Missouri driver's license fees depend on the type of license and how long you want it to last

A standard Missouri driver's license costs $11.50 for a four-year license or $23 for an eight-year license. If you are under 21, you will pay $11.50 for a four-year license only — Missouri does not offer an eight-year option for drivers under 21. These are the fees you pay at the Missouri Department of Revenue when you pass your road test and receive your license.

The cost covers the physical card itself, the background check, and the processing of your process. You pay this fee once when you first get your license, and again when you renew it. If you choose the four-year license and renew it twice, you will pay $11.50 each time. If you choose the eight-year license, you pay $23 once every eight years.

Some people also need to pay for a duplicate license if theirs is lost, stolen, or damaged. A duplicate costs $11.50 regardless of whether you originally chose a four-year or eight-year license. You can request a duplicate in person at a Missouri license office or by mail.

Key Takeaways

  • A four-year Missouri driver's license costs $11.50; an eight-year license costs $23.
  • Drivers under 21 can only get a four-year license for $11.50 — the eight-year option is not available to them.
  • You pay the license fee once when you first receive your license and again each time you renew.
  • A duplicate license costs $11.50 if yours is lost, stolen, or damaged.
  • You can pay by cash, check, or debit card at a Missouri license office, or by check if you request a duplicate by mail.

What the four-year license covers

The four-year license is the standard option for most drivers. You pay $11.50 once, and your license is valid for four years from the date it is issued. After four years, you must renew it by returning to a Missouri license office, paying the fee again, and passing a vision test. You do not have to retake the written or road test unless Missouri has reason to suspend or revoke your license.

The four-year license is a good choice if you expect your address, name, or other information to change within the next few years, since you will be renewing sooner anyway. It is also the only option available to drivers under 21.

What the eight-year license covers

The eight-year license costs $23 and is valid for eight years from the date it is issued. You only pay this fee once every eight years, which means you renew less often than someone with a four-year license. Like the four-year renewal, you will need to pass a vision test when you renew, but not the written or road test.

The eight-year license is available only to drivers 21 and older. It can save you money over time if you plan to keep the same address and personal information for eight years, since you only pay the renewal fee once instead of twice.

Additional fees you might encounter

Beyond the license fee itself, you may need to pay for other services related to your license. A name change on your license costs $11.50 and requires you to bring proof of the name change (such as a marriage certificate or court order) to a Missouri license office. An address change is free if you do it online through the Missouri Department of Revenue website, but costs $11.50 if you do it in person at a license office.

If you need to replace a license because it is damaged, lost, or stolen, a duplicate costs $11.50. If you need a corrected license because of an error made by the Department of Revenue (not an error on your part), the correction is free.

Some drivers also need a commercial driver's license (CDL) if they drive certain large or hazardous vehicles for work. A CDL costs more than a standard license and has different testing requirements. The Missouri Department of Revenue website lists the exact CDL fees based on the type of vehicle you will drive.

How to pay your license fee

When you visit a Missouri license office to get or renew your license, you can pay by cash, check, or debit card. Credit cards are not accepted. If you are requesting a duplicate license by mail, you must pay by check and include it with your process.

The fee is due at the time you explore. You cannot pay online or by phone — payment must happen in person at a license office or by mail with a duplicate request. If you are unsure which license office is nearest to you, the Missouri Department of Revenue website has a location finder that shows hours and services at each office.

Renewing your license and paying the renewal fee

When your license is about to expire, you will need to renew it by paying the fee again and passing a vision test. For a four-year license, you renew every four years. For an eight-year license, you renew every eight years. Missouri will mail you a reminder notice about 60 days before your license expires, though the reminder is not a requirement to renew — you can renew anytime after your license expires.

You can renew your license in person at any Missouri license office, or online through the Missouri Department of Revenue website if you meet certain requirements (such as having no medical restrictions and no changes to your personal information). Online renewal is faster and costs the same as in-person renewal. If you renew online, you will still need to pay the fee, and your new license will be mailed to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I don't use my license for the full four or eight years?

No. Once you pay for your license, the fee is not refundable, even if you move out of state, stop driving, or no longer need the license before it expires. If your license is suspended or revoked by Missouri, you still cannot get a refund of the fee you already paid.

Do I have to pay the full fee if I renew my license early?

Yes. Whether you renew early or wait until your license expires, you pay the full $11.50 (four-year) or $23 (eight-year) fee. Early renewal does not reduce the cost. Your new license will be valid for the full four or eight years from the date it is issued, not from the date your old license expired.

What if I turn 21 and want to switch from a four-year to an eight-year license?

You can renew your license and choose the eight-year option when you turn 21 or after. You will pay $23 for the eight-year license. You cannot extend your current four-year license to eight years — you must renew it and pay the full fee for the new license.

Is there a fee to change my address on my Missouri license?

Changing your address online through the Missouri Department of Revenue website is free. If you change your address in person at a license office, you will pay $11.50. You do not need to renew your entire license to change your address — you only pay the address-change fee.

What happens if I lose my license and need a duplicate?

A duplicate license costs $11.50 and can be ordered in person at a Missouri license office or by mail. If you order by mail, send a check for $11.50 along with a completed process form to the Missouri Department of Revenue. Your duplicate will be mailed to you within one to two weeks.