What You Need to Do to Reinstate Your Missouri License
To reinstate a suspended Missouri driver's license, you must first contact the Missouri Department of Revenue to find out why your license was suspended and what specific steps are required. Most suspensions fall into one of three categories: unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear in court, or accumulation of points from traffic violations. Each reason has different reinstatement requirements, and you cannot move forward until you know which one applies to you.
The reinstatement process always involves paying a reinstatement fee to the Department of Revenue, but you may also need to pay outstanding fines, court costs, or other debts before the department will process your request. Once all requirements are met and fees are paid, the reinstatement is usually processed within one to three business days, though you should allow extra time if you are mailing documents by post.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue's Driver Services Bureau at 573-526-2407 or visit their website to learn the exact reason your license was suspended and what you must do to reinstate it.
- You must pay a reinstatement fee (the amount varies depending on the reason for suspension) plus any outstanding fines, court costs, or other debts before your license can be restored.
- If your suspension is due to failure to appear in court or unpaid traffic fines, you may need to resolve the underlying court case before the Department of Revenue will process reinstatement.
- Reinstatement can be completed in person at a Missouri license office, by mail, or online through the Department of Revenue's website if you meet certain conditions.
- Driving with a suspended license in Missouri is a crime and can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension.
Finding Out Why Your License Was Suspended
Before you can reinstate your license, you must know the reason for the suspension. The Missouri Department of Revenue maintains records of all suspensions and the cause of each one. You can contact them by phone at 573-526-2407 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time) or visit a Missouri license office in person.
When you call or visit, have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. The Department of Revenue staff will tell you the suspension reason, the reinstatement fee amount, and whether you owe any additional money to courts or other agencies. Write down all of this information before you hang up or leave the office, because you will need it to complete reinstatement.
If your suspension is related to a court case, the Department of Revenue may direct you to contact the specific court or prosecutor's office that handled your case. Do not skip this step — some suspensions cannot be lifted until the underlying court matter is resolved.
Paying Fines, Court Costs, and Other Debts
Most Missouri license suspensions require you to pay money before reinstatement can happen. The reinstatement fee itself is separate from any fines or court costs you may owe. Reinstatement fees in Missouri range from $20 to $100 depending on the suspension reason, but you will not know the exact amount until you contact the Department of Revenue.
If your suspension is due to unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay those amounts to the court that issued the ticket or citation. You cannot pay these through the Department of Revenue — you must pay the court directly. Contact the court clerk's office in the county where your ticket was issued to find out the exact amount owed and how to pay it.
If your suspension is due to failure to appear in court, you may need to appear in court or resolve the case before the Department of Revenue will lift the suspension. Some courts will allow you to resolve this by phone or mail, but others require you to appear in person. Call the court that issued the failure-to-appear order to ask what your options are.
Keep receipts and proof of payment for all fines and court costs. You will need to show these to the Department of Revenue when you request reinstatement.
Reinstatement Methods: In Person, By Mail, or Online
Missouri offers three ways to reinstate your license once all debts are paid and requirements are met. The fastest method is in person at a Missouri license office, where reinstatement can usually be completed the same day. You will need to bring your driver's license (if you have it), proof of payment for all fines and court costs, the reinstatement fee, and a valid form of identification.
You can also reinstate by mail. Send the reinstatement fee, proof of payment for any outstanding fines or court costs, and a completed reinstatement request form to the Missouri Department of Revenue, Driver Services Bureau, P.O. Box 200, Jefferson City, MO 65105. Processing by mail typically takes five to ten business days after the Department of Revenue receives your materials. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want the department to mail your new license to you.
Online reinstatement is available through the Missouri Department of Revenue website for certain suspension types. You can pay the reinstatement fee online using a credit or debit card, but you must still provide proof that any court fines or other debts have been paid. Check the Department of Revenue website to see if your suspension type is may be able to access for online reinstatement before you attempt this method.
What Happens After You Pay and Submit Your Reinstatement Request
Once the Department of Revenue receives your reinstatement fee and all required documentation, they will review your case to confirm that all suspension requirements have been met. If everything is in order, your license will be reinstated within one to three business days for in-person requests, or five to ten business days for mail requests.
You will receive written confirmation of reinstatement, either in person at the license office or by mail to the address you provided. If you completed reinstatement in person, you may receive a temporary driving permit that is valid until your new license arrives by mail. Keep this permit with you while driving.
If the Department of Revenue finds that you have not met all requirements, they will send you a letter explaining what is still needed. Do not drive until your license is officially reinstated, even if you believe you have completed all steps.
Point-Based Suspensions and Mandatory Waiting Periods
If your license was suspended because you accumulated too many points from traffic violations, the reinstatement process is different. Missouri suspends licenses when a driver reaches 12 or more points within a 12-month period. For a first point-based suspension, you must wait 30 days before you can request reinstatement. For a second suspension within five years, the waiting period is 60 days. For a third or subsequent suspension, the waiting period is one year.
During the waiting period, you cannot drive at all, even with a permit. Once the waiting period has passed, you must pay the reinstatement fee (currently $20 for point-based suspensions) and request reinstatement through the Department of Revenue. You do not need to pay additional fines or court costs for a point-based suspension unless you also have unpaid traffic tickets.
After reinstatement, your driving record will still show the points that caused the suspension. Points remain on your record for three years from the date of the violation. If you accumulate points again and reach 12 points within 12 months, your license will be suspended again.
Common Mistakes That Delay Reinstatement
One of the most common mistakes is paying the reinstatement fee to the wrong agency. Some drivers pay the fee to the court instead of the Department of Revenue, or vice versa. Before you send money anywhere, confirm with the Department of Revenue exactly where each payment should go and what the payment is for.
Another frequent error is failing to resolve the underlying court case before requesting reinstatement. If your suspension is due to failure to appear or unpaid fines, the court must confirm that the case is resolved before the Department of Revenue will lift the suspension. Do not assume the Department of Revenue will handle this — you must contact the court directly.
Drivers also sometimes attempt to reinstate online or by mail without confirming that their suspension type is may be able to access for that method. Some suspensions require an in-person visit to a license office. Check with the Department of Revenue before you submit materials by mail or online.
Finally, do not drive while your license is suspended, even if you have submitted a reinstatement request and believe it will be approved. Driving with a suspended license is a separate crime in Missouri and can result in additional fines up to $1,000, jail time up to one year, and an extended suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a temporary driving permit while my reinstatement is being processed?
If you reinstate in person at a license office, you may receive a temporary permit valid until your new license arrives by mail. If you reinstate by mail or online, you will not receive a temporary permit. You cannot drive until your license is officially reinstated.
What if I cannot pay all my fines and court costs at once?
Contact the court that issued the fines to ask about payment plans. Some courts will set up a payment arrangement that allows you to pay over time. Once you have an agreement in place, ask the court to notify the Department of Revenue. You may be able to reinstate your license while you are paying the remaining balance under the plan.
How long does reinstatement take if I do it in person?
In-person reinstatement at a Missouri license office usually takes one to three business days after you submit all required documents and fees. Some offices may process it the same day if you arrive early and the office is not busy, but do not count on same-day service.
Will my insurance rates go up after reinstatement?
Your insurance company will see the suspension on your driving record, and this may increase your rates. Contact your insurance company to ask how a suspension affects your policy. Some companies require you to notify them of the reinstatement, while others will discover it automatically when they renew your policy.
What if I was suspended for a DWI or DUI?
DWI and DUI suspensions have additional requirements beyond the standard reinstatement process. You may need to complete a substance abuse assessment, install an ignition interlock device, or complete a driver improvement course. Contact the Department of Revenue or the court that handled your case to learn what is required for your specific situation.