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Missouri driving lesson · Insurance, Vehicles & Distracted Driving

Distracted driving and electronic devices

A 3-minute lesson from the Missouri course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Insurance, Vehicles & Distracted Driving
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
94, 95

Driving takes your full attention. Anything that pulls your eyes, hands or mind away, from phones to passengers, pets or scenery, raises your crash risk. Texting is the worst, and Missouri law limits phone use while you drive.

Common distractions include:

  • Texting, or using a cell phone or smartphone
  • Grooming, eating and drinking
  • Reading, including maps
  • Watching a video or surfing the Internet
  • Talking to passengers
  • Adjusting a radio, CD or MP3 player, or using a navigation system
Handbook p. 94 ↗

Know the rule

Texting requires visual, manual and cognitive attention, making it by far the highest-risk distraction.

Handbook p. 94 ↗

Cut down on distractions:

  • Pull over to a safe place to attend to children; don't handle them while driving
  • Save arguments and upsetting conversations for a safe place, not the car
  • Secure pets in a carrier, portable kennel or pet harness; never let a pet sit in your lap
  • Adjust climate controls, mirrors, radio and seat before you drive
  • Check e-mail, voicemail and devices before you drive or when you arrive
  • Set an auto-reply saying you're driving and will call back
  • Adjust controls at normal stops, or ask passengers to do it
Handbook p. 94 ↗

Looks can kill: don't concentrate on getting a good look at:

  • A crash scene
  • A billboard
  • A vehicle pulled over by law enforcement
  • Street names and addresses
  • Construction work
  • A scenic view
Handbook p. 95 ↗

While the vehicle is moving, drivers may NOT:

  • Physically hold or support a cellphone with any part of the body
  • Manually type, write, send or read text-based messages
  • Record, post, send or broadcast video, including video calls and social media posts
  • Watch a video or movie
Handbook p. 95 ↗

Drivers MAY:

  • Make or take voice calls using hands-free features started with a single touch or swipe
  • Talk hands-free using a built-in speaker, in-car Bluetooth or earbuds/headset
  • Send or receive texts using voice-to-text
  • Use GPS navigation, music or podcast functions
  • View a map for navigation, or listen to a broadcast or digital audio recording
  • Relay information for a rideshare company with a device mounted to the vehicle
Handbook p. 95 ↗

Know the rule

The law applies to drivers of noncommercial and commercial vehicles, on any highway or property open to public vehicle traffic.

Handbook p. 95 ↗

Know the rule

Before January 1, 2025, violators could get a warning; after that date, a violation may be an infraction. Commercial drivers may be disqualified, and other fines and criminal penalties may apply.

Handbook p. 95 ↗

Put it into practice

Your phone is mounted on the dash running GPS. You may follow the map and answer a call with one tap on speaker. You may not pick up the phone or type a reply; use voice-to-text instead.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

Why is text messaging considered the most high-risk driving distraction?
  1. It only affects visual attention
  2. It is illegal only for commercial drivers
  3. It takes visual, manual, and cognitive attention
  4. It mainly distracts your hearing

Answer: It takes visual, manual, and cognitive attention

Text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, making it the most high-risk distraction.

Handbook p. 94 ↗
Under Missouri's electronic communication device law, which of the following IS allowed while driving?
  1. Manually typing a text message
  2. Watching a video or movie
  3. Recording and posting video to social media
  4. A hands-free call with one touch/swipe

Answer: A hands-free call with one touch/swipe

The law allows hands-free voice calls engaged with a single touch or swipe, but prohibits typing texts, watching videos, or recording/posting video.

Handbook p. 95 ↗
Is using your phone's GPS navigation function while driving allowed under Missouri's electronic device law?
  1. Yes, GPS navigation is allowed
  2. No, all phone use is banned while driving
  3. Only if a passenger holds the phone
  4. Only while stopped at a light

Answer: Yes, GPS navigation is allowed

The law allows drivers to utilize cellphone GPS navigation and music/podcast functions.

Handbook p. 95 ↗
Which of the following is explicitly prohibited while driving under Missouri's electronic communication device law?
  1. Hands-free phone calls
  2. Holding or supporting a cellphone with your body
  3. Listening to a podcast
  4. Using voice-to-text to send a message

Answer: Holding or supporting a cellphone with your body

Drivers are prohibited from physically holding or supporting a cellphone with any part of their body while the vehicle is in motion.

Handbook p. 95 ↗
What should you do with a loose pet while driving, according to the handbook?
  1. Let it ride in the front passenger seat
  2. Keep it in the driver's footwell
  3. Secure it in a carrier, kennel, or pet harness
  4. Let it roam free in the back seat

Answer: Secure it in a carrier, kennel, or pet harness

Properly secure your pet in a carrier, portable kennel, or pet harness; never allow it to sit on your lap while driving.

Handbook p. 94 ↗
Talking on the phone hands-free using a built-in speaker or Bluetooth is allowed while driving in Missouri.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

The law allows hands-free calls using features like a built-in phone speaker, in-car Bluetooth, or an ear bud/headset.

Handbook p. 95 ↗
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