What You Need to Know About Missouri License Renewal
In Missouri, you can renew your driver's license in person at a Driver License Office, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the Missouri Department of Revenue website. Most people renew every six or eight years, depending on their age and license type. The process is straightforward, but the route you take depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have left, and what type of license you hold.
You'll receive a renewal notice in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. This notice tells you your expiration date, which renewal method you're allowed to use, and what documents you'll need. Don't wait until the last minute—if your license expires before you complete renewal, you cannot legally drive, and you may face fines.
Key Takeaways
- Missouri sends you a renewal notice about 60 days before your license expires; check the mail and note your expiration date.
- You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a Driver License Office, but not all methods work for every person—your notice tells you which ones you're allowed to use.
- Online renewal costs $10.50 and takes a few minutes; mail renewal costs $7.50 and takes one to two weeks; in-person renewal costs $10.50 and requires a visit to an office.
- You must bring proof of identity, proof of Missouri residency, and your Social Security number to renew in person.
- If you've changed your name, address, or medical information since your last license, you may need to bring additional documents or renew in person instead of online or by mail.
Online Renewal Through the Missouri Department of Revenue
Online renewal is the fastest and most convenient option if you're allowed to use it. You go to the Missouri Department of Revenue website, enter your driver's license number and date of birth, answer security questions, review your information, and pay the $10.50 fee with a debit or credit card. The whole process takes about five minutes. Your new license arrives in the mail within seven to ten business days.
You can only renew online if your current license is still valid (not expired), you have no medical restrictions or changes to report, your address hasn't changed, and your name is the same as it appears on your current license. If any of these conditions don't explore to you, your renewal notice will say so, and you'll need to use mail or in-person renewal instead.
Mail Renewal for may be able to access Drivers
Mail renewal works if you meet the same conditions as online renewal. You fill out the form that comes with your renewal notice, include a check or money order for $7.50, and mail everything to the address printed on the form. Processing takes one to two weeks, and your new license arrives by mail.
Mail renewal is cheaper than online or in-person, but it's slower. Use this method only if you have time before your license expires. If you're within two weeks of expiration and choose mail renewal, your license may expire before the new one arrives, leaving you unable to drive legally.
In-Person Renewal at a Driver License Office
You must renew in person if you've changed your name, moved to a new address, have new medical information to report, or if your renewal notice says you're not allowed to renew online or by mail. You can also choose in-person renewal even if you're allowed to use other methods—it's useful if you want your new license the same day or need to update your information.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of Missouri residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your current address), and your Social Security number. If you've changed your name, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change. The fee is $10.50. Processing takes a few minutes, and you receive a temporary paper license on the spot; your plastic card arrives in the mail within seven to ten business days.
Find your nearest Driver License Office on the Missouri Department of Revenue website. Many offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, but hours vary by location. Some offices accept walk-ins; others require you to book an appointment online or by phone. Check before you go.
What Happens If Your License Has Already Expired
If your license is already expired, you cannot renew it by mail or online. You must go to a Driver License Office in person. Bring the same documents you would for a regular in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. The fee is still $10.50.
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Missouri, even if you've started the renewal process. If you're pulled over, you can be cited. If your license has been expired for more than a year, you may need to pass the written test and vision test again, depending on how long it's been. Ask the Driver License Office when you visit.
License Types and Renewal Rules
Standard driver's licenses in Missouri expire every six or eight years, depending on your age. Licenses for drivers under 21 expire after six years. Licenses for drivers 21 and older expire after eight years. Your renewal notice tells you your specific expiration date.
If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), you cannot renew by mail or online—you must renew in person at a Driver License Office. You'll need to pass a medical examination and provide a Medical Examiner's Certificate. If you hold a Real ID-compliant license (marked with a gold star), renewal works the same way as a standard license, but you must bring documents that prove your identity and residency when you renew in person.
Fees and Payment Methods
Online renewal costs $10.50 and accepts debit or credit cards. Mail renewal costs $7.50 and requires a check or money order. In-person renewal costs $10.50 and accepts cash, check, debit card, or credit card, depending on the office. Some Driver License Offices may not accept all payment methods, so call ahead if you're unsure.
These fees cover the license itself. If you need a duplicate license (because yours was lost or stolen), the fee is different—ask the Driver License Office or check the Missouri Department of Revenue website for current duplicate license fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I've moved out of state?
No. If you no longer live in Missouri, you need to get a license from your new state instead. You cannot renew a Missouri license by mail or online if you've moved, and in-person renewal requires proof of current Missouri residency.
What if I lost my renewal notice?
You don't need the notice to renew. You can go to a Driver License Office in person with your current license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. You can also call the Missouri Department of Revenue to ask about your expiration date or to request a new notice be mailed to you.
How long does a renewed license take to arrive in the mail?
Seven to ten business days for online or in-person renewal. One to two weeks for mail renewal. If you renew in person, you get a temporary paper license when ready that's valid until your plastic card arrives.
Can I renew early, before my license expires?
Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. Early renewal extends your expiration date from the new renewal date, not from your old one, so renewing very early means your new license will expire sooner than if you waited.
What if my name or address changed since my last license?
If your name changed, you must renew in person and bring proof of the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). If only your address changed, you can renew online or by mail as long as your renewal notice says you're allowed to, but you'll need to update your address during the renewal process.