Missouri driver's licenses expire every six or eight years, depending on your age and license type

A standard Missouri driver's license is valid for six years if you are under 70 years old. If you are 70 or older, your license expires every three years. These timelines explore to both regular licenses and commercial driver's licenses (CDLs), though CDLs have additional renewal requirements beyond just the expiration date.

Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license in the bottom right corner. Missouri does not send renewal reminders by mail, so it is your responsibility to track when your license expires and renew it before that date. Driving on an expired license is illegal, even if you only expired yesterday.

The state does offer one way to extend your timeline: if you renew early, you can add time to your current license rather than starting fresh. This means you do not have to wait until the last minute to renew.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Missouri driver's licenses expire six years from the issue date if you are under 70, and every three years if you are 70 or older.
  • Your expiration date appears on the front of your physical license in the bottom right corner.
  • Missouri does not mail renewal reminders, so you must check your license yourself and renew before it expires.
  • You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, and the new expiration date will be calculated from your renewal date.
  • Driving with an expired license is illegal and can result in a traffic citation.

When your license expires based on your age

If you are under 70 years old, your Missouri driver's license is valid for six years from the date it was issued. This applies whether you received a standard license, a commercial driver's license, or a motorcycle endorsement.

Once you turn 70, the renewal cycle changes. At your next renewal, your new license will expire three years later instead of six. After that, every renewal will be for a three-year period. This shorter cycle is standard in many states and reflects the additional medical and vision screening that drivers 70 and older must complete.

If your birthday falls between now and your expiration date, your age on the expiration date is what matters. You do not automatically renew just because you turn 70; you renew on your scheduled expiration date, and that renewal will be for three years if you are 70 or older at that time.

How to find your expiration date

Look at the front of your physical driver's license. In the bottom right corner, you will see a date labeled "Expires" or "EXP." This is your expiration date. Write it down or set a phone reminder for one month before that date so you do not forget.

If you have lost your license or cannot locate it, you can call the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407 to ask for your expiration date. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, and driver's license number if you have it. You can also visit a Missouri license office in person and ask staff to look it up for you.

Renewing before your license expires

Missouri allows you to renew your license up to one year before it expires. This is useful if you know you will be traveling or if you want to avoid the rush closer to your expiration date. When you renew early, your new expiration date is calculated from the date you renew, not from your old expiration date.

For example, if your license expires on March 15, 2025, and you renew on January 15, 2025, your new license will expire six years from January 15, 2025 (or three years if you are 70 or older). You do not get to keep the March 15 date and add six years to it.

You can renew in person at any Missouri license office, or you can renew by mail if you meet certain conditions. Mail renewal is available if your license is not suspended or revoked, you have not had any violations in the past three years, and you are not required to take a new photo.

What happens if your license expires

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Missouri. If you are pulled over, you can be cited for operating with an expired license, which is a traffic violation. This citation can result in a fine and may affect your driving record.

An expired license also means you cannot legally use it for identification purposes. If you need to show ID at a bank, airport, or other location, an expired license will not be accepted.

If your license has been expired for less than one year, you can renew it through the normal renewal process. If it has been expired for more than one year, you may need to retake the written test and vision test, depending on how long it has been expired. Contact a Missouri license office to find out what you will need to do.

Renewing your Missouri license

You can renew your license in three ways: in person at a Missouri license office, by mail, or online through the Missouri Department of Revenue website. In-person renewal is the most straightforward option and takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

To renew in person, bring your current license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2 form). You will also need to pass a vision test. If you are 70 or older, you will also need to pass a medical evaluation form signed by your doctor.

Mail renewal requires you to mail in your current license along with the renewal form and any required documents. The process takes longer than in-person renewal—typically two to three weeks—because the form must be processed by mail.

Online renewal is available for some drivers but not all. You can check the Missouri Department of Revenue website to see if you are may be able to access. Online renewal is faster than mail renewal but may not be an option if you need a new photo or if your license is suspended or revoked.

License renewal for drivers 70 and older

Drivers 70 and older must complete additional steps when renewing their license. In addition to the standard renewal documents, you must bring a medical evaluation form completed by your doctor within the past 12 months. This form confirms that you are physically and mentally able to drive safely.

Your doctor does not need to perform a full physical exam. The form is a brief checklist that your doctor can complete during a regular visit. Many doctors' offices are familiar with this form and can complete it quickly. If your doctor is not familiar with it, you can read the form from the Missouri Department of Revenue website and bring it with you to your appointment.

The vision test requirement is the same for all drivers, regardless of age. You will need to pass a vision screening at the license office during renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license expires tomorrow?

No. Your license must be valid on the date you are driving. If it expires tomorrow, you cannot legally drive starting tomorrow. You must renew before the expiration date. If you are close to expiring and cannot renew in time, contact a Missouri license office when ready to see if they can fit you in for an emergency renewal appointment.

What if I renew my license but the new one has not arrived yet?

If you renewed in person at a license office, you should receive your new license in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. During that time, you can drive on your old license as long as it has not expired. If you renewed by mail, the process takes longer—typically two to three weeks. Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue if your new license does not arrive within the expected timeframe.

Do I need to renew my license if I move to another state?

No, you do not need to renew your Missouri license just because you moved. However, most states require you to get a license from your new state within a certain period (usually 30 to 60 days). Check your new state's requirements. You can keep your Missouri license as long as it is valid, but you will not be able to use it as proof of residency in your new state.

What if my license was suspended or revoked?

You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must first resolve the suspension or revocation with the Missouri Department of Revenue. Contact them to find out what steps you need to take to restore your driving privileges. Once your license is restored, you can then renew it if it has expired.

Can I get a license that lasts longer than six years?

No. Missouri sets the expiration period at six years for drivers under 70 and three years for drivers 70 and older. You cannot request a longer validity period. However, you can renew early if you want to push your expiration date further into the future.