For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115
7072
July 3, 2007
EMPHASIS: Driver Examiners Test Prospective Drivers Every Day

Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to make the public aware of driver examination activity from January 1 through May 31, 2007. The Patrol takes seriously the responsibility of ensuring drivers have a level of competency consistent with safe driving habits and practices. Drivers must also demonstrate skills and knowledge of Missouri’s laws related to traffic safety. The driver examination program is one of many ways the Patrol serves and protects the citizens of Missouri.

There are 205 driver examiners assigned to the 154 driver examination stations and 13 commercial driver’s license testing sites. During the first five months of 2007, driver examiners administered 240,638 written tests, which includes 59,443 prospective commercial vehicle drivers. In addition, 92,093 skills tests were administered, including tests to 19,837 commercial vehicle drivers.

In Missouri, the written driver’s test is available in 12 languages: English, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese, Japanese, and Bosnian. The majority of the written tests--236,942--were given in English, while 3,696 were in a language other than English.

“Good drivers make Missouri’s highways safer. An estimated half a million people take a driving test of some kind every year,” said Colonel Keathley. “A driver examiner has the responsibility of making sure people driving in our state understand the rules of the road and are competent in the operation of a motor vehicle. I’m proud of our driver examiners and the service they perform. They apply their training every day and work to make Missouri’s roadways safer for everyone.”

(###)