What a Missouri hardship license does and who can get one
A hardship license in Missouri lets you drive during a suspension when you meet specific conditions — usually work, school, or medical needs. It is not a full license; it restricts where and when you can drive. You can only use it for the purposes listed on the document itself.
Missouri issues hardship licenses to people whose licenses have been suspended for reasons including unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or certain traffic violations. The state also issues them to people under 21 whose licenses were suspended for alcohol-related offenses. You cannot get a hardship license if your suspension is for a DWI conviction or if you have an active warrant.
The process differs slightly depending on why your license was suspended. In all cases, you will need to visit a Missouri Department of Revenue office in person — you cannot complete this by mail or online.
Key Takeaways
- A hardship license allows driving only for the specific purposes listed on it, such as work, school, or medical treatment, and only during the hours approved by the Department of Revenue.
- You must visit a Missouri Department of Revenue office in person with proof of your hardship need, such as a job letter or school enrollment document.
- The fee for a hardship license is $20, and the license is valid for the duration of your suspension or one year, whichever is shorter.
- If your suspension is for unpaid fines or child support, you may need to show a payment plan or proof of partial payment before the Department of Revenue will issue the license.
- Driving outside the approved purposes or hours on a hardship license can result in additional criminal charges and a longer suspension.
Gather documents that prove your hardship need
Before you visit the Department of Revenue office, collect documents showing why you need to drive. The type of document depends on your hardship. For work, bring a signed letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title, your work schedule, and that your employment depends on your ability to drive. The letter should be dated within 30 days of your visit.
For school, bring an enrollment letter or class schedule from the school or university showing your name, the courses you are taking, and the class meeting times. For medical treatment, bring a letter from your doctor or medical provider stating the type of treatment you need, how often you need it, and the address of the facility where you receive it.
If your hardship is something else — such as caring for a family member or attending court-ordered counseling — bring documentation from the organization or person involved. The Department of Revenue staff will tell you at the counter whether your documents are sufficient.
Handle unpaid fines or child support before your visit
If your suspension is for unpaid traffic fines, you have two options. You can pay the fines in full before you visit the Department of Revenue office, or you can set up a payment plan with the court that issued the fine. If you choose a payment plan, bring proof of the agreement with you to your appointment.
If your suspension is for failure to pay child support, contact the Missouri Family Support Division or the circuit court that handles your case. You can set up a payment plan or make a partial payment. Bring proof of the payment plan or a receipt showing your payment to the Department of Revenue office.
The Department of Revenue will not issue a hardship license if you have not addressed the underlying debt in some way. straightforward promising to pay is not enough.
Visit a Missouri Department of Revenue office with your documents
Locate the nearest Department of Revenue office using the office finder on the Missouri Secretary of State website. Call ahead if possible to confirm the office is open and to ask whether you need an appointment. Some offices accept walk-ins; others require you to schedule a time slot.
Bring your current ID (even if it is suspended), your Social Security number, proof of your hardship need, and the $20 fee in cash or card. If your suspension is for unpaid fines or child support, bring the payment plan agreement or payment receipt. Arrive early; processing can take 30 minutes to an hour.
At the counter, tell the staff member that you are requesting a hardship license. They will review your documents and ask you to describe the specific times and locations where you need to drive. Be honest and specific — if you say you need to drive for work, be ready to name your employer and your work address. The staff member will enter this information into the system, and it will appear on your hardship license.
Understand the restrictions on your hardship license
Your hardship license will list the specific purposes for which you can drive — for example, "work at ABC Manufacturing, 123 Main Street, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m." You can only drive during those hours and for that purpose. Driving to the grocery store, to a friend's house, or anywhere else not listed is a violation.
The license is valid for the length of your suspension or one year, whichever is shorter. When it expires, you must renew it in person at a Department of Revenue office if your suspension is still active. You can renew it up to 30 days before it expires.
If you are stopped by police while driving on a hardship license, have the license ready to show. If you are driving outside the approved times or locations, you can be charged with driving with a suspended license, which carries criminal penalties and will extend your suspension.
Know what happens if you violate the hardship license terms
Driving outside the approved purposes, times, or locations on a hardship license is treated as driving with a suspended license. You can be arrested, charged with a Class B misdemeanor (for a first offense), and face up to six months in jail and a $500 fine. Your suspension will be extended, and you will lose the hardship license when ready.
If you need to change the purposes or hours on your hardship license — for example, if your work schedule changes — you must return to the Department of Revenue office and request an amendment. Do not straightforward start driving at different times or locations. Bring updated documentation from your employer or school showing the new schedule.
If your circumstances change and you no longer need the hardship license, you can surrender it at any Department of Revenue office. This does not end your suspension, but it does prevent you from being charged with a violation if you are stopped while driving for a non-approved purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license if my suspension is for a DWI?
No. Missouri law does not allow hardship licenses for DWI suspensions. If your license was suspended for a DWI conviction, you must wait out the full suspension period or pursue a formal license reinstatement through the Department of Revenue, which has different requirements.
What if I do not have an employer letter or school enrollment document?
Contact your employer or school and ask them to provide one. Most employers and schools will write a letter quickly if you explain that you need it for a hardship license. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns or business registration documents showing your business address and your work schedule. If you cannot obtain the required documentation, the Department of Revenue will deny your request.
How long does it take to get a hardship license after I explore?
The license is issued the same day you visit the Department of Revenue office, assuming your documents are in order and you pay the $20 fee. You will receive a paper license that is valid when ready. If your documents are incomplete, staff will tell you what is missing and you can return with the correct paperwork.
Can I drive to the Department of Revenue office to request a hardship license if my license is suspended?
Technically, driving with a suspended license is illegal, even to the Department of Revenue office. However, police generally do not stop drivers heading to a government office for this purpose. To be safe, arrange a ride or use public transportation if possible. If you are stopped, explain that you are heading to the Department of Revenue to request a hardship license and show the officer your suspension notice.
What if my hardship license expires and I still need to drive?
You can renew it at any Missouri Department of Revenue office up to 30 days before it expires. Bring the same documents you brought for the original request — an updated employer letter, school enrollment document, or medical letter — along with the $20 fee. If you do not renew before it expires and you continue to drive, you will be charged with driving with a suspended license.