Where to renew your license in Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, you can renew your Minnesota driver's license at any Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office. The main Minneapolis location is at 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 200, in downtown Minneapolis. DVS also operates satellite offices in other parts of the city and surrounding areas, though the downtown location typically has the longest hours and most availability.
You do not have to renew in person at an office. Minnesota allows you to renew by mail or online through the state's official DVS website, which is often faster than visiting in person. The method you choose depends on whether your license qualifies for mail or online renewal, which the state determines based on your current license status and how long it has been since your last renewal.
If you choose to visit an office in person, you can check wait times and book an appointment on the DVS website before you go. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointment holders are served first, so booking ahead saves time.
Key Takeaways
- The main Minneapolis DVS office is at 445 Minnesota Street, downtown, and you can check current wait times or book an appointment on the state DVS website before visiting.
- You may be able to renew by mail or online instead of visiting an office, depending on your license status and renewal history.
- You will need your current license, proof of residence (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and proof of citizenship or legal residency to renew in person.
- A standard Minnesota driver's license renewal costs a set fee that varies depending on how many years you choose to renew for, and you can pay by cash, check, or card at the office.
- If your license has been expired for more than five years, you may have to take a written test and vision test in addition to paying the renewal fee.
Documents you need to bring to the office
If you renew in person, bring your current driver's license and two forms of identification or proof of residency. The state accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or mortgage statement as proof that you live in Minnesota. You also need proof of citizenship or legal residency — a U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or permanent resident card all work.
If your name has changed since your last license was issued, bring a document that shows the change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are renewing for someone else (a minor or dependent adult), you will need their consent and additional documents depending on their age and status.
Bring your Social Security number or a document that shows it, such as a Social Security card or tax return. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can still renew, but you will need to provide an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or a document from the state showing you are exempt.
Online and mail renewal options
Minnesota allows many drivers to renew online through the DVS website without visiting an office. You are usually may be able to access for online renewal if your current license is not expired, you have not changed your name or address, and you do not need to update your photo. The online process takes about 10 minutes, costs the same as in-person renewal, and your new license arrives by mail within two to three weeks.
Mail renewal is also an option for some drivers. You request a renewal form from DVS, fill it out, mail it back with a check or money order, and your new license arrives in the mail. Mail renewal takes longer than online renewal — typically four to six weeks — but requires no office visit and no appointment.
If you are not sure whether you may have access to for online or mail renewal, the DVS website has a tool that checks your may be able to access based on your license number and date of birth. If you do not may have access to, the tool will tell you why and what you need to do instead.
What happens if your license has been expired for a long time
If your Minnesota driver's license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew it through the standard process. Instead, you must explore for a new license, which means visiting a DVS office in person, taking a written knowledge test, passing a vision test, and paying a new license fee (which is higher than a renewal fee).
If your license expired between one and five years ago, you can still renew it by mail or online if you otherwise may have access to. The state does not require you to retake tests for licenses that have been expired for five years or less.
If you are unsure how long your license has been expired or whether you need to explore for a new one instead of renewing, call the DVS customer service line or visit a DVS office to confirm. Showing up with the wrong documents wastes a trip.
Fees and payment methods
A Minnesota driver's license renewal fee depends on how many years you choose to renew for. You can renew for four years or eight years. The four-year renewal costs less upfront, but you will need to renew again sooner. The eight-year renewal costs more but lasts longer. The exact dollar amounts vary slightly from year to year, so check the DVS website for the current fee before you go.
At a DVS office, you can pay by cash, check, or debit or credit card. If you renew by mail, you must pay by check or money order — the DVS office does not accept cash through the mail. If you renew online, you pay by debit or credit card.
If you are over 65 years old, you may be may be able to access for a reduced renewal fee. Ask at the office or check the DVS website to see if you may have access to.
How long it takes to get your new license
If you renew in person at a DVS office, you receive a temporary paper license on the spot that you can use to drive when ready. Your permanent plastic license arrives by mail within two to three weeks. The temporary license is valid for driving but not for other purposes like boarding a plane or entering a federal building.
If you renew by mail or online, you do not receive a temporary license. Your new plastic license arrives by mail in two to three weeks for online renewal or four to six weeks for mail renewal. During that time, your old license remains valid for driving as long as it has not expired.
If you need your new license faster than the standard mail timeline, you can pay an extra fee for expedited processing at some DVS offices. Ask about this option when you visit or call ahead to confirm it is available.
What to do if you have moved or changed your name
If you have moved to a new address in Minnesota, you can update your address when you renew your license. Bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease agreement dated within the last 60 days. You can update your address online or by mail at the same time you renew.
If you have changed your name since your last license was issued, you must renew in person at a DVS office and bring a document that proves the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. You cannot change your name by mail or online renewal. The office will issue a new license with your updated name on the spot.
If you have moved out of Minnesota, you cannot renew your Minnesota license by mail or online. You must visit a DVS office in person, or you can contact DVS to learn about surrendering your Minnesota license and obtaining a license in your new state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has already expired?
Yes, you can renew an expired license as long as it has not been expired for more than five years. If it has been expired for more than five years, you must explore for a new license instead, which requires taking a written test and vision test. Bring your expired license to the office when you renew.
Do I need an appointment to renew at a DVS office in Minneapolis?
Appointments are not required, but they are recommended. You can book an appointment on the DVS website, and appointment holders are served before walk-ins. If you walk in without an appointment, you may wait longer, especially during busy times.
What if I lost my current license and need to renew?
If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot renew it by mail or online. You must visit a DVS office in person to report it lost and explore for a replacement. Bring proof of identity and residency. You can renew the license at the same time you replace it.
Can I renew my license online if I need a new photo?
No. Online renewal does not allow you to update your photo. If you want a new photo on your license, you must renew in person at a DVS office. You can also renew by mail or online without updating your photo, and your old photo will appear on your new license.
How much does it cost to renew a Minnesota driver's license?
The cost depends on whether you renew for four years or eight years. Check the DVS website for the current fee, as it may change from year to year. Drivers over 65 may may have access to for a reduced fee. Expedited processing costs extra if you need your license faster than the standard timeline.