Missouri Phones & Distraction practice test

Practice phone rules and other distractions: 15 questions based on the Missouri Driver Guide, 9 of them on Missouri's own rules.

Start 15 questions

Key Missouri facts: Phones & Distraction

While a vehicle moves, Missouri drivers may not hold a phone or prop it up with their body. Chapter 16, Electronic Communication Devices, PDF p. 95
While a vehicle moves, drivers may not manually type, write, send or read text-based messages. Chapter 16, Electronic Communication Devices, PDF p. 95
Drivers may talk on the phone hands-free, using a speaker, in-car Bluetooth or an ear bud or headset. Chapter 16, Electronic Communication Devices, PDF p. 95
Drivers may exchange text messages by voice-to-text. Chapter 16, Electronic Communication Devices, PDF p. 95
Drivers may use phone GPS navigation and music or podcast functions. Chapter 16, Electronic Communication Devices, PDF p. 95

Sample Phones & Distraction questions

You slow to stare at a vehicle pulled over by police. What does the Driver Guide call this?

A distraction
A required safety check
A courtesy to police

Show the answer

A distraction

Looking out at a crash scene or traffic stop takes your focus away from driving.

Source: Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 16, Electronic Communication Devices, Looks Can Kill, PDF p. 95

May you use your phone's GPS navigation while driving in Missouri?

Yes, navigation use is allowed
No, never while driving
Only with a commercial license

Show the answer

Yes, navigation use is allowed

The law allows cellphone GPS navigation, as well as music and podcast functions.

Source: Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 16, Electronic Communication Devices, PDF p. 95

How may a Missouri driver send a text message while the vehicle is moving?

By typing only on a highway
By holding the phone on the wheel
With one hand at a low speed
With a voice-to-text feature

Show the answer

With a voice-to-text feature

Voice-to-text is the allowed way. Typing by hand is not.

Source: Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 16, Electronic Communication Devices, PDF p. 95

Why does the Driver Guide rank texting as by far the highest-risk distraction?

It costs money per message
It only happens at night
It uses eyes, hands and thinking
It drains the car's battery

Show the answer

It uses eyes, hands and thinking

Texting takes your eyes, your hands and your mind at once.

Source: Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 16, Electronic Communication Devices, Distracted Driving, PDF p. 94

Which phone use does Missouri law allow while you drive?

Typing a short email
Watching a short video
Holding the phone to your ear
A hands-free call over Bluetooth

Show the answer

A hands-free call over Bluetooth

Hands-free talking through a built-in speaker, Bluetooth or an ear bud or headset is allowed.

Source: Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 16, Electronic Communication Devices, PDF p. 95

Since January 1, 2025, what may a violation of Missouri's device law bring?

No penalty at all
Only a warning
An automatic vehicle impound
An infraction

Show the answer

An infraction

Before that date a violation might bring a warning. After it, a violation may be subject to an infraction.

Source: Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 16, Electronic Communication Devices, PDF p. 95

Your phone buzzes with a message in slow traffic. May you pick it up and read it?

No, that is against the law
Yes, on an empty road
Yes, at low speeds

Show the answer

No, that is against the law

Handling text messages by hand is banned for all drivers, whether you read, type or send.

Source: Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 16, Electronic Communication Devices, PDF p. 95

May a Missouri driver hold a cellphone in one hand while the vehicle is moving?

Yes, for a short call
Yes, if under 45 mph
No, that is prohibited

Show the answer

No, that is prohibited

While moving, you may not hold a phone or prop it up with your body.

Source: Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 16, Electronic Communication Devices, PDF p. 95

May a driver watch a movie on a phone while the vehicle is moving?

Yes, with the sound off
Yes, on an interstate
No, watching video is banned

Show the answer

No, watching video is banned

Watching a video or movie while moving is prohibited.

Source: Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 16, Electronic Communication Devices, PDF p. 95

What can using a phone take away from the road?

Only hearing
Only hands
Eyes, hands and mind

Show the answer

Eyes, hands and mind

Using a phone can pull your eyes, hands and attention away from driving.

Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 9, Some Special Driving Situations, p. 54; Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Chapter 4, Before You Drive: You the Driver (p. 33); New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 8, Defensive Driving; Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3, Driver Factors: Driving Distractions; Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Ohio Driver Manual, Section 3, Distracted Driving; What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133), Chapter 4, Distracted driving, pp. 23-24; New Jersey Driver Manual, Chapter 5, Distractions, p. 92; Maryland Driver's Manual, Section 6.C, p. 34; Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 16, Distracted Driving, PDF p. 94; Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Distracted Driving (p. iv); Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 6, Distracted driving, p. 78; Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 5, Safe Driving Habits, Cellular Phones, PDF p. 82; Chapter 8, Driving Hazards and Emergencies, Distracted Driving, PDF p. 115; Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Three, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 31; South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, Driver Distractions, p. 3-4 (PDF p. 35); Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Careless/Reckless Driving, Distracted Driving, printed p. 24 (PDF p. 27); Oklahoma Driver Manual, Chapter 11, Car Phone Safety, p. 61; Connecticut Driver's Manual, Chapter 3, Driving Behaviors, Driver Distractions, p. 27; Utah Driver Handbook, Section 11, Distractions and Driving Challenges, PDF p. 66; Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 3, 3.7 Eliminating Distractions, p. 36; MDPS Driver's License Manual, Avoiding Distractions, PDF p. 23; Kansas Driving Handbook, Section 3, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 21; Montana Driver Manual (Form 25-0100, revised April 2024), Chapter 5, Don't Be a Distracted Driver, PDF p. 59; Maine Driver's License Manual (Rev 4/24), Section 3, Driver Distractions (visual, manual, cognitive), PDF p. 26; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024), Distracted Driving, PDF p. 17; South Dakota Driver License Manual (revised 11/2024), Be in Shape to Drive, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 19

Take this topic's test

More Missouri practice

About these questions

We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026 (cover), read 2026-11-08, plus the Department of Revenue page on the Graduated Driver License Law edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.

DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the Missouri Department of Revenue, and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.