Report the loss and order a replacement through the Missouri Department of Revenue
If you've lost your Missouri driver's license, you have two main routes: report it in person at a Missouri license office, or order a replacement online through the Missouri Department of Revenue website. The online route is faster if you're not concerned about a police report — you can order a replacement without leaving home, and it arrives by mail in about 7 to 10 business days. The in-person route takes a few hours but gives you a temporary paper license on the spot.
Before you choose, decide whether you need to file a police report. If you're worried the license could be used for fraud or identity theft, file a report with your local police department first. You don't need the report to order a replacement, but having one on record protects you if someone uses your lost license. The police report number isn't required by the Department of Revenue, but it's useful to have for your records.
Key Takeaways
- You can order a replacement online at dmv.mo.gov without visiting an office, and it will arrive in 7 to 10 business days.
- Going to a Missouri license office in person gives you a temporary paper license when ready, though the appointment may take a few hours.
- Filing a police report is optional but recommended if you're concerned about identity theft or fraud.
- The replacement fee is $11.50 for a standard license, and you'll need proof of identity and residency just as you did for your original license.
- If your license was suspended or revoked, you cannot order a replacement until your driving privileges are restored.
Ordering online through the Missouri Department of Revenue website
Go to dmv.mo.gov and select the option to order a replacement license. You'll need your Social Security number, date of birth, and the Missouri license number if you remember it (though it's not required). You'll also need a valid payment method — the Department of Revenue accepts credit and debit cards. The replacement fee is $11.50, and your new license will be mailed to the address on file with the state.
The online process takes about 10 minutes. Once you submit your order, you'll receive a confirmation email. Your replacement license should arrive within 7 to 10 business days, though delivery can take longer depending on mail volume. If you need to drive before it arrives, you have two options: request a temporary paper license when you order online (if that option is available), or visit a license office in person for an when ready temporary license.
Getting a temporary license at a Missouri license office
Visit any Missouri license office with proof of identity and proof of residency. Bring a document like a passport, birth certificate, or state ID card for identity, and a recent utility bill, lease, or bank statement for residency. You do not need to make an appointment at most offices, but some locations now use an online appointment system — check dmv.mo.gov for your local office's hours and whether appointments are required.
When you arrive, tell the staff member you lost your license and need a replacement. They'll verify your information in the system, take a new photo, and issue you a temporary paper license on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and allows you to drive while you wait for your permanent replacement to arrive by mail. The fee is the same: $11.50. Your permanent license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days.
What happens if your license was suspended or revoked
If your Missouri driving privileges were suspended or revoked at the time you lost your license, you cannot order a replacement until your suspension or revocation is lifted. The Department of Revenue will see the suspension in their system and deny your replacement request, whether you order online or in person.
To find out whether your license is suspended or revoked, check your driving record on dmv.mo.gov or call the Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407. If you have an active suspension, you'll need to resolve it first — this might mean paying a fine, completing a defensive driving course, or waiting out a suspension period. Once your driving privileges are restored, you can order your replacement license.
Protecting yourself from identity theft after losing your license
A lost driver's license is a real identity theft risk because it contains your name, date of birth, address, and license number. Consider placing a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — by contacting any one of them. A fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. You can place a free fraud alert that lasts one year, and you can renew it if needed.
You can also monitor your credit report for suspicious activity. You're may have access to to one free credit report per year from each bureau through annualcreditreport.com. If you see accounts or inquiries you don't recognize, contact the bureau and the creditor when ready. Filing a police report creates a paper trail that helps if you need to dispute fraudulent charges later.
Replacing your license if you've moved since your last renewal
If you've moved to a new address in Missouri since your license was issued, your replacement will be mailed to your current address on file with the Department of Revenue. Before you order a replacement, update your address on dmv.mo.gov or at a license office. If you don't update your address first, your new license will go to your old address and you'll have to request it be reissued to the correct one.
Updating your address online takes a few minutes and costs nothing. You can do it at the same time you order your replacement license, or before you visit a license office. If you update your address in person, the staff member can process both the address change and the replacement at the same time.
What to do if your replacement license doesn't arrive
If your replacement license doesn't arrive within 10 to 14 business days, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407. Have your confirmation number ready if you ordered online. The staff member can check whether your license was mailed and, if it was, provide you with tracking information or a new mailing address if yours has changed.
If your license was lost in the mail, the Department of Revenue can reissue it to a different address or hold it for pickup at a local license office. If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, you can request a temporary paper license at any license office — this is faster than waiting for mail delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a temporary license the same day I report my loss?
Yes, if you visit a Missouri license office in person. You'll receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent replacement is mailed to you. If you order online, you may be able to request a temporary license as part of that process, but you'll need to check with your local office for that option.
Do I have to file a police report to get a replacement license?
No. The Missouri Department of Revenue does not require a police report to issue a replacement. However, filing one is a good idea if you're concerned about identity theft, because it creates an official record that protects you if someone tries to use your lost license fraudulently.
What if I lost my license out of state?
You can still order a replacement online through dmv.mo.gov from anywhere. If you need a temporary license when ready, you'll have to visit a Missouri license office in person, or you can wait for your replacement to arrive by mail. Some states have reciprocal agreements that allow you to get a temporary license at their offices, but this varies — call the Missouri Department of Revenue to ask.
Will my replacement license have the same number as my lost one?
No. Your replacement license will have a new license number. This is standard practice when a license is lost or stolen. Update any records that reference your old license number — your insurance company, employer, or any other organization that has it on file.
How much does a replacement license cost?
The replacement fee is $11.50, whether you order online or in person. This is the same fee you paid for your original license. If you need a temporary paper license, that's included in the same fee — there's no extra charge.