Renewing your Missouri driver's license in person or by mail
Missouri lets you renew your driver's license by mail if you meet certain conditions, or you can renew in person at a license office. The mail route is faster if you're under 70, have no medical restrictions, and your license hasn't been suspended or revoked. If any of those don't explore to you, you'll need to go to an office.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. That notice tells you which method you can use. If you don't receive one, you can still renew, but you'll need to bring more documents to prove your identity and Missouri residency.
Processing times vary: mail renewals typically take 7 to 10 business days after the Department of Revenue receives them, while in-person renewals are usually done the same day. If you're renewing close to your expiration date, going in person is safer.
Key Takeaways
- Mail renewal is available only if you're under 70, have no medical restrictions, and your license is in good standing — your renewal notice will tell you if you're may be able to access.
- In-person renewal at any Missouri license office takes about 30 minutes and you leave with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic card is mailed.
- You'll need your current license, proof of Missouri residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security number.
- Mail renewals take 7 to 10 business days after the Department of Revenue receives your packet, so send it at least three weeks before expiration if you're not in a rush.
Renewing by mail: what to send and where
To renew by mail, you need your renewal notice (the form that arrived in the mail), your current driver's license, and a check or money order for the renewal fee. The fee is $24 for a four-year license if you're under 70. Write your driver's license number on the check.
Mail your packet to the address printed on your renewal notice. That address changes based on which region of Missouri you live in, so don't use a generic state address — use the one on your form. Include a return envelope or the Department of Revenue will mail your new license to the address on file.
Keep a copy of everything you send, or take a photo of it before mailing. If the Department of Revenue doesn't receive your packet or says something is missing, you'll have proof of what you sent.
Renewing in person: documents you need and what happens
Bring your current driver's license, proof of Missouri residency, and your Social Security number. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or government mail with your current address — it needs to be dated within the last 60 days. A phone bill or credit card statement doesn't count.
Go to any Missouri license office during their business hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some have different hours. You can find your nearest office and check its hours on the Missouri Department of Revenue website.
The process takes about 30 minutes. You'll have your photo taken, answer a few questions, and pay the renewal fee in cash, check, or card. You'll leave with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic license is mailed to your address on file. Your new card usually arrives within two weeks.
What to do if your license is suspended or revoked
If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it by mail or in person until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Suspensions happen for reasons like unpaid traffic fines, child support arrears, or medical conditions. Revocations are more serious and usually result from DWI convictions or accumulating too many points.
Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue to find out why your license is suspended or revoked and what you need to do to clear it. You may need to pay fines, complete a course, or provide medical clearance. Once that's done, you can renew normally.
Renewing if you're 70 or older
If you're 70 or older, you must renew in person, even if you received a mail renewal notice. This is because the state requires a vision test and in-person verification for drivers in this age group. Bring the same documents as any other in-person renewal: your current license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number.
The renewal fee is the same ($24 for a four-year license), and the process is identical to younger drivers. You'll get a temporary paper license and your plastic card will arrive by mail.
What happens if your license expires before you renew
If your license expires, you can still renew it, but you'll need to go in person. You cannot drive on an expired license, even if you've already sent in a mail renewal. If you're pulled over with an expired license, you can be cited.
Bring the same documents to an office: your expired license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. The renewal fee stays the same. The only difference is that you'll have to renew in person instead of by mail, and you should do it as soon as possible to avoid driving illegally.
Changing your address or name during renewal
If you're moving or changing your name, you can update it during renewal. For a mail renewal, include a note with your new address or name and your current license number. For an in-person renewal, tell the staff member at the office and bring proof of the change if it's a name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Your new license will reflect the updated information. If you're moving out of state, you'll need to get a license in your new state instead of renewing in Missouri.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online?
No, Missouri does not offer online renewal. You can renew by mail or in person only. Mail renewal is the closest option to remote renewal, but you must mail a physical packet to the Department of Revenue.
What if I lost my renewal notice?
You can still renew in person or by mail without it. If you're renewing in person, bring your current license and proof of residency. If you're renewing by mail, contact the Department of Revenue to request a renewal form or check their website for the mailing address for your region.
How much does renewal cost?
A four-year renewal costs $24 if you're under 70. If you're 70 or older, the cost is $12 for a four-year license. Some counties may charge a small additional fee, so ask when you renew in person or include a few extra dollars if renewing by mail.
Can I renew early?
Yes, you can renew up to one year before your license expires. Renewing early doesn't change the expiration date of your new license — it's still four years from the date you renew. There's no fee reduction for renewing early.
What if I need my license before the mail renewal arrives?
Go in person to a license office instead. You'll get a temporary paper license when ready and your plastic card within two weeks. This is faster than waiting for a mail renewal to be processed.