You can renew your Missouri driver's license up to one year before it expires

Missouri allows you to renew your driver's license anytime during the 12 months before your expiration date. Your current license shows the expiration date in the upper right corner. You do not have to wait until the last month — the state processes renewals as soon as you submit them, and your new license will be mailed to you within two to three weeks under normal circumstances.

If your license has already expired, you can still renew it, but the process becomes more complicated. An expired license that has been expired for more than a certain period may require you to retake the written test and vision screening, depending on how long ago it lapsed. Missouri's rules on this vary, so contacting your local Missouri Department of Revenue office before you go in will save you a trip.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew your Missouri driver's license anytime during the 12 months before it expires, not just in the final weeks.
  • Renewing early means your new license arrives before your current one expires, so you avoid any gap in valid identification.
  • An expired license can still be renewed, but if it has been expired for a long time, you may need to retake the written test and vision exam.
  • You can renew in person at any Missouri Department of Revenue office, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the state's portal.

Renewal by mail or online if you meet Missouri's requirements

Missouri offers mail and online renewal for drivers whose licenses are not expired and who meet specific conditions. To renew by mail, your license must not be expired, you must not have any medical restrictions or vision corrections that have changed, and you must not have had any address changes since your last renewal. You will need to submit the renewal form (DL 44) along with your current license and the renewal fee.

Online renewal through the Missouri Department of Revenue website is faster and requires no mailing. You log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, verify your information, pay the fee online, and your new license is mailed to you. Online renewal has the same restrictions as mail renewal — your license cannot be expired, and your personal information must not have changed.

If you do not meet these conditions, you must renew in person at a Missouri Department of Revenue office. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days works), and payment for the renewal fee.

In-person renewal at a Missouri Department of Revenue office

You can walk into any Missouri Department of Revenue office and renew your driver's license on the spot. Bring your current license, proof of your current address, and the renewal fee. The office will take a new photo, verify your information, and issue your new license when ready if you are renewing a standard license and have no medical or vision changes to report.

Wait times at Missouri Department of Revenue offices vary by location and time of day. Offices in rural areas and smaller cities typically have shorter waits than those in Kansas City or St. Louis. Many offices allow you to check current wait times on the Missouri Department of Revenue website before you go. Going early in the morning on a weekday usually means a shorter wait than afternoons or weekends.

What happens if your license has already expired

An expired Missouri driver's license can be renewed, but the rules depend on how long it has been expired. If your license expired within the last year, you can usually renew it without retaking any tests — you straightforward go to a Missouri Department of Revenue office, bring your expired license and proof of address, and pay the renewal fee. The process is the same as renewing a current license.

If your license has been expired for more than one year, Missouri may require you to retake the written knowledge test and pass a vision screening before issuing a new license. Some offices may also require a new photo and updated information. Call your local Missouri Department of Revenue office before you go to confirm what documents and tests you will need, since requirements can vary by office and individual circumstances.

Renewal fees and what you will receive

Missouri driver's license renewal fees depend on the type of license and how long you are renewing it for. A standard four-year renewal costs less than an eight-year renewal. The state also charges different fees for REAL ID-compliant licenses versus standard licenses. Check the Missouri Department of Revenue website or call your local office for the exact current fee, since these amounts change periodically.

When you renew, you will receive a new physical license card in the mail within two to three weeks. Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, your old license is still legal to use. Some employers or financial institutions may ask to see your new license once it arrives, so keep track of when you should expect it.

REAL ID compliance and what it means for renewal

Missouri offers both standard driver's licenses and REAL ID-compliant licenses. A REAL ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal identification standards required for air travel and entry to federal buildings. If you want to renew your license as a REAL ID license, you must bring additional documents proving your identity, date of birth, Social Security number, and Missouri residency. These documents typically include your birth certificate, Social Security card, and two proofs of address.

If you renew a standard license, you do not need these extra documents. However, starting in May 2025, a standard (non-REAL ID) Missouri driver's license will not be accepted for domestic air travel — you will need either a REAL ID license, a passport, or another federally approved form of identification. If you fly domestically, renewing as a REAL ID license now means you will not have to renew again just to meet this requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Missouri driver's license if I just moved to a new address?

Yes, but you must renew in person at a Missouri Department of Revenue office. Bring your current license, proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days), and the renewal fee. You cannot renew by mail or online if your address has changed.

What if I lost my driver's license and want to renew it?

You cannot renew a lost license. Instead, you must report it lost and request a replacement. Go to a Missouri Department of Revenue office with proof of identity and residency, and pay the replacement fee. The replacement license will have the same expiration date as your original license would have had.

How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?

Missouri typically mails your new license within two to three weeks of processing your renewal. If you renew in person at an office, you receive your new license when ready. If you have not received your license within four weeks, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue to check the status.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?

If you renew in person at a Missouri Department of Revenue office, yes — they will take a new photo. If you renew by mail or online, your photo from your current license is used on your new license unless you request a new photo when you renew online.

What if my vision or medical information has changed since my last renewal?

You must renew in person at a Missouri Department of Revenue office. Bring your current license, proof of address, and any medical documentation your doctor recommends. The office will conduct a vision screening and update your license with any necessary restrictions or corrections.