Where to renew your license in Minneapolis

In Minneapolis, you renew your driver's license at a Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office. The main office for Minneapolis is located at 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 160, in downtown St. Paul — about 10 miles from central Minneapolis. There is also a DVS station at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), which some people find more convenient depending on where they live.

You do not renew at a local city office or police station. Minnesota handles all driver's license renewals through DVS, which is part of the state's Department of Public Safety. You can find the exact address and hours of any DVS location on the Minnesota Secretary of State website, where you can also check wait times before you go.

If you cannot visit in person, Minnesota offers mail-in renewal for some drivers. This option is available if your license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions, and you have not had certain violations. The mail-in form is available on the Secretary of State website, and you mail it directly to DVS with your current license and the renewal fee.

Key Takeaways

  • You renew at a Minnesota DVS office, not a local Minneapolis city office — the main location is in St. Paul, though MSP airport also has a station.
  • You will need your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and the renewal fee, which varies based on license type and length.
  • Mail-in renewal is an option if your license is not yet expired and you have no medical restrictions or recent violations.
  • Wait times at DVS offices change throughout the day and week — checking the Secretary of State website before you go saves time.

What documents to bring

Bring your current Minnesota driver's license. This is the document DVS will renew, so you cannot complete the process without it. If your license is lost or stolen, you will need to explore for a replacement first, which is a different process than renewal.

You also need proof of your current Minneapolis address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days all work. A piece of mail from a government agency also counts. DVS needs this because your address may have changed since your last renewal.

Bring the renewal fee. The cost depends on whether you are renewing a standard license, an enhanced license (which allows entry into federal buildings), or a Real ID-compliant license. Fees also vary based on how long you are renewing for — typically four or eight years. The Secretary of State website lists current fees, which change occasionally. DVS accepts cash, debit, and credit cards.

How long the renewal takes

The renewal process itself takes about 15 to 30 minutes once you are called. You will have your photo taken, answer a few questions to confirm your information, and pay the fee. Your new license is printed on site, and you leave with it the same day.

The wait to be called depends on how busy the office is. Some offices have a 30-minute wait; others have a two-hour wait. The Secretary of State website shows estimated wait times for each DVS location, updated throughout the day. Going early in the morning or mid-week typically means shorter waits than afternoons or Fridays.

Renewing before your license expires

You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. Many people renew early to avoid the rush near the expiration date or because they have a trip coming up and want a fresh license. Early renewal does not extend your expiration date — your new license will still expire on the same date your old one would have, just with a new card.

If you wait until your license is expired, you can still renew at a DVS office, but you may face longer waits and will need to bring additional documents to prove your identity. Renewing before expiration is simpler and faster.

Mail-in renewal may be able to access and process

Mail-in renewal works only if you meet all of these conditions: your current license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions on your license, you have not had a suspended or revoked license in the past five years, and you have not had certain traffic violations. If you are unsure whether you may have access to, the Secretary of State website has a full list of disqualifying factors.

To renew by mail, read the renewal form from the Secretary of State website, fill it out, and mail it with your current license and the renewal fee to the DVS address listed on the form. Processing takes about two to three weeks. Your new license will arrive by mail. You cannot drive legally until it arrives, so mail-in renewal works best if you are not in a hurry.

What happens if your license is expired

If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot straightforward renew — you must reapply as if you were getting a license for the first time. This means taking the written test and the driving test again, which takes much longer than a renewal appointment. Renewing before expiration avoids this entirely.

If your license expired less than one year ago, you can still renew at a DVS office. Bring your expired license, proof of address, and the renewal fee. You will not need to retake tests. The process is the same as renewing an active license, though you may need to bring an additional form of ID to confirm your identity.

Real ID and enhanced license options

When you renew, you can choose to get a standard Minnesota driver's license, a Real ID-compliant license, or an enhanced license. A Real ID license meets federal requirements for entering federal buildings and boarding domestic flights — you will need one of these to fly within the United States after May 2025 if you do not have a passport. An enhanced license allows you to enter Canada and some other countries by land or sea without a passport.

Real ID requires additional documents beyond what a standard renewal needs — typically a birth certificate or passport, plus proof of Social Security number. Enhanced licenses have the same document requirements as Real ID. If you want either option, ask for the required document list when you call or visit the DVS office, or check the Secretary of State website. The fees for Real ID and enhanced licenses are higher than a standard license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online?

No. Minnesota does not offer online renewal. You must renew in person at a DVS office or by mail. Mail-in renewal is the closest option to online, but it still requires mailing physical documents and waiting for your new license to arrive by mail.

What if I moved to Minneapolis from another state?

You cannot renew an out-of-state license in Minnesota. You must surrender your old license and explore for a new Minnesota license. This is treated as a new process, not a renewal, so you will need to take the written test and driving test. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of Minneapolis residency, and proof of your Social Security number.

Do I need an appointment?

Most DVS offices in the Minneapolis area operate on a walk-in basis — you do not need an appointment. However, some locations may offer appointment scheduling during busy times. Check the Secretary of State website for your specific DVS office to see whether appointments are available or required.

What if I lost my license before renewal?

You need to report it lost and get a replacement before you can renew. A replacement is a separate transaction from renewal. Bring proof of your identity and address, pay the replacement fee, and you will receive a new license with the same expiration date as your old one. Once you have the replacement, you can renew it at your next renewal date.

How much does renewal cost?

The cost varies based on license type and renewal length. A standard four-year renewal costs less than an eight-year renewal. Real ID and enhanced licenses cost more than standard licenses. Check the Secretary of State website for current fees, as they change periodically.