What you need to know about Minnesota driver licenses
A Minnesota driver license is issued by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services division. You need one to drive legally in Minnesota, and it also serves as a state-issued photo ID for other purposes like opening a bank account or boarding a domestic flight. The process differs depending on whether you are getting your first license, renewing an expiring one, or replacing a lost or damaged card.
Minnesota offers three types of driving credentials: a standard driver license, an enhanced driver license (which allows entry into Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries without a passport), and an instruction permit for new drivers. Each has different requirements and costs.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person with proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number to get a new license.
- Minnesota driver licenses expire on your birthday, four years after they are issued, and you can renew by mail, online, or in person depending on your situation.
- First-time drivers under 18 must complete a written knowledge test, a road test, and hold an instruction permit for at least six months before taking the driving test.
- The cost of a standard four-year driver license is $24.50, and an enhanced license costs $32.50, though prices may change.
- If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can replace it at any Driver and Vehicle Services office or through the mail.
Getting your first Minnesota driver license
If you have never held a Minnesota driver license, you must visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person. You cannot complete this step online or by mail. Bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 30 days).
At the office, you will take a written knowledge test covering traffic laws and road signs. The test has 40 questions, and you must answer at least 32 correctly to pass. You can study using the Minnesota Driver's Manual, which is free on the Department of Public Safety website. After passing the knowledge test, you receive an instruction permit, which allows you to drive only with a licensed adult 18 or older in the front seat.
If you are under 18, you must hold your instruction permit for at least six months and practice driving before you can take the road test. If you are 18 or older, you can take the road test when ready after receiving your permit. The road test checks your ability to handle basic driving tasks like parking, turning, and stopping. Once you pass, you receive your driver license.
Renewing your Minnesota driver license
Your Minnesota driver license expires on your birthday, four years after it is issued. You have several options for renewing, depending on how much time you have left and whether your information has changed.
If your license is not yet expired and your address and name have not changed, you can renew online through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website. Online renewal costs $24.50 for a standard license and takes about two weeks. You will receive your new license by mail.
You can also renew by mail if you meet the same conditions (not expired, no name or address change). Mail renewal takes longer — typically three to four weeks — but costs the same as online renewal. If your license has expired, your name or address has changed, or you want an enhanced license, you must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. Bring your current license and proof of your new address if you have moved.
Documents you need for a new or renewed license
The documents required depend on whether you are getting your first license or renewing an existing one. For a first-time license, you need proof of identity (birth certificate or passport), proof of Social Security number (Social Security card or tax return), and proof of residency (utility bill or lease). All documents must be originals or certified copies.
For renewal in person, you need your current driver license and proof of your new address if you have moved. If you are renewing online or by mail and nothing has changed, you need only your current license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you are explore for an enhanced license, you must also bring a valid passport or passport card to prove citizenship. Enhanced licenses cost $8 more than a standard license and allow you to enter Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries by land or sea without a passport.
Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged license
If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can replace it without waiting for your renewal date. You have two options: visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person or request a replacement by mail.
To replace in person, bring your Social Security card or a document with your Social Security number and proof of your current address. The replacement costs $24.50 for a standard license and takes about 10 minutes. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot and your new plastic card by mail within two weeks.
To replace by mail, read the process for Duplicate Driver License form from the Department of Public Safety website, fill it out, and mail it with a check or money order for $24.50 to the address on the form. Processing takes three to four weeks. If your license was stolen, you may want to report it to the police first, though this is not required to replace it.
Instruction permits for new drivers
An instruction permit allows you to practice driving under supervision before taking your road test. You receive an instruction permit after passing the written knowledge test at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. The permit is valid for one year.
With an instruction permit, you can drive only during daylight hours (one hour after sunrise to one hour before sunset) and only with a licensed driver 18 or older sitting in the front seat next to you. You cannot drive on interstate highways or in heavy traffic. If you are under 18, you must hold your permit for at least six months before you can take the road test. If you are 18 or older, you can take the road test as soon as you receive your permit.
If your instruction permit expires before you take your road test, you can renew it at any Driver and Vehicle Services office. Bring your current permit and pay the renewal fee, which is typically $24.50.
Where to find a Driver and Vehicle Services office
Minnesota has Driver and Vehicle Services offices in most cities and towns. To find the office nearest you, visit the Department of Public Safety website and use the office locator tool. You can search by city or zip code. The website also shows the hours each office is open and whether you need to make an appointment.
Many offices now require appointments to manage wait times. You can book an appointment online through the Department of Public Safety website or by calling the office directly. Walk-ins are usually accepted, but you may wait longer. If you live in a rural area far from an office, some county sheriff's offices can help with certain transactions like renewing your license by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Minnesota driver license if it has already expired?
Yes, but you must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. You cannot renew an expired license online or by mail. Bring your expired license, proof of your current address, and your Social Security card or a document with your Social Security number. There is no penalty for renewing after expiration, but you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives.
How long does it take to get a Minnesota driver license?
For a first-time license, the process takes at least six months if you are under 18 (because you must hold an instruction permit for six months before taking the road test). If you are 18 or older, you can get your license in one visit if you pass both the knowledge and road tests. For renewals, online renewal takes about two weeks, mail renewal takes three to four weeks, and in-person renewal is when ready (you get a temporary paper license on the spot).
What happens if I fail the written knowledge test or the road test?
If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day or schedule another appointment. If you fail the road test, you must wait at least one day before retaking it. You can take the road test as many times as you need. Each attempt costs the same fee. Some Driver and Vehicle Services offices allow you to retake the test when ready; others require you to schedule a new appointment.
Do I need to take a new road test if I move to Minnesota from another state?
No. If you have a valid driver license from another state, you can exchange it for a Minnesota license without taking a new road test. Visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office with your out-of-state license, proof of your Minnesota address, and your Social Security card. The new Minnesota license will have the same expiration date as your old one.
Can I get a Minnesota driver license if I do not have a Social Security number?
You must provide a Social Security number to get a Minnesota driver license. If you do not have one, you can explore for one through the Social Security Administration before explore for your license. If you are not may be able to access for a Social Security number, contact a Driver and Vehicle Services office to ask about other options.