Visiting a Missouri license office: what to bring, testing and what to expect

Who handles driver licenses and vehicles in Missouri, what you can do online or by phone instead, where driving tests happen, and which documents and payment to bring to a license office.

Guide · Missouri · Appointments · updated October 29, 2026

Missouri does not have a stand-alone "DMV". Driver licenses, nondriver ID cards, vehicle titles and license plates are all handled by the Missouri Department of Revenue. Its central office is in the Harry S Truman State Office Building in Jefferson City, and it serves the public through license offices around the state. Written and driving tests are a separate step, run by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. This guide explains who does what, what you can finish without a visit, and what to bring.

Who does what

• License offices handle driver license, nondriver ID and permit applications, renewals and duplicates, as well as vehicle titling and registration. The Department says you can pick whichever office is closest to your home or work, and that you do not have to use a particular one. Its REAL ID page puts the number of license office locations at more than 170. The Department's contact page refers to license office contractors, and its titling pages list processing fees (for example $9 on a title) on top of the state fees.
• Missouri State Highway Patrol driver examination stations give the written, vision, road sign recognition and driving tests. You take your test results to a license office afterwards to apply and pay.
• The central office in Jefferson City is where some special cases are handled. For example, the Department says imported vehicles can currently only be processed by its Central branch in Jefferson City or through mail-in processing.

For offices near you, see the Missouri office list on this site, and check the Department's office locator for current hours.

Check whether you need to visit at all

The Department's online services include:

• License plate renewal online, if you are eligible
• Driver license address change through its online app (vehicle records use a separate online app or Form 5805)
• Remote renewal or duplicate of a license, nondriver ID or permit through My DMV, for eligible applicants (see the Missouri driver license and ID card guide)
• Renewal Requirements Inquiry, which tells you what you need to renew your plates
• Sales tax calculator for a vehicle purchase
• Electronic renewal reminders for licenses and plates
• Driver record purchases and reinstatement fee payments

Plates can also be renewed by phone (573-751-1957, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or by mail, and some license offices accept phone-in renewals. The office locator links to a list of those offices.

Appointments and testing

The Department's pages do not describe an appointment system for license offices. Its advice for plate renewals is to avoid the end of the month, which it says is the busiest time, and to have your paperwork ready.

Testing works differently. The Highway Patrol says appointments are not needed for the driving test for a regular (operator) license, but are needed for a commercial (CDL) skills test. It also warns that arriving at an examination station before closing time does not guarantee you will be tested, because tests depend on staff availability and the number of applicants. Check the Patrol's station list for each station's hours. For the driving test you bring your own vehicle, which can be any street-legal passenger vehicle with current registration and insurance.

What to bring

For a new license, permit or nondriver ID, the Department's checklist asks for documents proving:

1. Identity: your full legal name and date of birth, for example a U.S. passport or certified U.S. birth certificate.
2. Lawful status in the United States. Some documents count for both identity and lawful status.
3. Social Security number: for example a Social Security card, a W-2 or a pay stub showing your full number.
4. Missouri residential address: for example a utility bill, a bank statement or a government letter.
5. Name change documents, such as a certified marriage license or court order, if your current name differs from your identity document.

A first-time permit or license applicant also brings the Driver Examination Record (Form 100) from the Highway Patrol showing the tests were passed.

A REAL ID application needs two residency documents from two separate sources, issued within one year unless the list says otherwise. They must be on paper so they can be checked and scanned. The Department's printable REAL ID document list gives the accepted documents, and an interactive guide is linked from its REAL ID page. For background, see REAL ID explained.

If you are renewing and your address has not changed, you may be able to self-certify it instead of bringing address documents. If your Social Security number is already verified on file, you may be able to give it verbally.

Forms

• Form 108, the Application for Missouri Title and License, used for vehicle titling and plates.
• Form 184, the Application for Motor Vehicle License, if you are renewing plates without your renewal notice.
• Form 5049 (Notice of Sale) or Form 1957 (Bill of Sale), used by sellers to report a sale.

The Department links each form from its titling and plate renewal pages. Details are in the Missouri vehicle registration and title guide.

Paying

The Department says it accepts cash, personal checks, cashier's checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards (Discover, American Express, Visa and Mastercard only). Personal checks must be payable to the Missouri Department of Revenue. They must be preprinted with your name, address and bank details, and must show your license or ID number, date of birth and daytime phone number. The card vendor charges a convenience fee of 2.0% plus $0.25 per transaction.

At the counter

When you apply for a license or ID card, the Department says you will receive a temporary paper document, and your old card is punched "VOID". The permanent card is produced at a central facility and mailed to you within 10 to 15 business days. The temporary document for a permit or license is valid for 45 days. If your card has not arrived and the temporary document is about to expire, you can contact the Department; a license office can extend a temporary driving document for a permit or license if more time is needed (a nondriver ID's temporary paper document can simply keep being used).

The Department notes that video and audio recording are not allowed where other customers are sharing personal information.

Accessibility

The Department offers the Missouri Driver Guide as an audio recording. When you apply, you can ask for a "DHH" notation on your card if you are deaf or hard of hearing.