Missouri license plate renewal happens online, by mail, or in person at your local license office
Missouri gives you three ways to renew: through the Missouri Department of Revenue website, by mail using the renewal notice they send you, or by visiting a license office in person. Most people renew online because it takes about 10 minutes and you can do it from home. The state charges a base renewal fee that varies by vehicle type — passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles each have different rates. You'll also pay any applicable county property tax, which varies depending on where you live in Missouri.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 60 days before your plate expires. That notice contains everything you need to renew online: your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, and a renewal code. If you've moved or your vehicle information has changed, you'll need to update those details before or during renewal, and some changes require an in-person visit instead.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Missouri Department of Revenue website is the fastest option and takes about 10 minutes if your vehicle information hasn't changed.
- Your renewal notice arrives 60 days before expiration and contains the renewal code you need to renew online or by mail.
- The renewal fee depends on your vehicle type, and you'll also pay county property tax that varies by location in Missouri.
- If you've moved, changed your address, or modified your vehicle, you may need to renew in person at a license office instead of online.
- New plates arrive by mail within two to three weeks after you renew; you can continue driving on your current plate until they arrive.
Renewing online through the Missouri Department of Revenue website
Go to the Missouri Department of Revenue's online renewal portal and enter your license plate number, VIN, and the renewal code from your notice. The system will pull up your vehicle record and show you the total fee — base renewal plus county property tax. You'll pay by debit card or credit card. Once your payment processes, you'll receive a confirmation number on screen and by email.
Online renewal works only if your address, vehicle information, and ownership details are current in the system. If you've moved, changed your name, added or removed a co-owner, or modified your vehicle (different engine, body style, or color), the online system may reject your renewal or flag it for manual review. In those cases, you'll need to renew in person or by mail instead.
After you renew online, your new plates ship within two to three weeks. You can legally continue driving on your current plate until the new ones arrive. Keep your confirmation number in case you need to check the status of your order or contact the Department of Revenue.
Renewing by mail with your renewal notice
Your renewal notice includes a payment stub and instructions for mailing. Fill out the stub, write a check or money order for the total amount shown, and mail both to the address printed on the notice. Do not send cash. Include your renewal notice with your payment — the Department of Revenue uses the information printed on it to process your renewal.
Mail renewal takes longer than online: the Department of Revenue typically receives your payment within five to seven business days, processes it within another five to seven days, and then mails your new plates. Total time is usually two to three weeks, but can stretch to four weeks if mail is slow or if the office is processing a high volume of renewals. You can continue driving on your current plate the entire time.
Keep a copy of your renewal notice and your mailed payment receipt if you have one. If your new plates don't arrive within four weeks, contact the Department of Revenue with your confirmation details.
Renewing in person at a Missouri license office
Visit any Missouri license office with your renewal notice, current vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and a photo ID. Bring your vehicle title if you've made changes to ownership or the vehicle itself. The office will verify your information, collect payment, and issue temporary plates on the spot if needed. You'll walk out with a receipt and your new plates will arrive by mail within two to three weeks.
In-person renewal is necessary if you've moved and your address hasn't updated in the system, if you've changed your name, if you're adding or removing a co-owner, or if your vehicle has been modified in ways that affect registration (engine swap, body style change, color change). It's also the fastest way to get temporary plates if your current ones have expired and you need to drive when ready.
License office wait times vary by location and time of day. Many offices are busiest on Saturdays and the last week of the month. Call ahead or check the Department of Revenue website to see current wait times at your local office.
What happens if your plate expires before you renew
Driving with an expired plate is illegal in Missouri and can result in a traffic stop and citation. If your renewal notice didn't arrive or you missed the expiration date, you can still renew — the state doesn't charge a late fee, but your plate is no longer valid. Renew when ready online, by mail, or in person.
If you're pulled over with an expired plate, show the officer your renewal confirmation number or receipt if you have one. This won't prevent a citation, but it shows you've taken action. Once your new plates arrive, the expired status clears from the system.
If your renewal notice never arrived, contact the Department of Revenue before your plate expires. They can reissue the notice or provide your renewal code over the phone so you can renew online.
Fees and what they cover
Missouri's base renewal fee for a passenger vehicle is set by state law and does not change year to year, but the total amount you pay includes county property tax, which varies by county. A vehicle registered in one county may have a different total renewal cost than the same vehicle registered in another county. Your renewal notice shows the exact breakdown: base fee plus your county's property tax amount.
Specialty plates (personalized plates, veteran plates, conservation plates) may have different base fees. Commercial vehicles, trucks, and motorcycles also have different rates. Check your renewal notice for the exact amount due for your vehicle type and county.
The renewal fee covers your registration for one year from the expiration date of your current plate. You'll renew again the following year on the same month and date.
Updating your information during renewal
If your address has changed, you can update it during online renewal as long as the system allows it. Enter your new address and the system will recalculate any property tax differences based on your new county. If you're moving out of state or to a county with significantly different property tax, the total fee may change.
Changes to ownership (adding or removing a co-owner), vehicle modifications, or name changes require in-person renewal at a license office. Bring your vehicle title, proof of the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, bill of sale), and your renewal notice. The office will update your record and process your renewal at the same time.
If you've sold your vehicle, do not renew the plate. Instead, contact the Department of Revenue to cancel the registration. If you've purchased a new vehicle, you'll need to register it separately — renewal applies only to vehicles already registered in Missouri.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my plate if it's already expired?
Yes. Missouri doesn't charge a late fee for expired plates. Renew when ready through any of the three methods — online, by mail, or in person. Your new plates will be valid once they arrive, and you should not drive on the expired plate in the meantime.
What if I never received my renewal notice?
Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue and provide your license plate number and VIN. They can reissue the notice by mail or provide your renewal code by phone so you can renew online. If your address has changed, update it first so future notices reach you.
Do I need to take my vehicle in for inspection to renew?
No. Missouri does not require a vehicle inspection for license plate renewal. You renew based on your current registration record. If your vehicle has been modified significantly, you may need to visit a license office in person to update the record, but no inspection is required.
How long do new plates take to arrive after I renew online?
New plates typically arrive within two to three weeks of renewal. You can continue driving on your current plate until the new ones arrive. If plates don't arrive within four weeks, contact the Department of Revenue with your confirmation number.
What if my vehicle information changed since my last renewal?
If you've changed your address, name, or vehicle details (color, engine, body style), you'll need to renew in person at a license office. Bring your renewal notice, vehicle title, proof of the change, and a photo ID. The office will update your record and process your renewal together.