What you need to do to renew your Minnesota driver's license
Minnesota lets you renew your driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office. The method you choose depends on how much time you have and whether your license has any restrictions. Most people can renew online or by mail without visiting an office, which takes a few days to a couple of weeks. If you need your license quickly or your situation has changed since you last renewed, you may need to go in person.
Your license is valid for eight years from the date you renew it. Minnesota sends renewal notices about two months before your license expires, but you do not have to wait for the notice to start the process. You can renew up to one year before your current license expires.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and your new license arrives in 5 to 7 business days; you can use your old license until the new one arrives.
- Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks and requires you to send in your current license, a completed form, and payment.
- You must renew in person if your address has changed, you have a commercial driver's license, or your vision or medical status has changed since your last renewal.
- The renewal fee is $24.50 for an eight-year license if you renew online or by mail, or $27.50 if you renew in person.
- You will need your Social Security number and a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or electronic check) to renew online.
Renewing online through the Minnesota DVS website
Online renewal is the fastest option and works if your license is not expired, you have no medical or vision restrictions, and your address has not changed. Go to the Minnesota Secretary of State's Driver and Vehicle Services website and select "Renew Your License." You will enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and Social Security number to verify your identity.
The system will ask you to review your current information and confirm it is correct. If anything is wrong — your name, address, or emergency contact — you can update it during renewal. You then pay the $24.50 renewal fee with a credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file and should arrive within 5 to 7 business days. You can continue using your current license until the new one arrives.
Renewing by mail
Mail renewal takes longer but requires no trip to an office. You will need to wait for your renewal notice from Minnesota, which arrives about two months before your license expires. The notice includes a form and instructions. Fill out the form, include your current driver's license, and mail everything with a check or money order for $24.50 to the address shown on the notice.
Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date Minnesota receives your envelope. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file. If you do not receive your renewal notice or have lost it, you can read the renewal form from the Minnesota Secretary of State website, but you will still need to mail it in. Mail renewal is not an option if your license has already expired.
Renewing in person at a DVS office
You must renew in person if your address has changed, you hold a commercial driver's license, you have a medical or vision condition that affects your driving, or your license has been expired for more than one year. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment of $27.50 in cash, check, or card.
Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website to find the DVS office nearest you and check its hours. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require you to schedule an appointment. Call ahead or check online to see if your location takes appointments. Processing at the office usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, and you will receive a temporary paper license to use while your permanent license is mailed to you.
What happens if your license has expired
If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew it by mail or online. You must go to a DVS office in person. Bring the same documents you would for a regular in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of your current address, and payment. The office will process your renewal the same way, and you will receive a temporary paper license on the spot.
If your license expired less than one year ago, you can still renew by mail or online using the same process as a regular renewal. Minnesota does not charge a penalty for renewing a license that is expired by less than a year.
Changing your name or address during renewal
You can update your address during online or mail renewal without visiting an office. When you renew online, the system will ask you to confirm your address and give you the option to change it. For mail renewal, write your new address on the renewal form before sending it in. Your new license will be mailed to the updated address.
If you are changing your name — through marriage, divorce, or legal petition — you must renew in person at a DVS office. Bring your current driver's license, a document that shows your name change (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of your current address. The office will process your renewal and issue a new license with your updated name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my old license while I wait for my new one?
Yes. When you renew online or by mail, your current license remains valid until your new one arrives. If you renew in person, the office gives you a temporary paper license to use when ready, and your permanent license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
What if I move out of state before my renewal arrives?
Contact the Minnesota Secretary of State Driver and Vehicle Services office with your new address, and they will forward your license to you. You can also call 651-296-6911 or use the online form on the DVS website to update your address after you have already submitted your renewal.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
No. When you renew by mail or online, Minnesota uses your photo from your current license. You only get a new photo if you renew in person at a DVS office, and the office takes the photo during your visit.
What if I lost my license and need to renew at the same time?
You must go to a DVS office in person. Bring proof of your identity (a passport, birth certificate, or other government-issued ID), proof of your address, and payment for both a replacement license and a renewal. The office will issue a new license with your current photo and updated expiration date.
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding ticket or fine?
Yes. Minnesota does not hold up license renewals for unpaid traffic tickets or fines. However, the state may suspend your license separately if you do not pay a ticket by its due date, which is different from the renewal process.