Minnesota lets you renew your driver's license up to one year before it expires

You can renew your Minnesota driver's license as early as 12 months before your expiration date. This means if your license expires on March 15, 2025, you can start the renewal process on March 15, 2024. The state does not allow renewal earlier than one year out, and there is no penalty or fee reduction for renewing early — you straightforward get a new license with a fresh expiration date 8 years from the date you renew.

The one-year window exists so you can plan ahead without being forced to wait until the last minute. Many people renew early to avoid the rush at renewal offices or to get a new photo before their current one expires. Early renewal is particularly useful if you travel internationally, since some countries require at least six months of validity on your ID.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew your Minnesota driver's license starting exactly 12 months before your expiration date, no earlier.
  • Renewing early gives you a new license with an 8-year validity period from the renewal date, not from your old expiration date.
  • You can renew in person at any Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office, by mail, or online depending on your situation.
  • Early renewal does not cost less or more than standard renewal — the fee is the same regardless of when you renew within the allowed window.
  • If you renew before your current license expires, you will receive a new physical card in the mail within 5 to 10 business days.

How to find your one-year renewal window

Your expiration date is printed on the front of your driver's license in the lower right corner. Count back 12 months from that date — that is the earliest day you can renew. For example, if your license says "Expires 06/30/2025," you can renew starting 06/30/2024.

You do not need to wait for a notice in the mail. Minnesota does not send renewal reminders, so it is your responsibility to track the date. Many people set a phone reminder or calendar alert six months before expiration as a backup.

Renewing in person at a DVS office

In-person renewal is the most common route and works for almost every situation. You will need to visit a Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services office with your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security number. Bring your original Social Security card or a document that shows your number, such as a W-2 or tax return.

You will have your photo taken at the office, answer a few vision and medical questions, and pay the renewal fee. The fee for a standard 8-year renewal is $48 as of 2024, though this amount can change. You will receive a temporary paper license when ready and your new plastic card in the mail within 5 to 10 business days.

Wait times at DVS offices vary by location and time of day. Busier offices in the Twin Cities area may have longer waits during lunch hours and late afternoon. Visiting early in the morning or on a Tuesday or Wednesday typically means shorter lines. You can find your nearest office and current wait times on the Minnesota Secretary of State website.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal is available if your current license is not expired, you have not changed your name, and you do not need a new photo. You will need to send your current driver's license, a completed Form DL 44 (the renewal process), proof of residency, and the renewal fee to the address listed on the form.

Mail renewal takes longer than in-person — typically 2 to 3 weeks for processing plus mail delivery time. Your new license will arrive by mail, and you will not receive a temporary paper license during the wait. This option works well if you renew early and have plenty of time before your current license expires.

You can read Form DL 44 from the Minnesota Secretary of State website or request it by mail. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee — the state does not accept credit cards by mail.

Renewing online through Minnesota ID

Minnesota offers online renewal through a system called Minnesota ID, but it has strict limits. You can renew online only if you have a REAL ID-compliant license (marked with a gold star in the upper right corner), you have not changed your name, you do not need a new photo, and your address has not changed. You also cannot use online renewal if you have any medical or vision restrictions on your license.

If you meet all these requirements, you can renew through the Minnesota Secretary of State website without visiting an office. The process takes about 10 minutes, and you pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card. Your new license arrives by mail in 5 to 10 business days, and you receive a temporary digital license when ready that you can show on your phone.

Most people do not may have access to for online renewal because of name changes, address changes, or the need for a new photo. If you are unsure whether you may have access to, the website will tell you during the process — you can start the process and stop if you do not meet the requirements.

What happens to your old license after early renewal

Once you renew, your old license is no longer valid for driving, even though the printed expiration date has not passed yet. You should destroy your old license by cutting it in half or shredding it. Do not throw it away whole, since it contains your name, address, and driver's license number.

If you renew early and then lose your new license before it arrives, contact the DVS office where you renewed. They can issue a replacement, though there may be an additional fee. If your new license arrives damaged or with errors, you can exchange it at any DVS office.

Renewing early if you have a REAL ID or enhanced license

A REAL ID-compliant license (marked with a gold star) or an enhanced license (marked with a red star) requires additional documents beyond a standard renewal. If you have either type and want to renew early, you will need to bring the same documents you brought for your original REAL ID or enhanced license — typically a passport or birth certificate, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency.

You cannot renew a REAL ID or enhanced license by mail. You must renew in person at a DVS office. The fee for REAL ID renewal is $48, the same as a standard license. The process takes the same amount of time as a standard in-person renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I renew early and then move before my new license arrives?

Contact the DVS office where you renewed and provide your new address. They can update your address on file, and your license will be mailed to your new address. If your license has already been mailed, you may need to pick it up at the office or request a replacement with the correct address.

Can I renew my license if it is suspended or revoked?

No. You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must resolve the suspension or revocation first by paying fines, completing required programs, or meeting other conditions set by the state. Contact the DVS office or check your suspension notice for the specific steps to restore your driving privileges.

Do I have to renew in person if I renew early?

Not necessarily. If you meet the requirements for mail or online renewal, you can use those methods even if you are renewing early. However, if you need a new photo, have changed your name or address, or have medical restrictions, you must renew in person at a DVS office.

What if I renew early but then do not need my new license right away?

Your new license is valid as soon as you receive it, even if your old license has not expired yet. You can keep your new license in a safe place and use your old license until it expires if you prefer. Once you start using your new license, destroy your old one.

Is there a fee for renewing early?

No. The renewal fee is the same whether you renew one year early or one month before expiration. A standard 8-year license renewal costs $48 as of 2024. REAL ID and enhanced licenses cost the same amount to renew.