How to Renew Your Missouri Driver's License

What you need to renew in Missouri

Missouri lets you renew your driver's license in person at a Driver License Office, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through their MoDMV system. Which option works for you depends on whether your license is expired, how long until it expires, and whether you need to change information like your address or name.

If your license is still valid and you have not changed your address, name, or other personal details, you can renew online or by mail. If your license has been expired for more than two years, or if you need to update information, you must renew in person at a Driver License Office.

Missouri driver's licenses are valid for six years for most adults under 70. The expiration date is printed on the front of your card. You can renew up to one year before that date.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal through MoDMV takes about 10 minutes and costs $11.50 if your license is valid and your information has not changed.
Mail renewal is free but takes two to three weeks; you must include your current license, a completed Form DL 43, and payment if required.
In-person renewal at a Driver License Office requires a Real ID-compliant document (passport, birth certificate, or state ID) plus proof of your current address.
If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew by mail or online and must go to a Driver License Office in person.
Missouri charges $11.50 for a standard six-year renewal; the fee is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.

Online renewal through MoDMV

The fastest way to renew is through the Missouri Department of Revenue's online system at dmv.mo.gov. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The system will ask you to confirm your address and other information on file.

Online renewal works only if your license is not expired, your information has not changed, and you do not need a Real ID upgrade. If you are renewing a standard license with a standard license, online is the simplest path. The fee is $11.50, charged to your card when ready. Your new license will arrive by mail in seven to ten business days.

If the online system tells you that you cannot renew online, it means one of your details has changed or your license status does not allow it. In that case, you will need to renew by mail or in person.

Mail renewal with Form DL 43

You can renew by mail if your license is valid and your personal information has not changed. read or request Form DL 43 (process for Missouri Driver License or Noncommercial Motorboat Operator's License) from the Missouri Department of Revenue website or pick one up at any Driver License Office.

Complete the form, sign it, and mail it with your current driver's license and a check or money order for $11.50 (made payable to the Missouri Department of Revenue) to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. Mail your packet to the Missouri Department of Revenue, Driver License Bureau, P.O. Box 200, Jefferson City, MO 65105.

Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the office receives your packet. Your new license will arrive by mail. Keep track of when you mailed it; if you do not receive your license within four weeks, contact the Driver License Bureau at 573-526-2407 to check the status.

In-person renewal at a Driver License Office

You must renew in person if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you need to change your address or name, or if you want to upgrade to a Real ID-compliant license. Visit any Missouri Driver License Office with the documents listed below.

Bring your current driver's license (even if expired), proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within 90 days). If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).

If you want a Real ID, you must also bring a document that proves your identity and citizenship: a U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, passport card, or naturalization certificate. The office will not accept a photocopy; bring the original or a certified copy.

Bring your payment: $11.50 by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Some offices accept card payments; call ahead to confirm. Processing takes about 15 minutes. Your new license will arrive by mail in seven to ten business days.

Real ID upgrade during renewal

Missouri's Real ID-compliant driver's license meets federal requirements for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. If your current license is not marked with a gold star in the upper right corner, it is not Real ID-compliant.

You can upgrade to Real ID during renewal, but only in person. You will need to bring the same documents as a standard in-person renewal, plus one of the citizenship documents listed above. The fee remains $11.50; there is no extra charge for Real ID.

If you do not upgrade now, you can upgrade later at any Driver License Office. However, if you wait until after your current license expires, you will have to renew first and then upgrade in a separate transaction.

What happens if your license is expired

If your license expired fewer than two years ago, you can renew by mail or online using the same process as a valid license. If your license expired more than two years ago, the state treats it as a new process, not a renewal. You must go to a Driver License Office in person with the same documents required for an in-person renewal.

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Missouri, even if you have a valid renewal in the mail. If you are stopped, you can show a receipt or confirmation number from your online or mail renewal as proof that you have applied, but the officer may still issue a citation. If your license expired more than two years ago and you need to drive before you can renew in person, contact your local Driver License Office about a temporary permit.

Driver License Office locations and hours

Missouri has Driver License Offices in most counties. Find the office nearest you and its hours at dmv.mo.gov under "Locations." Hours vary by office; some are open Monday through Friday, while others have Saturday hours. Many offices require you to take a number and wait; a few use online appointment scheduling.

Call ahead before you go. The office can tell you whether you need an appointment, how long the wait is, and whether they accept card payments. If the office is very busy, you may wait an hour or more. Going early in the morning or mid-week usually means a shorter wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Missouri license if I moved out of state?

No. Missouri requires you to update your address before you renew. If you have moved out of state, you must renew your license in person at a Driver License Office and bring proof of your new out-of-state address. After that, you can renew your Missouri license by mail or online as long as you do not move again.

What if I lost my current license before renewal?

You cannot renew by mail or online without your current license number. Go to a Driver License Office in person and bring the documents for a standard in-person renewal. The office will issue a replacement license and can renew it at the same time if it is close to expiration.

How much does a Missouri driver's license renewal cost?

A standard six-year renewal costs $11.50, the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. There is no extra fee for Real ID. If you renew by mail, you pay by check or money order. Online and in-person renewals accept cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or child support debt?

Missouri may suspend your license if you have unpaid child support, certain criminal fines, or unpaid traffic citations. Before you renew, check your license status at dmv.mo.gov or call the Driver License Bureau at 573-526-2407. If your license is suspended, you must resolve the underlying debt before the state will renew it.

What if I want to change my name during renewal?

You can change your name during renewal only in person. Bring your current license, proof of the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and the other documents required for in-person renewal. The fee is still $11.50.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.