How Missouri Reinstates a Suspended or Revoked License

To reinstate your Missouri driver's license, you must first find out why it was suspended or revoked, then complete the specific steps the state requires for that reason. The Missouri Department of Revenue handles reinstatement, and the process differs depending on whether you were suspended for unpaid traffic fines, DWI, points accumulation, or another cause. You cannot straightforward renew your license online or at the DMV — you must clear the underlying issue first, then request reinstatement through the department.

The reinstatement fee in Missouri is $50, but you may also owe other costs depending on your suspension reason. For example, if your license was suspended for unpaid child support or court fines, you must pay those debts before the state will reinstate you. If you were suspended for a DWI, you may need to complete an alcohol education program and install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue to learn the specific reason your license was suspended or revoked, because the reinstatement steps vary by cause.
  • You must resolve the underlying issue — pay fines, complete a DWI program, or satisfy court orders — before the state will reinstate your license.
  • The reinstatement fee is $50, paid to the Department of Revenue when you request reinstatement.
  • After reinstatement is approved, you may need to renew your physical license card or obtain a new one, depending on your license's expiration date.
  • If your license was suspended for points, you must wait out any mandatory suspension period before requesting reinstatement.

Finding Out Why Your License Was Suspended

The first step is to contact the Missouri Department of Revenue's Driver License Bureau directly. You can call them at 573-526-2407 or visit a local Missouri license office in person. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. The department will tell you the exact reason for the suspension and what you must do to clear it.

Common suspension reasons in Missouri include unpaid traffic tickets, accumulation of points on your driving record, DWI conviction, failure to pay child support, failure to pay court-ordered fines, and failure to maintain car insurance. Each reason has its own resolution path. For example, if you were suspended for unpaid tickets, you must pay those tickets to the court that issued them — not to the Department of Revenue. If you were suspended for points, you must wait out the suspension period, which typically ranges from 30 days to one year depending on how many points triggered it.

Resolving the Underlying Issue Before Reinstatement

Once you know why your license was suspended, take the action required to resolve it. If you owe fines or tickets, contact the court listed on your citation and pay the full amount. Request a receipt or confirmation that the debt has been satisfied. If your suspension was due to unpaid child support, contact the Missouri Family Support Division or the court that ordered the support. If you failed to maintain insurance, obtain a new policy and keep proof of coverage.

For DWI suspensions, Missouri requires completion of an Alcohol and Drug Driving Offender Program (ADDOP) before reinstatement. You must attend a program approved by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. After completing the program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which you must provide to the Department of Revenue. Additionally, if your DWI conviction resulted in a mandatory suspension period, you must wait out that period — typically 30 days for a first offense — before you can even request reinstatement.

If your license was suspended for accumulating too many points, you must wait out the mandatory suspension period. Missouri suspends licenses for 30 days if you accumulate 8 points within 12 months, 60 days for 12 points within 12 months, or one year for 16 points within 24 months. You cannot shorten this waiting period, but once it ends, you can request reinstatement when ready.

Requesting Reinstatement from the Department of Revenue

After you have resolved the underlying issue, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue to request reinstatement. You can do this by mail, phone, or in person at a license office. If you explore by mail, send a letter to the Driver License Bureau stating your name, date of birth, driver's license number, and the reason your license was suspended. Include proof that you have resolved the issue — a receipt showing paid fines, a certificate of DWI program completion, proof of insurance, or a letter from the court confirming child support is current.

By phone, call 573-526-2407 and provide the same information. The department will verify that your suspension has been cleared and process your reinstatement request. By mail or phone, expect processing to take 5 to 10 business days. If you visit a license office in person, bring your proof of resolution and your $50 reinstatement fee. The office can often process reinstatement the same day, though you may need to wait for the physical license card to arrive by mail.

What Happens After Reinstatement Is Approved

Once the Department of Revenue approves your reinstatement, your driving privileges are restored when ready. However, you may still need to obtain a new physical license card. If your current license has not expired, you can continue using it to drive. If your license has expired or will expire within 30 days, you must renew it at a license office. Renewal requires a new photo, proof of residency, and the renewal fee.

If your reinstatement came with conditions — such as an ignition interlock requirement for a DWI — you must comply with those conditions to keep your license active. An ignition interlock device prevents your vehicle from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath. You must have the device installed by a certified vendor before you drive, and you must maintain it for the period ordered by the court, typically 6 months to one year.

Reinstating a License Suspended for Points

If your license was suspended because you accumulated too many points on your driving record, the reinstatement process is simpler than for other suspension types, but you must wait. Missouri adds points to your record for traffic violations like speeding, reckless driving, and at-fault accidents. Once you reach 8, 12, or 16 points within a set time frame, the state suspends your license automatically.

You cannot remove points or shorten the suspension period, but you can request reinstatement as soon as the mandatory suspension ends. The suspension period is 30 days for 8 points, 60 days for 12 points, or one year for 16 points. After that time has passed, contact the Department of Revenue with your driver's license number, and they will reinstate you. The $50 reinstatement fee applies. No other resolution is required — you do not need to complete a program or pay additional fines.

Reinstating a License Suspended for DWI

A DWI suspension in Missouri involves multiple steps and a longer timeline than other suspension types. After a DWI arrest, your license is typically suspended when ready, even before trial. To reinstate it, you must complete an Alcohol and Drug Driving Offender Program, wait out any mandatory suspension period set by the court, and pay the reinstatement fee.

The ADDOP program is a classroom-based education course that covers the effects of alcohol and drugs on driving, the legal consequences of DWI, and risk factors for impaired driving. Programs vary in length but typically run 8 to 16 hours. You must attend an approved program — the Department of Revenue maintains a list on its website. After completion, you receive a certificate. Bring this certificate to the Department of Revenue when you request reinstatement. Additionally, the court may order you to install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle you drive. This device must be installed before you can legally drive, and you must maintain it for the period ordered, typically 6 months to one year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?

No. Your license remains suspended until the Department of Revenue approves your reinstatement request. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. Wait for written confirmation from the department before you drive.

What if I cannot afford the reinstatement fee or the fines I owe?

Contact the court that issued your fines to ask about payment plans. Many courts allow you to pay fines in installments over several months. For the reinstatement fee, the Department of Revenue does not offer payment plans, but the fee is $50 and must be paid in full. Some community legal aid organizations may help you understand your options.

How long does reinstatement take?

If you explore by mail or phone, reinstatement typically takes 5 to 10 business days after the department receives your request and verifies that the underlying issue is resolved. If you explore in person at a license office, reinstatement can be processed the same day, though your physical license card may arrive by mail later.

Do I need a new license photo after reinstatement?

Not necessarily. If your current license has not expired, you can continue using it after reinstatement. If your license has expired or will expire within 30 days, you must renew it, which requires a new photo and the renewal fee. Check your license's expiration date to determine whether renewal is needed.

What if my license was suspended for unpaid child support?

Contact the Missouri Family Support Division or the court that ordered the support to bring your account current. Once you have paid what is owed or set up a payment plan that the court approves, the court will notify the Department of Revenue that the suspension can be lifted. Then request reinstatement from the department with proof that the support obligation is current.