You can renew your Missouri driver's license online if your license is not expired by more than five years and you have no medical restrictions
Missouri's online renewal system lets you skip the visit to the license office entirely. You upload a new photo, confirm your information, pay the fee, and receive your renewed license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $13.50 for a four-year license or $27 for an eight-year license.
Not everyone can use the online system. You must be renewing a standard driver's license (not a commercial license), your current license cannot be expired by more than five years, and you cannot have medical restrictions or corrective lens requirements that have changed. If any of those conditions explore to you, you will need to renew in person at a Missouri license office.
Key Takeaways
- Missouri's online renewal system works only if your license expired within the last five years and you have no medical restrictions or new vision correction needs.
- You will need a valid email address, your current driver's license number, and a digital photo that meets Missouri's specifications (plain background, face clearly visible, taken within the last six months).
- The renewal fee is $13.50 for a four-year license or $27 for an eight-year license, paid by debit or credit card during the online process.
- Your renewed license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives.
What you need before you start
Gather these items before you log into the Missouri Department of Revenue's online renewal portal. You will need your current driver's license number, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system uses these to verify your identity.
You also need a digital photo. It must be a color photograph taken within the last six months, show your face clearly and straight-on, have a plain white or off-white background, and be at least 500 pixels wide and 600 pixels tall. You can use a photo from your phone camera or a recent passport photo. The file should be in JPG or PNG format and no larger than 5 MB.
Finally, have a debit or credit card ready. Missouri accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The transaction is processed when ready, and you will receive a confirmation email.
Step-by-step: the online renewal process
Go to the Missouri Department of Revenue website and select "Driver License Services." Click on "Renew Your Driver License Online." You will be asked to enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will pull up your current information and ask you to confirm it is correct.
Next, you will upload your new photo. The system will show you the specifications and let you preview how your photo will look before you submit it. If the photo does not meet the requirements, you will see an error message telling you what to fix.
Review your address, contact information, and any restrictions or endorsements on your license. If anything has changed — you moved, changed your name, or your vision correction needs are different — you cannot complete the renewal online and must visit a license office in person. If everything is correct, proceed to payment. Enter your card information and confirm the transaction. You will receive a confirmation number by email.
What happens after you submit
Your renewed license is printed and mailed to the address on file. Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days from the date you complete the transaction. You can continue to drive using your current license during this time — it remains valid until the new one arrives.
If you do not receive your license within 14 business days, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407. Have your confirmation number ready. The department can check the status of your order and reissue the license if it was lost in the mail.
When you cannot renew online
If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person. The same applies if you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) or if your license has medical restrictions or corrective lens requirements that have changed since it was issued.
You also cannot renew online if you have an outstanding traffic ticket, unpaid child support, or a suspended license. The online system will tell you when ready if any of these issues prevent renewal. In those cases, you will need to resolve the issue first, then either renew online or visit a license office.
In-person renewal as an alternative
If you cannot use the online system, you can renew at any Missouri license office. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your current address), and your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. The office will take a new photo, verify your information, and issue your renewed license on the spot or within a few days.
Wait times at license offices vary by location and time of day. Many offices are busiest on Saturdays and during lunch hours on weekdays. You can check wait times and make an appointment on the Missouri Department of Revenue website before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my address changed?
No. If you moved, you must renew in person at a license office so they can verify your new address with proof of residency. You can update your address online through the Department of Revenue website between renewals, but a renewal itself requires an in-person visit if your address is different from what is on file.
What if my photo is rejected by the online system?
The system will tell you which requirement your photo did not meet — usually background color, face angle, or file size. Take a new photo following the specifications and try again. You can submit as many times as needed without paying again until you complete the full renewal.
Do I need to print anything or bring anything to the mailbox?
No. The entire process is online. You do not need to print, sign, or mail anything. Your renewed license is mailed to you automatically after you complete the transaction.
What if I need my license before it arrives in the mail?
Your current license remains valid and legal to use while you wait for the renewed one. If you need a license for travel or identification before the new one arrives, you can visit a license office and request an expedited replacement, though this costs extra and requires an in-person visit.
Can I renew online if my name changed?
No. Name changes require in-person renewal and documentation of the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). Visit a Missouri license office with your current license and the document showing your legal name change.