New Missouri Driver Licenses and Nondriver ID Cards FAQs

With red, white and blue waves, the new design celebrates Missouri’s bicentennial. The same bicentennial design will be reflected on the Missouri nondriver ID card and instruction permit.

The REAL ID-compliant versions of Missouri’s new license and ID card will continue to feature a star in the upper right-hand corner. Versions of Missouri’s new licenses and ID cards that are not compliant with REAL ID will continue to have “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES” in the upper right-hand corner. That is specifically referring to uses under the federal REAL ID Act of 2005.

Click here to review the new format and security features.

Section 302.181, RSMo, requires that licenses be produced in a way “that will prohibit, as nearly as possible, the ability to reproduce, alter, counterfeit, forge, or duplicate any license without ready detection.” Also, it is a best practice for driver licensing agencies to periodically update their card’s design and security features to combat counterfeiting and fraud. The new card design complies with the 2016 American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) Card Design Standard for layout, security and bar code formatting.

There are no additional fees or costs to Missouri residents to obtain the newly redesigned driver license as part of normal processing. However, anyone requesting a new driver license or nondriver ID card outside of their normal renewal period and solely for the purpose of obtaining the new version will have to pay the standard duplicate transaction and office processing fees. Click here for detailed fee information.

Yes. Missouri’s new driver license includes a series of enhanced security features compliant with AAMVA 2016 Card Design Standards and the REAL ID Act of 2005. These features will provide assurances to law enforcement, retailers and others who rely on driver licenses and ID cards for proving identity.

Some of the enhanced features include easily verifiable features such as designated header colors for different license types, ghost images, an updated laser perforation in the shape of a dogwood flower, a new laser-engraved tactile feature and ultraviolet (UV) ink features. A new USA marking in the upper left-hand corner indicates country of issuance and is not tied to citizenship or immigration status. Documents issued to “Under 21” applicants will continue to be in a vertical format.

Click here to review the new format and security features.

Yes. You may surrender your current driver license, nondriver ID, or instruction permit and present the required verification documents to apply for a duplicate transaction. Applicable duplicate transaction and processing fees will apply.

You must provide documents to verify identity, lawful status, Social Security number, and Missouri residential address. If you have a “mail-to” address in addition to your residential address, you also must provide proof of the mail-to address. If your current name is different from the identity or lawful status document presented, you must submit a document to verify name change.

If you are renewing your driver license or nondriver ID, the list of documents required can also be found on the back of your renewal postcard:

• Non-Commercial License (U.S. Citizen)
• Non-Commercial License (Non-U.S. Citizen) and all Commercial Driver License (CDL) Applicants

Click here for a list of acceptable documents required to obtain a REAL ID-compliant document.
Click here for a list of acceptable documents required to obtain a non REAL ID-compliant document.

You may go to any Missouri license office you choose to apply for a new, renewal or duplicate document as needed. The application process and fees remain the same. At the time of processing, you will receive a temporary, paper document and may keep the old license card, which will be punched “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.

Mailing the card helps detect and prevent fraud and identity theft by requiring a valid address, and allows extra security precautions to be taken prior to issuing the permanent card, so that an individual who might pose as someone else will not be able to receive a license on the spot.

The new card is mailed in a regular envelope through the U.S. Postal Service, similar to the way a credit card or passport is mailed. The envelope will have a return mail address for the Department of Revenue; however, there is nothing to suggest or reveal the contents.

You should receive your driver license or nondriver ID within 7 to 10 business days.

NOTE: Some applications, such as a new Commercial Driver License, will require a secondary review for final approval and may exceed the average 7-10 day time frame.

If the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver your card to the address you provided, it may be returned to the Missouri Department of Revenue. The Department will hold the card for 60 days. If you do not contact us within 60 days indicating you did not receive the card, it will be destroyed. You may contact the Department at 573-526-2407 or dlbmail@dor.mo.gov for assistance.

Yes. The temporary document for a non-commercial permit or license is only valid for 45 days from the date of issuance. The expiration date is printed on it.

The temporary document for a commercial license or permit is valid for 45 days from the date of issuance.

While the majority of cards should be received in the mail within 10 working days, some transaction types require additional time for review or processing.

If you have not received your actual card in the mail and your temporary driving document is due to expire within 5 to 7 days, you may contact the Department for assistance.

If it is determined that additional time is required for mailing:

• Instruction Permit or Driver License – You may request an extension of your temporary driving document at any Missouri license office.
• Nondriver ID – You may continue to use the temporary paper document until you have received your card in the mail. No update or extension document is required.

To replace a card not received by mail at least 25 working days after mailing date and not more than 90 days from the date of application, you may apply for a duplicate at any Missouri license office. The transaction may be processed at no fee as long as there are no data changes requested. If your residential address changed from the original application or other data changes are requested, the standard duplicate transaction fee will be charged.

If your current Temporary Driver License (TDL) document is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you may apply and pay for a duplicate at any Missouri license office. Acceptable proof of identity and residential address is required, and the duplicate license fee will be charged.

A replacement of a Money Receipt Only document (for a nondriver ID card) cannot be issued.

Although it is generally up to a business to decide what type of identification is acceptable to it, the Department is working to inform businesses and other agencies about the new licenses and process. If you experience a problem with a business accepting your temporary document, please contact the Department at 573-526-2407 or dlbmail@dor.mo.gov. We will work with the business to try to provide information about our new documents.

In addition to the temporary document, you may also want to carry the old license card (which will have been punched “VOID”) until you receive the permanent card in the mail. All temporary (paper) documents will be marked as "NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES". That is specifically referring to uses under the federal REAL ID Act of 2005.

While the temporary document may be accepted for most general business purposes, you should verify acceptance of the temporary document with the agency.

The temporary document will not be accepted as a REAL ID-compliant identification for federally regulated domestic air travel, federal facility access (military bases, federal court houses, etc.) or accessing nuclear power plants. If you require a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID, you should allow at least 10-15 business days, from the date of application, to receive the printed REAL ID-compliant card by mail. Click here for additional information about Missouri’s REAL ID program.

You may reach the Driver License Bureau by phone at 573-526-2407 or by email at dlbmail@dor.mo.gov. Click here for the Department's complete contact information.

Yes. Any previously issued REAL ID-compliant Missouri driver license or nondriver ID card is still valid for REAL ID compliance and other identity verification purposes until its listed expiration date.

Click here for more information about the new Missouri driver license.

Yes. Any previously issued Missouri driver license or nondriver ID card, REAL ID-compliant or not, is still valid for driving or identification purposes until its listed expiration date.

Click here for more information about the new Missouri driver license.