Columbia Operating a motor vehicle without a driver license ordinance (§ 14-185)
Chapter 14: Motor Vehicles and Traffic · Article IV. Operation
In short: You may not drive a motor vehicle on city streets without a valid Missouri driver license or a legal license from your home state. To ride a motorcycle or motortricycle, you must also have passed the Missouri motorcycle exam or be legally licensed to ride one in your home state.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle upon any street in the city unless such person has a valid Missouri driver license or unless such person is legally licensed to operate a motor vehicle in the state of residence.
(b) It is unlawful for any person to operate a motorcycle or motortricycle upon any street in the city unless such person has passed an examination for the operation of a motorcycle or motortricycle as prescribed by the Missouri director of revenue or unless such person is legally licensed to operate a motorcycle or motortricycle in the state of residence.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 14-185
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.