North Dakota driver's license renewal by mail or online
North Dakota lets you renew your driver's license by mail or through their online portal without visiting a driver's license examination station, as long as your license is not expired by more than one year and you have no medical suspensions or restrictions that changed. The mail route takes about two weeks after the state receives your process; the online route is faster but requires a credit or debit card and works only if your address hasn't moved since your last renewal.
You cannot renew online if you need to update your address, change your name, add or remove organ donor status, or correct any information on your current license. Those changes require an in-person visit to a driver's license examination station.
Key Takeaways
- Mail renewal costs $40 for a four-year license and takes about two weeks; online renewal costs $40 and is processed within days.
- You can renew by mail or online only if your license expired less than one year ago and you have no medical holds or changed restrictions.
- The North Dakota Department of Transportation website has the mail-in form (Form SFN 14001) and a link to the online renewal system.
- If your address has changed, you must renew in person at a driver's license examination station in your county.
Mail renewal: what to send and where
read or request Form SFN 14001 from the North Dakota Department of Transportation website. Fill in your current license number, date of birth, and signature. Include a check or money order for $40 payable to the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Do not send cash.
Mail the completed form and payment to the address listed on the form. The state will mail your new license to the address on your current license. If you need the license sooner, call the driver's license section at 701-328-2725 to ask about expedited processing, though this is not may provide.
Online renewal through the state portal
Visit the North Dakota Department of Transportation driver's license renewal page and select the online renewal option. You will need your current license number, date of birth, and a valid credit or debit card. The system will verify your identity and process the renewal when ready. You will receive a confirmation number by email.
Your new license will be mailed to the address on your current license within five to seven business days. Online renewal is the fastest option if your address and other information are current.
When you must renew in person instead
Visit a driver's license examination station if your address has changed, you want to update your name, you need to add or remove organ donor status, your license has been expired for more than one year, or you have any medical suspensions or restrictions on your current license. Bring your current license, proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and payment of $40.
Examination stations are located in most county seats. You can find the one nearest you and its hours on the North Dakota Department of Transportation website. Wait times vary by location and time of day; calling ahead can help you plan.
What happens if your license is expired
If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot use mail or online renewal. You must visit a driver's license examination station in person. Bring your expired license, proof of your current address, and $40. The station will process your renewal the same day.
Driving with an expired license is illegal in North Dakota, even if you have submitted a renewal process. Do not drive until your new license arrives.
Fees and what your new license covers
A standard four-year driver's license renewal costs $40 whether you renew by mail, online, or in person. This fee covers the license itself; there are no additional processing or handling fees. If you are renewing an expired license or one that was suspended and then reinstated, the fee remains $40.
Your new license will be valid for four years from the date it is issued. The expiration date will be printed on the front of the card. You can check the status of your renewal by calling 701-328-2725 and providing your license number and date of birth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my North Dakota license if I live out of state now?
Yes. Mail renewal is your best option. Complete Form SFN 14001, include your $40 payment, and mail it to the address on the form. Your new license will be mailed to the address on your current license. If you have moved and need to update your address, you must renew in person at a North Dakota driver's license examination station or contact the state to arrange an address change before renewing.
What if I lost my license and need to renew it?
You cannot renew by mail or online if you do not have your current license number. Visit a driver's license examination station in person and bring proof of your identity (passport, birth certificate, or other state ID) and proof of your address. The station will issue a replacement license and process the renewal at the same time.
How do I check if my renewal was received?
Call the North Dakota Department of Transportation driver's license section at 701-328-2725 with your license number and date of birth. They can tell you whether your process was received and the status of your new license. If you renewed online, you received a confirmation number by email that you can reference.
Can I renew early before my license expires?
Yes. You can renew by mail or online up to one year before your license expires. This is useful if you are planning to travel or want to avoid the rush near your expiration date. The new license will be valid for four years from the date it is issued, not from the date your old license would have expired.
What if my name changed since my last renewal?
You must renew in person at a driver's license examination station. Bring your current license, a document showing your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), proof of your address, and $40. The station will update your name and issue a new license the same day.