What you need to do to get a Missouri driver's license

To get a Missouri driver's license, you visit your local Missouri Department of Revenue office in person, pass a written test and a driving test, and pay a fee. The whole process takes a few visits spread over weeks or months — you cannot do it all in one day. You will need to bring specific documents that prove who you are, where you live, and your Social Security number.

Missouri issues licenses in two main categories: a regular driver's license if you want to drive a car, or a commercial driver's license (CDL) if you want to drive a truck or bus for work. This guide covers the regular license. The steps are different if you already have a valid license from another state — Missouri will let you transfer it without retaking the tests, though you still visit an office and pay a fee.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a Missouri Department of Revenue office in person with documents proving your identity, Social Security number, and current address.
  • The written test covers traffic laws and road signs; you can study using the official Missouri driver's manual, available free online or in print at any revenue office.
  • After you pass the written test, you schedule a separate appointment for the driving test, which is usually weeks later depending on your local office's schedule.
  • The total cost is $135 for an eight-year license or $67.50 for a four-year license, paid when you pass both tests and receive your license.
  • If you already hold a valid driver's license from another state, you can transfer it to Missouri without retaking tests, though you still need to visit an office and pay a transfer fee.

Documents you must bring to the revenue office

Missouri requires you to bring documents in three categories: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of your current address. You cannot get a license without all three. Bring the original documents, not copies — the office staff will look at them in person.

For proof of identity, bring one of these: a valid passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, or a tribal ID. A school ID or work ID does not count. If your name has changed since your identity document was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — bring the document that proves the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.

For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. A letter from Social Security counts. If you do not have any of these, you can bring a document showing your number, such as a bank statement or insurance card, though the office may ask for additional proof.

For proof of current address, bring a recent utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, an insurance bill, or a government document with your name and address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from your employer or school counts if it shows your address. A driver's license from another state does not count as proof of address.

How to prepare for and pass the written test

The written test has 25 questions about Missouri traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 18 questions correctly to pass. The test is multiple choice, and you take it on a computer at the revenue office. You get one attempt per visit — if you fail, you can return and take it again, but you must wait at least one day before retesting.

Missouri publishes the official driver's manual free online at the Department of Revenue website. You can also pick up a printed copy at any revenue office. The manual covers everything on the test: speed limits, right-of-way rules, what different road signs mean, how to handle bad weather, and what to do if you are pulled over. Most people study the manual for a few hours or a few days before taking the test.

The test is offered in English and in several other languages. If you need the test in a language other than English, call your local revenue office ahead of time to confirm they offer it. You can also request a reader if you have a disability that makes reading difficult — tell the office staff when you arrive.

Scheduling and taking the driving test

After you pass the written test, the revenue office staff will give you information about scheduling your driving test. You do not schedule it the same day — most offices have a waiting list that is weeks or months long, depending on how busy your local office is. Some offices let you schedule online; others require you to call or visit in person.

For the driving test, you bring a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in safe working condition. The vehicle must have working brakes, steering, lights, wipers, and mirrors. You cannot use a vehicle with a broken window or a cracked windshield. Bring your proof of insurance and the vehicle's registration. An examiner will ride with you for about 15 to 20 minutes while you drive on local roads. They will ask you to do things like park, turn, change lanes, and stop at traffic lights. You pass if you do not make any major mistakes — minor mistakes like hesitating at a stop sign do not fail you, but hitting a curb or running a red light does.

You must bring your written test passing certificate to the driving test appointment. If you lose it, call your local revenue office and they can print a new one. You cannot take the driving test without it.

Transferring a license from another state

If you already have a valid driver's license from another state, you do not have to take the written or driving tests. You can transfer your license to Missouri by visiting a revenue office with your out-of-state license, your proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current Missouri address. The documents are the same ones listed above.

The transfer fee is $135 for an eight-year license or $67.50 for a four-year license — the same price as a new license. Your new Missouri license will have the same expiration date as your old license had, unless your old license was expiring very soon. If your out-of-state license is expired, you cannot transfer it; you will have to take the written and driving tests instead.

Some states have reciprocal agreements with Missouri, which means Missouri trusts their testing standards. If you are transferring from one of these states, the process is the same, but the revenue office may waive certain requirements. Call your local office ahead of time if you want to know whether your state has an agreement with Missouri.

What happens after you pass both tests

After you pass the driving test, the examiner will tell you that you have passed. You return to the revenue office counter, pay the license fee ($135 for eight years or $67.50 for four years), and provide a photo. The photo is taken at the office on a digital camera. You cannot bring your own photo. The office staff will then issue your license on the spot or mail it to you within a few days, depending on the office's procedures.

Your Missouri driver's license is valid for eight years if you are under 70 years old, or four years if you are 70 or older. You can renew it by mail or online before it expires, without taking the tests again. The revenue office will send you a renewal notice in the mail about 60 days before your license expires.

Finding your local Missouri Department of Revenue office

Missouri has revenue offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you on the Missouri Department of Revenue website by entering your county or zip code. The website shows the office's address, phone number, and hours. Some offices are open Monday through Friday only; others have Saturday hours. Call ahead or check online before you visit, because hours change and some offices close for lunch.

Many offices now use an appointment system, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. You may be able to schedule an appointment online, or you may have to call. If you show up without an appointment, you might have to wait a long time or be turned away. Check the website or call before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Missouri driver's license if I do not have a Social Security number?

No. Missouri requires a Social Security number to issue a driver's license. If you are not a U.S. citizen and do not have a Social Security number, you cannot get a regular driver's license. You may be able to get an identification card instead, which has different rules — call your local revenue office to ask.

What if I fail the written test?

You can take it again the next day or any day after that. There is no limit on how many times you can retake it. Each attempt costs the same as the first one — there is no separate retake fee. You study the manual again and return to the office to take the test on the computer.

How long does the whole process take from start to finish?

Most people take the written test within a week or two of their first visit. The driving test usually happens four to eight weeks later, depending on how busy your local office is. So the whole process typically takes two to three months from your first visit to receiving your license in the mail.

Do I need to take a test if I am moving to Missouri from another state?

Only if your out-of-state license is expired. If your license is still valid, you can transfer it without taking any tests. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your Missouri address to a revenue office.

Can someone else pick up my license for me, or do I have to be there?

You must be present for the written test and the driving test. Once your license is issued, you can pick it up in person or it will be mailed to you — the office staff will tell you which option they use. If the office mails it, you do not have to do anything else.