Where to go and what you need

You replace your Missouri driver's license at your local Missouri Department of Revenue office, not online and not by mail. You walk in with your current license (or ID), proof of your current address, and payment, and you leave with a temporary paper license the same day. The permanent card arrives by mail in about two weeks.

If your license was lost, stolen, or damaged, the process is the same. If your license expired more than seven years ago, you will need to pass the vision test again, but you do not need to retake the written or driving test.

The Department of Revenue has about 50 offices across Missouri. Find the one nearest you at dor.mo.gov — search "license office locations" — and check their hours before you go. Some offices close for lunch or operate limited hours on certain days.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a Department of Revenue office in person; there is no online or mail replacement option for a lost, stolen, or damaged license.
  • Bring your current license or ID, proof of your address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and payment of $11.50 for a standard replacement.
  • You receive a temporary paper license when ready and the permanent card arrives by mail within two weeks.
  • If your license expired more than seven years ago, you will take a vision test but not a written or road test.
  • Office hours and locations vary; check dor.mo.gov before you visit to avoid a wasted trip.

Documents to bring to the office

Bring your current Missouri driver's license or state ID card. If it was lost or stolen and you do not have it, bring a photo ID instead — a passport, military ID, or tribal ID all work. If your license was damaged but still readable, bring it anyway; the office will take it and issue the replacement.

You also need proof that you live at your current address. The Department of Revenue accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail (like a tax return or court document) dated within the last 60 days. A cell phone bill does not count. If you moved recently and your documents still show an old address, bring two documents — one showing the old address and one showing the new one — to explain the gap.

Bring your Social Security number or have it memorized. You do not need to bring a card, but you will need to provide the number when you fill out the replacement form.

The cost and payment methods

A standard replacement license costs $11.50. If you want a Real ID-compliant license (required for federal buildings and domestic flights starting May 2025), the cost is $24.50. Most people already have Real ID; check your current license — if it has a small gold star in the top right corner, it is Real ID-compliant and you do not need to pay extra.

The office accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards. Some offices may accept checks, but call ahead to confirm. There is no fee to replace a license that was damaged by the state's fault (for example, if the office issued it incorrectly), but you will need to explain what happened.

What happens at the office

When you arrive, take a number or check in at the desk. You will fill out form DL 44 (the driver's license process). The form asks for your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. If anything on your current license is wrong — your name, address, or date of birth — tell the staff member before you submit the form, because corrections may require additional documents.

The staff member will scan your documents, take a new photo, and run a vision test. The vision test is quick: you look through a machine and read letters or numbers. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them for the test. You do not need to pass any written or driving test unless your license has been expired for more than seven years.

Once the test is done, you pay and receive a temporary paper license printed on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and works for driving, voting, and entering federal buildings. Your permanent plastic card is mailed to the address on your process and usually arrives within 10 to 14 business days.

If your license expired more than seven years ago

If you have not renewed your license since it expired, you cannot straightforward replace it — you have to renew it, which requires a vision test. You do not have to retake the written knowledge test or the driving test, even if your license has been expired for decades.

Bring the same documents as you would for a replacement: your expired license, proof of address, and payment ($11.50 for standard, $24.50 for Real ID). The office will run the vision test, and if you pass, you walk out with a temporary license and the permanent one arrives by mail.

If you fail the vision test, you will be told on the spot. You can retake it the same day or come back another time. Bring corrective lenses if you use them.

Temporary license and what comes next

The temporary paper license you receive at the office is valid for 30 days and is legal for driving in Missouri and most other states. It also works for voting and entering federal buildings. Keep it with you while you wait for the permanent card.

The permanent plastic license card is mailed to the address you provided on your process. If you move before it arrives, you can update your address at a Department of Revenue office or online at dor.mo.gov, but the card will still be mailed to the address you gave when you applied. If the card does not arrive within three weeks, call the Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407 to report it.

Once the permanent card arrives, the temporary license is no longer valid. Destroy the temporary license or keep it for your records — there is no requirement to turn it in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace my license by mail if I live out of state?

No. Missouri does not offer mail replacement for lost, stolen, or damaged licenses. You must visit a Department of Revenue office in person. If you live out of state, you will need to travel to Missouri or contact the office about other options, though none are standard.

What if I do not have proof of my current address?

You need a document dated within 60 days showing your name and address. If you do not have one, ask your landlord, utility company, or bank for a letter on their letterhead confirming your address and move-in date. Some offices will accept a notarized statement from a family member, but call ahead to ask.

How long does the permanent card take to arrive?

The permanent license card is usually mailed within 10 to 14 business days. If it does not arrive within three weeks, contact the Department of Revenue at 573-526-2407. Bring your temporary license when you call so they can look up your process.

Do I need to renew my license if I am just replacing it?

No, replacement and renewal are different. Replacement is for a lost, stolen, or damaged license and costs $11.50. Renewal is for an expired license and also costs $11.50. If your license is not expired, you are replacing it, not renewing it.

What if my name has changed since my license was issued?

Tell the staff member at the office before you submit the form. You will need to bring a document showing the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The replacement process is the same, but the new license will show your current legal name.