What you need to do to reinstate a suspended Missouri license
To reinstate a suspended Missouri driver's license, you must first find out why it was suspended, then complete whatever requirement caused the suspension, and finally pay a reinstatement fee to the Missouri Department of Revenue. The reason matters because different suspensions require different steps — a suspension for unpaid traffic fines works differently than one for failing a drug test or not paying child support.
Start by contacting the Missouri Department of Revenue's Driver Services Bureau at 573-526-2407 or visiting their website to learn the specific reason for your suspension. They will tell you exactly what you must do before you can drive legally again. Once you have completed those requirements and paid the reinstatement fee (currently $100 for most suspensions, though some carry additional fees), you can request reinstatement.
Key Takeaways
- Call the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407 to find out the exact reason your license was suspended, as different reasons require different steps to fix.
- Most suspensions require you to resolve the underlying issue — pay fines, complete a defensive driving course, provide proof of insurance, or satisfy a court order — before reinstatement is possible.
- The reinstatement fee is $100 for most suspensions, though some reasons (like DWI-related suspensions) may carry higher fees or additional requirements.
- You can request reinstatement by mail, in person at a Missouri Department of Revenue office, or online through their website once all requirements are met.
- Reinstated licenses are usually valid when ready, but you should confirm your status before driving to avoid driving with a suspended license.
Common reasons for suspension in Missouri and what to do about each
Missouri suspends licenses for many reasons, and each one has its own path to reinstatement. The most common are unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, driving without insurance, accumulating too many points on your record, and failure to pay child support or court-ordered fines.
If your suspension is for unpaid traffic fines or failure to appear, you must pay the fine or appear in court (or both) before reinstatement. If it is for driving without insurance, you must provide proof of current insurance coverage. If it is for accumulating points, you may need to complete a defensive driving course or wait out a suspension period. If it is for failure to pay child support or other court-ordered payments, you must satisfy that obligation or arrange a payment plan with the court.
Some suspensions are administrative — meaning they happen automatically when you do not respond to a notice or do not meet a important date. Others are court-ordered, meaning a judge imposed them as part of a sentence or penalty. The Department of Revenue can tell you which type yours is and what the next step is.
How to find out your suspension reason and requirements
The fastest way is to call the Missouri Department of Revenue Driver Services Bureau at 573-526-2407. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. They will tell you the reason for suspension and exactly what you must do to clear it.
You can also check online through the Missouri Department of Revenue website by logging into your account or searching for your license status. If you do not have an online account, you can create one with your license number and date of birth. The website will show your suspension reason and any requirements you must meet.
If you prefer to visit in person, you can go to any Missouri Department of Revenue office. Bring your driver's license or state ID. Staff can print out your driving record and explain what needs to happen next. This option takes longer but can be useful if you have questions that need detailed explanation.
Completing the requirements before you request reinstatement
Once you know what caused your suspension, you must complete that requirement before the Department of Revenue will reinstate your license. Do not skip this step — requesting reinstatement without meeting the requirement will be denied, and you will have to start over.
If you owe fines, pay them to the court or agency listed in your suspension notice. Keep your receipt or payment confirmation. If you need to appear in court, contact the court listed and schedule an appearance or resolve the case. If you need insurance, purchase a policy and get a proof-of-insurance document from your insurance company. If you need to complete a defensive driving course, enroll in an approved course through an online provider or local driving school — the Department of Revenue website lists approved providers.
For child support or other court-ordered payments, contact the agency handling your case and ask what payment or arrangement will clear the suspension. Some courts will lift a suspension once you make a single payment or agree to a payment plan, even if you do not pay the full amount when ready.
Paying the reinstatement fee and requesting reinstatement
Once all requirements are met, you must pay a $100 reinstatement fee to the Missouri Department of Revenue. This fee is separate from any fines, court costs, or other payments you made to clear the suspension.
You can request reinstatement and pay the fee in three ways: by mail, in person at a Department of Revenue office, or online through their website. By mail, send a letter requesting reinstatement along with a check or money order for $100 to the Missouri Department of Revenue, Driver Services Bureau, P.O. Box 200, Jefferson City, MO 65105. Include your name, date of birth, driver's license number, and a brief statement that you have met all suspension requirements. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days.
In person, visit any Missouri Department of Revenue office with your driver's license or state ID and payment. Bring proof that you have met all requirements (receipts, court documents, insurance proof, course completion certificate). Reinstatement is usually when ready. Online, log into your account on the Department of Revenue website, select "Request Reinstatement," and pay the fee by debit or credit card. You will receive confirmation when ready, though your license status may take a few hours to update in the system.
What happens after you request reinstatement
If you requested reinstatement in person, your license is usually reinstated when ready and you can drive right away. If you requested by mail or online, your reinstatement is processed within 5 to 10 business days. You can check your license status online or call the Department of Revenue to confirm reinstatement before you drive.
Your reinstated license will have the same expiration date as your original license. You do not receive a new physical card unless your license was also expired. If your license expired while it was suspended, you will need to renew it separately (renewal costs $25 for a four-year license or $50 for an eight-year license).
Once reinstated, your driving privileges are restored and you can legally drive in Missouri. However, if your suspension was for a serious reason like DWI, you may have additional restrictions — such as an ignition interlock device requirement or a probationary license period. The Department of Revenue will explain any restrictions when you request reinstatement.
If you cannot meet the requirements right away
If you owe fines but cannot pay them all at once, contact the court that issued the fine and ask about a payment plan. Many courts will work with you to set up monthly payments, and some will lift a suspension once you make the first payment and commit to a plan.
If you need to appear in court but have not received a notice, contact the court directly to find out what you need to do. Do not ignore a court order — the longer you wait, the more complicated it becomes. If you cannot afford insurance, contact your insurance company about low-cost options or ask about your state's assigned risk pool, which provides coverage for drivers who cannot find insurance elsewhere.
If you are struggling with child support or other court-ordered payments, contact the agency handling your case and explain your situation. Many agencies have hardship programs or can modify payment amounts. Getting ahead of the problem is always better than waiting for enforcement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a suspended license if I am going to reinstate it soon?
No. Driving with a suspended license is illegal in Missouri and can result in additional fines, criminal charges, and a longer suspension. Wait until your reinstatement is confirmed before you drive. If you need to drive for work or medical reasons, ask the court about a hardship license, which allows limited driving while your suspension is pending.
What if I do not know why my license was suspended?
Call the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407 and provide your driver's license number or Social Security number. They will look up your record and tell you the reason. If the reason seems wrong, ask them to explain it and tell you how to dispute it if you believe there is an error.
Do I need to take a new driving test to get my license back?
No. Reinstatement does not require a new written or driving test. You only need to meet the specific requirements that caused the suspension and pay the reinstatement fee. However, if your license expired while it was suspended, you will need to renew it, which may include a new photo and vision test but not a driving test.
How long does reinstatement take if I do it online?
Online reinstatement is processed within 5 to 10 business days. Your license status should update in the system within a few hours, but you can confirm by checking online or calling the Department of Revenue before you drive. In-person reinstatement is usually when ready.
What if I have multiple suspensions on my record?
You must clear all suspensions before your license can be reinstated. Call the Department of Revenue and ask them to list every active suspension and what is required for each. Once you have met all requirements and paid one $100 reinstatement fee, your license will be fully reinstated.