Documents and information you'll bring to the DMV
To renew your Missouri driver's license, you need to bring proof of your current identity, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your Missouri residency. The Missouri Department of Revenue calls this the "Real ID" requirement, and it applies whether you're renewing in person or by mail.
For identity, bring your current Missouri driver's license or passport. For your Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a 1099 form — anything with your full name and number on it. For residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and Missouri address.
If your name has changed since your last license — through marriage, divorce, or legal change — bring the document that proves it: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You'll also need to know your current address and whether you want to register as an organ donor.
Key Takeaways
- Bring your current Missouri driver's license or passport, a document showing your Social Security number, and a recent bill or statement proving your Missouri address.
- If your name has changed, bring the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order that documents the change.
- You can renew by mail if your license is not expired and you have no medical restrictions, but the process takes longer than renewing in person.
- The renewal fee is $11.50 for a four-year license or $24 for an eight-year license, and you can pay by cash, check, or card at the DMV.
- Your new license will arrive in the mail within two to three weeks if you renew in person, or four to six weeks if you renew by mail.
Renewing in person at a Missouri DMV office
Walk into any Missouri DMV office with your documents and take a number. You'll fill out form DL 44 (the driver's license process) while you wait. The staff will check your documents, take a new photo, and process your renewal on the spot.
Bring your documents in the order listed above so the clerk can move through them quickly. Have your Social Security card or tax form ready to hand over — do not just tell them the number. If you're renewing an eight-year license (which costs more), tell the clerk before they start, because the fee changes based on the term you choose.
You'll pay the renewal fee at the counter. Missouri DMV offices accept cash, checks, and debit or credit cards. After you pay, you're done — your new license will arrive by mail in two to three weeks. You can keep driving on your old license until the new one arrives.
Renewing by mail if you're may be able to access
You can renew by mail only if your current license is not expired and you have no medical restrictions or vision corrections that require testing. If you meet those conditions, the Missouri Department of Revenue will mail you a renewal packet when your license is within six months of expiring.
Open the packet, fill out the form, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail everything back in the envelope provided. Do not send cash through the mail. The process takes four to six weeks from the time the Department receives your packet, so mail it back as soon as you get it.
If you do not receive a renewal packet in the mail and your license is close to expiring, you can request one by calling the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407. You can also renew in person at any DMV office instead of waiting for the packet to arrive.
Renewal fees and license term options
A four-year Missouri driver's license costs $11.50 to renew. An eight-year license costs $24. Both are valid for their full term, so the choice depends on whether you want to renew again sooner or pay more now and renew less often.
The fee covers the license itself and the background check the Department runs. If you're renewing by mail, include a check or money order made out to the Missouri Department of Revenue. If you're renewing in person, you can pay with cash, check, or card at the counter.
What happens if your license is already expired
If your Missouri license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew it — you have to reapply as if you were getting your first license. This means taking a written test, a vision test, and a driving test at a Missouri DMV office. The process takes several hours and costs more than a renewal.
If your license expired less than one year ago, you can still renew it by mail or in person using the process above. Bring all the same documents. The Department will treat it as a renewal, not a new process.
Timeline for receiving your new license
If you renew in person at a DMV office, your new license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks. If you renew by mail, it will take four to six weeks from the time the Department receives your completed packet. Neither timeline includes mail delivery delays, so add a few extra days if you're mailing documents.
You can drive on your old license while you wait for the new one to arrive. Do not throw away your old license until the new one comes in the mail — you may need it as proof of identity in the meantime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online?
No. Missouri does not offer online renewal. You can renew in person at any DMV office or by mail if you're may be able to access. Calling ahead to check wait times at your local office can help you choose the best time to go.
What if I've moved since my last license?
Bring proof of your new Missouri address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address on it. The DMV will update your address during renewal. If you moved out of state, you cannot renew a Missouri license; you'll need to get a license in your new state.
Do I need a new photo for renewal?
Yes. The DMV will take a new photo when you renew in person. If you renew by mail, they use the photo from your current license, so you won't get a new one unless you renew in person.
What if my name doesn't match my Social Security card?
Bring the document that explains the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV will update your name on your license to match your current legal name. If the names don't match and you don't have proof of the change, the DMV will ask you to get the document before they can process your renewal.
Can someone else pick up my new license for me?
No. Your new license will be mailed to the address on your process. You cannot pick it up at the DMV office. If you're moving soon, update your address with the DMV before you renew so the license goes to the right place.