Yes, you can renew online if your license meets certain conditions
Missouri allows you to renew your driver's license online through the Missouri Department of Revenue website, but only if your current license is still valid and you meet a few specific requirements. You cannot renew online if your license has already expired, if you need to change your address, or if you are renewing a commercial driver's license. The online process takes about 10 minutes and costs $11.50.
The state issues your renewed license by mail, which typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. During that time, you can still drive using your current license. If you need your new license faster or do not meet the online requirements, you will need to visit a Missouri license office in person instead.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your current Missouri license is valid and you have not changed your address since it was issued.
- The online renewal costs $11.50 and takes about 10 minutes to complete on the Missouri Department of Revenue website.
- Your renewed license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days, and you can continue driving with your current license until it arrives.
- You must renew in person at a license office if your license has expired, if you need to change your address, or if you hold a commercial driver's license.
Who can renew online and who cannot
Missouri's online renewal is available only to drivers whose licenses are still valid. If your license has expired, even by one day, you must renew in person at a Missouri license office. The state also requires that your address on file has not changed since your current license was issued — if you have moved, you cannot use the online process.
Commercial driver's license holders cannot renew online under any circumstances. If you hold a CDL, you must visit a license office in person. The same applies if you need to update your name, add or remove endorsements (such as a motorcycle endorsement), or change any other information on your license besides your signature.
What you need before you start
Gather these items before you begin the online renewal on the Missouri Department of Revenue website: your current Missouri driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover). You will also need an email address where the state can send your confirmation.
Have your license in front of you as you fill out the form. The state will ask you to verify information from your current license, including your date of birth, license number, and the address printed on it. If any of this information is incorrect on your current license, you cannot fix it online — you will need to visit a license office instead.
The step-by-step online renewal process
Go to the Missouri Department of Revenue's online services page and select the driver's license renewal option. You will be taken to a form where you enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will pull up your current license information and ask you to confirm it is correct.
Review the information displayed on your screen. If everything matches your current license exactly, proceed to the next step. If you notice any errors — a wrong address, incorrect name spelling, or any other discrepancy — stop and visit a license office instead, because the online system cannot make corrections.
Enter your Social Security number and answer any security questions the system presents. Then review the renewal terms and fees. Pay the $11.50 renewal fee using your credit or debit card. After payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation number by email. Save this confirmation — you may need it if you have questions about your renewal.
When your new license arrives and what to do if it does not
Your renewed license will be mailed to the address on file with the Missouri Department of Revenue. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days from the date you complete your online renewal. During this time, your current license remains valid and you can continue to drive.
If more than 10 business days have passed and you have not received your license, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407. Have your confirmation number ready. The department can check the status of your renewal and tell you whether your license has been mailed or if there was a problem with your order.
What to do if you do not meet the online requirements
If your license has expired, you have moved, or you need to make any changes to your license information, you must renew in person at a Missouri license office. You can find the office nearest you on the Missouri Department of Revenue website by entering your city or zip code.
Bring your current license, proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment for the renewal fee. In-person renewals are processed when ready, and you can drive home with your new license the same day. If you cannot visit an office during regular business hours, many locations offer extended evening or Saturday hours — check your local office's schedule online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my license expires before my new one arrives?
Your old license remains valid for driving until your new one arrives, even if the expiration date passes during the mail delivery time. Once you receive your new license, the old one is no longer valid. If you are concerned about the timing, you can renew in person at a license office to get your new license when ready.
Can I renew online if I changed my name?
No. Name changes require an in-person visit to a Missouri license office, where you must bring a certified copy of the document that shows your name change (such as a marriage certificate or court order). The online system cannot process name changes.
Do I need to take a new photo for an online renewal?
No. The Missouri Department of Revenue uses your photo from your current license for your renewed license. You will not take a new photo unless you renew in person at a license office.
Can I renew online if my license was suspended or revoked?
No. You cannot renew online if your license has any holds, suspensions, or revocations on it. You must visit a Missouri license office in person to address the issue before you can renew.
What happens if the payment fails during online renewal?
If your payment is declined, the system will tell you when ready and your renewal will not be processed. You can try again with a different payment method, or you can visit a license office in person to renew instead.