A visit to the local motor vehicle office can be one of life’s most frustrating experiences.
According to Struemph, the process can be expedited by eliminating the need to visit the local license office. Adult drivers aged 21 to 49 will now have the option to renew their licenses online every other renewal period, which means they only have to visit the office for a license once every 12 years. Additionally, drivers can now obtain a new license online in situations where their license has been lost or damaged.
According to Struemph, if you ever misplace your driver’s license, you have the option to easily obtain a duplicate online. However, there are limitations to prevent any misuse. Struemph emphasized that individuals are only allowed to acquire one duplicate online, and if they require another duplicate, they must physically visit a driver’s license office. The intention is to prevent people from obtaining multiple duplicates and potentially sharing them with others.
To implement the system, license offices will suspend the processing of driver license or non-driver identification applications from November 6th to November 11th. On November 7th, certain offices will be closed entirely, followed by the closure of all offices on November 8th. However, every office will be fully prepared with the new system when they re-open on November 12th, after the Veterans Day holiday.
New features have been implemented to enhance the online navigation experience, thereby eliminating the requirement for new drivers to carry a physical copy of the Missouri State Highway Patrol driver test when visiting the office. Furthermore, these updates have also made it much simpler for employees involved in license processing to utilize the system.
The department is currently implementing a new system, which Struemph mentioned will cost $33 million. This system is part of a comprehensive modernization effort for the department’s driver and vehicle licensing. The modernization was mandated by a recent legislation passed in 2021, which requires auto dealers to contribute 10% of their administrative fees towards funding these technology upgrades.
The department plans to implement the second phase of the project in July 2026. This phase aims to establish a connection between the department and auto dealerships. As part of this phase, auto dealerships will be mandated to collect sales tax on vehicles at the time of sale. According to Wallingford, once all dealers are collecting sales tax, there should be a decrease in the number of vehicles on the road with expired temporary tags.
He expressed his hope, stating, “I see a lot of them.”
At present, when registering a new vehicle, sales taxes are collected at the license office, often amounting to several thousand dollars. However, the Department’s outdated and inefficient system posed a challenge when the bill was passed to mandate dealers to collect the tax. It was impossible to determine the number of owners driving vehicles with temporary tags at that time.
Every license office in the state is run by a contractor who earns a fee for each transaction to fund their operations. Currently, at each office, individuals who need to renew their license while filing or renewing a vehicle registration have to go through two separate lines.
According to Struemph, the new system will bring about a significant change once it becomes fully operational.
According to the speaker, they do not anticipate needing additional staff in the offices. However, they do acknowledge that there will be increased flexibility within the office environment.
When motorists renew their licenses, they can choose to obtain a REAL ID compliant license or opt for a license without the REAL ID certification. The federal law, passed in 2005 after the 9-11 terror attacks, mandates that states verify identity using documents like birth certificates or passports, prove legal status through citizenship or legal resident documentation, and confirm status with the Social Security system.
To obtain a non-compliant license, you will still need many of the same documents required for REAL ID.
Starting from May 7, 2025, a REAL ID will be necessary as a form of identification for boarding airline flights. It is a requirement under federal law and also needed to access certain federal facilities. Despite multiple extensions, this deadline will now be enforced without exceptions.
According to Struemph, motorists will have the ability to access their license through an online app as one of the features of the new system.
“When you open the app, it verifies your identity by using advanced technologies to confirm that it is indeed Ken Struemph examining it. Once verified, you gain access to your driver’s license.”
According to the speaker, the new app incorporates biometric technology to ensure secure identity verification.
Struemph confidently stated that biometric technology is undoubtedly the way forward. He emphasized that this technology takes into account multiple features, thereby enhancing its efficacy.