How to renew your Missouri driver's license online, by mail, or in person
You can renew your Missouri driver's license through three routes: online at dmv.mo.gov, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a Missouri Department of Revenue office. The online option is fastest and costs $11.50 for a four-year renewal or $16.50 for an eight-year renewal. You'll need your current license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method. Most online renewals are processed within two business days.
If you cannot renew online — because your license is expired by more than five years, you've had a name change, or you need to update your address — you must renew in person or by mail. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires you to send your current license, a completed DL 44 form, and a check or money order. In-person renewal at a revenue office takes about 30 minutes and lets you walk out with a temporary license the same day.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal at dmv.mo.gov is the fastest option and works if your license is current or expired less than five years and you have no address or name changes.
- Mail renewal requires you to send your physical license, a DL 44 form, and payment to the Missouri Department of Revenue, and takes two to three weeks.
- In-person renewal at any Missouri revenue office lets you receive a temporary license when ready and a permanent one by mail within two weeks.
- Missouri driver's licenses expire on your birthday, and you can renew up to one year before expiration without penalty.
- If you need a REAL ID-compliant license, you must renew in person and bring proof of citizenship and residency, which costs an extra $5.50.
Online renewal: the fastest route if your situation is straightforward
Online renewal works if your current license is valid or expired less than five years, your name and address are unchanged, and you have no suspensions or holds. Go to dmv.mo.gov, select "Renew Driver License," and enter your license number, date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and ask you to review your information.
You'll pay $11.50 for a four-year renewal or $16.50 for an eight-year renewal by credit card or debit card. After you submit payment, you'll receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within two business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
If the system tells you that you cannot renew online, it will explain why — usually because your license has been expired too long, you have a suspension, or your address needs updating. In that case, you'll need to renew in person or by mail.
Mail renewal: sending your license and documents by post
Mail renewal is an option if your license is expired less than five years and you have no address or name changes. Complete a DL 44 form (available at dmv.mo.gov or at any revenue office), sign it, and mail it along with your current physical license and a check or money order for $11.50 (four years) or $16.50 (eight years) to the Missouri Department of Revenue, Driver Licensing Bureau, P.O. Box 200, Jefferson City, MO 65105.
Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the office receives your envelope. You will not receive a temporary license, so plan ahead if you need to drive before your new license arrives. Once processed, your new license will be mailed to the address on file, and your old license will be destroyed.
Keep a copy of your DL 44 form and your check or money order number for your records. If your envelope is lost in the mail, you'll have proof of what you sent. Mail renewal is slower than online renewal but requires no office visit.
In-person renewal at a Missouri revenue office
In-person renewal is required if your license is expired more than five years, you have a name change, you need to update your address, or you have a suspension or hold. Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days). You do not need an appointment at most offices, but you can check wait times at dmv.mo.gov before you go.
At the office, you'll complete a DL 44 form, have your photo taken, and pay the renewal fee. You'll receive a temporary paper license to drive on when ready while your permanent license is mailed to you within two weeks. The temporary license is valid for 30 days and has the same driving privileges as your permanent license.
Bring your payment method — cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Some offices accept all four; others may be limited. Call ahead if you're unsure. The entire process usually takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on how busy the office is.
REAL ID renewal: the extra step for federal purposes
If you need a REAL ID-compliant license — required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building — you must renew in person, not online or by mail. REAL ID renewal costs an extra $5.50 on top of the standard renewal fee. You'll need to bring proof of citizenship (a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers) and two forms of proof of residency (utility bills, lease, bank statements, or insurance documents dated within 90 days).
A REAL ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner. If your current license does not have this star and you need one, you must renew in person. If your current license already has the star, you can renew online or by mail and keep the REAL ID status — you do not need to bring citizenship documents again.
Missouri began issuing REAL ID licenses in 2009. If you are unsure whether your license is REAL ID-compliant, check the upper right corner for the star, or call your local revenue office.
What to do if your license is suspended or has a hold
If your license is suspended — usually for unpaid traffic fines, unpaid child support, or a medical condition — you cannot renew it online or by mail. You must go in person to a Missouri revenue office. The office will check your record and tell you what must be resolved before renewal can proceed. Common holds include unpaid court fines (contact the court), unpaid child support (contact the Family Support Division), or an unpaid toll violation (contact the toll authority).
Once the hold is cleared, you can renew in person that same day. Bring proof that the issue has been resolved — a receipt from the court, a letter from the Family Support Division, or a paid toll notice. If you cannot clear the hold when ready, you'll need to resolve it first, then return to renew.
Renewal timeline and expiration dates
Missouri driver's licenses expire on your birthday. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires without any penalty or fee increase. Renewing early is a good strategy if you know you'll be busy around your birthday or if you want to avoid a rush at the revenue office.
If your license has already expired, you can still renew it, but the process depends on how long it has been expired. If it expired less than five years ago, you can renew online or by mail. If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person. Driving on an expired license is illegal in Missouri, so renew as soon as possible after expiration.
The table below shows the timeline for each renewal method:
| Renewal Method | Processing Time | When You Can Drive | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | 2 business days | On your current license until new one arrives | $11.50 or $16.50 |
| 2–3 weeks | On your current license until new one arrives | $11.50 or $16.50 | |
| In-person | 2 weeks for permanent; same day for temporary | Temporary license same day; permanent by mail | $11.50 or $16.50 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Missouri license if I live out of state?
Yes, you can renew online or by mail from anywhere. Online renewal is fastest. If you need to renew in person or need a REAL ID, you'll have to visit a Missouri revenue office in person, which means traveling to Missouri or requesting a temporary extension while you arrange a trip.
What if I lost my current license?
You cannot renew by mail or online without your current license number. You'll need to replace your license first by going in person to a revenue office with proof of identity and residency. Replacement costs $11.50. Once you have a new license, you can renew it normally.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?
If you renew online or by mail, the office will use your current photo. If you renew in person, you'll have a new photo taken. If you want a new photo but are renewing online or by mail, you'll need to renew in person instead.
How long is my temporary license valid?
Your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days from the date it's issued. Your permanent license should arrive by mail within two weeks, but the temporary gives you time if there's a delay. Once your permanent license arrives, the temporary is no longer valid.
What if my new license arrives damaged or with wrong information?
Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue when ready with your confirmation number or temporary license. They can reissue your license at no extra cost if the error was made by the office. If the damage happened after you received it, you'll need to replace it, which costs $11.50.