What you need to know about Minnesota driver's licenses
A Minnesota driver's license is issued by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services division. You need one to legally drive in Minnesota, and it also serves as a state-issued photo ID for other purposes. The process differs depending on whether you are getting your first license, renewing an expired one, or replacing a lost card.
Minnesota offers three types of driver's licenses: a standard license (valid for eight years), an enhanced license (valid for eight years and accepted for travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean), and a Real ID-compliant license (required for federal building access and domestic air travel after May 7, 2025). You can explore in person at any Driver and Vehicle Services office, and the state does not offer online applications for new licenses, though you can renew some licenses by mail.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person to get your first Minnesota license or replace a lost one; mail renewal is only for certain renewals.
- Bring proof of identity, proof of Minnesota residency, and your Social Security number or proof you do not have one.
- A standard eight-year license costs $24.50; an enhanced license costs $32.50; a Real ID license costs $24.50 with an additional $10 Real ID fee.
- Processing times vary: in-person applications are usually completed the same day, but mail renewals take two to three weeks.
- You can check office wait times and book an appointment online through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website.
Getting your first Minnesota driver's license
To get your first license, you must visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person. Bring your original or certified copy of your birth certificate, passport, or other document proving your identity and date of birth. You also need proof that you live in Minnesota — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number; if you do not have one, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that.
You will take a written test covering Minnesota traffic laws, a vision test, and a photo. The written test has 40 questions, and you must answer at least 32 correctly to pass. If you fail, you can retake it the same day. Once you pass both tests, you pay the fee and receive your license on the spot. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must be present, and there are additional restrictions on when and where you can drive during your first year.
Renewing your Minnesota driver's license
If your license is still valid or expired less than two years ago, you may renew by mail without visiting an office. The state will mail you a renewal form about 60 days before your license expires. Complete the form, include a new photo (you can use a passport photo or have one taken at the office), and mail it with a check or money order to the address on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks, and your new license will arrive by mail.
If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew by mail and must explore in person as if getting a new license. You will need to retake the written and vision tests. If you are renewing in person before your license expires, you do not need to retake the tests — bring your current license, proof of residency, and payment.
Replacing a lost or stolen Minnesota driver's license
If your license is lost or stolen, visit any Driver and Vehicle Services office in person. Bring your proof of identity and proof of Minnesota residency, just as you would for a new license. You do not need to retake the written or vision tests. The office will issue a replacement license the same day, and you pay the same fee as a renewal.
If your license was stolen, you may also want to report the theft to local police and monitor your credit report, since a driver's license is a valuable identity document. The police report is not required to get a replacement, but it creates a record in case the license is used fraudulently.
Understanding Minnesota's Real ID and enhanced license options
Starting May 7, 2025, a standard Minnesota driver's license will not be accepted for domestic air travel or entry to federal buildings. You will need either a Real ID-compliant license or an enhanced license. A Real ID license looks the same as a standard license but has a gold star in the upper right corner. An enhanced license also has the gold star and can be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean without a passport.
Both require the same documents as a standard license, plus proof of your Social Security number. A Real ID license costs $24.50 plus a $10 Real ID fee. An enhanced license costs $32.50. If you are renewing by mail and your current license is not Real ID-compliant, you can request a Real ID upgrade on the renewal form and include the additional fee.
Driver and Vehicle Services office locations and wait times
Minnesota has Driver and Vehicle Services offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you and check current wait times on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website. Many offices allow you to book an appointment online, which can significantly reduce your wait time. If you book an appointment, arrive 10 minutes early with all required documents.
Office hours vary by location, but most are open Monday through Friday during business hours. Some offices have extended hours one evening per week. If you cannot visit during regular hours, check whether your local office offers evening or Saturday appointments.
Fees and payment methods
A standard eight-year driver's license costs $24.50. An enhanced license costs $32.50. A Real ID upgrade on a new or renewed license costs an additional $10. If you are replacing a lost or stolen license, you pay the same renewal fee. Payment methods vary by office — most accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card, but call ahead to confirm what your local office accepts.
If you are renewing by mail, you must include a check or money order. Do not send cash through the mail. Make the check payable to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Minnesota driver's license online?
No. Minnesota does not offer online renewal for driver's licenses. You can renew by mail if your license is still valid or expired less than two years ago, or you can visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks; in-person renewal is usually completed the same day.
What if I moved to Minnesota from another state?
You must get a Minnesota driver's license within 60 days of becoming a resident. Visit a Driver and Vehicle Services office with your out-of-state license, proof of identity, proof of Minnesota residency, and your Social Security number. You will take the written and vision tests. Your out-of-state license is valid until you get your Minnesota license.
How long is a Minnesota driver's license valid?
A standard driver's license is valid for eight years from the date of issue. An enhanced license and a Real ID license are also valid for eight years. Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license. You can renew up to one year before your license expires.
What if I fail the written test?
You can retake the written test the same day at no additional cost. You have up to three attempts per visit. If you fail all three times, you must return on another day to try again. Many Driver and Vehicle Services offices have study materials available, and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website has a practice test.
Do I need a Real ID license if I only drive in Minnesota?
If you only drive within Minnesota and do not fly or enter federal buildings, you do not need a Real ID license. However, starting May 7, 2025, you will need a Real ID or enhanced license to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. An enhanced license also allows you to travel by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean without a passport.