What documents Minnesota requires to renew your license
Minnesota requires you to bring one document that proves your identity and one that proves your Minnesota residency. You do not need both to be the same document — the state accepts a combination. Your current driver's license counts as proof of identity. For residency, the state accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax statement dated within the last 60 days. A bank or credit card statement also works if it shows your current address.
If your name has changed since your last license — through marriage, divorce, or legal change — bring the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Minnesota will not process a renewal under a different name without it.
You will also need your Social Security number. Have it memorized or written down; the DMV does not accept documents for this. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can renew using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, but you must bring the IRS letter that issued it.
Key Takeaways
- Bring your current driver's license for identity and a recent utility bill, lease, or bank statement showing your Minnesota address for residency.
- If your name changed, bring the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order that documents the change.
- You must provide your Social Security number; the DMV does not accept a card or document as proof.
- Renewal by mail is available in Minnesota if your license is not suspended and you meet age and vision requirements, which saves a trip to the office.
- The renewal fee is $24.50 for an eight-year license or $16.50 for a four-year license, and payment must be made at the time of renewal.
How to renew by mail instead of in person
Minnesota allows mail renewal if you meet three conditions: your license is not suspended or revoked, you are between 18 and 64 years old, and you have not had a vision correction change since your last renewal. If all three explore, you can renew without visiting a driver's license office.
Request the renewal form by calling the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services line at 651-297-2126 or by visiting the state's online form portal. Mail the completed form with your payment and a copy of your proof of residency. Do not mail your original license; keep it until you receive the renewed one. Processing takes about two weeks from the date the office receives your materials.
If you are 65 or older, you cannot renew by mail and must appear in person for a vision test. The same applies if your license has been suspended or if you need to update your address, name, or organ donor status — those changes require an in-person visit.
When you must renew in person at a driver's license office
You must visit a Minnesota driver's license office in person if you are 65 or older, if your license is suspended or revoked, or if you need a vision test. The state requires a vision screening at renewal for drivers 65 and up, and the office staff must perform it. You cannot use a vision test from your eye doctor or optometrist.
Bring all the same documents listed above: your current license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. If you wear glasses or contacts for driving, bring them with you — you will take the vision test while wearing the correction you actually use on the road.
Find your nearest office on the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services website. Many offices operate by appointment only, so check before you go. Walk-ins are accepted at some locations during certain hours, but appointment slots often fill weeks in advance, especially in the Twin Cities area.
Fees and payment methods accepted
A standard eight-year driver's license renewal costs $24.50. If you choose a four-year license instead, the fee is $16.50. These are the only two options for renewal; Minnesota does not offer longer or shorter terms.
The Minnesota DMV accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card at in-person offices. If you renew by mail, you must include a check or money order — credit and debit cards are not accepted through the mail. Do not send cash in the mail.
If you are renewing after your license has expired, there is no additional late fee in Minnesota. The renewal fee is the same whether your license expired last month or two years ago. However, if your license has been suspended for unpaid traffic fines or other violations, you must resolve that issue before the DMV will process the renewal.
What happens if your license has expired
Minnesota allows you to renew your license up to five years after it expires. If it expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew — you must explore for a new license instead, which requires a written test and a road test. Check your license to see the expiration date on the front.
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, the renewal process is identical to renewing a current license. You use the same forms, bring the same documents, and pay the same fee. There is no penalty or extra charge for renewing late, as long as you are within the five-year window.
If you are unsure whether your license is still within the renewal window, call Driver and Vehicle Services at 651-297-2126. They can tell you the expiration date and whether you can renew or must reapply.
Address changes and other updates during renewal
You can update your address when you renew, but you must do it in person — mail renewal does not allow address changes. Bring your new proof of residency showing the updated address along with your current license and identity documents.
Other changes that require an in-person visit include updating your name, changing your organ donor status, or correcting an error on your license. If you only need to change your address and nothing else, you can visit any driver's license office without an appointment at most locations, though appointment availability varies by office.
If you are moving out of Minnesota, you do not need to renew your Minnesota license before you leave. You can renew it by mail from your new state, as long as you still have a Minnesota address on file and meet the other mail renewal requirements. Once you establish residency in your new state, you should obtain that state's license instead.
What to do if you cannot find your documents
If you have lost your proof of residency, you have other options. Minnesota accepts a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, property tax statement, or bank statement — if you do not have one of these, try another. Many people have at least one document from this list at home.
If you have truly lost all proof of residency, you can request a letter from your city or county assessor's office confirming your address. This takes a few days and may cost a small fee, but it is accepted by the DMV. Alternatively, you can ask a family member or roommate whose name is on a utility bill or lease to bring that document with you and sign an affidavit confirming you live there.
If you have lost your Social Security card, do not worry — you do not need the card itself. Write your number on the renewal form if you know it. If you do not remember your number, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to request a replacement card or to confirm your number before you visit the DMV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online in Minnesota?
No. Minnesota does not offer online renewal. You can renew by mail or in person at a driver's license office. Mail renewal is the closest option to online — you request the form, complete it at home, and mail it back with your payment and documents.
How long does my renewed license take to arrive?
If you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license on the spot and the plastic card arrives by mail within two to three weeks. If you renew by mail, the entire process takes about two weeks from the date the office receives your materials, and the plastic card is mailed to you.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
No. Unless you are renewing in person at age 65 or older, your photo from the previous license is used. If you renew in person, the office takes a new photo as part of the in-person renewal process.
What if my license was suspended for unpaid fines?
You cannot renew until the suspension is lifted. Contact the court that issued the suspension or the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services office to find out how to resolve the fines and clear the suspension. Once it is cleared, you can renew normally.
Can someone else renew my license for me?
No. You must appear in person if you are renewing at a driver's license office. Mail renewal is the only option if you cannot visit an office yourself, and you must sign the form and provide your own documents.