Missouri driver's license renewal: the basic path
In Missouri, you can renew your driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a Driver License Office. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time is left before expiration, and whether you need to update your photo. Most people renew online or by mail without visiting an office at all.
Your Missouri license is valid for six years from the date it was issued. You can begin the renewal process up to one year before your license expires. The state will mail your new license to the address on file, which typically takes five to seven business days after approval.
Key Takeaways
- Missouri allows online renewal for most drivers, and you can start the process up to one year before your license expires.
- If you renew online or by mail, you do not need to visit a Driver License Office or provide a new photo unless your license has been expired for more than one year.
- You will need your current Missouri driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method (credit or debit card) to renew online.
- If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must renew in person and will need to pass a vision test and provide a new photo.
- The renewal fee in Missouri is $24.50 for a six-year license, and you can check your renewal status online using your license number and date of birth.
Renewing online: the fastest option for most drivers
The Missouri Department of Revenue's online renewal system is the quickest way to renew if your license is still valid or expired less than one year ago. You will go to the state's official renewal website, enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and answer a few questions about whether any of your information has changed.
You will need your current license, your Social Security number, and a credit or debit card to pay the $24.50 renewal fee. The system will confirm your address and ask whether you want to keep it the same or update it. Once you submit, the state processes your renewal and mails your new license within five to seven business days.
Online renewal works only if your license expired less than one year ago. If your license has been expired for more than a year, you cannot renew online and must visit a Driver License Office in person.
Renewing by mail if you prefer not to go online
You can also renew by mail using the renewal notice the state sends to your address before your license expires. This notice includes a form you fill out, sign, and mail back to the address printed on the form along with your payment. Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal—typically two to three weeks for processing, plus mailing time in both directions.
Like online renewal, mail renewal is only available if your current license is still valid or has been expired for less than one year. You do not need to provide a new photo or visit an office. If you do not receive a renewal notice in the mail, you can request one by calling the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407.
In-person renewal at a Driver License Office
You must renew in person if your license has been expired for more than one year. You will also need to visit an office in person if you want to update your photo before expiration, change your address, or correct information on your license.
Bring your current Missouri driver's license (or an expired license if your current one is lost), proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease). You will take a vision test and have a new photo taken. The fee is $24.50 for a six-year license.
You can find your nearest Driver License Office on the Missouri Department of Revenue website. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require appointments. Call ahead or check online to see whether your local office takes appointments and what hours it keeps.
What happens if your license expires while you are waiting
If you start your renewal before your license expires but it expires before your new license arrives, you are still considered to have a valid license during the renewal process. You can drive legally while waiting for your new license in the mail, as long as you started the renewal before the expiration date.
If your license has already expired and you did not start renewal before that date, you cannot drive legally until your new license arrives. In that case, you must renew in person at a Driver License Office.
Updating your address or other information during renewal
If you moved and need to update your address, you can do so during online or mail renewal. The online system will ask whether your address is still correct and give you the option to change it. If you are renewing by mail, you can write your new address on the renewal form.
If you need to change your name, correct an error on your license, or update information beyond your address, you must renew in person. Bring documents that support the change—such as a marriage certificate for a name change or a corrected birth certificate for a name or date-of-birth correction.
Checking the status of your renewal
After you renew online or by mail, you can check the status of your renewal on the Missouri Department of Revenue website. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The status will tell you whether your renewal has been received, approved, or mailed.
If you do not see your renewal in the system after a week, or if you have questions about your specific case, call the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407. They can tell you whether your renewal was received and when you can expect your new license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Missouri license if I have an out-of-state address?
Yes. You can renew online or by mail even if you have moved out of state, as long as your license is still valid or expired less than one year ago. Update your address during the renewal process to your current out-of-state address, and your new license will be mailed there.
What if I lost my license and need to renew it?
If your license is lost and expired or expiring soon, you must renew in person at a Driver License Office. Bring proof of your identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your address. You will pay the renewal fee plus a replacement fee for the lost license.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
No, not unless your license has been expired for more than one year or you are renewing in person. If you renew online or by mail before your license expires or within one year of expiration, the state will use your existing photo. If you want a new photo before your license expires, you can renew in person.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online and mail renewals typically take five to seven business days for the state to process and mail your new license. In-person renewals are faster—you receive a temporary paper license at the office and your plastic license arrives by mail within one to two weeks.
What if my renewal was rejected?
If your online or mail renewal is rejected, the state will send you a notice explaining why. Common reasons include a mismatch in your personal information or an issue with your payment. Call the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407 to find out what went wrong and whether you need to renew in person instead.