Where to pay the reinstatement fee and what it costs
To reinstate a suspended or revoked Missouri driver's license in Saint Louis, you pay a fee to the Missouri Department of Revenue. The reinstatement fee itself is $100 for most suspensions. However, the total amount you owe depends on why your license was suspended — you may also owe traffic fines, child support arrears, or other court-ordered amounts before the state will process your reinstatement.
You can pay the reinstatement fee in person at the Saint Louis Circuit Court, Traffic Division, located at 1114 Market Street, Saint Louis, MO 63101, or by mail to the Missouri Department of Revenue, Driver License Bureau, P.O. Box 200, Jefferson City, MO 65105. Some payment methods may be available online through the Missouri Department of Revenue website, though this varies depending on the reason for suspension.
Before you pay anything, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407 to confirm the exact amount owed and what documents you need to submit with your payment. The reason your license was suspended determines whether you need a reinstatement hearing, a substance abuse evaluation, or proof of insurance.
Key Takeaways
- The reinstatement fee is $100, but you may owe additional amounts for traffic fines, child support, or other court orders before your license can be reinstated.
- You can pay in person at the Saint Louis Circuit Court Traffic Division or by mail to the Missouri Department of Revenue.
- Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407 before paying to learn the exact total owed and what documents to include.
- The reason for your suspension determines whether you need a hearing, evaluation, or proof of insurance before reinstatement is granted.
- Processing time varies but typically takes two to four weeks after the Department receives your payment and required documents.
Reasons your license may be suspended and what each requires
Missouri suspends driver's licenses for several reasons, and each has different reinstatement requirements. The most common are suspension for unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, driving under the influence (DUI) convictions, accumulation of points from traffic violations, and failure to maintain auto insurance.
If your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed to the court before the Department of Revenue will reinstate it. If suspension is due to child support arrears, you must contact the Missouri Family Support Division to arrange payment or a payment plan — the Department of Revenue will not reinstate until that agency notifies them the debt is resolved or a plan is in place.
DUI-related suspensions require more than payment. You typically must complete a substance abuse assessment, provide proof of completion to the court, and show proof of SR-22 insurance (high-risk auto insurance) before reinstatement. Point-based suspensions (from accumulating too many traffic violations) usually require only payment of the reinstatement fee, but you may need to pass a written test or vision test to prove you are still safe to drive.
Documents you need to bring or mail with your payment
The documents required depend on the reason for suspension. For all reinstatements, have your current Missouri ID card or passport ready to verify your identity. If you are paying by mail, include a copy of your ID with your payment.
If your suspension was for unpaid fines, include a receipt or letter from the court showing the debt is paid. If it was for child support, include written confirmation from the Family Support Division that the arrears are paid or a payment plan is in place. For DUI suspensions, include the substance abuse assessment completion certificate and your SR-22 insurance declaration page showing your policy is active.
For suspensions based on accumulated points, you may need to pass a vision test at a Missouri license office before reinstatement. The Department of Revenue will tell you whether this is required when you call to confirm the total amount owed.
How to contact the Missouri Department of Revenue
The Missouri Department of Revenue Driver License Bureau handles reinstatement requests. Call 573-526-2407 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time) to confirm your suspension reason, the total amount owed, and the documents you need to submit.
You can also visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website at dor.mo.gov to search for your suspension status using your driver's license number. The website does not process reinstatement payments directly, but it will show you the reason for suspension and may provide links to pay certain fines online through the court system.
If your suspension is related to child support, you may need to contact the Missouri Family Support Division at 573-751-4301 in addition to the Department of Revenue. If it is related to a traffic fine, contact the Saint Louis Circuit Court Traffic Division directly at 314-622-4500.
Processing time and what happens after you pay
After the Missouri Department of Revenue receives your payment and all required documents, processing typically takes two to four weeks. During this time, your license remains suspended. The Department will mail you a new license or a reinstatement notice to the address on file.
If you need to drive before your new license arrives, you can request a temporary driving permit from any Missouri license office. Bring proof of payment and your ID. The temporary permit is valid for 30 days and allows you to drive legally while waiting for your permanent license.
If your reinstatement is denied, the Department will send you a letter explaining why and what additional steps you need to take. Common reasons for denial include incomplete payment, missing documents, or an active court order preventing reinstatement. Contact the Department when ready if you receive a denial letter to understand what is still owed.
Paying in person at the Saint Louis Circuit Court
The Saint Louis Circuit Court Traffic Division accepts reinstatement payments in person at 1114 Market Street, Saint Louis, MO 63101. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Bring your ID, proof of the amount owed (such as a letter from the Department of Revenue), and payment in the form of cash, check, or money order.
When you pay in person, ask for a receipt and confirmation that your payment has been recorded. Keep this receipt — you will need it if the Department of Revenue does not receive your payment or if there is a delay in processing. The court will forward your payment to the Department of Revenue, but this can take one to two weeks.
If you pay by check or money order, make it payable to the "State of Missouri" or follow the specific instructions provided by the court when you call ahead.
Paying by mail to the Missouri Department of Revenue
To pay by mail, send your reinstatement fee and any other amounts owed to the Missouri Department of Revenue, Driver License Bureau, P.O. Box 200, Jefferson City, MO 65105. Include a check or money order made payable to the "State of Missouri," a copy of your ID, and a letter stating your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and the reason you are requesting reinstatement.
Mail takes five to seven business days to reach Jefferson City, and processing takes an additional two to four weeks after the Department receives your payment. If you need your license reinstated quickly, paying in person at the Saint Louis Circuit Court is faster because the court can process your payment when ready and forward it to the Department the same day.
Keep a copy of everything you mail, including your check number or money order receipt. If your payment is lost in the mail, you will have proof of what you sent. Consider using certified mail with return receipt if you are concerned about delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a suspended license if I have paid the reinstatement fee?
No. Your license remains suspended until the Missouri Department of Revenue processes your payment and issues a new license or reinstatement notice. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in additional fines and criminal charges. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, request a temporary driving permit from any Missouri license office.
What if I cannot pay the full reinstatement fee right now?
Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407 to ask whether a payment plan is available. For child support-related suspensions, contact the Missouri Family Support Division at 573-751-4301 to arrange a payment plan. For traffic fines, contact the Saint Louis Circuit Court Traffic Division at 314-622-4500. Not all suspension types allow payment plans, so confirm before assuming one is available.
How do I know if my license is still suspended?
Visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website at dor.mo.gov and use the license status search tool with your driver's license number. You can also call 573-526-2407 to ask. The status search will tell you the reason for suspension and whether reinstatement is possible.
Do I need a hearing to reinstate my license?
Most reinstatements do not require a hearing. However, if your suspension is related to a DUI conviction or if the Department of Revenue believes there are safety concerns, a hearing may be required. The Department will notify you if a hearing is necessary when you contact them about reinstatement.
What if the reinstatement fee was paid but my license is still showing as suspended?
Processing delays are common. Wait two to four weeks after the Department receives your payment. If more than four weeks have passed, call 573-526-2407 with your payment receipt to confirm the payment was received and processed. If the payment was lost or not recorded, you may need to pay again and provide proof of the first payment.