What you need to do to replace your Missouri driver's license
To replace a lost or damaged Missouri driver's license, you visit a Missouri Department of Revenue office in person, bring specific documents, and pay a replacement fee. You cannot do this by mail or online. The process takes about 15 minutes at the office, and you walk out with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic card is mailed to you — usually within 7 to 10 business days.
Missouri charges $11.50 for a standard replacement license. If your license is damaged but not lost, you can still use the same process. The main difference between a lost and damaged license is that a damaged one may be surrendered at the office, while a lost one straightforward won't be.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Missouri Department of Revenue office in person with a valid ID and proof of your current address to replace your license.
- The replacement fee is $11.50, and you receive a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 30 days.
- Your new plastic license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days, and you should not need to take a new photo or pass a test.
- If your license was lost in Missouri, you do not need to file a police report, though you may want to for your own records if fraud is a concern.
Documents to bring to the Missouri Department of Revenue office
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID — a passport, military ID, or out-of-state driver's license all work. You also need proof of your current address, which can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency also counts.
If you have your old license, bring it. If it is lost, you do not need to bring anything to prove it was lost — just tell the staff member. Do not bring a police report unless you suspect identity theft or fraud; it is not required for a straightforward replacement.
Finding the nearest Missouri Department of Revenue office
The Missouri Department of Revenue operates driver's license offices across the state. You can find the office nearest you and its hours on the Missouri Secretary of State website under "Driver License Offices." Most offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some have extended evening hours one or two days per week.
Call ahead if you want to confirm hours or ask whether the office is unusually busy on a particular day. Some offices have walk-in hours only, while others take appointments. A few larger offices in Kansas City and St. Louis may have shorter wait times than rural locations.
What happens at the office and what you receive
When you arrive, you will give your documents to a staff member, confirm your information, and pay the $11.50 fee. You will not take a new photo — the office uses the photo from your existing license record. You will not retake a written or driving test. The entire process usually takes 10 to 20 minutes.
Before you leave, you receive a temporary paper license printed on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and has the same legal weight as your plastic license — you can drive with it, use it as ID, and show it to police. Your new plastic license is mailed to the address on file and typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. If it does not arrive within two weeks, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue to check on the status.
If your address has changed since your last license
If you have moved, bring proof of your new address to the office. The staff member will update your address in the system during the replacement process. Your new license will be mailed to your new address, not your old one. Make sure the address you provide is correct, because the license will go there.
If you are not sure what address is currently on file, you can call the Missouri Department of Revenue before your visit and they will tell you. This prevents the license from being mailed to an old address by mistake.
Replacing a license if you are out of state or unable to visit an office
Missouri does not offer mail-in or online replacement for lost or damaged licenses. You must appear in person at a Missouri Department of Revenue office. If you are temporarily out of state, you can wait until you return to Missouri to replace it, or you can visit an office during a trip home.
If you are a Missouri resident living permanently out of state, you will need to return to Missouri to replace your license in person. Some people in this situation travel back for the appointment, or they wait until their license expires and renew it by mail at that time. There is no workaround for the in-person requirement on a replacement.
What to do if you suspect fraud or identity theft
If your license was lost and you are concerned someone might use it fraudulently, you can file a report with the Missouri State Highway Patrol or your local police department. This creates a record in case the lost license is used. You do not need this report to replace your license, but it is useful if you want documentation of the loss.
You may also want to place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) if you believe your personal information is at risk. This is a separate step from replacing your license and is done directly with the credit bureaus, not through the Department of Revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace my license if it is suspended or revoked?
No. You cannot replace a suspended or revoked license. You must first resolve the suspension or revocation with the Missouri Department of Revenue. Once that is cleared, you can then replace the physical card. Contact the Department of Revenue to find out what steps are needed to lift the suspension.
Do I need to take a new photo for my replacement license?
No. The Missouri Department of Revenue uses your existing photo from your current license record. You will not sit for a new photo during a replacement. If you want a new photo, you must wait until your license expires and renew it instead of replacing it.
What if my temporary paper license expires before my plastic license arrives?
Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue when ready. They can issue you another temporary license or investigate why your plastic license has not arrived. In most cases, the plastic license arrives well before the 30-day temporary expires, but delays do happen occasionally.
Can someone else pick up my replacement license from the office?
No. You must pick up your temporary license in person at the office where you applied. Your plastic license is mailed to your address on file, so no one needs to pick it up — it arrives by mail.
What if I lost my license outside of Missouri?
You still replace it through the Missouri Department of Revenue using the same process. You do not need to file a report in the state where you lost it. straightforward visit a Missouri office when you are able, bring your documents, and proceed with the replacement.