The Missouri Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle and Driver License (MVDL) division is getting ready to deploy its modernized drivers license and processing system at all license offices.
Transitioning to the new system – which is slated to launch later this month – will require installing new equipment, and that will necessitate short license office closures. During the week-long transition process, MVDL offices will be fully closed for one day and will offer limited services on two additional days.
This is the first phase in MVDL’s full modernization effort. The second and final phase of the modernization project is scheduled to roll out in July 2026.
The modernization project will take a total of three years. The effort is funded by legislation passed in 2021 which created a new auto dealer administrative fee. The fee funds the Administrative Technology Fund, which is dedicated to building a new integrated MVDL computer system. MVDL said the new system will replace antiquated legacy systems within the department that include more than 50 disparate software programs with limited ability to work together.
MVDL said that Phase II work will begin immediately after Phase I is complete.
“The second phase will be to the Department’s motor vehicle system, which will enable the two systems to ‘talk’ to each other. This final enhancement will make transactions much more seamless for our customers and our frontline staff,” said Missouri Department of Revenue Director Wayne Wallingford.
In a press release, MVDL highlighted Phase 1 improvements that will improve the customer experience, including:
- Easier navigation of eServices, such as online driver license renewals,
- Eliminating the need for driver test results to be physically taken from the Highway Patrol by the customer to a license office,
- Enabling mobile identification credentials, and
- Creating a user-friendly system that will reduce department employee training and help support staff retention.
“Since early August, the Department has been making available training opportunities for license office staff on the new driver license system,” said the Department’s MVDL Division Director Ken Struemph. “As with any major system upgrade, we expect instances where processing times will be longer following rollout, and we encourage our customers to plan accordingly. Once fully operational, the Department will be much better positioned to fulfill Director Wallingford’s vision of providing every customer the best experience every time.”
