What you need to do to renew in Missouri
Missouri lets you renew your driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a Driver License Office. The method you choose depends on how much time you have and whether your license has expired. If your license is still valid, you can renew online or by mail without visiting an office. If it has been expired for more than a year, you must renew in person.
Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days of approval, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. During that time, you can still drive legally using your old license or a receipt showing you have renewed.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Missouri Secretary of State website is the fastest method if your license is not expired and you have a valid credit or debit card.
- Mail renewal takes longer but requires no office visit — you send documents to the address on the renewal form, and your new license arrives by mail.
- In-person renewal at a Driver License Office is required if your license expired more than a year ago or if you need to update your address, name, or other information.
- Your renewal fee in Missouri is $11.50 for a four-year license or $24 for an eight-year license, paid at the time of renewal.
- You can drive legally on your old license or a renewal receipt until your new license arrives in the mail.
Renewing online through the Missouri Secretary of State
Online renewal is available at sos.mo.gov and is the quickest option. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid credit or debit card to pay the renewal fee. The system will verify your information against state records and tell you when ready whether you can renew online.
Online renewal is only available if your license is not expired, you have not changed your address or name since your last renewal, and you do not need to update your photo. If any of those things explore to you, you must renew by mail or in person instead.
After you complete the online form and pay the fee, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. Print or save your confirmation number in case you need to track your renewal or contact the Secretary of State's office.
Renewing by mail
To renew by mail, you must first request a renewal form from the Missouri Secretary of State. You can read the form from sos.mo.gov or call 573-526-2407 to request one by mail. The form is called the Driver License Renewal process.
Complete the form and mail it along with your current driver's license and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address printed on the form. Do not send cash. Include a copy of a document that proves your current address if you have moved since your last renewal — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days will work.
Mail renewal typically takes three to four weeks from the time the office receives your form. Your new license will be mailed to the address you listed on the process. Keep your old license or a copy of your mailed form as proof of renewal until your new license arrives.
Renewing in person at a Driver License Office
Visit a Missouri Driver License Office if your license has been expired for more than a year, if you need to change your photo, address, or name, or if you prefer to renew face-to-face. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours at sos.mo.gov.
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, bank statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days). If you have changed your name, bring a document that proves the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
You will take a new photo at the office and pay the renewal fee in cash, by check, or by card. Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a receipt at the office that you can use as proof of renewal while you wait for your new license to arrive.
What happens if your license has been expired for a long time
If your Missouri driver's license expired more than a year ago, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must visit a Driver License Office in person. The office will verify your identity and may require additional documents beyond the standard renewal paperwork.
Bring your expired license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. If you cannot locate your expired license, bring a government-issued photo ID such as a passport instead. The office staff will tell you if they need any other documents before you complete the renewal.
Renewal fees and payment methods
A four-year Missouri driver's license costs $11.50 to renew. An eight-year license costs $24. These are the standard fees as of 2024, though you should confirm the current amount when you renew because fees can change.
If you renew online, you can pay with a credit or debit card. If you renew by mail, send a check or money order — do not send cash. If you renew in person, you can pay in cash, by check, or by card. The office will not issue a refund if you overpay, so bring the exact amount if possible.
Driving legally while you wait for your new license
You can drive legally on your old license or on a renewal receipt until your new license arrives. If you renewed online or in person, you received a confirmation number or receipt at the time of renewal — keep this with you while you drive. If you renewed by mail, keep a copy of the form you mailed or a photo of it on your phone.
Police will accept your old license as proof that you have renewed, so you do not need to carry both documents. Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one or keep it in a safe place at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Missouri driver's license before it expires?
Yes. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. Renewing early does not change your expiration date — your new license will expire one year (for a four-year license) or eight years (for an eight-year license) from the date you renew, not from the date your old license was set to expire.
What if I moved to a different address since my last renewal?
If you renewed online, you cannot update your address — you must renew by mail or in person. For mail renewal, include a document that proves your new address dated within the last 60 days. For in-person renewal, bring the same proof of address to the Driver License Office.
Do I need an appointment to renew at a Driver License Office?
Most Missouri Driver License Offices do not require appointments, but some locations may have wait times during busy hours. Check the office's website or call ahead to ask about current wait times. A few offices may offer appointment scheduling — ask when you call.
What if my name has changed since my last renewal?
Bring a document that proves your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you renew by mail, include a copy with your process. If you renew in person, bring the original or a certified copy to the Driver License Office.
How long does it take to receive my renewed license?
Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days of approval, regardless of whether you renewed online, by mail, or in person. Mail renewal applications may take an additional two to three weeks to be processed after the office receives them, so the total time for mail renewal is typically three to four weeks.