Department of Revenue News Release

The Missouri Department of Revenue remains on track to begin offering REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and nondriver identification cards on March 25, 2019. Issuance of REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards is the final step in the process for Missouri to satisfy requirements of the federal REAL ID Act and its regulations. Under Missouri law, applying for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card is optional.

“The Department of Revenue has been working hard toward achieving full implementation of the REAL ID Act, and I’m pleased to say we’re on schedule to do so later this month,” said Department Director Joel Walters. “We look forward to being able to start offering REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and ID cards on March 25. However, we want to stress to our customers that there’s no immediate need to rush to apply because the current Missouri-issued license and ID card will afford the same access as a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card until October 2020.”

Effective Oct. 1, 2020, residents of every U.S. state and territory will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of ID accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, to board federally regulated domestic flights. Individuals will also be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of acceptable ID, to access federal facilities, including military bases and federal courthouses, and to enter nuclear power plants.

The Department anticipates increased foot traffic and longer wait times at license offices in the weeks immediately following the start of REAL ID-compliant license and ID card availability. Customers are encouraged to take advantage of the time between March 25, 2019, and Oct. 1, 2020, to apply for their REAL ID-compliant license or ID card.  

“While we know many of our customers will ultimately choose to apply for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, we want to reiterate that doing so is a choice under Missouri law,” added Walters. “Not every person will necessarily need a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card.”

Walters also stated that license offices will be unable to provide driver license services on Saturday, March 23, 2019, due to necessary system updates regarding REAL ID processing capabilities. He said customers who have a license or ID card that expires in March or April should check for the exact expiration date and plan their trip accordingly. Motor vehicle titling and registration services may still be provided at those license offices scheduled to be open March 23. Customers are encouraged to check license office schedules before visiting.

The transaction and processing fees for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, new or renewal, will be the same as they are currently. Detailed fee information can be found at dor.mo.gov/drivers/license.php#fees. Customers can apply for an early duplicate license or ID card outside of their regular renewal period, which is six months prior to the expiration of their license or ID card. 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. License office processing fees, however, will not be waived and are $2.50 for a three-year issuance or $5 for a six-year issuance.

The Department oversees more than 175 contract license office locations throughout the state. License office locations, hours and days of operation, can be found at dor.mo.gov/offloc/.

Visit dor.mo.gov/drivers/real-id-information/ for a complete listing of acceptable documents for REAL ID-compliant license and ID card processing, as well as other important information regarding REAL ID. For more information about the REAL ID Act, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website at dhs.gov/real-id.

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