Where to renew your license in Rochester

In Rochester, you renew your driver license at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services office, located at 4949 Hadley Avenue South. This is the only location in Olmsted County where you can complete an in-person renewal. You can also renew by mail or online, depending on your license type and how long it has been expired.

The Rochester office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on state holidays. There is no appointment system — you arrive, take a number, and wait. Wait times vary by time of day and day of week; mornings and mid-week tend to be shorter. The office does not accept walk-ins after 4:00 p.m., so plan to arrive with time to spare.

If you cannot visit in person, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website lists which renewal types can be handled by mail or online. Not all renewals may have access to for these methods — for example, if your license has been expired for more than five years, or if you need to update your address or name, you will need to visit the office.

Key Takeaways

  • The Rochester Driver and Vehicle Services office is at 4949 Hadley Avenue South and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with no appointment needed.
  • Bring your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement), and proof of identity if your license is expired or you have changed your name.
  • Standard renewal fees are $24.50 for a four-year license or $48.50 for an eight-year license; fees are higher if you need a Real ID-compliant license.
  • If your license expired fewer than five years ago and you have not changed your address or name, you may renew by mail or online instead of visiting the office.
  • The office does not accept walk-ins after 4:00 p.m., and you cannot renew online or by mail if you are a commercial driver or if your license was suspended or revoked.

What documents to bring to the Rochester office

Bring your current driver license, even if it is expired. If your license is expired, you will also need to bring proof of your identity — a passport, birth certificate, or military ID. If you have changed your name since your last renewal, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change.

You must also bring proof of your current address in Minnesota. The Department of Public Safety accepts a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, property tax statement, or a letter from a government agency dated within the last 30 days. A piece of mail with your name and address will work if it is from a bank, insurance company, or government office. A cell phone bill or credit card statement does not count.

If you are renewing a Real ID-compliant license (the kind with a gold star in the upper right corner), bring the same documents plus proof of your Social Security number — your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form. Real ID licenses cost more but are required for federal air travel and entry to military bases starting in 2025.

Renewal fees and license types in Minnesota

A standard four-year driver license costs $24.50. An eight-year license costs $48.50. Both prices are the same whether you renew in person, by mail, or online. A Real ID-compliant license costs $10 more — $34.50 for four years or $58.50 for eight years.

Minnesota also issues REAL ID licenses, which have a gold star and meet federal requirements for air travel and military base entry. You do not have to get a Real ID license — a standard license is still valid for driving and for most other purposes. But if you plan to fly domestically or enter a military installation, you will need either a Real ID license or a passport.

The Department of Public Safety accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card at the Rochester office. If you renew by mail, you can pay by check or money order. Online renewals require a debit or credit card.

How to renew by mail or online instead of visiting Rochester

You can renew by mail if your license expired fewer than five years ago, you have not changed your name or address, and you do not hold a commercial driver license. To renew by mail, read the renewal form from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website, fill it out, and mail it with your current license, the renewal fee, and a copy of your proof of address to the address listed on the form.

Mail renewal takes about two weeks from the time the Department receives your form. You will receive your new license by mail at your current address. If you need your license sooner, do not use mail renewal — visit the Rochester office instead.

Online renewal is available for the same people who can renew by mail. You log in through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website, answer questions about your current license, pay the fee, and your new license is mailed to you. Online renewal is faster than mail renewal and you receive a confirmation number when ready. However, you cannot change your address or name online — if you need to update either one, you must visit the office in person.

What happens if your license has been expired for more than five years

If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license. This requires an in-person visit to the Rochester office, a written test, and a vision test. You will also need to bring proof of your Social Security number and proof of your legal presence in the United States (a passport, birth certificate, or immigration document).

The written test covers Minnesota traffic laws and road signs. You can study for it using the Minnesota Driver's Manual, available free on the Department of Public Safety website. The vision test checks whether you can see well enough to drive safely. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you.

A new license costs the same as a renewal — $24.50 for four years or $48.50 for eight years. The process takes longer than a renewal because of the tests, so plan for at least 30 minutes at the office.

Renewing a commercial driver license in Rochester

If you hold a commercial driver license (CDL), you cannot renew by mail or online. You must visit the Rochester office in person. Bring your current CDL, proof of your address, and proof of your identity. You may also need to bring medical certification documents if your CDL requires a medical certificate — ask the office when you call ahead.

Commercial driver renewals cost more than standard licenses. A four-year CDL costs $40, and an eight-year CDL costs $80. The office processes CDL renewals the same way as standard renewals, but the wait time may be longer because fewer staff members are trained to handle them.

If your CDL has been suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it at the Rochester office. You must contact the Minnesota Department of Public Safety directly to find out what steps are required to restore your driving record.

What to do if your license was suspended or revoked

If your license has been suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it at the Rochester office or by mail or online. A suspension is temporary — your license will be restored on a specific date set by the court or the Department of Public Safety. A revocation is permanent unless you go through a formal process to have it lifted.

Call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety at 651-296-6911 to find out the status of your license and what you need to do next. They can tell you whether your suspension is still active, when it will end, or what steps you must take to restore a revoked license. Some suspensions require you to pay fines or complete a driver improvement course before your license can be renewed.

Once your suspension or revocation is lifted, you can renew your license at the Rochester office or by mail or online, depending on how long your license has been expired and whether you have changed your address or name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online if I changed my address?

No. Online renewal only works if your address has not changed. If you moved, you must renew in person at the Rochester office or by mail using the renewal form from the Department of Public Safety website. The mail form allows you to update your address.

How long does it take to get my license if I renew in person at the Rochester office?

You receive your new license the same day you visit the office. The office prints it on-site before you leave. You do not have to wait for it to arrive by mail.

What if I lost my current license and need to renew?

You cannot renew a license you do not have. You must visit the Rochester office to report it lost and request a replacement. Bring proof of your identity and address. A replacement costs $20 and is printed the same day.

Do I need a Real ID license to drive in Minnesota?

No. A standard driver license is valid for driving in Minnesota and all other states. You only need a Real ID license if you plan to fly domestically or enter a military base. A passport also works for these purposes.

Can I renew my license if I owe child support or back taxes?

The Department of Public Safety may suspend your license if you owe child support or back taxes. Call 651-296-6911 to check your status before you visit the Rochester office. If your license is suspended for this reason, you must resolve the debt before you can renew.