Missouri Ranked 49th for Teen Driver Safety in 2026
Missouri teens face unique risks as the state ranked 50th nationwide for driving laws in an August 2026 study.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Secondary Education
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A study conducted in August 2026 ranked Missouri 49th overall for teen driver safety. The findings follow a period where 27,611 crashes involving drivers under age 21 occurred in the state between 2025 and 2026.
Why it matters
The low state ranking highlights significant gaps in local driving laws and safety, which directly impacts the risks and insurance considerations for families with teen drivers. Because formal driver education is not required for licensure, many parents are seeking private instruction to bridge these safety gaps.
Missouri ranked 49th nationally, with data showing 27,611 crashes involving drivers under 21 between 2025 and 2026. While the state requires 30 hours of daytime and 10 hours of nighttime instruction, formal driver education remains optional for license eligibility.
The players
Gary Gundy
The operator of a private driving school in Columbia that has provided teen driver education for six years.
WalletHub
A personal finance website that produces state-level benchmarking studies on various quality-of-life and safety metrics.
The details
Driving schools like the Gary Gundy School of Driving in Columbia provide lessons that simulate license test routes and focus on vehicle controls to supplement the state-mandated 40 hours of supervised driving. Parents can accompany students in the backseat during these $100-per-hour sessions to observe instruction. Teens in the state are still required to hold an instruction permit for at least six months before applying for a full license.
Timeline
2025-2026: 27,611 crashes involving drivers under age 21 occurred in Missouri.
August 2026: WalletHub completed the study regarding teen driver safety.
The Home Front
This ranking follows a broader national trend where states without mandatory formal driver education often struggle with higher rates of teen-involved collisions. Missouri's placement reflects a regulatory environment where legislative requirements for new drivers lag behind other states.
If you have a teen preparing to drive, ensure they complete the state-mandated 40 hours of supervised instruction with a focus on consistent, deliberate practice. You may also want to budget for professional private lessons to provide additional safety training beyond basic permit requirements.
The takeaway
Because formal driver education is not required in the state, proactive parental involvement in supervised driving remains the most effective way to improve teen safety. Keep a log of your teen's required 30 hours of daytime and 10 hours of nighttime driving to ensure they meet permit criteria.
Further reading
Learn more about local standards for training in Missouri Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KOMU 8.
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