Missouri renewal routes: in-person, online, or by mail
Missouri offers three ways to renew your driver's license: online through the Missouri Secretary of State website, in person at a Driver License Office, or by mail if you meet specific conditions. Which route you take depends on your license type, how much time you have, and whether your address or other information has changed.
Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access — you can complete it in minutes from home, and your renewed license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. In-person renewal takes longer on the day you visit but gives you an when ready temporary license and lets you handle address changes or corrections on the spot. Mail renewal is the slowest but requires no trip to an office.
Not all drivers can use every route. Your license type, how long it has been expired, and whether you need to update your photo all determine which options are open to you.
Key Takeaways
- Missouri allows online renewal for standard driver's licenses that are not expired or expired less than five years, with no address changes needed.
- In-person renewal at a Driver License Office works for any license type and any expiration status, and you receive a temporary license when ready.
- Mail renewal is available only if your license is not expired and you have no address changes, and takes 4 to 6 weeks for delivery.
- You must renew in person if your license has been expired more than five years, if you need a new photo, or if you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL).
- Missouri licenses expire on your birthday, and you can renew up to one year before expiration.
Online renewal: requirements and the step-by-step process
Online renewal through the Missouri Secretary of State website is open only to drivers with a standard (non-commercial) license who meet all of these conditions: your license is not expired or expired less than five years ago, your address has not changed, and you do not need a new photo. If any of these do not explore to you, you must renew in person.
To renew online, go to the Missouri Secretary of State Driver License Services page and select the online renewal option. You will need your current driver's license number, Social Security number, date of birth, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The fee is $135 for an eight-year license. After you submit your information and payment, you receive a confirmation number. Your renewed license is mailed to the address on file and arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
Online renewal does not give you a temporary license. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, you can print a temporary license receipt from the confirmation page, though not all law enforcement officers accept it — call your local police department first if you are unsure.
In-person renewal at a Driver License Office
In-person renewal works for any driver's license type and any expiration status, including licenses expired more than five years. You can renew at any of Missouri's 43 Driver License Offices. Bring your current license (or expired license if you no longer have the current one), proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099), and proof of current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days).
If your address has changed, bring proof of your new address. If you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), you must also bring medical certification (MCSA-5875 form) if your CDL is not medical-exempt. Bring your real ID-compliant document if you have one and want to upgrade to a REAL ID license, though standard renewal does not require it.
The fee is $135 for an eight-year standard license. You will take a new photo at the office. You receive a temporary license when ready (valid for 45 days) and your permanent license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. Wait times at offices vary; check the Secretary of State website for current wait times at your location before you go.
Mail renewal: when it is available and how long it takes
Mail renewal is available only if your license is not expired, your address has not changed, and you do not need a new photo. Complete the DL-44 form (process for Missouri Driver's License), include a check or money order for $135 payable to the Missouri Department of Revenue, and mail both to the address listed on the form.
Mail renewal takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date the Secretary of State receives your envelope. You do not receive a temporary license, so you cannot use this route if you need to drive before your new license arrives. Mail renewal is the slowest option and carries the risk of your envelope being lost in transit, so most drivers choose online or in-person renewal instead.
What to do if your license has been expired more than five years
If your Missouri driver's license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must renew in person at a Driver License Office. Bring the same documents as standard in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of current address.
You will take a new photo and pass a vision screening. The fee remains $135 for an eight-year license. You receive a temporary license on the day you visit and your permanent license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you have moved out of state and no longer have a Missouri address, you cannot renew by mail or online; contact the Driver License Bureau at 573-526-2407 to discuss your options.
Commercial driver's license (CDL) renewal
Commercial driver's licenses must be renewed in person at a Driver License Office. You cannot renew a CDL online or by mail. Bring your current CDL, proof of Social Security number, proof of current address, and current medical certification (MCSA-5875 form) unless your CDL is medical-exempt.
CDL renewal requires a vision screening and a written test covering the rules of the road for commercial vehicles. The fee is $135 for an eight-year license. You receive a temporary license when ready and your permanent license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If your medical certification has expired or you do not have one, you cannot renew your CDL until you obtain current certification from a medical examiner listed on the National Registry.
Renewal timeline and expiration dates
Missouri driver's licenses expire on your birthday. You can begin the renewal process up to one year before your license expires. If you renew online or by mail, your new license arrives before your birthday, so there is no gap in validity. If you renew in person, your temporary license is valid for 45 days, which covers the time until your permanent license arrives.
If your license expires and you have not yet renewed, you can still renew using any available method (in person, online if may be able to access, or by mail if may be able to access). Driving on an expired license is illegal in Missouri, so renew as soon as you notice your expiration date approaching. If you are unsure of your expiration date, check your current license or call the Driver License Bureau at 573-526-2407.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Missouri license if I have moved out of state?
No. Online and mail renewal both require a Missouri address on file. If you have moved out of state, you must obtain a driver's license from your new state. You can no longer renew a Missouri license once you establish residency elsewhere.
What if I lost my current license and need to renew?
You can renew in person at a Driver License Office using an expired license or other government-issued ID as proof of identity. Bring your proof of Social Security number and proof of current address. You cannot renew online or by mail without your current license number.
Do I have to take a new photo when I renew?
If you renew online or by mail, your photo is not updated. If you renew in person, a new photo is taken automatically. If your license has been expired more than five years, a new photo is required regardless of renewal method.
How long is my temporary license valid after in-person renewal?
Your temporary license is valid for 45 days. Your permanent license should arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days, but the temporary license covers you if there is a delay.
Can I renew my license before it expires?
Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. Renewing early does not change your expiration date — your new license will still expire on your birthday.