What documents Missouri requires for renewal
To renew your Missouri driver's license, you need to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and your current license or ID card. Missouri's Department of Revenue has specific documents they will accept for each category, and you cannot substitute one type for another — a utility bill does not count as identity proof, even though it proves you live somewhere.
The exact documents depend on whether you are renewing in person or by mail, and whether your license is still valid or has expired. If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew by mail and must go to a license office in person.
Key Takeaways
- You must bring your current Missouri driver's license or ID card, plus one document proving your identity and one proving your address.
- Acceptable identity documents include a U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, or certified birth certificate; a Social Security card alone is not enough.
- Acceptable residency documents include a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
- If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a Missouri license office, not by mail.
- Renewal fees are $24.50 for a four-year license or $42 for an eight-year license; the fee does not change based on your age or driving record.
Identity documents Missouri will accept
Missouri accepts a limited list of documents to prove who you are. A U.S. passport or passport card is the strongest option and works for both in-person and mail renewal. A military ID card, including a dependent ID, also works. A certified copy of your birth certificate — not a hospital birth certificate or a photocopy — counts as identity proof.
A Social Security card by itself does not prove identity in Missouri's system. If that is your only document, you will need to bring a second form of ID, such as a school ID, work ID, or tribal ID, along with it. Some people assume their old expired license counts as identity proof for renewal, but Missouri treats an expired license as a document to be replaced, not as proof of identity.
Residency documents Missouri will accept
You need one document showing your current Missouri address. A utility bill in your name — electric, gas, water, or phone — works if it is dated within the last 60 days. A lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a property tax bill, or a bank or credit card statement also work, as long as they show your name and current address and are dated within 60 days.
A piece of mail from a government agency, such as a tax return or voter registration card, counts as residency proof. A post office change-of-address form does not. If you have recently moved and do not yet have a document in your new name at your new address, bring the most recent document you have plus a lease or utility bill showing the new address.
Renewing by mail versus in person
Missouri allows mail renewal if your license is still valid or expired less than five years ago. You send your current license, the required identity and residency documents, the renewal form (DL 43), a check or money order for the fee, and a new photo to the address on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks, and you will receive your new license by mail.
You must renew in person at a Missouri license office if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need to update your address, if you want to change your name, or if you are renewing a commercial driver's license. In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes at most offices, though wait times vary by location and time of day. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot and your plastic card by mail within two weeks.
The renewal fee and what it covers
A four-year Missouri driver's license costs $24.50 to renew. An eight-year license costs $42. The fee is the same whether you are 18 or 80, whether you have a clean driving record or a suspension history, and whether you renew by mail or in person. Missouri does not charge extra for a REAL ID-compliant license — the standard renewal fee covers it.
If you renew early — up to one year before your license expires — you do not pay extra, and your new expiration date is calculated from your current expiration date, not from the date you renew. This means renewing early does not cost you time on your license.
What happens if your license is suspended or has restrictions
If your Missouri driver's license is suspended, you cannot renew it until the suspension is lifted. You must contact the Missouri Department of Revenue to find out why it is suspended and what you need to do to clear it. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or a medical suspension.
If your license has restrictions — such as corrective lenses required, automatic transmission only, or daylight driving only — those restrictions carry over to your renewed license automatically. If you believe a restriction no longer applies, you must visit a license office in person to have it removed, usually with documentation from a doctor or eye specialist.
Renewing with a name change or address change
If you have changed your name since your last license, you must renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document that changed your name — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You cannot renew by mail with a name change.
If you have moved to a new address within Missouri, you can update your address during mail renewal by writing the new address on the renewal form. If you have moved out of Missouri, you cannot renew a Missouri license by mail; you must visit a license office in person or let the license expire and get a license in your new state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Missouri driver's license online?
No. Missouri does not offer online renewal. You can renew by mail if your license is still valid or expired less than five years, or in person at any Missouri license office. There is no online option.
What if I lost my current license and cannot bring it to renewal?
You can still renew in person without your current license. Bring your identity and residency documents, and the license office will look up your record. You will pay the standard renewal fee. If you also need a replacement for the lost license, that is a separate transaction with its own fee.
Do I need a new photo for mail renewal?
Yes. You must include a new photo with your mail renewal process. It must be a color photo, 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months. A digital photo printed on regular paper is acceptable.
How long does a renewed Missouri license last?
A standard Missouri driver's license is valid for four or eight years from the date of renewal, depending on which term you choose when you renew. You can choose either length; the fee is $24.50 for four years or $42 for eight years.
What if my address on file with Missouri is wrong?
If you are renewing by mail, write the correct address on the renewal form. If you are renewing in person, tell the license office staff the correct address and they will update it. Bring a residency document showing the correct address to speed up the process.