Renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your license type and expiration date
Minnesota lets you renew your driver's license through three routes: online at mn.gov/dvs, by mail using a renewal notice, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. Which route you can use depends on whether your license is a REAL ID (the gold star in the upper right corner) or a standard license, and how soon it expires. Most people can renew online or by mail without visiting an office, but some situations require an in-person appointment.
The state sends renewal notices about 60 days before your license expires. That notice contains a code you need to renew online or by mail. If you have not received one and your license expires within 30 days, go to an office instead of waiting.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal at mn.gov/dvs takes about 10 minutes and costs $24.50 for a four-year license; you need your renewal notice code and a valid payment method.
- Mail renewal uses the form in your renewal notice, takes two to three weeks, and works only if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address or name.
- In-person renewal at a Driver and Vehicle Services office requires an appointment booked through mn.gov/dvs and takes about 30 minutes.
- REAL ID licenses and standard licenses renew the same way, but you cannot switch between them by mail — that requires an office visit.
- If your license is already expired, you must renew in person; you cannot use online or mail renewal once the expiration date has passed.
Online renewal: fastest option if you have your renewal notice
Online renewal through mn.gov/dvs is the quickest method if your license has not expired. You will need your renewal notice (the card the state mails you), your driver's license number, and a credit or debit card. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $24.50 for a four-year license or $16.50 for a two-year license.
Go to mn.gov/dvs, select "Renew Your License," and enter the code printed on your renewal notice. You will answer questions about whether your address, name, or other information has changed. If nothing has changed, you confirm your current information. If you have moved or changed your name, you will be asked to provide the new details. After you pay, the state mails your new license within 7 to 10 business days.
Online renewal does not work if your license has already expired, if you need to change your address or name and have not updated it with the state, or if you want to switch between a REAL ID and a standard license. In those cases, you must renew in person.
Mail renewal: works only if nothing about you has changed
Mail renewal is an option if your license has not expired and your address and name are still correct. Your renewal notice includes a prepaid envelope and a form. Fill out the form, sign it, include a check or money order for $24.50 (four-year license) or $16.50 (two-year license), and mail it to the address on the envelope.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the state receives your envelope. The state will mail your new license to the address on file. This method works only if you have not moved, changed your name, or had any other changes to your record since your last renewal. If you have moved or changed your name, you must renew online or in person so the state can update your address and name in the system.
Do not use mail renewal if your license has already expired. The state will reject the process, and you will have to start over with an in-person renewal.
In-person renewal: required if your license is expired or you need to update information
If your license has expired, you have changed your address or name, or you want to switch between a REAL ID and a standard license, you must renew in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office. Book an appointment through mn.gov/dvs by selecting "Schedule an Appointment" and choosing your nearest office and a time that works for you. Walk-ins are not accepted; you must have a scheduled appointment.
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 your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. If you have changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). The appointment takes about 30 minutes, and you will receive a temporary license to use while the state mails your permanent one.
Office locations and appointment availability vary by area. Some offices fill up weeks in advance, especially near the end of the month. Check mn.gov/dvs early if your license expires soon.
What documents you need for each renewal method
| Renewal Method | Documents Needed | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Renewal notice code, driver's license number, payment method | $24.50 (4-year) or $16.50 (2-year) | 7–10 business days |
| Renewal notice, form, check or money order | $24.50 (4-year) or $16.50 (2-year) | 2–3 weeks | |
| In-person | Current license, proof of address, Social Security card or document with SSN, name-change document if applicable | $24.50 (4-year) or $16.50 (2-year) | 30 minutes (temporary license issued same day) |
REAL ID versus standard license: what changes at renewal
Minnesota offers both REAL ID licenses (marked with a gold star) and standard licenses. If you have a REAL ID, you can renew it online or by mail using the same process as a standard license. If you have a standard license and want to switch to REAL ID, or vice versa, you must renew in person at an office.
REAL ID licenses cost the same as standard licenses and last the same length of time. The difference is that REAL ID is accepted for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building. If you do not need REAL ID, a standard license works for driving and most identification purposes. When you renew online or by mail, your new license will be the same type as your current one.
What to do if your license has already expired
If your license expired more than a year ago, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license. This requires an in-person visit, a written test, and a vision test. Go to mn.gov/dvs, book an appointment, and bring the same documents you would for an in-person renewal plus proof that you passed a vision test (from an eye doctor or optometrist).
If your license expired less than a year ago, you can still renew it in person using the standard renewal process. You do not need to retake the written or vision test. Book an appointment and bring your expired license and proof of your current address. The state will treat it as a renewal rather than a new process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have not received my renewal notice?
Yes. If your license expires within 30 days and you have not received a renewal notice, go to mn.gov/dvs and book an in-person appointment. Bring your current license and proof of your address. You can also call the Driver and Vehicle Services office in your area to ask them to resend the notice, though this takes a few days.
What happens if I drive with an expired license?
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Minnesota. If you are stopped, you can be cited. If your license expired within the last year, you can still renew it using any of the three methods. If it expired more than a year ago, you must explore for a new license in person.
Can I renew my license if I have moved out of state?
No. If you no longer live in Minnesota, you cannot renew a Minnesota license. You must explore for a license in your new state. If you still live in Minnesota but moved to a different address within the state, you can renew online or in person as long as you update your address during the renewal process.
How long does my new license take to arrive after I renew online?
The state mails new licenses within 7 to 10 business days of approval. Delivery by mail usually takes another 3 to 5 business days, so expect your new license within two to three weeks total. If you need to drive before it arrives, you can print a temporary license from mn.gov/dvs.
Can I renew my license early?
Yes. You can renew online or by mail up to one year before your license expires. This is useful if you are traveling or want to avoid the rush near your expiration date. The cost and validity period are the same whether you renew early or wait until closer to the expiration date.