What a Missouri hardship license does and who can get one
A Missouri hardship license (officially called a Restricted Driving Permit) lets you drive for specific purposes even though your license is suspended. You can drive to work, school, medical appointments, court-ordered programs, or to get groceries and gas — but only for those reasons, and only during the hours the permit allows.
You can request one if your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines, child support arrears, or a DWI conviction. You cannot get a hardship license if your suspension is for medical reasons (like failing a vision test) or if you were caught driving with a suspended license. The permit does not restore your full driving privileges — it is a limited exception to a suspension that is still in effect.
Missouri issues the permit through the Missouri Department of Revenue, and you will need to request it in person at a local driver license office. The process takes a few days to a few weeks, depending on the reason for your suspension and whether you have completed any required steps (like paying fines or attending a DWI program).
Key Takeaways
- A Missouri hardship license lets you drive only for work, school, medical care, court programs, and essential errands — not for any other reason.
- You must request the permit in person at a Missouri Department of Revenue driver license office with proof of your suspension reason and documentation of your need to drive.
- The permit shows the specific hours you are allowed to drive and the purposes for which you can drive; driving outside those limits is a separate offense.
- You may need to pay a reinstatement fee, complete a DWI program, or show proof of paying child support or traffic fines before the permit is issued.
- A hardship license does not remove your suspension — it only allows limited driving while the suspension remains active.
Reasons your license was suspended and what each requires
Missouri suspends licenses for different reasons, and what you need to bring to the driver license office depends on why your license was suspended in the first place.
Unpaid traffic fines: If your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic ticket, you will need to show proof that you have paid the fine or made a payment arrangement with the court. Bring a receipt or a letter from the court showing the payment or plan. You will also need to pay a reinstatement fee to the Department of Revenue (the amount varies by county).
Child support arrears: If the suspension is due to unpaid child support, bring a letter from the Missouri Family Support Division showing that you have made a payment or set up a payment plan. You will also need to pay the reinstatement fee.
DWI conviction: If your license was suspended because of a DWI, you must have completed (or be enrolled in) a DWI education program approved by Missouri. Bring proof of completion or enrollment. You will also need to pay the reinstatement fee and may need to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, depending on your BAC at the time of arrest and whether this is a repeat offense.
Documents and information to bring to the driver license office
When you go to request your hardship license, bring your current ID (even though it is suspended, you still have the physical card) and your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. You will also need proof of your Missouri residency — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days.
Bring the specific document that shows your suspension reason has been addressed: a court receipt for paid fines, a letter from Family Support Division about child support, or proof of DWI program completion. If you are requesting the permit because you need to drive to work, bring a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title, work schedule, and the dates you need to drive. If you need to drive to school, bring an enrollment letter or class schedule. For medical appointments, bring a letter from your doctor or a medical facility stating that you have ongoing treatment and the frequency of appointments.
You will also need to pay the reinstatement fee at the time you request the permit. The fee is not the same across all Missouri counties; call your local driver license office to find out the exact amount before you go.
How to request your hardship license at the driver license office
Find your nearest Missouri Department of Revenue driver license office on the state website. You do not need an appointment — you can walk in during business hours, though wait times vary. Bring all the documents listed above.
Tell the staff member that you are requesting a Restricted Driving Permit due to a license suspension. They will review your documents, verify that your suspension reason has been addressed (or that you are in compliance with a payment plan), and ask you about the hours you need to drive and the purposes. Be specific: if you work 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, say that. If you also need to drive to a DWI class on Wednesday evenings, mention that too.
The staff member will issue the permit on the spot or tell you it will be mailed to you within a few days. The permit is a small card that you must carry with your ID whenever you drive. It shows the allowed hours and purposes. Driving outside those hours or for other reasons is a violation and can result in additional charges.
What the permit allows and what it does not
Your hardship license permit will list the specific purposes you can drive for and the hours during which you can drive. Common allowed purposes are: driving to and from work, driving to school or a court-ordered program, driving to medical appointments, and driving to purchase groceries, gas, or other essential items. The hours are usually set around your work schedule — for example, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
You cannot use the permit to drive for any other reason. You cannot drive to a restaurant, a friend's house, a store that is not for groceries or gas, or anywhere else not listed on the permit. You cannot drive outside the allowed hours, even if it is for an allowed purpose. If you are stopped by police and cannot show that your driving was within the permit's limits, you can be charged with driving with a suspended license, which carries fines and possible jail time.
The permit does not restore your license. Your suspension is still active. If the suspension period ends (for example, if you were suspended for one year and that year passes), your license is automatically reinstated and you no longer need the hardship permit. If your suspension is indefinite or conditional, you will need to meet the conditions to have it lifted.
Ignition interlock devices and DWI suspensions
If your suspension is due to a DWI conviction, Missouri may require you to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle before you can use your hardship license. An ignition interlock is a breathalyzer connected to your car's ignition — you must blow into it and pass a breath test before the car will start.
Whether you need an interlock depends on your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of arrest and whether you have prior DWI convictions. If your BAC was 0.15 or higher, or if you have a prior DWI within the past five years, an interlock is required. The device costs money to install and monitor (usually $60 to $100 per month), and you are responsible for that cost.
If an interlock is required, you cannot use your hardship license until it is installed. Bring proof of installation to the driver license office when you request the permit, or the office will tell you to return once it is installed. The interlock requirement stays in place for a set period — usually six months to one year — even after your suspension ends.
How long the hardship license lasts and what happens when it expires
A hardship license is valid for the duration of your suspension. If you were suspended for one year, the permit lasts one year. If your suspension is indefinite (meaning it has no set end date), the permit lasts until you meet the conditions to have the suspension lifted — for example, until you pay off all child support arrears or complete a DWI program.
When your suspension ends, your license is automatically reinstated and your hardship permit is no longer valid. You do not need to do anything — you can straightforward drive normally once the suspension period is over. If you are unsure when your suspension ends, call the Missouri Department of Revenue or check your suspension letter.
If you need to change the purposes or hours on your permit (for example, if you change jobs), you can request a new permit at the driver license office. Bring documentation of the change (a new employment letter, a new class schedule) and pay any required fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to places not listed on my hardship license if it is an emergency?
No. The permit is strict about allowed purposes and hours. Driving outside those limits, even for an emergency, is a violation. If you have a genuine emergency, call 911 instead of driving yourself. If you have a recurring need that is not on your permit (like a medical appointment), go back to the driver license office and request an updated permit.
What happens if I am stopped by police while driving on my hardship license?
Show the officer your hardship license permit along with your ID. The officer will verify that your driving is within the allowed purposes and hours. If it is, you can go. If it is not, you can be cited for driving with a suspended license, which carries fines and possible jail time.
Do I have to install an ignition interlock if my DWI suspension requires one?
Yes. If an interlock is required for your suspension, you cannot use your hardship license without one. You must have it installed before you request the permit, or the driver license office will tell you to return once it is installed.
Can I get a hardship license if I was caught driving with a suspended license?
No. If you were driving with a suspended license and were caught, you are not may be able to access for a hardship permit. Your suspension will be extended, and you will need to wait out the new suspension period before you can request a permit.
What if I lose my hardship license permit card?
Go to the driver license office and request a replacement. Bring your ID and proof of residency. You will likely need to pay a replacement fee. Until you get the replacement, you should not drive, because you cannot prove you have a valid permit.