretest. Ask your local DMV office what their policy is.

What if I fail the official DMV exam after passing the pretest?

Failing the official exam does not invalidate your pretest pass. You can retake the official exam at the DMV, usually after waiting a set period (often 24 hours to one week, depending on Missouri's current rules). You do not have to retake the pretest. Call the DMV to find out the current waiting period and retake fee.