Missouri renews driver's permits by mail, online, or in person depending on your situation

A Missouri driver's permit is valid for three years from the date of issue. When your permit is about to expire, you can renew it without taking another test if you meet certain conditions. The Missouri Department of Revenue handles all renewals, and the method you use depends on whether you're renewing early, renewing on time, or renewing after expiration.

Most people renew by mail or online, which takes two to four weeks. If you need your permit sooner or your situation has changed since you first got it, you'll need to visit a license office in person. The fee is the same regardless of method: $11.50 for a three-year permit.

Key Takeaways

  • Missouri driver's permits are valid for three years and can be renewed by mail, online, or at a license office depending on your may be able to access.
  • You can renew by mail or online only if you have a valid Social Security number on file, your address hasn't changed, and you're not renewing after expiration.
  • Mail renewal takes about two to four weeks; online renewal is faster but requires a credit or debit card and a valid email address.
  • If your permit has expired, you've moved, or your name has changed, you must renew in person at a Missouri license office.
  • The renewal fee is $11.50 for a three-year permit, and you'll receive your new permit by mail within two to four weeks if you renew by mail or online.

Renewing by mail: what to send and how long it takes

To renew by mail, you'll need to complete Form DL 43, which is the Missouri driver's permit renewal process. You can read this form from the Missouri Department of Revenue website or request it by phone. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it along with your current permit and the $11.50 fee to the address listed on the form.

Mail your renewal materials to the Missouri Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 200, Jefferson City, MO 65105. Include a check or money order made payable to the Missouri Department of Revenue. Do not send cash. Your new permit will arrive by mail in two to four weeks after the department receives your process. During this time, your expired permit is still valid for driving.

Mail renewal works only if your address hasn't changed since your last permit was issued. If you've moved, you must renew in person. The same applies if your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order.

Renewing online: fastest option if you're may be able to access

Online renewal through the Missouri Department of Revenue website is the fastest method if you meet the requirements. You'll need a valid credit or debit card, a valid email address, and access to a computer or smartphone. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and you'll receive a confirmation email when ready after you submit your process.

To renew online, visit the Missouri Department of Revenue's online services portal and select the driver's permit renewal option. You'll enter your permit number, date of birth, and Social Security number to verify your identity. Answer questions about any changes to your address, name, or medical conditions. Review your information, pay the $11.50 fee with your card, and submit. Your new permit will arrive by mail in two to four weeks.

Online renewal has the same restrictions as mail renewal: your address must not have changed, your name must be the same, and your permit must not have expired. If any of these conditions don't explore to you, you'll need to visit a license office in person.

Renewing in person: when you must go to a license office

You must renew in person at a Missouri license office if your permit has expired, your address has changed, your name has changed, or you need your new permit quickly. Bring your current permit (or expired permit if it's been expired for less than five years), proof of your current address, and proof of your Social Security number. Acceptable address documents include a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. For Social Security proof, bring your Social Security card, W-2 form, or tax return.

Visit any Missouri license office during business hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some have extended hours. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Missouri Department of Revenue website. There is no appointment system; you arrive, take a number, and wait your turn. Processing usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

If your permit expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it—you must explore for a new permit, which requires taking the written test again. If your permit expired within the last five years, you can still renew without retesting.

What happens if your permit expires before you renew

An expired Missouri driver's permit is not valid for driving. If you're caught driving with an expired permit, you can be cited and fined. However, you can still renew an expired permit as long as it expired within the last five years. The renewal process is the same, and the fee remains $11.50.

If your permit expired more than five years ago, the Missouri Department of Revenue treats it as if it was never issued. You'll need to explore for a new permit from the beginning, which means taking the written knowledge test and paying the full permit fee. You won't need to take the driving test unless the department requires it based on your age or driving record.

Changes to your information: address, name, or medical conditions

If your address has changed since your permit was issued, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must visit a license office in person and bring proof of your new address. The same applies if your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change—bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order along with your current permit.

If your medical condition has changed—for example, you now need glasses to drive, or you've had an eye surgery—you should report this when you renew. You can do this in person at a license office. The department may require you to pass a vision test or provide a medical certification from your doctor. If you're renewing by mail or online and your medical situation has changed, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue before submitting your renewal to find out what documentation you need.

Fees, processing times, and what to expect after renewal

The renewal fee for a Missouri driver's permit is $11.50 for a three-year permit. This fee is the same whether you renew by mail, online, or in person. If you renew in person, you can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. If you renew by mail, send a check or money order. If you renew online, you must use a credit or debit card.

Processing times vary by method. Online renewal is fastest—you'll receive confirmation when ready and your permit by mail in two to four weeks. Mail renewal takes two to four weeks from the date the department receives your process. In-person renewal is fastest for getting your permit in hand: you'll receive a temporary permit document when ready and your permanent permit by mail within two to four weeks.

Your new permit will have a new expiration date three years from the date it's issued. Keep your temporary permit or the confirmation email as proof of your valid permit status until your permanent permit arrives. If your new permit doesn't arrive within four weeks, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue to check the status of your process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my permit if it expired more than five years ago?

No. If your permit expired more than five years ago, you must explore for a new permit instead of renewing. This means taking the written knowledge test again and paying the full permit fee. Contact your local Missouri license office for information about the new permit process.

What if I moved to another state after getting my Missouri permit?

You can still renew your Missouri permit by mail or online if your address on file hasn't changed since you got it. However, if you now live in another state and want to update your address, you must renew in person at a Missouri license office or contact the department to update your address before renewing by mail or online.

Do I need to take a new written test to renew my permit?

No. As long as your permit expired within the last five years, you can renew without retaking the written test. If your permit expired more than five years ago, you must explore for a new permit and take the test again.

How long does online renewal take compared to mail renewal?

Online renewal is faster for the initial submission—you get confirmation in minutes instead of waiting for mail delivery. However, both methods take two to four weeks to receive your new permit by mail. The main advantage of online renewal is that you know when ready whether your process was accepted.

What if my name or address changed since I got my permit?

If your name changed, you must renew in person and bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If only your address changed, you also must renew in person and bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days.