Renew your Missouri permit by mail, online, or in person before the expiration date on your card

Missouri lets you renew your driver's permit through three routes: mail, the Missouri Department of Revenue website, or a local license office. Which one you use depends on how much time you have left and whether your address or other information has changed. Mail renewal is slowest but requires no trip. Online renewal is fastest if your permit is still valid. In-person renewal at a license office takes one visit but can mean a wait.

Your permit expires on the date printed on the front. Missouri does not send renewal reminders, so check your card now. You can renew up to one year before expiration, which means you do not have to wait until the last week.

Key Takeaways

  • Missouri permits expire on the date printed on your card, and you can renew up to one year before that date.
  • Online renewal through the Missouri Department of Revenue website is the fastest option if your address and personal information have not changed.
  • Mail renewal takes two to three weeks but requires no office visit; send your permit, the renewal form, and the fee to the address on the form.
  • In-person renewal at a license office is when ready but requires a visit and may involve a wait, especially near the end of the month.
  • If your address has changed, you must renew in person or update your address online before mailing in a renewal.

Online renewal through the Missouri Department of Revenue website

The Missouri Department of Revenue website allows you to renew online if your permit is still valid and your address has not changed. Go to dor.mo.gov, find the driver's license section, and select the renewal option. You will need your permit number (on the front of your card) and a valid payment method. The fee varies depending on how many years you are renewing for — typically $11.50 per year for a standard permit.

Online renewal is when ready: you receive a temporary digital permit on screen that you can use when ready while your physical card is mailed to you. The new card arrives in five to seven business days. This route works only if nothing about your identity or address has changed since your last renewal.

Mail renewal when you cannot visit an office

To renew by mail, request a renewal form from the Missouri Department of Revenue or read it from dor.mo.gov. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it with your current permit and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash.

Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the department receives your envelope. Your new permit will be mailed to the address on your process. If you need your permit sooner, this is not the right route — use online or in-person renewal instead. Mail renewal also works only if your address and personal information have not changed.

In-person renewal at a Missouri license office

You can walk into any Missouri license office and renew on the spot. Bring your current permit, proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 90 days). If you have changed your address since your last renewal, you must renew in person or update your address online first.

The fee is the same as online or mail renewal. You will receive your new permit when ready, though some offices have longer waits near the end of the month or on Fridays. Check the Missouri Department of Revenue website for your local office's hours and location.

What happens if your permit expires before you renew

If your permit expires, you cannot legally drive. You must renew before you can get back on the road. Expired permits cannot be renewed by mail or online — you must go to a license office in person. Bring the same documents as a standard in-person renewal (current permit, proof of Social Security number, proof of address).

Some states allow a grace period after expiration, but Missouri does not. An expired permit is not valid, even if you are only one day past the expiration date. If you are stopped while driving with an expired permit, you can be cited.

Changing your address during renewal

If you have moved since your last renewal, you have two options. You can update your address online through the Missouri Department of Revenue website, then renew by mail or online. Or you can renew in person at a license office and provide your new address on the process.

Do not attempt to renew by mail with an old address — the department will mail your new permit to the address on your process, and if that is wrong, you will not receive it. If you update your address online and then renew online or by mail, your new permit will go to the correct location.

Renewal fees and how long permits last

Missouri driver's permits are valid for four or six years depending on your age and the type of permit you hold. The renewal fee is $11.50 per year of validity — so a four-year renewal costs $46, and a six-year renewal costs $69. You pay the same fee whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.

Permits for drivers under 21 are typically valid for four years. Permits for drivers 21 and older are valid for six years. Check the expiration date on your current permit to see how long yours lasts, or call your local license office if you are unsure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my permit if it has already expired?

Yes, but you must renew in person at a license office. Expired permits cannot be renewed by mail or online. Bring your expired permit, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. You cannot legally drive with an expired permit, even for one day.

How long does it take to get my new permit after I renew online?

Your temporary digital permit appears on screen when ready after you complete the online renewal. Your physical card arrives by mail in five to seven business days. You can use the digital permit right away while you wait for the card.

What if I moved and did not update my address before renewing?

If you renewed by mail or online with an old address, your new permit will be mailed to that address. Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue to report the error and request that your permit be reissued to your correct address. This may delay receiving your card.

Do I have to renew in person if my name changed?

Yes. If you changed your name since your last renewal, you must renew in person at a license office. Bring your current permit, legal proof of your name change (marriage certificate, court order, or divorce decree), proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address.

Can I renew my permit more than a year before it expires?

No. Missouri allows renewal up to one year before expiration, but not earlier. If you try to renew more than a year in advance, the system will reject your process. Wait until your permit is within one year of expiration.