What You Need to Do to Renew in Minnesota
You can renew your Minnesota driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office. Mail and online renewal are the fastest routes if your license is not expired and you have not had any address changes or name changes since your last renewal. If your license has been expired for more than one year, or if you need to update personal information, you must renew in person.
Minnesota lets you renew up to one year before your license expires, so you do not have to wait until the last moment. Your expiration date is printed on the front of your current license. The method you choose depends on whether you want to avoid a trip to an office and how quickly you need the new card in hand.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Minnesota Secretary of State website is the fastest option and takes about 10 business days if your information has not changed.
- Mail renewal requires the same documents as online but takes 2 to 3 weeks because the form must travel both ways.
- In-person renewal at a DVS office is required if your license expired more than one year ago, or if you have changed your name or address since your last renewal.
- You will need your current license, proof of residence (a utility bill or lease dated within 90 days), and payment by check, money order, or card depending on your method.
Renewing Online Through the Secretary of State Website
Online renewal is the fastest method if you are may be able to access. Go to the Minnesota Secretary of State website and select the driver's license renewal option. You will need your current license number, the date of birth printed on it, and your Social Security number to log in. The system will pull up your record and show you the information on file.
Review the information carefully. If everything matches — your name, address, and date of birth — you can proceed to payment. Minnesota accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover for online renewal. The fee is $24.50 for a four-year renewal or $48.75 for an eight-year renewal. After you pay, the system will tell you when to expect your new license in the mail, usually within 10 business days.
If you see an error in your information or need to change your address, do not proceed online. Stop and schedule an in-person appointment instead, because the online system cannot process changes.
Renewing by Mail
Mail renewal uses the same may be able to access rules as online renewal: your license must not be expired, and your name and address must not have changed. Request the renewal form by calling the Minnesota Secretary of State at 651-296-6911, or read it from their website. Fill out the form completely, including your current license number and signature.
Mail the form along with your current license and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address listed on the form. Include proof of residence — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 90 days. Minnesota will process your renewal and mail your new license back to you, which typically takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date they receive your envelope.
Keep in mind that mail renewal is slower than online renewal because your documents must travel to the state office and your new license must travel back to you. If you need your license quickly, online renewal is the better choice.
Renewing in Person at a DVS Office
You must renew in person if your license has been expired for more than one year, if you have changed your name, if you have changed your address and did not update it on your license, or if you want to change your photo. Schedule an appointment through the Minnesota Secretary of State website or by calling 651-296-6911. Walk-ins are accepted at some offices, but appointment holders are seen first, so scheduling ahead saves time.
Bring your current license, proof of residence (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 90 days), and payment. Minnesota accepts cash, check, money order, and card at DVS offices. The renewal fee is the same as online: $24.50 for four years or $48.75 for eight years. The office will take a new photo, process your renewal on the spot, and give you a temporary paper license valid for 60 days while your permanent license is mailed to you.
Processing times at in-person offices vary by location and how busy the office is. Some offices can complete your renewal in 15 minutes; others may have a wait. Arriving early in the day or on weekdays typically means shorter waits than afternoons or Saturdays.
What Documents and Information You Will Need
For any renewal method, have your current Minnesota driver's license ready. You will also need proof of residence — a document dated within the last 90 days that shows your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax statement. A bank statement or credit card statement will not work.
If you are renewing online or by mail, you will need your Social Security number and the date of birth from your license. If you are renewing in person, bring the documents themselves; the office will verify them. If your name has changed since your last renewal — through marriage, divorce, or legal change — you will need to bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. This requires in-person renewal.
How Long Renewal Takes and When Your New License Arrives
Online renewal is the fastest: your new license typically arrives within 10 business days of payment. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date Minnesota receives your envelope, plus the time for mail to travel both ways. In-person renewal gives you a temporary paper license when ready, valid for 60 days, and your permanent card arrives by mail within 2 to 3 weeks.
If you need your license for travel or identification before the permanent card arrives, the temporary paper license from in-person renewal is your best option. It is valid at airports and for most identification purposes. If you renewed online or by mail and your license has not arrived after the expected timeframe, contact the Minnesota Secretary of State to check the status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired more than a year ago?
No, you cannot renew by mail or online if your license has been expired for more than one year. You must renew in person at a DVS office. Bring your expired license, proof of residence, and payment. The office will process your renewal and issue a temporary paper license on the spot.
What if my address changed since my last renewal?
If you changed your address and did not update it on your license, you must renew in person. Online and mail renewal cannot process address changes. At the DVS office, bring proof of your new address (utility bill or lease dated within 90 days) along with your current license and payment.
Do I need a new photo for renewal?
Online and mail renewal use your existing photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DVS office. The office will take a new photo as part of the in-person renewal process at no extra cost.
What if I changed my name?
You must renew in person if your name has changed. Bring a certified copy of the document showing the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for a legal name change — along with your current license, proof of residence, and payment.
Can I renew before my license expires?
Yes, Minnesota allows you to renew up to one year before your expiration date. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at any time during that window. Renewing early means your new license will arrive before your current one expires, so you will not have a gap.