Missouri driver's licenses expire every six or eight years depending on your age, and you can renew in person, by mail, or online
Your Missouri driver's license expires on your birthday in the year shown on the card itself. The state issues six-year licenses to drivers under 70 and eight-year licenses to drivers 70 and older. You do not have to wait until the expiration date to renew—the Missouri Department of Revenue allows you to renew up to one year before expiration, which can be useful if you are planning travel or want to avoid a last-minute trip to the office.
The renewal method you choose depends on whether your address has changed, whether you need a new photo, and how quickly you need the license. Not all renewal paths are available to everyone, so understanding which route works for your situation saves time and prevents a wasted trip.
Key Takeaways
- Missouri driver's licenses expire on your birthday and can be renewed up to one year early through the Department of Revenue.
- Online renewal is the fastest option if your address has not changed and you do not need a new photo, and takes about two weeks for delivery.
- Mail renewal requires a completed form, your current license, and proof of residency, and takes four to six weeks from the time the office receives it.
- In-person renewal at a license office is necessary if you have changed your address, need a new photo, or want your license when ready.
- You will need to bring specific documents to prove your identity and Missouri residency, and the exact documents depend on which type of ID you hold.
Online renewal: fastest option if nothing has changed
Online renewal through the Missouri Department of Revenue website is the quickest path if your address is still current and you do not need a new photograph. You log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, review your information, pay the renewal fee (currently $13.50 for a six-year license or $18 for an eight-year license), and submit. The state mails your new license to the address on file, which typically arrives within two weeks.
Online renewal is not available if you have moved, if your name has changed since your last license was issued, or if your license has been suspended or revoked. You also cannot renew online if your current license is expired by more than one year. If any of these explore to you, you must renew by mail or in person.
Mail renewal: slower but no office visit required
Mail renewal works if your address has not changed and you do not need a new photo, but you are willing to wait longer than online renewal. You read and print the DL 43 form from the Missouri Department of Revenue website, sign it, and mail it along with your current driver's license and proof that you still live at the address on file. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
Mail the packet to the address listed on the form. Processing takes four to six weeks from the date the office receives your envelope, not from the date you mail it. Your new license arrives by mail at the address you provided. This method costs the same as online renewal but takes significantly longer, so use it only if you do not have internet access or prefer not to renew online.
In-person renewal: required when your address or photo needs updating
You must renew in person at a Missouri license office if your address has changed, if you want a new photograph, or if you need your license the same day. In-person renewal also applies if your name has changed, if your current license is suspended or revoked, or if you are renewing an expired license for the first time after it lapsed.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of your new address (if you have moved), and proof of identity. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, insurance bill, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Proof of identity depends on your situation: if you are a U.S. citizen, you can use a passport, military ID, or birth certificate; if you are not a citizen, you need your visa and I-94 form or other immigration documents. The office takes a new photograph and issues your license on the spot or mails it within a few business days, depending on the office's current workload.
What documents to bring for in-person renewal
The documents you need depend on whether you are a U.S. citizen and whether your address or name has changed. All applicants need their current Missouri driver's license and proof of identity. U.S. citizens can prove identity with a passport, military ID, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate. Non-citizens must bring a valid visa, I-94 arrival/departure record, employment authorization document, or permanent resident card.
If your address has changed, bring proof of your new residence: a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, homeowners or renters insurance bill, or bank or credit card statement dated within 60 days. If your name has changed since your last license was issued, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change. The license office staff can tell you if you need additional documents before you visit—call ahead if you are unsure.
Finding a Missouri license office and what to expect
Missouri has license offices in every county, and you can renew at any of them—you do not have to go to the office in your home county. The Department of Revenue website has a searchable list of all offices with their hours and phone numbers. Many offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, though some have extended evening hours or Saturday appointments. Call ahead to ask about wait times, especially if you are visiting during lunch or near the end of the month, when offices tend to be busier.
Bring all required documents and be prepared to wait. Most offices do not take appointments for license renewal, so you arrive and take a number. The wait can range from 15 minutes to over an hour depending on the office and time of day. If you need your license the same day, ask the staff whether they can issue it when ready or whether it will be mailed; this varies by office and workload.
Renewal fees and what they cover
The renewal fee for a six-year license is $13.50 and for an eight-year license is $18. These fees are the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. The fee covers the cost of producing and mailing your new license. If you renew in person and request a duplicate license at the same time (for example, if you want a backup), there is an additional fee of $5.50 for the duplicate.
Payment methods vary by renewal type. Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards. Mail renewal requires a check or money order made out to the Missouri Department of Revenue. In-person renewal accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card, depending on the individual office—call ahead if you want to confirm payment options at your location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Missouri license if it has been expired for more than a year?
No, you cannot renew online or by mail if your license has been expired for more than one year. You must renew in person at a license office. Bring your expired license along with the other required documents. The office will process your renewal and issue a new license.
What happens if I get pulled over with an expired license?
Driving with an expired license is a traffic violation in Missouri. You can be stopped and cited. If your license expired within the last 30 days, the violation is usually a minor one, but it is still a violation. Renewing before your expiration date avoids this risk entirely.
Do I need to take a new written test or driving test to renew?
No. Renewal is not the same as getting a new license. You do not take any tests for renewal unless your license was suspended or revoked, in which case you may need to pass a written test before the office will renew it. Ask the license office staff if you are unsure about your situation.
How long does it take to get my license if I renew in person?
Some offices issue your license on the spot; others mail it within a few business days. Call the office where you plan to renew and ask whether they issue licenses when ready or by mail. If you need it the same day, confirm that the office can do that before you visit.
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or child support obligation?
Missouri can suspend your license if you have unpaid child support or certain unpaid traffic fines. If your license is suspended, you cannot renew it until the suspension is lifted. Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue or the court that issued the ticket to find out how to resolve the suspension.