Yes, you can renew online if your license meets certain conditions
Missouri lets you 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, if you wear corrective lenses now when you didn't before (or vice versa), or if you're renewing after a suspension or revocation. The online process takes about 10 minutes and costs $13.50 for a four-year renewal or $27 for an eight-year renewal.
If you don't meet the online requirements, you'll need to renew in person at a Missouri license office. The state does not offer a mail-in renewal option for driver's licenses.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your current license is valid, you haven't changed your vision correction needs, and you haven't had a suspension or revocation.
- The online renewal process happens through the Missouri Department of Revenue website and takes about 10 minutes.
- You'll need your current driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card) to complete the renewal online.
- Your new license will be mailed to the address on file, and you should receive it within 7 to 10 business days.
- If you don't meet the online requirements, you must renew in person at a Missouri license office.
What you need before you start the online renewal
Gather these items before you go to the Missouri Department of Revenue website to renew: your current driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a debit or credit card for payment. You do not need to print anything or upload documents — the online system pulls your information from the state's existing records.
Make sure the address on file with the state is correct. If you've moved recently and haven't updated your address yet, you cannot complete the online renewal. You'll need to update your address in person at a license office first, then come back to renew online.
Step-by-step: completing the online renewal
Go to the Missouri Department of Revenue's online renewal portal at dor.mo.gov and look for the driver's license renewal section. Click the link to renew online. You'll be asked to enter your driver's license number and your date of birth to pull up your record.
Review the information the system displays — your name, address, and current license details. If anything is wrong, stop and contact the Department of Revenue by phone at 573-526-2407 before continuing. Errors on your record need to be corrected before you renew.
Confirm that you meet the online renewal requirements by answering the system's questions about your vision correction needs and any suspensions or revocations. If you answer "yes" to any disqualifying question, the system will tell you to renew in person instead.
Enter your Social Security number and review the renewal fee (either $13.50 for four years or $27 for eight years). Choose your payment method — debit card or credit card — and enter the card information. The system will process the payment when ready. You'll receive a confirmation number on screen; write it down or take a screenshot.
When your new license will arrive
After you complete the online renewal, the Missouri Department of Revenue will mail your new license to the address on file. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. During this time, your current license remains valid, so you can continue to use it for identification and driving.
If you don't receive your new license within 10 business days, contact the Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407. Have your confirmation number ready. The department can check the status of your renewal and reissue the license if there was a mailing problem.
When you must renew in person instead
You cannot use the online renewal if your current license has already expired. Once a license expires, Missouri requires you to renew in person at a license office, even if you're only a few days past the expiration date.
You also cannot renew online if you need to change your vision correction status — for example, if you now wear glasses but your license says you don't, or if you no longer need corrective lenses. Changes to your medical information, such as a new disability or medication that affects driving, also require an in-person visit. Any history of suspension, revocation, or denial of your license in the past also means you must renew at an office.
If you're renewing after a name change due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you'll need to renew in person and bring documentation of the name change.
In-person renewal at a Missouri license office
If you don't meet the online requirements, find your nearest Missouri license office through the Department of Revenue website. You'll need to bring your current driver's license, proof of Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease). If you're renewing after a name change, bring the court order or marriage certificate as well.
License offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though hours vary by location. Some offices accept walk-ins; others require an appointment. Check the office's page on the Department of Revenue website to see whether you need to book ahead. The in-person renewal takes about 15 to 20 minutes and costs the same as online ($13.50 for four years or $27 for eight years).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license expired more than a year ago?
No. Missouri requires you to renew in person if your license has expired, regardless of how long ago it expired. Once expired, you cannot use the online system. You'll need to visit a license office with your documents to renew.
What if I move before my new license arrives?
Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407 before you move and provide your new address. The department can redirect your license to your new location. If you don't notify them and the license is returned as undeliverable, you'll need to request a reissue.
Can I renew online if I have a commercial driver's license (CDL)?
No. CDL renewals must be done in person at a license office. Only standard driver's licenses can be renewed online through the Missouri Department of Revenue system.
Do I need to take a new photo for an online renewal?
No. The online renewal uses your existing photo from your current license. You won't take a new photo unless you renew in person and request one, or unless your license photo is more than 10 years old (in which case the system may require an in-person visit).
What happens if my payment fails during the online renewal?
If your card is declined, the system will tell you when ready and will not process the renewal. Check that your card information is correct and try again, or use a different card. If the problem continues, contact your bank or try renewing in person at a license office instead.