Travel Plans? Missouri's License Might Not Work For That

Missouri driver's licenses are not valid for air travel, accessing federal facilities, or entering nuclear power plants unless they are REAL ID-compliant. REAL ID-compliant licenses have a star in the upper right-hand corner. Non-compliant licenses will have NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES in the same place. From May 7, 2025, residents of every US state and territory will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license or another form of ID to board federally regulated domestic flights, access federal facilities, or enter nuclear power plants.

REAL ID-compliant Missouri licenses

Beginning May 7, 2025, residents of every U.S. state and territory will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card to board federally regulated domestic flights, access federal facilities, and enter nuclear power plants. A REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card is indicated by a star in the upper right-hand corner.

Missouri achieved full implementation of its REAL ID program in 2019, and Missouri residents were able to apply for a REAL ID-compliant Missouri driver's license or ID card beginning March 25, 2019. The REAL ID Act of 2005, a federal law that focused on fraud protection, anti-terrorism, and driver's license and ID card security, established minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards. The Act prohibits federal agencies from accepting for official purposes driver's licenses and ID cards from states that do not meet these standards.

To obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card in Missouri, individuals must apply at one of the state's more than 170 license office locations and submit valid, original documents demonstrating proof of identity, lawful status in the United States, Social Security Number, and Missouri residency. Additional items, such as a certified marriage license or court order, may be required to verify a name change if the name is different from the name on the identity and date of birth verification document.

It is important to note that obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card in Missouri is not mandatory. Missouri law allows individuals to choose whether to apply for a REAL ID-compliant or a standard-issued driver's license or ID card. The REAL ID Act does not invalidate any previously issued Missouri driver's licenses or ID cards, and it does not affect their use for driving, voting, registering to vote, state purposes, or age verification.

Non-REAL ID-compliant Missouri licenses

Missouri licenses and ID cards that are not compliant with the REAL ID Act will have "NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES" in the upper right-hand corner. These non-compliant licenses will not be accepted as a form of identification to board domestic flights, access federal facilities, or enter nuclear power plants. Beginning May 7, 2025, residents of every U.S. state and territory will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card, or another form of ID accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, to board federally regulated domestic flights.

The REAL ID Act of 2005 is a federal law that focuses on fraud protection, anti-terrorism, and driver's license and nondriver license identification card security. The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards and prohibits federal agencies from accepting for official purposes driver's licenses and ID cards from states that do not meet these standards. Missouri achieved full implementation of its REAL ID program in 2019.

Missouri residents have been able to apply for a REAL ID-compliant Missouri driver's license or nondriver ID card since March 25, 2019. It is important to note that when applying for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, one must allow time for its processing and mailing, which typically takes 10-15 days. If you need to fly on or soon after the enforcement date of May 7, 2025, it is recommended that you renew your license or ID card no later than April 1, 2025, to allow sufficient time for delivery.

The transaction and processing fees for a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card are the same as for a license or ID card that is not REAL ID-compliant. Missouri law allows for a one-time waiver of the duplicate transaction fee for persons who have not been issued a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card. However, license office processing fees will not be waived.

License renewal

To renew your Missouri driver's license, you must present documents to verify the following:

• Date of lawful status
• Proof of Social Security number
• Proof of Missouri residential address

If you are requesting a REAL ID-compliant document, a Commercial Driver License, or a Commercial Learner's Permit, you must submit two acceptable documents as proof of Missouri residency and state of domicile.

If you have a current Missouri driver's license, nondriver ID, or permit record with a previously verified Social Security number on file, you may be able to provide your number verbally to complete the required electronic verification inquiry to the Social Security Administration. If the electronic verification fails, you will need to present a physical document to verify the number or you may be referred to the Social Security Administration for resolution.

Acceptable documents include:

• Non-REAL ID-compliant
• Commercial Driver License and Learner's Permit (REAL ID-compliant and Non-REAL ID-compliant)

If your address has changed, you will need to submit acceptable address verification documents at the time of processing your REAL ID or non-REAL ID transaction.

If you are a current noncommercial permit, noncommercial driver's license, or nondriver license identification cardholder applying for a renewal, duplicate, upgrade, or downgrade, and the address on your current printed document is the same, you may be able to self-certify and waive the submission of physical address verification documents.

You may be eligible to self-certify that your residence and mailing address remain the same if you are:

• A current REAL ID-compliant cardholder with previously verified residence and mailing address documents scanned and stored on record
• A current non-REAL ID-compliant cardholder who opted to have their address verification and other supporting documents scanned as part of their prior transaction

If you are within six months of the expiration date on your driver's license, you may apply for an early renewal. If not, the transaction would be processed as a duplicate with the same expiration date as your current driver's license.

At the time of processing, you will receive a temporary paper document and may keep the old license card, which will be punched as "VOID". The permanent card will be produced at a single, secure facility and arrive in the mail at the address provided within 7 to 10 business days.

License replacement

If your Missouri driver's license has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, you can apply for a replacement at any Missouri license office. You will need to provide proof of identity, such as a birth certificate, and proof of your Social Security number, such as your Social Security card. You will also need to provide your driver's license number and your residential address and/or mailing address.

The fee for a duplicate license varies depending on the type of license, the renewal period, and your age. It can range from $7 to $32. If you are a US citizen aged 16-17, your license will expire up to two years from the date it is issued. If you are aged 18-20, your license will be valid for three years, and if you are aged 21-69, your license will be valid for six years. If you are 70 or older, your license will be valid for three years.

If you are a new resident of Missouri and have a valid driver's license from another state, you must apply and pay for a Missouri driver's license as soon as you establish residency. You can surrender your current license to waive the Missouri skills and written tests, but you will still need to pass the road sign recognition and vision tests.

If you are changing your name, you must take documents to verify your identity, Social Security number, Missouri residency, and name change to a Missouri license office. You can then apply and pay for a duplicate driver's license with your new name. If your license is within 184 days of expiring, you can renew it early, saving you another trip.

If you are changing your address, you can update the Missouri Department of Revenue's records online. However, if you want to update the physical card you carry, you must apply and pay for an updated license at a Missouri license office. If you are within six months of your license's expiration date, you can apply for an early renewal. Otherwise, the transaction will be processed as a duplicate with the same expiration date as your current license.

License duration

The duration of a Missouri driver's license depends on the age of the applicant.

If you are between the ages of 18 and 20, your driver's license will be valid for three years. If you are between the ages of 21 and 69, your license will be valid for six years. If you are 70 or older, your license will be valid for three years.

The duration of a license for non-US citizens may be shorter, depending on the expiration date of the documents submitted.

Missouri also issues intermediate licenses to drivers between the ages of 16 and 17. These licenses are valid for up to two years.

Instruction permits are valid for 12 months and can be renewed.

The duration of a license may also depend on the visa status of the applicant.

Frequently asked questions