Minnesota reinstatement fees and what they cover

Reinstating a suspended driver's license in Minnesota costs money upfront, and the amount depends on why your license was suspended. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety charges a reinstatement fee that ranges from $20 to $680, depending on the reason for suspension. You also pay the standard driver's license renewal fee of $24 (for an eight-year license) or $16 (for a four-year license) on top of the reinstatement fee.

The reinstatement fee itself is not one flat amount. A suspension for unpaid traffic fines costs less to clear than a suspension for a DWI conviction or accumulating too many points. If your suspension is tied to unpaid child support or other court-ordered obligations, you may have additional costs beyond the reinstatement fee — you may need to show proof that you have paid those obligations before the Department of Public Safety will process your reinstatement at all.

You cannot reinstate your license online or by mail in most cases. You must visit a Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office in person, bring the required documents, and pay the fees there. Some offices accept cash, check, or card; policies vary by location, so call ahead if you have a payment method preference.

Key Takeaways

  • Minnesota's reinstatement fee ranges from $20 to $680 depending on the reason for suspension, plus a $16 to $24 license renewal fee.
  • A suspension for unpaid traffic fines costs far less to reinstate than a suspension for DWI or point accumulation.
  • If your suspension is linked to unpaid child support or court debt, you must resolve those obligations before the Department of Public Safety will process reinstatement.
  • You must visit a DVS office in person with proof of payment for any outstanding obligations and a valid form of ID.

Suspension reasons and their reinstatement costs

The reinstatement fee table published by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety lists fees by suspension type. A suspension for accumulating 12 or more points on your driving record costs $20 to reinstate. A suspension for unpaid traffic fines or court-ordered fines costs $50. A suspension for a first DWI conviction costs $680; a second DWI costs $680; a third or subsequent DWI costs $680. A suspension for refusing a breath or blood test costs $680.

Other suspension reasons carry different fees. A suspension for driving with a suspended license costs $50. A suspension for failing to maintain insurance costs $50. A suspension for medical reasons (if you were required to take a medical exam and did not) costs $20. If you do not know why your license was suspended, you can look it up through the Minnesota DVS website or call your local DVS office.

The reinstatement fee is separate from any fines, court costs, or restitution you may owe related to the original violation. For example, if you were suspended for unpaid traffic fines, you must pay the original fine amount plus the $50 reinstatement fee plus the license renewal fee. If you were suspended for a DWI, you pay the $680 reinstatement fee plus any court-ordered fines or fees tied to the DWI case.

How to find your suspension reason and fee amount

Before you go to a DVS office, find out exactly why your license was suspended and what the reinstatement fee will be. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety maintains a driver record lookup tool on its website where you can enter your name, date of birth, and driver's license number to see your current status and suspension reason.

If you cannot access the online tool or want to confirm the information by phone, call the Minnesota DVS at 651-297-3298 or visit a local DVS office. Have your driver's license number ready. The staff can tell you the suspension reason, the reinstatement fee amount, and whether you have any outstanding obligations (such as unpaid fines or child support) that must be resolved before reinstatement.

Documents and payment you need to bring

When you go to the DVS office to reinstate your license, bring a valid form of ID (such as a passport, state ID, or military ID if your driver's license is suspended), proof that you have paid any outstanding fines or court-ordered obligations, and payment for the reinstatement fee plus the license renewal fee. If your suspension was tied to unpaid traffic fines, bring a receipt or letter showing those fines have been paid. If your suspension was tied to child support, bring documentation from the child support enforcement office showing your account is current.

Payment methods vary by DVS office location. Most accept cash, debit card, and credit card. Some accept checks. Call your local office before you go to confirm what payment methods they take. If you cannot pay the full amount in one visit, ask whether the office offers a payment plan; policies differ by location.

Reinstatement timelines and what happens after you pay

Once you pay the reinstatement fee and license renewal fee at a DVS office, your license is usually reinstated the same day. You will receive a receipt showing the transaction. Your driving privileges are restored when ready, and you can drive legally as soon as you leave the office.

If your suspension was tied to unpaid obligations and you have not yet paid them, the DVS office will not process your reinstatement until you show proof of payment. In that case, you must pay the outstanding obligation first (to the court, the child support enforcement office, or the agency that issued the fine), obtain proof of payment, and then return to the DVS office with that proof before you can reinstate.

If you were suspended for a medical reason, you may need to provide a medical clearance form signed by a doctor before reinstatement. The DVS office will tell you what form is required and where to send it.

Additional costs if you need a new physical license card

The reinstatement fee and license renewal fee cover the administrative cost of reinstating your driving privileges. If you need a replacement physical license card (because your old one was lost, damaged, or expired), that costs an additional $16.50. Some people reinstate their license and keep their old card; others order a new card at the same time. The choice is yours, but know that a new card costs extra.

If you order a replacement card, it will be mailed to your address on file. Standard mail delivery takes about two weeks. If you need the card faster, some DVS offices offer expedited printing, though this service is not available at all locations and may carry an extra fee.

What to do if you cannot pay the full reinstatement fee

If you cannot pay the reinstatement fee and license renewal fee in one lump sum, contact your local DVS office to ask about payment options. Some offices work with people on a case-by-case basis and may allow you to pay in installments, though this is not may provide and depends on the office and the reason for suspension.

If your suspension is tied to unpaid fines or court costs, you may be able to set up a payment plan with the court or the collection agency handling the debt. Once you have a payment plan in place and have made at least one payment, some courts will notify the DVS that you are in compliance, which may allow you to reinstate your license even if you have not paid the full amount owed. Call the court that issued the fine to ask whether this option is available to you.

If your suspension is tied to unpaid child support, contact the Minnesota Child Support Enforcement office to discuss payment options. They may be willing to work with you on a plan that allows you to reinstate your license while you pay down the debt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reinstate my license online or by mail?

No. You must visit a Minnesota DVS office in person, bring a valid ID and proof of payment for any outstanding obligations, and pay the reinstatement fee and license renewal fee at the counter. Some DVS offices are open evenings and Saturdays, so you may be able to find a time that works for your schedule.

What if I was suspended for multiple reasons?

If your license was suspended for more than one reason, you must resolve all of them before you can reinstate. For example, if you were suspended for both unpaid fines and accumulating too many points, you must pay the fines and then pay the reinstatement fee for the point suspension. The DVS office can tell you all the reasons and what you need to do for each one.

Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee if I let my license expire instead of renewing it?

No. If your license straightforward expired and was never suspended, you only pay the standard renewal fee ($16 to $24). A reinstatement fee only applies if your license was actively suspended by the Department of Public Safety for a specific reason.

Will my insurance rates go up after I reinstate my license?

That depends on your insurance company and the reason for suspension. A suspension for a DWI will likely affect your rates; a suspension for unpaid fines may not. Contact your insurance company to ask how reinstatement will affect your policy.

What if I cannot find a DVS office near me?

Minnesota has DVS offices in most counties. You can search for the nearest office and its hours on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website. If you live in a rural area far from an office, call ahead to confirm hours and ask whether any services can be handled by phone or mail before you make the trip.