Where to renew and what documents you need
You can renew your Missouri driver's license in person at any Missouri Department of Revenue office, or online through the Missouri Secretary of State website if you meet certain conditions. The in-person route works for everyone; the online route is faster but only available if your license is not expired by more than five years, you have no medical restrictions, and your address hasn't changed since your last renewal.
For an in-person renewal, bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If your name has changed since your last renewal, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You do not need to bring proof of residency if you're renewing at a license office, but you do if you're renewing online.
For online renewal, you'll need the same documents ready to upload: your current license number, proof of Social Security number, and proof of your address. The online system will walk you through the upload process step by step.
Key Takeaways
- Missouri allows online renewal for licenses not expired more than five years, with no medical restrictions and no address change since your last renewal.
- In-person renewal at any Department of Revenue office requires your current license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of current address.
- Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days after approval, whether you renew online or in person.
- The renewal fee is $10.50 for a four-year license or $20 for an eight-year license; online and in-person renewals cost the same.
- If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test and vision screening.
How long the renewal process takes
If you renew online, the Department of Revenue typically approves your renewal within one business day. Your new license will then be mailed to you and should arrive within 7 to 10 business days. During that time, you can still drive using your current license as long as it has not expired.
If you renew in person at a license office, you'll receive a temporary paper license on the spot that you can use when ready while your permanent card is being printed and mailed. The permanent license usually arrives within the same 7 to 10 business day window. Walk-in times at license offices vary by location; some offices accept walk-ins, while others require you to schedule an appointment through the Missouri Secretary of State website.
Renewal fees and payment methods
A four-year Missouri driver's license renewal costs $10.50. An eight-year renewal costs $20. Both prices are the same whether you renew online or in person. If you renew in person, you can pay by cash, check, or card at the license office. If you renew online, you'll pay by debit or credit card during the checkout process.
Some Missourians are may have access to to a reduced fee or no fee at all. If you are 65 or older, your renewal is free. If you are a veteran with a service-connected disability rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, you may be may have access to to a free renewal; bring your VA disability rating letter to the license office to confirm your status.
What happens if your license has been expired for more than five years
If your Missouri driver's license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it online. You must go to a Department of Revenue office in person. At that visit, you will need to retake the written knowledge test and pass a vision screening, in addition to providing your documents. You will not need to retake the driving skills test unless the examiner determines it is necessary based on your answers or vision results.
Bring the same documents as a standard renewal—your expired license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of current address—plus any documents showing a name change if applicable. Schedule an appointment through the Missouri Secretary of State website to avoid a long wait, though some offices do accept walk-ins.
Renewing with a name change or address change
If your name has changed since your last renewal, you must provide a certified copy of the document that caused the change. This can be a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order for a legal name change, or an amended birth certificate. A photocopy is not sufficient; the document must be certified or an official copy issued by the government agency that holds the original.
If your address has changed, you can update it during renewal whether you renew online or in person. Online renewal will ask for your new address as part of the form. At an in-person renewal, tell the license examiner your new address and they will update it on your new license. You do not need a separate document to prove an address change; your proof of current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement) serves that purpose.
If you are renewing online and your address has changed, you must renew in person instead, because the online system cannot process address changes. Go to any Department of Revenue office with your documents.
Renewing a license with medical restrictions or endorsements
If your current license has medical restrictions (such as "corrective lenses required" or "hearing aid required"), you can only renew in person. The examiner will review your restrictions and determine whether they should continue on your new license. Bring any medical documentation that supports your restrictions—for example, a letter from your eye doctor if you require corrective lenses, or an audiologist's report if you use a hearing aid.
If your license has endorsements—such as a motorcycle endorsement or a commercial driver's license (CDL)—you can renew those in person at a Department of Revenue office. Online renewal is not available for CDLs or for licenses with endorsements other than the standard passenger vehicle endorsement.
What to do if you cannot find your current license
If your current license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you cannot renew it online. You must go to a Department of Revenue office in person and request a replacement. Bring your proof of Social Security number and proof of current address. The examiner will issue you a new license on the spot with a temporary paper version you can use when ready.
A replacement license costs the same as a renewal—$10.50 for four years or $20 for eight years. If your license was stolen, you may also want to report the theft to local police and monitor your credit, though a stolen driver's license alone does not automatically put you at risk for identity theft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Missouri license if I live out of state?
No. Missouri requires you to be a resident to hold a Missouri driver's license. If you have moved out of state, you should obtain a driver's license from your new state of residence. If you still own property in Missouri or have other ties to the state, contact your local Department of Revenue office to discuss your situation.
Do I need an appointment to renew in person?
It depends on the office. Some Missouri Department of Revenue offices accept walk-ins, while others require appointments. Check the Missouri Secretary of State website, enter your zip code, and select your nearest office to see whether appointments are required and to schedule one if needed.
What if I want an eight-year license instead of a four-year license?
Tell the examiner at the license office that you want an eight-year license, or select that option during online renewal. The eight-year license costs $20 instead of $10.50. You'll renew less often, but you'll pay more upfront.
Can I renew my license by mail?
No. Missouri does not offer mail-in renewal. You must renew either online through the Secretary of State website or in person at a Department of Revenue office.
What if my renewal is rejected online?
The online system will tell you why your renewal was not approved—usually because your documents did not upload clearly, your address has changed, or your license has been expired too long. Go to a Department of Revenue office in person with your documents and complete your renewal there.