If you need to take a written driving test in Kansas City, you have likely been waiting for some time since written driving tests were temporarily halted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as a report from NBC News clarifies, “all written and skills driver exams” resumed in Kansas City and throughout the state of Missouri on Monday, May 11. When those tests resumed, the Missouri State Highway Patrol requested that drivers who did not immediately need to take a written test wait until after the Memorial Day holiday. Now that we are nearing the end of June, many Kansas City drivers are planning to show up for a written driving or skills test.
There are some important things to know about taking a written driving test in Missouri during the pandemic.
Coronavirus-Related Updates to Missouri Driving Tests
Now that Memorial Day has passed, drivers who need to take a written or skills-based test can do so, but with some limitations. First, and quite importantly, anyone who is inside the driver test facilities will be asked to wear a face covering. If you are having your photo taken for a driver’s license, you will remove the face covering briefly just to take the photograph. If you are planning to take a driving skills test, you will also be asked to wear a face covering during the driving skills test. You will also be asked to arrive with a sanitized vehicle so that it is safe for the employee who will be evaluating you.
In addition to face covering and sanitation issues, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is asking people to wait to take a written or skilled-based driving test if any one of the following is true:
- You have been recently diagnosed with COVID-19;
- A member of your household, a family member, or another person with whom you have had contact has been diagnosed with COVID-19;
- You have had contact with any person diagnosed or suspected of having COVID-19;
- A medical professional or anyone from a health care facility or health agency has asked you to self-quarantine; and/or
- You have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or any other symptom associated with a COVID-19 infection.
Who Needs to Take a Written or Skills-Based Test?
If you simply need to renew your driver’s license and it is still valid or only recently expired, you will likely not need to go to a driver test facility in order to renew your license. In general, the following people must take a written or skills-based driving test, which requires in-person activity:
- You are applying for a Missouri driver’s license and you do not have a valid license (or one that has been expired for fewer than 184 days) from another state;
- Your Missouri driver’s license has been expired for six months or longer (184 days or more);
- Director of Revenue asked you to take an exam, even though you have a driver’s license;
- Your driver’s license was revoked due to points on your driving record or an Administrative Alcohol action; or
- You are applying for a new class of driver’s license in Missouri, even if you have another valid type of driver’s license that is valid in Missouri or another state.
Contact a Traffic Lawyer in Kansas City
If you have questions about your driving test or your rights and privileges as a driver in Kansas City, a Kansas City traffic defense lawyer can speak with you. Contact Aimee the Attorney today.
