What you need to do to renew in Missouri
Missouri renews driver's licenses by mail, online, or in person at a Driver License Office. Which method you can use depends on your license type and how long it has been expired. A standard driver's license is valid for six years; a REAL ID-compliant license is also valid for six years but requires additional documentation the first time you get one.
If your license is not yet expired or expired less than two years ago, you can renew by mail or online without visiting an office. If it expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person. The state does not charge extra to renew; the fee is the same whether you renew by mail, online, or in person.
You do not need to take a new written test or vision test to renew by mail or online unless Missouri's records show you are required to. If you renew in person, the office will test your vision as part of the process.
Key Takeaways
- Missouri allows online and mail renewal for licenses expired less than two years; licenses expired longer than two years require an in-person visit to a Driver License Office.
- A standard Missouri driver's license costs the same to renew whether you choose mail, online, or in-person, and the renewal fee does not change based on your method.
- You will need your current or expired license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and a Social Security number to renew.
- If you renew online or by mail, your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days; in-person renewal produces a temporary license you can use when ready.
- REAL ID licenses require proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers) and are valid for six years, the same as a standard license.
Renewing online through the Missouri Secretary of State website
The Missouri Secretary of State operates the online renewal system at dmv.mo.gov. You log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, then answer questions about whether your address, name, or other information has changed. If everything is the same, the process takes about five minutes.
Online renewal costs the same as mail or in-person renewal. You pay by debit card or credit card at the end of the transaction. Missouri will mail your new license to the address on file; if you need to change your address, you can do that during the online renewal process.
Online renewal is available only if your license expired less than two years ago and you do not have any medical restrictions or other flags on your record that require an office visit. If the system tells you that you cannot renew online, you will need to renew by mail or in person instead.
Renewing by mail
To renew by mail, you request a renewal form from the Missouri Secretary of State by calling 573-526-2407 or visiting dmv.mo.gov. You can also pick up a form at any Driver License Office. Fill out the form, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address printed on the form.
Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal. Missouri typically processes mail applications within 7 to 10 business days after receiving them, but mail delivery itself can add several days on each end. If you need your license quickly, online or in-person renewal is faster.
You do not need to include copies of documents with your mail renewal unless Missouri's records show you need to update your address or other information. If you are changing your address, include a proof of residency document such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
Renewing in person at a Driver License Office
If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person. You can also choose to renew in person even if you are within the two-year window. Bring your current or expired license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number or card.
Driver License Offices are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some locations open on Saturday mornings. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but some locations use an online reservation system to manage wait times. Check dmv.mo.gov to find the office nearest you and see whether that location requires a reservation.
When you renew in person, the office will test your vision and take a new photo. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you. The permanent license arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
Documents you need for each renewal method
| Renewal Method | Documents Required |
|---|---|
| Online | Driver's license number and date of birth; no documents to mail or bring |
| By Mail | Renewal form; check or money order for fee; proof of residency if address is changing |
| In Person | Current or expired license; proof of residency; Social Security number or card |
Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government document showing your current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A driver's license or state ID from another state does not count as proof of residency.
If you are renewing a REAL ID license for the first time, you must also bring proof of citizenship: a U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or tribal ID. REAL ID licenses have a gold star in the upper right corner and are required for federal building access and domestic air travel starting May 7, 2025.
What happens if your license has been expired for a long time
If your Missouri license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must visit a Driver License Office in person. The office will treat your renewal like a new process: you will take a vision test and have a new photo taken, but you will not take the written knowledge test unless the office determines you need to.
Bring the same documents you would bring for a standard in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. If you cannot find your expired license, bring a state ID or passport instead. The office can look up your record by name and date of birth.
There is no penalty or additional fee for renewing a license that has been expired for several years. The renewal fee is the same as it would be for a license that expired recently.
REAL ID versus standard license renewal
Missouri offers both standard driver's licenses and REAL ID-compliant licenses. Both are valid for six years and cost the same to renew. The difference is that REAL ID licenses meet federal security standards and can be used for domestic air travel and federal building access after May 7, 2025.
If you currently have a standard license and want to switch to REAL ID when you renew, you must renew in person and bring proof of citizenship. If you already have a REAL ID license, you can renew it by mail or online (if it expired less than two years ago) without bringing citizenship documents again.
Your renewal notice will tell you which type of license you currently have. If you are unsure, you can check dmv.mo.gov or call 573-526-2407.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Missouri license if I have moved out of state?
No. Missouri requires proof of residency to renew, which means a document showing your current Missouri address. If you have moved out of state, you need to get a driver's license from your new state instead. You can surrender your Missouri license by mail or in person.
What if I lost my license and need to renew it at the same time?
You can renew and replace a lost license in one transaction. If you renew in person, tell the office your license is lost and they will issue a replacement as part of the renewal. If you renew by mail or online, you can request a replacement at the same time by noting it on the form or during the online process. There may be an additional small fee for the replacement.
How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?
Missouri typically mails renewed licenses within 7 to 10 business days after processing your process. Actual delivery time depends on your location and mail service. If you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while you wait for the permanent license to arrive.
Do I need to renew my license before it expires, or can I renew after?
You can renew up to one year before your license expires or up to two years after it expires (by mail or online). If it expires more than two years ago, you must renew in person. There is no penalty for renewing early or late, as long as you renew before it expires more than two years.
What if my name has changed since my last license?
If you renew in person, bring your current license and a document showing your legal name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you renew by mail or online, include a copy of the name-change document with your process. The office will update your record and issue a new license with your current name.