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" document set, and you'll need one document from each category — not multiple documents from one category.

For identity, bring your current Missouri driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. For your Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, W-2 form, tax return, or a document from the Social Security Administration. For residency, bring a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days, or a property tax statement from the current or previous year.

You'll also need to know your current address and whether anything about your name, date of birth, or sex has changed since your last license was issued. If your name has changed, bring the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring one document proving your identity (current license, passport, or military ID), one proving your Social Security number (Social Security card or tax document), and one proving your Missouri address (utility bill or lease dated within 60 days).
  • If your name has changed since your last license, bring the legal document that shows the change.
  • You can renew in person at any Missouri DMV office, or by mail if you meet certain conditions and your license is not expired.
  • The renewal fee is $13.50 for a four-year license or $27 for an eight-year license; you choose which length when you renew.
  • Processing takes about two weeks in person and four to six weeks by mail.

Renewing in person at a DMV office

Walk into any Missouri DMV office with your documents and a completed Form DL 44 (the driver's license process). You can fill this out before you arrive — it's on the Missouri Department of Revenue website — or fill it out at the office. Bring your documents, your completed form, and your payment method (cash, check, or card).

The office will take a new photo and ask you to confirm your address and other information on the form. If you want to renew for four years or eight years, tell them then. You'll receive a temporary paper license on the spot, and your plastic license will arrive by mail in about two weeks.

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 not changed your name, address, or other information since it was issued. If you meet those conditions, the Missouri Department of Revenue will send you a renewal notice in the mail before your license expires. The notice includes a prepaid envelope and instructions.

Fill out the form in the notice, enclose a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it back. Do not send cash. Processing takes four to six weeks, and your new license will arrive by mail. You can continue to drive on your current license while you wait.

When you cannot renew by mail

If your license is already expired, you must renew in person. If your name, address, date of birth, or sex has changed, you must also renew in person — the mail-in process cannot handle those changes. If you did not receive a renewal notice in the mail, call the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407 to confirm your address is on file, then go to a DMV office.

If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), you must renew in person and pass a written test. Standard driver's licenses do not require a test at renewal.

Fees and license length options

A four-year renewal costs $13.50. An eight-year renewal costs $27. You choose which length when you renew, either on the form you mail in or when you're at the DMV office. There is no advantage to one length over the other except cost — an eight-year license costs more upfront but spreads the fee over more years.

If you are 69 years old or older, your license is free to renew, but you must renew in person and bring the same documents as anyone else.

What happens if your license is expired

You cannot legally drive on an expired license, even if it expired yesterday. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited. If you are in an accident, your insurance may not cover the claim. Renew as soon as you notice your license has expired or is about to expire.

If your license expired more than a year ago, the Missouri Department of Revenue may require you to take the written test again, even for a standard license. Call 573-526-2407 before you go to the office to ask whether you'll need to test.

Finding a DMV office near you

The Missouri Department of Revenue operates about 50 DMV offices across the state. You can find the office nearest you, its hours, and whether it requires an appointment on the Missouri Department of Revenue website. Some offices are open Monday through Friday only; others have Saturday hours. A few offices are open by appointment only, so check before you go.

You do not have to renew at the office where you originally got your license. Any Missouri DMV office can process your renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online?

No. Missouri does not offer online renewal. You can renew by mail if your license is not expired and nothing about your information has changed, or you can renew in person at any DMV office.

What if I lost my Social Security card?

Bring a different document that shows your Social Security number, such as a W-2 form, tax return, or a letter from the Social Security Administration. You do not need the card itself.

Do I need an appointment to renew at the DMV?

Most Missouri DMV offices accept walk-ins, but some require appointments. Check the office's hours and policy on the Missouri Department of Revenue website before you go. If appointments are required and none are available, you may have to wait for a cancellation or try a different office.

What if my address changed but I haven't moved yet?

Bring proof of your new address — a lease, utility bill, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. You must renew in person because the mail-in process cannot handle address changes.

How long can I drive on my temporary paper license?

Your temporary paper license is valid for 45 days. Your plastic license should arrive within two weeks, but if it doesn't, the paper license covers you until it does. If you need to drive after 45 days and your plastic license hasn't arrived, call the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407.